Hood ventilation?

[skriz]

So I finnaly have my 650g up and running. I am working onthe canopy and am still pndering if I should have a closed top or not. any info/suggestions would be much appreciated.

Also, what method should I use to combat humidity. I do not want to end up damaging my house with excess humidity.

-I was considering plumbing a duct from the canopy to the suction side of the A/C system. Someone said that it will end up destroying the A/C unit. i DONT want that!

-If I vent it outside the house, would that not bring in the outside air? (in Georgia we are 100 degrees plus in July/August, and in the high 90's the rest of the summer).

-How effective are dehumidifiers? If I plumb one directly to the canopy?

thanks

 

[mflamb]

On the 390 I'm setting up, I am leaving the top of the canopy open to help relieve heat. If the humidity in the house is excessive, I will enclose the hood and duct it to the outside with a bathroom vent fan. If the vent has a one-way flap, outside air will not enter the house.
Mike

 

[AcroSteve]

I am building a new canopy for my 180 and have not yet decided what to do for a top. I am strongly considering pegboard type stuff, but I am not sure. I am using luminarcs, so there will not be as much need for light containment, however, I will also be running two VHO's which will need a little help.

So, in the end, I will probably have something solid but light(1/4" plywood) in place.

I am striving for lightness, and figure the mahogany canopy and the lights will weight 20-30 lbs.

 

[skriz]

mflamb-

Air won't enter through the fan, it will enter from somewhere else in the house. It has to otherwise you would have created a vaccum.

AcroSteve-

I too am using the luminarcs with VHO's. I am not concerned about light containment at all. My main concern is humidity. I just don't want to end up with mildew all over my house.

 

[mflamb]

skriz...You are correct, the air will enter from somewhere. I prefer to vent highly humid air and bring in some of the outside stuff, which here in Florida is humid during the rainy summertime, but not otherwise.
Mike