How can I QUIET my Carbon Scrubber to be more stealthy????

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Smokenpassout

Well-Known Member
My first carbon setup is a cheap 4" can carbon filter and 170cfm fan from HTG supply. I have used it on two grows, and it didnt seem to scrub the odor so great on the second or last grow :-( I should replace the carbon filter now right? I was considering switching to a Phresh brand filter and keeping the old fan. Since my old fan only runs on high, it is noticeably loud! What are my options for quieting it down? Should I get a speed controller and just turn ithe fan speed down? Or should I get one of those nifty exhaust mufflers and attach it and then run ducting from the muffler out of my tent? Or would a fan speed control and muffler be even quieter?
 
vostok

vostok

Well-Known Member
Speed control is the tool here, that way you adjust to the volume of stink, no stink fan on low, much stink fan on hi,
 
vostok

vostok

Well-Known Member
Understand you gotta use the carbon filter with your Rh gauge, do not use the filter at over 60% Rh or it will just block with damp air, and be a waste
 
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Truckstop13

Member
Build an insulated box to fit your inline fan. Google dyi inline fan muffler and check out the different options. I personally utilized the box that the fan came in, insulated it, taped it up to seal it and that was that. It couldn't have been easier. Be careful though and use static free materials. Here's a link to a way better construction than mine. Definitely replace the scrubber an don't skimp, or make youtpr own.

https://www.thcfarmer.com/community/threads/diy-sound-proof-box-to-silemnce-your-inline-fan.46564/
 
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Smokenpassout

Well-Known Member
Ok my fan is in need of phresh carbon, and a speed controller for starters. Should I install it on the ceiling inside the grow tent. It was just on the floor last time, but I can use that space. I haves een installs where the carbon filter and fan are inside the tent, and also seen where the fan sits on the rooftop outside and just the filter is on the inside?
 
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Truckstop13

Member
Inside the tent will give you an added sound muffling, but will slightly raise the temps inside the tent. Hanging the fan is your best option as it saves on space, both from the fan and ducting running from it. And yeah, definitely replace the scrubber.
 
Red1966

Red1966

Well-Known Member
hanging the fan from bungee cords helps. A speed controller will reduce the noise the moving air makes, but will also cause the fan to "hum", so the noise reduction won't be as much as you want. Insulated flex ducting helps, too. There are three sources of noise, the intake, the exhaust, and the fan itself. The filter is pretty effective at quieting the intake. Suspending the fan from elastic cords, reducing speed (note motor "hum" increases), and/or placing the fan in a box with sound deadening material help the fan noise. A muffler or insulated ducting for the exhaust help, but leave something to be desired. Placing the exhaust near some other noise maker, like your A/C, can camouflage the noise. The cheap filters HTG sells are junk. Get a brand name one. It'll cost more, but how much is your freedom worth? Edit: There's a special kind of speed controller that doesn't cause that hum, but costs MUCH more. I can't remember what it's called.
 
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Smokenpassout

Well-Known Member
Yes the HTG carbon filter was cheap. It handlled the smell of a single plant grow, but reusing it a second time wasnt a good idea. Going with phresh filter next time. I will imvest in a controller for my 4" 170 cfm fan. What are some quality mufflers for a fan like this? I will take your advice and mount every thing to the inside roof of the tent with bungies.
 
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joe macclennan

Well-Known Member
if you really want to have a good filter last for an extended time upsize it to 6" or larger..this will reduce the restriction on the fan, make it quieter a bit and will last substantially longer.
 
cues

cues

Well-Known Member
The type of fan speed controller you want is called a variac. Not cheap. Also, your filter shouldn't be on the floor. It should be as high up as possible (heat rises).
 
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joe macclennan

Well-Known Member
a regular old light dimmer has been working fine for me for going on four years now on my cheapo chinese fans

can't see spending 60 dollars on a dimmer for a fan that only cost 50$
 
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Smokenpassout

Well-Known Member
A bigger fan sounds good, but I already have a 4" fan that I need to reuse. I will get a new 4" carbon cannister. I will also get a fan speed controller in order to quiet the fan.
 
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Smokenpassout

Well-Known Member
Yes, I meant that a bigger filter like a 6" will require a bigger fan to match CFM. I will stick with my current 4" fan and buy a higher grade of 4" filter (phresh) and a spped control. If I still dont get adequate odor control, I will move up to a 6" carbon filter and fan combo.
 
SnapsProvolone

SnapsProvolone

Well-Known Member
If you want a quiet scrubber follow all of these three steps.

1) get a massive filter
2) get a massive fan
3) use a speed controller to slow fan

The fan noise is much worse at high speed.

A much bigger system can run a 25% speed and still achieve your target CFM. Also if odor starts winning you can turn it up.

Go big or go home.

And 4" can fans are a waste. Mostly motor with little impeller, 6" is way more efficient.
 
rwbrock

rwbrock

Active Member
Lol.....I agree I wish I would have went with the 6" instead of the 4"....def way to go (fan and filter). I have a closet grow that needs to be semi stealth. I am lucky my attic is right above. I was able to move fan into attic....threw it in a plastic storage bin and insulated, cut out hole in both side for ducting in and run a silencer on the exhaust out. I also use a speed controller ($20 kind). All that helped a lot. Oversizing the filter can help it run longer with no smell. I do notice with the speed controller there are speeds that have slight hum but if I take it up or down a notch it goes away. Good luck...
 
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