ACI infinity help with setup vpd

[lizto]

I have an ACI 69 controller. Can anyone help me figure out the best way to set up the program. It was going fairly well, but now that my plants have gotten bigger my tent seems too warm.
Inline Fan- right now I have the inline fan running for 10 minutes on 40 minutes off
Lights 16 hours on
Humidifier- what is the best way to set this up ? Using target or trigger?
Heater-what is the best way to set this up? Using target or trigger?

I have two oscillating fans that aren't operated by the controller but are on 24/7.

This is my first grow.

Would you say that my plant is in early flower?

Thanks

 

[Natep]

Set it in auto. Then set a high temp and high humidity. The trigger your humidifier off low humidity.

 

[Natep]

Set up you temp and humidity the vpd will take care of its self.

 

[Smokey_LaFleur]

I don't know that VPD matters all that much unless you are using co2. As Natep said, get your rh and temps in line.

 

[Eledin]

I don't know that VPD matters all that much unless you are using co2. As Natep said, get your rh and temps in line.

It does, VPD is the way that plants can carry water with nutrients from the roots to the leaves against gravity. Having it a little bit off wont cause big problems but if its way off you bet it will I use this to calculate mine.

VPD Chart

Vapor pressure deficit (VPD) chart & calculator for horticulture in controlled environment. Cannabis, tomatoes, leafy greens, cucumber.

vpdchart.com

 

[Eledin]

If VPD is too small, peak growth rates are not achieved, and problems like mold or root rot can become an issue. If VPD is too large, the plant stomata will close in an attempt to limit transpiration, which can result in issues like tip burn and leaf curl.
If you want a very in-depth explanation its taken from here but be prepared for a long read

Understanding VPD and Transpiration Rates for Cannabis Cultivation Operations | Cannabis Science and Technology - Cannabis Industry News, Insights

This article explores how vapor pressure differentials (VPD) affect transpiration rates in cannabis plants. Understanding of VPD at different temperatures and relative humidities, and its effect on this process, is important to gain maximum plant growth.

www.cannabissciencetech.com

 

[capone304]

I have an ACI 69 controller. Can anyone help me figure out the best way to set up the program. It was going fairly well, but now that my plants have gotten bigger my tent seems too warm.
Inline Fan- right now I have the inline fan running for 10 minutes on 40 minutes off
Lights 16 hours on
Humidifier- what is the best way to set this up ? Using target or trigger?
Heater-what is the best way to set this up? Using target or trigger?

I have two oscillating fans that aren't operated by the controller but are on 24/7.

This is my first grow.

Would you say that my plant is in early flower?

Thanks

"Raises hand" I have a question why the straw on top of your medium? I've NVR seen that B4

 

[Eledin]

"Raises hand" I have a question why the straw on top of your medium? I've NVR seen that B4

Its called mulching. When you cover the top substrate with dry vegetal material to help it retain humidity and temperature. It also helps prevent soil pests like fungus gnats as adults need to feed on the surface unlike larvae who feed underground on whatever is on the soil plus your roots. There are specific dried vegetal materials that need to be used, if you were to mulch with your own weed plant leaves it would probably end in oidium unless you dry them really well before doing so, and they will crumble easily, thats why you dont see it, its risky and inconvenient. Its usually leaves from certain trees or straw. Outdoors it also helps protect the soil against hard weather and prevents unwated weeds from growing.

 

[lizto]

"Raises hand" I have a question why the straw on top of your medium? I've NVR seen that B4

Mulch. Its what the BAS guy does. This is my first time so I'm following some of his methods

 

[LoveGrowingIt]

I have an ACI 69 controller. Can anyone help me figure out the best way to set up the program. It was going fairly well, but now that my plants have gotten bigger my tent seems too warm.
Inline Fan- right now I have the inline fan running for 10 minutes on 40 minutes off
Lights 16 hours on

Looks okay, but you might want to run your inline (exhaust?) fan more often. If it's attached to the controller, you could set it to run above a set temperature, like 82º, for example.

Humidifier- what is the best way to set this up ? Using target or trigger?

Trigger it using the "auto" option to run when the humidity drops below a set level. Young plants need higher humidity. As plants age, they like lower humidity.

Heater-what is the best way to set this up? Using target or trigger?

Use the "auto" option to turn it on below a set temperature. I set mine to the low 50s most of the time and let the lights heat the tent when they're on. I usually don't run the heater and the lights at the same time.

I have two oscillating fans that aren't operated by the controller but are on 24/7.

Okay.

Would you say that my plant is in early flower?

It looks like it is.

About VPD: It is calculated using temperature and humidity and is a useful indicator of the growing environment. It's the first thing I check before opening my tents. I don't use it to control my tent's environment, though. I watch it to make sure it's in the best range for the plants. It lets me know if something isn't right.

 

[Newty]

I like constant air exchange so I prefer to keep exhaust always on at a low speed of 1 or 2, increases based on Auto mode trigger.

I would like to see most of your equipment in Auto Mode with the correct buffer or transition settings personally.

I don't like cycle mode, I only use it for UV lights that I cycle on for 10 minutes every 1 hour.

I think VPD is easier to control when you have 1 constant variable.
Keep temp constant and only change humidity to reach ideal VPD or keep humidity constant and only change temp to reach ideal VPD.
When you're trying to change both at the same time, equipment can start working against each.

These values will be different at lights off.
I make night Automations so when my lights go off, my Controller 69 goes to my night settings and adjusts based on that.

 

[PooToe]

I like constant air exchange so I prefer to keep exhaust always on at a low speed of 1 or 2, increases based on Auto mode trigger.

I would like to see most of your equipment in Auto Mode with the correct buffer or transition settings personally.

I don't like cycle mode, I only use it for UV lights that I cycle on for 10 minutes every 1 hour.

I think VPD is easier to control when you have 1 constant variable.
Keep temp constant and only change humidity to reach ideal VPD or keep humidity constant and only change temp to reach ideal VPD.
When you're trying to change both at the same time, equipment can start working against each.

These values will be different at lights off.
I make night Automations so when my lights go off, my Controller 69 goes to my night settings and adjusts based on that.

This

IMO, it's easier to control humidity than it is temperature depending on the climate you are in. If you are in the southwest of the US where it is perpetually dry then using temperature as your base is best as raising humidity is easier than raising or lowering temp. If you have a lot of air circulation in the tent your humidity will also drop due to evaporation.

As @Newty posted, set a base fan speed of 1 or 2 to keep a constant flow in the tent. Set up the ranges you want your tent to stay in and set the controller to auto. The first few days monitor the graphs your app gives you and see how much your tent actuates the fan because it's going out of range. Readjust your base fan speed according to the graphs. If the fans are cycling fairly often then you want to increase or decrease the base fan speed to keep the specs you set in range for as long as you can. After a while you'll be able to keep the temp and humidity in range for long periods or the entire period. At this point you can opt to keep it on auto or set the fan speed that keeps your tent in range and have that run constantly.

You can also setup different environmental setups for lights on and lights off.

Personally, I like to keep my base fan speed at 2 and set my temp to 80°, humidity at 50%, You may want to look into purchasing a laser thermometer so that you can get a general idea of leaf temps. I tend to use leaf temp rather than air temp as my guide and setting the controller at 80° air temp usually yields me a 77° leaf temp which is exactly where I want to be.

I wouldn't be all that concerned about VPD. It's a good indicator of the environmental conditions but is more applicable to larger spaces like, say, a 20' x 20' grow room or larger. The tents micro climate is difficult to maintain due to how quickly the specs can change. I would use the setpoints you want and determine what the VPD is from there. If it is way out of range then you need to look at both temp and humidity and see what you can change from your setpoints to get closer to the ideal VPD numbers but if it is close then I wouldn't worry about it.

 

[Eledin]

The variable I use is temperature. I have a humidifier but it doesnt have a setting so it stops when its at the humidity I want. For some people will be easier to change humidity for some it will be easier to play with temperature. The way I play with temperature without AC is just increasing or decreasing the airflow, taking advantage of the warmth of the LEDs. What breaks my balls sometimes is the upper canopy temperature during summer, need better fans. Of course is a bit of a pain because humidity changes when I water but is the only way I know, any ideas are appreciated (that dont involve buying AC hahaha)

 

[PooToe]

The variable I use is temperature. I have a humidifier but it doesnt have a setting so it stops when its at the humidity I want. For some people will be easier to change humidity for some it will be easier to play with temperature. The way I play with temperature without AC is just increasing or decreasing the airflow, taking advantage of the warmth of the LEDs. What breaks my balls sometimes is the upper canopy temperature during summer, need better fans. Of course is a bit of a pain because humidity changes when I water but is the only way I know, any ideas are appreciated (that dont involve buying AC hahaha)

My lung room is a spare office so I have house HVAC that I can use to keep the tent in range. It's been working really well but my opening and closing the vent in the room trying to regulate temp puts some strain on the house HVAC so at some point I'm going to have them install a motorized damper at the unit base so that I can install a separate thermostat in the room and not have to manually adjust it.

I know that AC Infinity works in HVAC so I may consult with them as far as tying the T stat in the lung room and controller in the tent to the HVAC in the house.

 

[Choppr]

Dont Chase VPD - in tent growing your humidifier and extractor unit will fight with each other constantly and you may only hit VPD marks for 4 minutes at a time in a 24hr period - VPD is for million dollar grow rooms, built to tight engineering specs - If your going to try? then you might want to control your lung room outside of your tents 1st.

(before VPD marketing) -In the old days, we always said "Hot and Humid in Veg / Less Hot low humidity in Flower" its as simple as that!

 

[PooToe]

If your going to try? then you might want to control your lung room outside of your tents 1st.

Yes

 

[Eledin]

Dont Chase VPD - in tent growing your humidifier and extractor unit will fight with each other constantly and you may only hit VPD marks for 4 minutes at a time in a 24hr period - VPD is for million dollar grow rooms, built to tight engineering specs - If your going to try? then you might want to control your lung room outside of your tents 1st.

(before VPD marketing) -In the old days, we always said "Hot and Humid in Veg / Less Hot low humidity in Flower" its as simple as that!

"Hot and Humid in Veg / Less Hot low humidity in Flower" its as simple as that!"
I dont wanna be a ball breaker but I had VPD problems in the past and I didnt even know what it was until I realized and took action. I dont have AC so I cant have perfect VPD but you really dont want suboptimal VPD, and depending on where you live following what you said might not be enough. Its totally true that as long as you keep decent parameters the plants are gonna be fine because the VPD are fine even if not at its most optimal. I dont have money for a expensive set up, not yet, so I try to make up for it with everything I can, every little detail adds up to the end result. You can also grow under "meh" VPD and your plant wont be as big but you wont think it was because of the VPD, thats the problem. Once you realize and dial in you can see results in growth. Its also true that most people who care about VPD are commercial sellers with expensive set ups and everything automated, at least is the case here in Spain.

 

[PooToe]

"Hot and Humid in Veg / Less Hot low humidity in Flower" its as simple as that!"
I dont wanna be a ball breaker but I had VPD problems in the past and I didnt even know what it was until I realized and took action. I dont have AC so I cant have perfect VPD but you really dont want suboptimal VPD, and depending on where you live following what you said might not be enough. Its totally true that as long as you keep decent parameters the plants are gonna be fine because the VPD are fine even if not at its most optimal. I dont have money for a expensive set up, not yet, so I try to make up for it with everything I can, every little detail adds up to the end result. You can also grow under "meh" VPD and your plant wont be as big but you wont think it was because of the VPD, thats the problem. Once you realize and dial in you can see results in growth. Its also true that most people who care about VPD are commercial sellers with expensive set ups and everything automated, at least is the case here in Spain.

Agree,

A lot of the old timers have lots of valuable knowledge. The problem is much of that was collected through anectdotal experience rather than measurable metrics. When I was working on farms up in NorCal in the 90's I was lucky enough to have them take me under their wing and teach me what they learned. Once Cali went legal I started working in licensed grow operations. All the ops had Botanists on staff so I got to expose what I learned to them. They confirmed that much of what I learned was applicable and had science behind it but a lot of times although my mentors were right in doing it they were wrong in how it was affecting the plant.

Now that we've had pro's in agriculture work within our space for the last few decades we can quantify certain practices and weed out others that are counterproductive.

One thing that I think a lot of new growers don't realize is that the marketing many companies use comes from large scale growers. Claims they make are usually taken from results they've had at the commercial level that would be inconsequential at our level.

 

[driftingantics]

I went through this myself when I purchased the AC Cloudline Pro kit. What I ended up doing is installing the AC Infinity app on my phone (there is an awesome widget!) and using that as my main programming controller. I use the “Schedule” mode. I have exhaust running 24/7, around 6 during lights on and 1 during lights off. I also have an oscillating clip fan that runs half power or so the entire time the lights are on. My temps fluctuate from 71-83 on an average day/night cycle. When I have plants in flower I bring in cold air from outside during their night to drop the temps down a bit lower. I had planned on trying out the other modes but after the initial setup everything has been running so great I just left it as is. AC Infinity FTW!

 

[LoveGrowingIt]

I don't have much difficulty maintaining a constant VPD, unless something goes wrong. Yesterday, the heaters in two of my tents came on and wouldn't go off. They're on control plugs and the controller couldn't turn off the plug, so the tents overheated. Then, this morning, I discovered that the third tent's control plug didn't turn on during the night, so the tent went cold. The problem was fixed by unplugging the plugs and plugging them back in. I'm thinking there may have been a power problem because we had high winds during the night. All three tents, however, have uninterruptible power supplies that should prevent such problems.