I tried this with a 6" inline 240cfm fan and it did not work well at removing the odor. I used the same activated charcoal as shown here. Much of the air gets pushed back and does not make it through the filter and instead works like a fan on my plants.
Why do you rinse your charcoal? I'm curious because it can't be to activate it since it already is... Anyway, I found a solution to airflow getting pushed back. I just made lots of holes around the container. Mine is plastic so is easier to make holes all around it. It would work best if air passed through the charcoal but probably more charcoal would be the solution.
You can put a 4in inline duct fan before the carbon scrubber, and force the air through it. You will need a small piece of ducting or something to act as a coupling. Id also drill holes in the can, not just have the open end. 4 in. In-Line Duct Fan-DB204 at The Home Depot,
I have a 4x4x6 foot room. I am using 2 inline fans...1-250 cfm intake & 1-250 cfm exhaust. I plan on making this DIY carbon filter. What would you suggest would work for my size room?? I can utilize the exhaust I have and put a filter on that but should I get another fan and have 2 exhausts with filters? Any advice is appreciated. Thanks in advance. Also, I am running a 1000 watt HPS and currently have 5 plants...if that matters..
Great stuff.....im gonna make a super duper one with a fan pushing before the filter and another pulling
old post here but i plan on starting my first grow soon, ive done tons of research and know how my set up will be done, would this filter cover up the smell for 2 flowering plants? i plan to grow them descent size.
First thanks for the thread. got me started on a path that lead me to where I am now. I'm sure everyone has their preferred method, but I had to come up with something inexpensive in a pinch because I got rid of my carbon filter when i dumped my 1k. I've been having smell leaking outside the space as I'm coming to the end of flower with is no good. I purchased this carbon from the pet store for $20 and used maybe 10% of it. I plan on changing it in the middle of every flower cycle when the smell starts to get the strongest. so every 2-3 months or so. That puts the cost at about 2 dollars every couple of months. I used a cheap reusable coffee filter pictured below that i had laying around, and i used extra wide gorilla tape to wrap around the top 2/3rds inside and out. the width of 1 strip of tape is enough to do this, parting at the middle of the strip at the top of the coffee filter and folding down on both sides. then i filled it to the top with carbon. pushed it firmly/snugly into the top of the 4" fan so it's pulling air through the carbon. Voila, an extremely simple DIY carbon filter. leave the bottom open if you're space is 100% enclosed.. or hook up and vent outside, whatever your preference. from my research I've seen that using pet store activated carbon works way better than a hydro store bought scrubber, and much cheaper. Since I just finished it, I'll see if i notice a difference as time goes on. you can tape the filter to the fan if you want a 100% seal. I chose not to because its about 99% sealed just from pressing firmly. Leaving it this way will allow me to remove and change carbon extremely easy down the road without having to remove any tape.
Something you might consider adding if you're concerned about smell outside: Add some layers of dryer sheets to your setup. People stop being curious about an air vent pushing out lots of air if it smells like a dryer.
Old school method when you couldn't order carbon filters and feel like you weren't going to have to cops show up: 5 gallon bucket with layers of carbon and dryer sheets alternating.