Recharging reusable AC Infinity Carbon Filter!

[Smokenpassout]

Came into a stinky home today only a week into flower. I used this 4” carbon filter for the last grow and past 2 months vegging of this one. So about 6 months old total. I know it’s gonna get way more pungent! I got a refillable filter this time, so I dumped and refilled with new carbon. Anyone else using AC Infinity reusable carbon filters? If so tips appreciated. Anyone ever use a second filter setup to double scrub exhaust? I can’t vent totally out of lung room.

 

[Nizza]

an old book I read went over how active carbon works
it can get clogged easy if exposed to high humidity, it is porous and if humid can clog fast

it recommended baking the charcoal to get the moisture out

I would also try to blast it with some air then see if it works again if the media is expensive, if it works who knows how much longer it would help. That being said, a dehu may help extend the life of your carbon

 

[go go kid]

USE A PROPER DUST MASK, that carbon is nasty stuff

 

[coreywebster]

I've never actually refilled one but I've heard it's good to put it on the washing machine when you've refilled it, that helps vibrate the carbon down so you can add more and make sure it's fully packed.

I heard the carbon bed on the ac infinity filters is not as deep as most, which makes sense if they want you to be replacing it regularly.

Personally I'd be using a bigger filter.

I went into my basement the other day and realised my extractor had come lose from my duct which would normally take the air into the chimney, so it's basically been Recirculating the air .
I had my drying tent pumping air into that veg tent too.. zero smell!
But that's got a 10" rhino pro I bought second hand for £50..

 

[Smokenpassout]

I haven’t had any smell since I changed the carbon. Pretty easy operation. I noticed I hadn’t foil taped my connection between fan and filter, so some unscrubbed air may have been exhausted. Definitley moving up to a 6” which I should really be running in a 3x3 instead of a 4” working harder.

 

[Smokenpassout]

an old book I read went over how active carbon works
it can get clogged easy if exposed to high humidity, it is porous and if humid can clog fast

it recommended baking the charcoal to get the moisture out

I would also try to blast it with some air then see if it works again if the media is expensive, if it works who knows how much longer it would help. That being said, a dehu may help extend the life of your carbon

I do fight high humidity in my lung room and tent. I’ve gotten as high as 70 percent and usually run at 60-65. My dehumidifier is on back order. I agree the carbon filter should be more effective when I can get humidity down to a steady 50%.

 

[ptegler]

interesting thread.... but missing a point needing consideration. The 'type' of charcoal you use makes a diff.
Humidity does not clog charcoal. ummm... think fish tank filters, pet drinking fountain filters, your osmosis filter under your kitchen sink....etc etc.

The material the charcoal is made from, the 'mechanical' form factor, and processing itself makes a big difference.

If you really want to understand pulling odors out of the air, go dig around 3D printing forums! we have to pull not only the smell of melting plastics and polymers, but the quite nasty VoCs generated from some of the filament as well.

chars avail - in wood, bamboo, coconut husk...yada yada yada
mech form factors - pellets, re-ground shards, blocks, preforms, etc
processing - acid washed, hot, cold various chemical presses

BIG no-no for fish tanks (people) and especially 3d printers, is acid washed/processed charcoal. Yes,,, the vapors themselves left in the char can RUST BLACK OXIDES SCREWS!! REally! I'm assuming most people might agree you also wouldn't want that recirculating through your air space and into your plants (and YOUR lungs) Scary part, is acid wash is the most common. So just rinse it really well be for use. flush well with water. Re-dry in the oven at about 160-250° tops (min for most home ovens)

Personally, out in my monster 45 gallon air filter/return in my shop dust collector ducting, grow tents, terrariums, 3d printers, all get refilled with generic local fish pet shop aquarium char. heavily washed .

Oh... and even if you don't own a 're-fillable' filter..... just drill out the rivets in one end cap and re-insert a couple short sheet metal screws. Inner filter material?.... hand stretched and scissors trimmed green scotch-bright pads, and or bits of garden bed black cloth make great filter cloth.
Depending on your designs... (like one of my printers) the char fills a womens nylon stock and fills 2 ft of a 4" flexible duct.
ymmv jfft