Importance Of Ventilation?

[EMP]

I am currently experimenting with a small grow in a confined area (just a small cupboard) Its getting colder these days and the light im using doesnt produce much heat, the temp hugs 25 degrees. So theres no need for venting hot air out because there is none, however i know a plant needs oxygen to grow and the only ventilation the plant is getting at the moment is from a 3mm gap that surrounds the cupboards door.

 

plus the door gets opened almost everyday from me checking its progress

 

Is that enough for the plant to keep healthy? or shoiuld i really ventilate it more?

[Tom]

You need a constant flow of fresh air through the grow room, during the "day" for CO2, at "night" for oxygen and to help inhibit mould, good ventilation is every bit as important as good lighting, media, nutrients, etc.

 

[F420]

yup, like Tom said.

The Co2 is the plants food, if you dont get fresh air in their the plant will suffocate.

As far as having the door open that actually makes it worst-

 

It is absolutely critical for you to understand this - Opening the doors is Bad!

 

Keep them closed, and have a fan sucking air out of the top of it to a window or into the ceiling, and have inlet vents down low (or another fan) drawing in air as long as the air being drawn in is fresh, not stale. If you have the fans going and open the doors that is also bad. Image a bottle of water, take the lid off. The water won't get fresh. Try pouring fresh water into it. It just overflows. You need to give plants food - Carbon Dioxide, and you need to get rid of the air once its had the carbon dioxide extracted and more air put back in. So in terms of our bottle, pump water into the bottom, or drain it out and pour fresh in the top, any way that keeps the bottle full of new water.

 

Plants without fresh air die. Wardrobes with open doors cause overheating of the plant because the air is not moving around the plant, and the air is getting hotter.

[Tom]

a 3mm gap that surrounds the cupboards door

This needs to be sealed up or you will end up with some bug problems plus it will allow light to leak in during the dark period.

 

[EMP]

thanks for the help guys,

 

Like i said earlier, this is just an experiment, i will keep reading and asking questions so thx for your help.

 

My situation is a bit hard tho, i live in a unit so there are people next to me and above me, no ceiling space, room has a vent in it but if i blow the air out through that it could possibly blow straight into the room above mine (vents are all conected) which is occupied by other people.

 

I'll figure somthing out.

[Tom]

I think your best option may be to use a carbon filter, Luke and some of the other members that use them could give you some details on them.