tet1953
Well-Known Member
I read the CO2 sticky and I have tried the chemical solutions before. I wanted something easier, less messy and inexpensive. My solution is a propane lantern, like you would take camping. I'm sure this must have been mentioned before.
I wanted to add my 2 cents is because I can report great success with it. First, I purchased a rather expensive CO2 monitor, because I wanted to know exacly what is in the room. I am fortunate in that I am able to dedicate a fairly large room to growing (about 12x12x7).
The normal level in the room seems to be a little over 600 ppm.
At first I was using disposable propane tanks but got rid of those quickly. For less than $20 I was able to get a long converter hose that lets me use a grill-sized tank. I don't know how long that will last, but it's still going strong after more than 2 weeks, and the tank was not full to begin with.
I just turn on the lantern at the start of light cycle, to halfway. Within an hour the level is at about 1100, and I can then turn the dial back a bit. I do check it frequently, but it is quite easy to find where it will stay at the level I want. Works great! The lantern hangs from a hook in the center of the room and an occilating fan spreads it around. My monitor is nestled right in the middle of the plants on a pedastal that puts it a plant height.
Now for the results. I have about a dozen plants, with harvest staggered for them at about 3-4 every two weeks. When I started the C02, I had some about 2 weeks from harvest and some 4 weeks from harvest. Within 2 weeks, the younger plants had caught up to and surpassed the older ones in volume.
With the additional C02 I believe I can now start to increase the nutes too, and get even more. This works really well for me.
I wanted to add my 2 cents is because I can report great success with it. First, I purchased a rather expensive CO2 monitor, because I wanted to know exacly what is in the room. I am fortunate in that I am able to dedicate a fairly large room to growing (about 12x12x7).
The normal level in the room seems to be a little over 600 ppm.
At first I was using disposable propane tanks but got rid of those quickly. For less than $20 I was able to get a long converter hose that lets me use a grill-sized tank. I don't know how long that will last, but it's still going strong after more than 2 weeks, and the tank was not full to begin with.
I just turn on the lantern at the start of light cycle, to halfway. Within an hour the level is at about 1100, and I can then turn the dial back a bit. I do check it frequently, but it is quite easy to find where it will stay at the level I want. Works great! The lantern hangs from a hook in the center of the room and an occilating fan spreads it around. My monitor is nestled right in the middle of the plants on a pedastal that puts it a plant height.
Now for the results. I have about a dozen plants, with harvest staggered for them at about 3-4 every two weeks. When I started the C02, I had some about 2 weeks from harvest and some 4 weeks from harvest. Within 2 weeks, the younger plants had caught up to and surpassed the older ones in volume.
With the additional C02 I believe I can now start to increase the nutes too, and get even more. This works really well for me.
