Hey guys, I’ve been posting here a ton and I hope I’m not being a pest. You all have been extremely helpful in assisting me with getting this set up right, so I appreciate what you’ve done so far. I do have another question though. I have to have my tent in my shed. Things would be 1000 times easier if I could just bring it in, but the wife is not cool with that so it is what it is. I bought a window AC unit to try and cool the shed and it did not lower the ambient temperature at all. It’s just entirely too drafty in there, I may as well be trying to cool the whole neighborhood. I thought I might be able to direct and concentrate the cold air so I rig this up. There are a couple problems that I foresee, and I wanted to ask you guys if you thought it would work. First problem, it has put the tent under fully positive pressure. Even if I run my exhaust fan full bore, it doesn’t even come close to being enough. I’ve heard a few people say the only real purpose for negative pressure is so that the smell stays in. Right now, I don’t particularly care if it smells, so if that’s the only need for negative pressure, it’s not an issue.
Second, the thermostat on the unit is reading the ambient temperature of the shed, not the temp in the tent so it make actually end up making it too cold. Can I get some opinions? For reference, the temp in the shed without the ac is 85. I know that’s not terrible, but things are heating up. I’m in zone 7b and I reckon we’ll have a few 100+ degree days
80 - 85 F is perfect.
Yea, I’m ok with the temps now but in the next month weeks it’s going to get very hot
Without automation…regulating the environment takes all the tools. Opening / closing flaps / opening closing the shed / Running the exhaust at various speeds…now you added a new tool…the AC. I would not worry about the positive pressure. I think that on hot days you will run the AC all out…and may not use it on other days.
For some cheap automation on the AC…look at Inkbird Controllers. You plug the AC into it…the controller has a probe you put in the tent…you can set whatever temp parameters you want…and the controller turns the AC (or even heat too if you want) on as needed.
That’s a good suggestion. I’ve heard of it before, but I thought it was a proprietary thing. Like AC Infiniti controllers only working with AC infinity equipment for example. I’ll definitely look into it. Right now I have three different appliances with three different probes all giving different readings, +3 additional standalone thermometer/hygrometers, I’ll also giving their own readings. Having just one would be really nice.
Make a insulated room for your tent and pump the AC in to there and use as a lung room..
Little bit of a cost but should definitely help keep it cooler..
Happy Growing..
I’ve definitely considered it. I don’t have near the skill to do it myself, so I’d have to pay somebody, and it would dominate a big portion of the shed that I need for other things.
It was just a thought..
That’s my next plan wife wants it out of the house..
So we need a new shed hurricane messed it up..
Think we are gonna put up a metal building..
Then I’m gonna build a insulated room
3 times the size of my tent..
Can’t wait should be ready by this fall…
I was to hot inside the tent on my run last run had to pump AC directly into the tent..
Happy growing..
I’d love to do it. Even considered just buying a cheap shed from Home Depot. But they ain’t cheap, and running power is another obstacle
Could use spray foam to seal/ insulated the shed, then use the shed as lung room. Is my idea I’m gonna try once house project is done.
The problem with ac in any indoor grow is you have to introduce fresh air to replenish the co2 plants are using. So there is no ideal fix for this.
You can seal and insulate the shed and ac will probably do a better job of keeping up, but then you’ll have to find a way to generate co2. Running ac and co2 on top of all the other growing expenses may make it more reasonable to just buy your weed. I’d probably just give it a shot without any of it and see where you land. Probably won’t be the healthiest highest yielding plants, but still possible.
lol oh yea, I already spend way WAY more to grow my own. I love it, it’s my favorite hobby but holy cow, chasing the environment is such a headache. I’ve had pretty good success in years past despite the obstacles, but it kills me to think how much better it could be.
Yea I thought about insulating. It would just be a huge expense.
I did research and learn about the co2. There’s LOTS of fresh air coming in through the shed, that’s not enough? I don’t really understand the science behind it
Edit: I misunderstood. You’re saying if the shed was insulated, there wouldn’t be enough co2. You think it’s better to just power through the heat? This strain is supposedly pretty heat resistant.
There’s probably enough coming in right now but this also the same reason your ac unit won’t keep up. If you seal it up I’m sure the ac will do better but then you won’t have the air exchange that’s currently supplying co2.
I like growing too, but not enough to spend more growing than I can buy it for. Light, fans, etc not too bad. But when you start running ac, heater, large dehumidifier the operational costs climb quickly. I can drive hour and 15 minutes and buy weed for $60-$70/zip makes more sense to me. But not the same situation for everyone either.
I am not meaning to seal the entire building I should have been clear. Not sure how high up the wall you have the AC unit installed or how big the building is, mine is 12x12 I was meaning to seal 1/2 way to 3/4th way and let vents in rafter or whatever leaks are their, as long as your AC unit is set just high enough it will keep the lower area cool and with intake your air will be cooler, at least the idea I was thinking about doing in my shed, and if not enough air flow for CO2 I could put a small intake fan on a ven and pull air in.
I hear you, and you are absolutely not wrong lol
I see. Yesterday, the outside temp was about 85 so inside the tent was like 88. The ac was able to keep the tent abou 75, but it ran non stop. When you think about it, this power bill is the wife’s fault 
I was whining to her about all the challenges and I think I’m wearing down her resolve. Could be that next year I can move it inside. The smell is going to be an issue. I’ll have a dedicated room, behind another room that only I use. You’d think that that, along with a carbon filter would be enough, but I dunno.
True story, I tried to sneak it past her one time, thinking I could get away with it. I had a plant that was barely into veg, in the basement, in that inner room behind two closed doors, inside a tent. No carbon filter, but why would it be necessary?! I had it inside for ONE day. She comes home and from our bedroom one floor up she’s like “I think I smell weed”. Absolutely impossible, but I’ll be damned. Busted.
@dbrn32 I totally get what you are saying price wise. I don’t even smoke anymore but I do like gummies. But the cost factor is why I am doing outdoor, even my hydro. My only real cost is the soil for the bags and pots, and I buy the 3-part Masterblend formula as it is really good and inexpensive. A bit bothersome to mix, but easy overall. My thinking is that to this day, there are plenty of people across the world that are growing some killer weed outside without all the fancy bells and whistles that some people think are absolutely necessary today. I see the huge fields in Thailand, Afghan mountains, Mexico, etc… With all of the huge temperature swings, humidity, and other outdoor concerns. I went to one of my local dispensaries the other day to pick up my sleep gummies and doggy CBD (12 y/o) and they had ounces for $50-$75 all over the place. I’ll include a picture of one of the ad boards. Definitely cheaper to buy than grow yourself anymore against the commercial growers. But, we do it for love and taking the plant journey from start to finish. Way more satisfying than buying it. But not easy. Thanks.
100% possible if you’re committed to making it work. If you absolutely cannot have smell of weed is probably more complicated than just using carbon filter though. I would also target genetics that are known to be less fragrant among making sure your ventilation is on point and having a GOOD carbon filter.
This often wears off. It did here.
It’s tough to explain without showing you but I’ll try. In my basement, there’s a bedroom behind a closed door. Theres a room inside it (basically a big closet) and it has a window. I’m hoping the carbon filter will take care of the smell while the tent is closed. Then I want to put an exhaust fan in that window and turn it on when I open the tent. Currently I have a 4 inch ac infinity carbon filter; not sure if that qualifies as good
I have my tent in my bedroom, I’ve done about 4 plants now and I smelled it very little. If you sit there and try to get a whiff you certainly will but it won’t be strong. Until you open the tent that’s when it will be a lot stronger.
I have my carbon filter inside my tent going to an exhaust. My exhaust to my incline fan outside of the tent. And then another flex duct going out my window to vent it outside. So far I haven’t smelled any of it until I opened the tent. I’m not sure how it will be this go around for flower but I’m sure it’ll be the same as I did last go around except this time I don’t have the carbon filter and exhaust fan inside the tent.
If you plan on doing 1 plant at a time I don’t think it’ll be that strong in there. Plants don’t typically smell strong in the veg state but there is definitely a little hint. My guess is she found your set up and used the “I think” no no no she knew 