Carbon Filter doesnt seem to be working anymore, please help, its rather new

Do the carbon filters wear out fast or maybe its something else? I bought a 4' inline centrifuge fan and it was a kit that came with the fan and the mounts and a carbon filter. It is a nice hydrofarm 4" inline centrifuge fan but the Carbon Filter has no markings for brand or unit number, nothing for any information on who made the carbon filter... I have had no smell problems yet in the last 2 months. I have 2 larger super smelly, Purple Frost females in there with 18 Lemon Haze seedlings(unsexed as of yet). The seedlings have been stinking as well but just yesterday I started to have a problem. I never smell anything at all, ever, even when the light runs and the exaust goes to the filter and life was good but yesterday I all the sudden started to smell that smell. The smell of fresh MJ. mmmmm, but I cant have it smelling at all.

I guess my question is actually several questions:

How long do the filters last before you need to replace them?
What is the best brand to get for a filter?
Are there any other preventative things I can do that wont be like an inscence(no smoke)?


I have great ventelation and there are no light or air leaks at all. I am a carpenter and I know that this is built to the highest standards, I'm a perfectionist also so if that tells you anything. God bless all, thanks for your help.. 1 Love-1 World

A filter should last you a while. I myself had a budget filter running for 3 years without an issue and while growing one of the smellier strains out there.

high humidity could be a problem. a cheap 4" carbon filter could also be a problem. It's definitely a piece of equipment that you don't want to skimp on

...are you using an aircoold hood, or? Do you have the inline fan in the grow area? < I've seen the fans pull odor from cracks of the fan.

Sounds like the filter just hit its limit. What size filter is it? 4" is really kinda small for anything bigger than a micro grow. Are we talking 4"X12 guess it depends on who made it and what they used. Phresh or phat filters are sweet but a 4"X20 is expensive.