Best way to control heat in a small closet with sliding doors?

[berrypilot]

I had some questions for all you knowledgeable growers! I was wondering if anyone else has experience dealing with setting up small grows in a closet with sliding doors.

I have a small closet that's about 5' wide, 2' deep, and about 5' of usable height with sliding doors. I'm trying to figure out the best grow light for this setup, and the best way to hook up an exhaust. It seems like I should just keep one of the doors open to let out heat, but I worry about the light being visible through a window. I'd like to see if I can find a way to vent out heat while keeping the doors mostly closed. Is that possible? Will I need to replace the doors?

[gbauto]

You going to need to figure out how to get enough air exchange. I finished my first indoor grow this Aug(started in march) in my walk-in closet. Even though I live in the mountains it still can hit 90 on some days-so it was a challenge to keep temps in the room below 85. I use led lamps and a dwrc hydro setup and fortunately (hydrogard) didn't have any root rot issues. Best lesson-don't grow inside if temps outside are above 75 unless you add climate control.

[Pankace]

If you're a handy man or know one could always make a vent to run duct in one of the side walls. You might be able to just cut through drywall if you locate your studs.

[Weed Pharma]

What is directly above the closet?- the easiest way would be to vent UP and let air come in through the door cracks for a good air exchange and disperse above. A carbon filter/scrubber could be added to eliminate any odor before releasing it.

[berrypilot]

As far as I know it's just the roof of the house above the closet. The closet is 7 feet high but cut short to 5 feet for growing because of the extra hardware in the closet (shelf and rack for clothes). What would happen if I vented directly into my ceiling?

[Weed Pharma]

I think you just found your solution as a roof is always vented to the outside air-at the peak/sides ends etc..

[ZigZag]

Your situation is very close to my own. I can't cut a hole in my outside wall or go through the ceiling (room is on the first floor). If I don't open up the doors to the closet at least 3-4 feet then it gets over 80 degrees in just a few hours during the summer. My solution has been to use two small fans on the floor pointing up into the plants on the low setting. Then I have one osculating fan blowing air across the lights and very tops of the plants so it moves the hot air out of the closet into the room. Then in the room I have another fan that moves the air around the room and/or out the door or window. There is a large sliding window in the room where the closet is so I can open that for fresh cooler air. as needed. I don't need to worry about oder so thats a blessing. The sliding window is blacked out using black reflective mylar covered with heavy black curtains so when the window and curtains are closed I can still leave the closet doors open during the dark period which helps get the room temp down to about 70-72 degrees with the lights off. Overall this keeps the temperature perfect_between 70-80 degrees, but I live in a cool climate and the outside temp rarely gets over 75 degrees F. Hope that helps.

[Pankace]

Did you get find a way around your problem berry?

[Tika]

Excellent responses
this forum is wonderful! The

[kingfish]

How will you keep the light out during 12/12 ? As for venting. Keep the doors open install some fans and you will be good to go. Make your light hours during the day time. When you turn off the light at night close her up. But be sure when you close her up that there are no light leaks. Live by the KISS rule. Keep It Simple Silly. I mean no disrespect.

[berrypilot]

Your situation is very close to my own. I can't cut a hole in my outside wall or go through the ceiling (room is on the first floor). If I don't open up the doors to the closet at least 3-4 feet then it gets over 80 degrees in just a few hours during the summer. My solution has been to use two small fans on the floor pointing up into the plants on the low setting. Then I have one osculating fan blowing air across the lights and very tops of the plants so it moves the hot air out of the closet into the room. Then in the room I have another fan that moves the air around the room and/or out the door or window. There is a large sliding window in the room where the closet is so I can open that for fresh cooler air. as needed. I don't need to worry about oder so thats a blessing. The sliding window is blacked out using black reflective mylar covered with heavy black curtains so when the window and curtains are closed I can still leave the closet doors open during the dark period which helps get the room temp down to about 70-72 degrees with the lights off. Overall this keeps the temperature perfect_between 70-80 degrees, but I live in a cool climate and the outside temp rarely gets over 75 degrees F. Hope that helps.

This sounds like it might actually be a really great option for me! I'm reluctant to cut holes in the walls but for some reason I didn't really consider blacking out the window! I want to be able to find a way to keep light from getting out, but still be able to leave the window open. I found this idea for making a fake window on the website that works as a light trap and I think I'm going to make some sort of version of this. I don't want an actual exhaust system, but I want to be able to leave the window open so cool air gets in and then I can leave the sliding doors open whenever I need to 👍

[dontknownuttin]

Could be auto flowers are for you! check em out