No smart controller

Grow Equipment Climate
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I’m in the process of tuning in my first tent.

Being on a budget and having lots of useful items on hand, i opted not to purchase a smart controller and compatible components.

I have smart outlets in able to control from my phone, but am also able to setup on off schedules, i have a thermostat and humidity control to kick on a heater, humidifier and dehumidifier. And i have a wife camera in there where i can see my thermometer/hygrometer just to keep an eye on things.

So now I’m trying to tune in my schedules, and learn as much as i can about all of the controllable variables for each stage of these plants. There’s endless info out there, and lots of charts, and ranges, including here on ILGM, so i was hoping to get some advice from some of you who have had success with or without smart controllers.

What sweet spots have you found for temp, humidity, lights (on/off, distance, intensity), ventilation, circulation fans, air intake? For day, for night, for seedling, veg and flower?

I’m happy to hear any info and tips your willing to share.

I’ve found all of the ranges via charts here in ILGM, I’m looking for your personal experience and sweet spots you’ve found to with the best for you.

The only thing i have yet to dive into is vpd. There doesn’t seem to be a controller like a thermostat or humidity control, aside from the smart controllers. So if anyone wants to dumb down, shorten the learning curve and try to explain how i can control that and where it should be, that’d also be greatly appreciated.

I’m growing autos in a spider farm 4.6x2.3x6.6 tent with a 4" vivosun inline fan, a bestva bp2000, 2 vision 6" oscillating circulation fans, and a couple of ac Infinity usb fans i 3d printed a housing for as an air intake.

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The AC I t3 humidifier has a VDP control in its program.

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Aim for 80F and 70% humidity to start as seedlings. After that you can go down to 60% humidity. Good, but not excessive airflow.

At night, let the temps and humidity drop by 5 degrees/%.

Watch the plants, see how they respond. Consistent environment will help a lot, much more than tinkering with settings day to day.

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I have all the automation equipment and don’t even bother to use it. I grow in basement that is naturally cooler and makes it a little difficult to keep temps in most ideal range, so I find myself tweaking things geared towards keeping the temp up.

There is a most ideal point for everything, but don’t stress over making sure you can to exactly perfect on everything. Get your equipment together and running then see what is easy to manage vs what’s difficult to manage. If you can get close is usually plenty good enough to run a successful grow.

If you run led lights you’ll probably experience the best growth rates with canopy temps around 80⁰f or so. If you can maintain that temp great. You also want to make sure you don’t stop exchanging air while lights are on as plants will need to fresh co2. If you have a good air exchange and maintaing temperature then look at chasing vpd charts for ideal rh. This is going to change throughout the grow and with seasonal climate changes. I try to err to lower end of recommended rh for each stage of growth.

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