Adding co2 the RIGHT way!

I am running 8] 1000w HPS lights (for 12/12) they are set up in 2 rows of 4. Each row of 4 has an 800cfm intake fan pulling air from outside the tent(odor free) and exhausting it out of the room entirely. Between this and my AC unit, temperature control is not an issue. My question is - when running my scrubber setup (which can clear the entire room in under 2min) HOW OFTEN and HOW LONG do I need to actually run the scrubber? My understanding is that to run it 24/7 is unnecessary and with the addition of co2 is quite wasteful because I would be constantly sucking the co2 out of the room. So again, for a room this size (1150 cubic ft) how often should I run the odor filter scrubber to effectively kill all traces of the smell, without wasting a bunch of co2?

BTW, I will be using a co2 tank and purchasing a quality regulator and controller. I want to use the cap-1 controller, will it be effective in this size room or does it have limits? And any advice on a particular regulator to use or avoid using would be much appreciated. I want to set this up the best way possible, I will deal with the financial costs as it seems worth it to me.

Thank You!!

Cant you just run the scrubber back into the room? This would avoid losing any C02. The money you save in this along will buy you a few carbon filters.

if you have the lights cooled and an AC, why not seal the room and run CO2? you vent the room to bring in fresh air(co2) for the plants but if you are adding co2,that won't be necessary. you could run the scrubber a few minutes before entering the room to control odors but other than that, why would you need to?

I'm not sure if I can just let the scrubber exhaust back into the room, that was one theory I've been wondering about. If so, then problem solved...

As for sealing the room, it actually is sealed (99% but not PERFECT) however I don't trust that the seal will be enough to keep the odor from leaking out of the house slowly, especially with a grow this size..

I'd do a few tests, it's kind of tough to give accurate advice without being able to see an exact replica. If your scrubber can clear the room in 2 minutes, I'd run it for 3-4 minutes every time your CO2 levels drop below a certain level. That way, you're scrubbing when co2 is at its lowest, and then the co2 kicks back on after the exhaust is done, bringing it back up to desired levels until it again dissipates. What I'm getting at is to not worry about time, but go by the environment itself. Im really high and not sure if this is coming across clearly. let me know if im confusing lol.

I run a similar system. I've sealed the room. The sealed room makes it easier to maintain temp, humidity and co2 levels. It also reduces co2 usage.

You can actually set your scrubber up in the sealed room. In a sealed room, the odor is sealed in too. Other that that which escapes through small cracks (no sealed room is TOTALLY sealed) and that "rush of skunk" that comes out when you open the door to the garden. Just run air into the scrubber and right back out. Adjust the timer based upon you observation of odor control...easy peasy.

I was really hoping I could just set up the scrubber within the sealed tent... awesome! So in theory I could actually run the scrubber 24/7(not that I necessarily should,or will) and as long as its not escaping the tent it won't have much if any effect of the co2 levels? The filter won't effect the actual co2 itself, correct?

Nope, just the odor

Awesome! So the plan is to set the tank/regulator outside the tent and run the line to the controller on the inside of the tent. So far is this correct? Also, my AC unit has temp control and can also be set to control humidity levels as well... Do I need to try and run this through the co2 controller and use it to maintain the entire environment, or should I just set my ac to maintain 78-80degrees and 50-60% humidity level while the co2 controller simply worries about the co2 levels..? I see that the controller has dials on it to tune in the temp and humidity, and I'm unsure if that is used to maintain the environment or if its just so the controller understands what type of environment its working in... I'm also ripped haha hopefully this makes sense too

you know co2 was origanly used in grow rooms as a salution to heat problems. co2 keeps the stomas or the part of the plant on the leafs that absorbe light open. the high heat lvls caused them to close and not absorbe light.. what im saying is i doubt running co2 will have a huge affect on the yeild or potency of your plants.. maybe an unnessesary expence.. maybe you could run one crop /w co2 and one without i doubt there would be a huge differnce.

I am getting ready to run CO2 on my next run. Sealed room with CO2 controller and tank. Air colled hoods similar to yours (but not so many). I have been digging alot and here is what I found the other day. I cannot remember where but it was the best I found. I am going to run at 90 degrees farenheit and 50% humidity for flower. I guess I will see how it goes. CO2 definitely increases plants growth since it is a primary food source. It also requires higher temps. Check this out-

Standard growing conditions typically include concentrations of CO2 at 300-500 ppm, temperatures between 65-80°F, and relatively low humidity (20-40% rH). Studies have shown optimal growth and yields at 90-95°F, 1,500 ppm CO2, 45-50% relative humidity, 7,500-10,000 lumens/square foot of light, and vigorous air movement both above and below the canopy. CO2 enrichment under 80°F, under 7500 lumens/sf, or above 50% humidity is not recommended because plants will not be conducting photosynthesis quickly enough to benefit from the enrichment

johny1212 said:

I am getting ready to run CO2 on my next run. Sealed room with CO2 controller and tank. Air colled hoods similar to yours (but not so many). I have been digging alot and here is what I found the other day. I cannot remember where but it was the best I found. I am going to run at 90 degrees farenheit and 50% humidity for flower. I guess I will see how it goes. CO2 definitely increases plants growth since it is a primary food source. It also requires higher temps. Check this out-

Standard growing conditions typically include concentrations of CO2 at 300-500 ppm, temperatures between 65-80°F, and relatively low humidity (20-40% rH). Studies have shown optimal growth and yields at 90-95°F, 1,500 ppm CO2, 45-50% relative humidity, 7,500-10,000 lumens/square foot of light, and vigorous air movement both above and below the canopy. CO2 enrichment under 80°F, under 7500 lumens/sf, or above 50% humidity is not recommended because plants will not be conducting photosynthesis quickly enough to benefit from the enrichment

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Dude that is great information thank you!!

Yeah, being able to run high temps is a bonus if you ask me. Good luck and post feedback if you can.

yeah listen to this guy not the one saying that co2 does nothing. Ive seen firsthand what the difference can be. I dont have the money to fully set up a tank and environmental controls yet, I just have 2 of the homemade yeast/sugar bottles.

johny1212, whos that in the avatar?

It's just goofy ass me.

Play in a metal band eh? Guitar player myself, was in a metal band for a few years.

Yeah I played in punk and hardcore bands for about 20 years. Takin it easier these days, getting too old for tour and 24/7 parties

I run my scrubber on the floor 24/7 when the odor gets heavy. Sometimes I will leave it for half the day when I get home at lights on I will turn it off. I only find myself using it later into bloom when odors get real bad.

I run one 1000W HPS for my grow and do the same thing you do except not in a tent I pull clean fresh air from another spare bedroom using a 675 CFM Max Fan and exhausting that up into my attic. Last night was the end of my first full week of bloom so I added weather strip and what not to the doors. I was losing a lot of Co2 last grow by not weather sealing doors and bottom door.

I am going to try this too. Sounds like the way to go.

$waGgEr said:

you know co2 was origanly used in grow rooms as a salution to heat problems. co2 keeps the stomas or the part of the plant on the leafs that absorbe light open. the high heat lvls caused them to close and not absorbe light.. what im saying is i doubt running co2 will have a huge affect on the yeild or potency of your plants.. maybe an unnessesary expence.. maybe you could run one crop /w co2 and one without i doubt there would be a huge differnce.

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Huh?? Co2 is extra food for the plants thats why you only release it at lights on. Plus you dont have to exhaust if you use co2 in a sealed room. The plants eat up the co2 and they make fresh new oxygen out of it. I guarantee if you bought a real Co2 set up controller and all, not those cheap co2 boost you would see a significant difference.