In order to successfully grow any type of plant in a grow room, you must have ventilation up and running. While for some this is as simple as investing in a lightweight fan, for others it’s a bit more in-depth. If you want to grow plants quickly but in a healthy manner, then it’s worth it to put a little bit of extra work into setting up a functional ventilation system. Fortunately, this can be much easier if you follow the steps below.
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Step 1. Install Fans
To begin the process, you’ll need to invest in two types of fans: oscillating and an air extractor system. Both are relatively affordable and can be found at affordable prices, depending on the make and model you purchase. However, high quality is important when it comes to the air extractor system, as it plays a major role in how the air is exchanged in the grow room. Here’s what you need to know about each:
– Oscillating Fan
These are designed to blow air all around your plants in order to keep air circulating and the room cool. Being lightweight, you can easily move an oscillating fan around to determine the best placement based on your plants in particular.
However, it’s important that your fan is situated in a spot where the air will reach all areas of the room. If you have a big room, this may mean investing in two or even four fans to get the job done. While many of these stand, there are many that will clip to pipes or hang so you can easily situate them at the top of the grow room.
Tip: Make sure the fans are never directly pointed at your plants, as this can cause windburn.
– Air Extractor System
These systems help cycle out the old air in the room in order to provide plants with the fresh air they need. It’s important to invest in a system that will cycle all the air in three minutes or less, so choose one that’s fit for the size room that you’re using to grow. While it’s possible to purchase a kit that comes with all the tools you need, it’s easy to make your own air extractor system with individual parts. If you’re just getting started, it’s recommended to install this before ever placing your plants in the room.
Tip: You can introduce new air into your room with either a passive intake or active intake. Active intake systems use a fan to regularly draw air into the room while a passive intake uses negative pressure and passive airflow with a fan that regularly blows air out.
Step 2: Get a Handle on Humidity
For plants to grow, they must have a certain level of humidity in the room they’re growing in. However, finding the right balance of humidity can be difficult if you don’t have the right tools. Many growers will use a humidity gauge installed in their room to see what level it’s at throughout the day. To lower the humidity, the humid air will need to be vented out with an exhaust system or dehumidifier. To raise the humidity, it’s as simple as turning off the exhaust system for a short amount of time.
Tip: To determine the proper humidity levels, research your plant specifically. Each plant has a preference when it comes to humidity levels, temperature and other details of their environment.
Step 3: Do You Need CO2?
Some plants need to have CO2, which can be accomplished with a quick CO2 injection into your grow room. To do this, you must have a 100% sealed grow room that will fully contain the CO2 so it can provide the plant what it needs while reducing risk to humans in your household. If you don’t have a sealed grow room, this should be done before you bring the CO2 injection around.
You should also make sure you have grow lights in the room, as they will help the plants utilize the CO2 as much as possible. Once these are installed, you can move forward with the injection.
Common Questions and Answers to Keep in Mind
Q: What Size Fan Do I Need?
A: To determine this, you’ll need to first find the volume of your grow room. You can do this by multiplying the width, length, and height. Once you have this number, divide it by 3 (which represents the number of minutes it will take to cycle the air in the room); if you want more power, divide the room volume by 2 instead.
Q: Will Grow Lights Impact The Need For a Fan?
A: Yes! Even LED grow lights will emit heat, which can impact the humidity and temperature of your grow room overall. You may need to invest in a larger fan or multiple fans if you have excess heat from lights.
Q: What Size Fan Do I Need?
A: Larger fans (those that are 8-inches +), are best for high-powered grow rooms and systems. However, smaller fans are normally fine for traditional rooms, including those that are 4 and 6 inches.
Q: Which System is Best for Beginners?
A: It’s highly recommended to go with an in-line duct fan if you’re a beginner. This should be tailored to your room in particular, with a fan that can accommodate the cubic feet per minute you need to clear out.
Q: What Type of Ducting is Best?
A: Most professionals and avid growers recommend flexible aluminum, as it’s affordable and easy to find. However, there are more expensive options to choose from if you’re looking for the best of the best.
Q: Is the Size of My Grow Room Important?
A: Yes. With ventilation, the size of the room can impact how quickly the climate inside changes. For example, smaller rooms will accumulate heat more quickly, which will deplete CO2 levels. In rooms with low ceilings, heat may build-up around the top and not distribute evenly.
Proper Ventilation for Easy Growing