This is my first attempt. I've set up a 4x4 tent with 2 ES300 lights. I'm in a super dry area and with the lights both on I get some pretty high temperatures (85-90) so I've added the AC. I'm having two problems that I need help with.... With my exhaust fan turned up 75% of the way and Taotronics humidifier set to 80% I can't seem to get my sensor to read humidity greater than 40-50%. The other is more of an experience question...Are other people that are using these lights following the manufacturers specs for height and intensity or have you seen better results with different settings.
I haven't started my seeds yet as I want to get my environment tuned in so I dont ruin everything by jumping the gun.
I am new to growing also and sure hope you post your progress because I am wanting to get those very same lights.
Hi Scott, good questions. For the humidity issue, you may want to try lowering the speed of your inline fan while the AC is on so more cool air will stay in the room. Also, since you're exhausting less air, the humidity will increase since it's staying in the room longer. If that doesn't work, there are a few alternate ways to increase relative humidity. You can hang wet towels in the room. As the towel dries, H2O is evaporating and therefore increasing the relative humidity. You can also place containers of water in the grow space as well. I just re-read your post and realized you don't have plants in the grow space yet. Having plants in there will also increase the relative humidity via transpiration. So if your environment is slightly off to where you want it to be, the addition of plants may land it in the sweet spot. For the ES300 question, I've ran 18" at the closest while flowering. I feel like 20-22" provides a bit better light spread and reduces the risk of too much light that sensitive strains don't handle well.
Thanks for the advice, I will give it a shot.
What height were your ES300s at the initial seedlings stage and do you ever use the dimmer knob? If you do use the dimmer at what level during which stages?
I've read your book and watched your video series, thank you for creating such a user friendly system. I’m excited to start just want it to go the best it can the first time.
@Randj, I plan on sharing as much as I can during my first attempt. I work with a bunch of chemists so I cant help but be methodical
Look forward to it!
24"-30" for seedlings is what I normally do. I do not have a dimmer on my ES300. Thanks for tuning into my content. I'm glad it's helpful for you :)
My temps my first run were ranged from 62-69°f at night and 76-81°f during the day, i kept my RH around 50-60% with minor fluctuations mimicking storms and stuff. I had a 16" hurricane fan in the corner. A dehumidifier, 750w ceramic heater from wal mart. 2-315 LEC's in a 7x7x8 tent. I literally had no problems in my grow. I live around lake Tahoe and the weather is super speratic. Go through some of my previous posts and look at the pics and quality. I used cloth pots. It seemed to help with keeping humidity up. Also keep in mind you don't have water and stuff in there yet so running a 40 to 50% right now is perfect when you add your pots and plants and water it will climb 20% easy. Good luck Growbro and post thoes photos!