How to: Cheap, Easy, Efficient - DIY Carbon Scrubber

nugglord_420 · #1 (**permalink**) 10-13-2008, 07:08 AM

In this guide, I will explain and show you how to make an effective carbon scrubber, using easily available and cheap materials. We will be building this filter to accommodate a 4" air duct.

First lets start with our materials.

TOOLS YOU WILL NEED...
Scissors
Flathead Scewdriver
Can Opener

MATERIALS YOU WILL NEED...
46 fl. OZ can of fruit juice
Duct Tape
Panty Hose
6"x6" Aluminum screen
Container of activated carbon (pet aisle)
Duct Clamp

Now that we have our materials in our workspace, let's begin.

We start by opening the can of juice. Pour it in another container or drink it, because you don't want to waste it. Then open the other side, rinse out, and remove the label. You should have something like this...

Our next step is to cut the square of aluminum screen using our scissors. Cut the corners to make the square a circle. Once this is done, secure the screen to the bottom of the filter using duct tape. This prevents any sagging from the panty hose.

The next step is to secure the panty hose to the filter using duct tape. This prevents any charcoal debris from spilling out of the filter. It should resemble this...

Now, after rinsing our charcoal, we pour it into the filter.

Once this is done, we can secure our filter to our exhaust vent using the duct clamp. Just place it around the device in a snug spot and tighten it with the screwdriver. Make sure it's on there good, or the filter might fall off.

This filter can be produced for very cheap, less than 30 dollars. It's MUCH more effective than other scrubbers using carbon air filters. Do yourself a favor and make it as stealthy as possible... No smell, no questions.

And remember to change your carbon every 3 months!

unclediesel · #2 (**permalink**) 10-14-2008, 04:33 AM

wow.
how long have you been runnin this setup? it looks like it would work no problem.

nugglord_420 · #3 (**permalink**) 10-14-2008, 06:19 AM

Just installed it last week, I noticed instant results.

Oh and one more thing, you don't need to pour the whole container in there - just make sure it's a couple inches deep. Anything more will restrict airflow.

SeatleHomegrown · #4 (**permalink**) 10-14-2008, 12:05 PM

VERY VERY nice. i would add more rep but already did from your drying/cure section. your hella helpful bro

kswissbob · #5 (**permalink**) 10-14-2008, 10:05 PM

very nice i also enjoy your poster saying to vote yes on prop 1

nugglord_420 · #6 (**permalink**) 10-14-2008, 11:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SeatleHomegrown

VERY VERY nice. i would add more rep but already did from your drying/cure section. your hella helpful bro

Thanks bro! I'd like to make this place as helpful as possible.

Quote:

Originally Posted by kswissbob

very nice i also enjoy your poster saying to vote yes on prop 1

Haha yeah man. If it passes I'll be a caretaker for a few people - so I'm looking forward to growing LEGAL buds!

Let'smoke · #7 (**permalink**) 10-15-2008, 12:12 AM

WOW, it wouldn't work for everyone, but for ductwork, I don't think I've seen a cheaper / easier / cleaner solution.

I'm curious to see how long such a small amount of carbon will last (it seems like a small amt to me, though I haven't used carbon yet).

I was going to wait until you ran it for a while to say how much I like it but hell, even if it didn't last the whole 3 months it'd be a snap to recharge it or just swap it out for another!

Definitely +Rep. Please keep us up-to-date on the lasting power!

nugglord_420 · #8 (**permalink**) 10-18-2008, 08:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Let'smoke

WOW, it wouldn't work for everyone, but for ductwork, I don't think I've seen a cheaper / easier / cleaner solution.

I'm curious to see how long such a small amount of carbon will last (it seems like a small amt to me, though I haven't used carbon yet).

I was going to wait until you ran it for a while to say how much I like it but hell, even if it didn't last the whole 3 months it'd be a snap to recharge it or just swap it out for another!

Definitely +Rep. Please keep us up-to-date on the lasting power!

I only had to fill it a couple inches. That left me with about 2/3 of the carbon container left.

$5.36 for 3 changes isn't too shabby.

I'll keep you posted on how long it takes until I need to change it.

kush<>~ · #9 (**permalink**) 10-22-2008, 02:16 AM

What type of fan are you using for this scrubber? inline? cfm? Thanks.

nugglord_420 · #10 (**permalink**) 10-22-2008, 04:01 AM

4" Inline Duct Fan rated at 80 CFM.

mike827 · #11 (**permalink**) 10-22-2008, 04:13 AM

Great tutorial, have you seen the one on these boards that pulls air from the sides rather than forcing it through? which do you think would be more effective?

Also, perhaps putting the fan at the end of the filter would be more efficient?

(easier to pull air than to pull)

good work though!

Let'smoke · #12 (**permalink**) 10-22-2008, 04:59 AM

The other design I've seen is also quite good, and seemed to have a bit more surface area which could arguably make it more "effective."
Carbon for carbon, the one with more surface area would also probably run out faster. It would however, allow for a little more airflow, I believe.

Everything's tit for tat in the growing game. I gave nugglord +rep for this design because of how easy it would be to change out the carbon. I could imagine someone really getting into trouble because they realize too late in their grow they need to change their carbon and are too busy. Plus I'd freak for every second there wasn't a filter on my grow.
That's why if I went with the other design I'd build 2, that way I could swap it out in a snap and refill the first at my leisure.

These are all just my opinions of course.

kush<>~ · #13 (**permalink**) 10-22-2008, 05:10 AM

Whats the volume of your grow space if you dont mind me asking?

MountainGrow · #14 (**permalink**) 10-22-2008, 09:32 PM

you can also make one of these by building a fire and burning logs until they are black, pulling them out of the fire and scraping off the black activated charcoal from the logs. THen grind the charcoal up and then its the same set up.

jchesmore722 · #15 (**permalink**) 10-23-2008, 09:48 AM

I think this is a great idea and all, but why have the aluminem screen inside the pinaple container? It doesnt seem to serve a purpose. The charcoal is still being filtered through the pantihose.

Idk maybe i just dont understand what you mean,

Either way this is a great idea.

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#1 (permalink) 10-13-2008, 07:08 AM
nugglord_420 smokes, let's go! Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Trapped in his own growroom! Posts: 3,844	How to: Cheap, Easy, Efficient - DIY Carbon Scrubber In this guide, I will explain and show you how to make an effective carbon scrubber, using easily available and cheap materials. We will be building this filter to accommodate a 4" air duct. First lets start with our materials. TOOLS YOU WILL NEED... Scissors Flathead Scewdriver Can Opener MATERIALS YOU WILL NEED... 46 fl. OZ can of fruit juice Duct Tape Panty Hose 6"x6" Aluminum screen Container of activated carbon (pet aisle) Duct Clamp Now that we have our materials in our workspace, let's begin. We start by opening the can of juice. Pour it in another container or drink it, because you don't want to waste it. Then open the other side, rinse out, and remove the label. You should have something like this... Our next step is to cut the square of aluminum screen using our scissors. Cut the corners to make the square a circle. Once this is done, secure the screen to the bottom of the filter using duct tape. This prevents any sagging from the panty hose. The next step is to secure the panty hose to the filter using duct tape. This prevents any charcoal debris from spilling out of the filter. It should resemble this... Now, after rinsing our charcoal, we pour it into the filter. Once this is done, we can secure our filter to our exhaust vent using the duct clamp. Just place it around the device in a snug spot and tighten it with the screwdriver. Make sure it's on there good, or the filter might fall off. This filter can be produced for very cheap, less than 30 dollars. It's MUCH more effective than other scrubbers using carbon air filters. Do yourself a favor and make it as stealthy as possible... No smell, no questions. And remember to change your carbon every 3 months! __________________ Nugg's Winter Indoor - Hashberry/400w - SECRET GARDEN After the Harvest - A Guide to Drying and Curing How to: Cheap, Easy, Efficient DIY Carbon Scrubber Bonsai Mums: A Guide Last edited by nugglord_420; 10-13-2008 at 07:10 AM.

#2 (permalink) 10-14-2008, 04:33 AM
unclediesel CALI MED GROWER Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: NO*CAL Posts: 145	Re: How to: Cheap, Easy, Efficient - DIY Carbon Scrubber wow. how long have you been runnin this setup? it looks like it would work no problem. __________________ sometimes you just have to sit back, take a rip, and watch the GRASS GROW!

#3 (permalink) 10-14-2008, 06:19 AM
nugglord_420 smokes, let's go! Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Trapped in his own growroom! Posts: 3,844	Re: How to: Cheap, Easy, Efficient - DIY Carbon Scrubber Just installed it last week, I noticed instant results. Oh and one more thing, you don't need to pour the whole container in there - just make sure it's a couple inches deep. Anything more will restrict airflow. __________________ Nugg's Winter Indoor - Hashberry/400w - SECRET GARDEN After the Harvest - A Guide to Drying and Curing How to: Cheap, Easy, Efficient DIY Carbon Scrubber Bonsai Mums: A Guide

#4 (permalink) 10-14-2008, 12:05 PM
SeatleHomegrown Green Connoisseur Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Seattle, WA Posts: 203	Re: How to: Cheap, Easy, Efficient - DIY Carbon Scrubber VERY VERY nice. i would add more rep but already did from your drying/cure section. your hella helpful bro __________________

#5 (permalink) 10-14-2008, 10:05 PM
kswissbob Registered User Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 66	Re: How to: Cheap, Easy, Efficient - DIY Carbon Scrubber very nice i also enjoy your poster saying to vote yes on prop 1 __________________ My First Grow! (DWC useing bagseed) Big Bud x Northern Lights#5 Grow

#9 (permalink) 10-22-2008, 02:16 AM
kush<>~ Outdoor Toker Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 1,117	Re: How to: Cheap, Easy, Efficient - DIY Carbon Scrubber What type of fan are you using for this scrubber? inline? cfm? Thanks. __________________ Toke on! *kush<>~'s Strain Review Guide* (Sensi Star, Trainwreck, Pineapple Kush, White Widow, etc.) *kush<>~'s Official Ganja Candy Recipes* Glass: Circus Freak (the 2nd one) Genie Vase (Homemade Bong) Disclaimer: Everything that this user says is fictional and for entertainment purposes only Last edited by kush<>~; 10-22-2008 at 03:22 AM.

#10 (permalink) 10-22-2008, 04:01 AM
nugglord_420 smokes, let's go! Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Trapped in his own growroom! Posts: 3,844	Re: How to: Cheap, Easy, Efficient - DIY Carbon Scrubber 4" Inline Duct Fan rated at 80 CFM. __________________ Nugg's Winter Indoor - Hashberry/400w - SECRET GARDEN After the Harvest - A Guide to Drying and Curing How to: Cheap, Easy, Efficient DIY Carbon Scrubber Bonsai Mums: A Guide

#11 (permalink) 10-22-2008, 04:13 AM
mike827 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 521	Re: How to: Cheap, Easy, Efficient - DIY Carbon Scrubber Great tutorial, have you seen the one on these boards that pulls air from the sides rather than forcing it through? which do you think would be more effective? Also, perhaps putting the fan at the end of the filter would be more efficient? (easier to pull air than to pull) good work though! __________________ Note: I am writing a paper about cannabis culture, therefore all posts should be considered fictitious and their sole purpose to stimulate board activity for research. All pictures were aggregated from the internet, and are not original images produced by myself or anyone I know. My Fictitious PC Grow Box My Fictitious Fluorescent Hydroponic Grow Thread

#13 (permalink) 10-22-2008, 05:10 AM
kush<>~ Outdoor Toker Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 1,117	Re: How to: Cheap, Easy, Efficient - DIY Carbon Scrubber Whats the volume of your grow space if you dont mind me asking? __________________ Toke on! *kush<>~'s Strain Review Guide* (Sensi Star, Trainwreck, Pineapple Kush, White Widow, etc.) *kush<>~'s Official Ganja Candy Recipes* Glass: Circus Freak (the 2nd one) Genie Vase (Homemade Bong) Disclaimer: Everything that this user says is fictional and for entertainment purposes only

#14 (permalink) 10-22-2008, 09:32 PM
MountainGrow Outdoor Grower, for now Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Mountains of Green Posts: 19	Re: How to: Cheap, Easy, Efficient - DIY Carbon Scrubber you can also make one of these by building a fire and burning logs until they are black, pulling them out of the fire and scraping off the black activated charcoal from the logs. THen grind the charcoal up and then its the same set up. __________________

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)

#15 (permalink) 10-23-2008, 09:48 AM
jchesmore722 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 39	Re: How to: Cheap, Easy, Efficient - DIY Carbon Scrubber I think this is a great idea and all, but why have the aluminem screen inside the pinaple container? It doesnt seem to serve a purpose. The charcoal is still being filtered through the pantihose. Idk maybe i just dont understand what you mean, Either way this is a great idea.