Professional Marijuana Grower November-December 2018 Issue | Page 30

is enabled. Growers should account for the extra
equipment that will be hanging off rafters at the eave
height, the reason being that blackout systems can
take up to 18” of head space. At least 14’ sidewalls
for a custom engineered light dep system are strongly
recommended.
Seek Professional Installation
Acquiring an engineered light deprivation system is
a good starting point, but it’s only part of the task. To
make a system worth the investment, it must be in-
stalled properly. When professionals design and install
a light deprivation system, growers are guaranteed
100 percent blackout conditions for the necessary
photo-period cycle. An expert won’t merely set it
and forget it; rather, they will consistently review and
improve the performance of the blackout system to
guarantee maximum efficiency.
In another effort to cut cost, some growers may be
tempted to install an automated light deprivation sys-
tem themselves. While it’s technically possible to do,
pulling it off successfully is extremely labor-intensive,
time-consuming and above all, carries a high rate of
error. Even after the light deprivation system is in-
stalled, an experienced professional will still be need-
ed to troubleshoot issues and make any necessary
adjustments. For example, fixing a light leak along the
seal would be a routine adjustment for someone with
experience, but could prove to be troublesome for a
beginner.
Harmonize Light Deprivation with
Controls
Growers with outdated environmental controls, such as
standard thermostats or humidistats, should consider
getting a professional upgrade to a computer-con-
trolled system. New controllers have the ability to
predict indoor conditions and trigger the necessary
equipment to keep microclimates stable. This not only
minimizes damage, it also keeps harvests on schedule.
Feedback systems reduce waste, human error and
save grow operations money every day. Those who
have seen new controllers work their magic appreciate
their ability to read conditions both inside and outside
the greenhouse and perform thousands of calculations
in an instant. The ability to make sure a greenhouse
is running optimally from the comfort of home, miles
away, is one that is relished by professional growers
everywhere.
Synching up a number of different automated systems
is not as difficult as it may seem. Controllers that or-
ganize all equipment from one location reduce human
labor, human error and ultimately, maximize crop
yield. Automation comes in many forms—from lights
that turn off when necessary, to irrigation systems that
turn on when crops need moisture.
Environmental controllers such as these are calibrated
to work with everyday devices, like smart phones and
laptops. Controllers can be synced up to a phone or
computer so that growers may manage their grow
op even when they’re offsite. This level of technology
(Continued on page 34)
30 • Professional Marijuana Grower
November/December 2018