Co2 spiking

[Eivets00]

I recently built a new setup in a shipping container. I’ve been growing for about 15 years but have never done a shipping container before.
I built a veg and flower room. This is my first run in this setup and I have a co2 tank in veg and flower. Initially my co2 was spiking to almost 5000 ppm in my veg with my tank never turning on. Once my plants got big enough to really fill the space (2 months later) the co2 levels finally flattening out and my tank turn on every now and then. Now I moved some plants into the flower room and am having the same issue. Co2 is staying around 2-3000 Ppms and my tank is not having to run. I only have half the flower room filled at the moment so if the trend continues like veg then once I completely fill the flower room I’m expecting co2 to flatten out and my tank actually start running. I have never experienced this before. I have re calibrated my co2 controller and based on how it reads outside air, I have ruled out a faulty co2 controller.
has anyone ever experienced this issue before?

 

[Dr. Who]

Your spending money for ne reason by gassing in veg.
Only run it in bloom.

Never saw that issue before though.

 

[Eivets00]

I’m trying to figure out how or why co2 levels would be so high without gas. I’ve also never seen the issue before.

 

[dbz]

My first thought would be your sensor needs to be calibrated. Most co2 sensors need to be calibrated in 400 ppm air occasionally.

5000ppm is enough for severe toxicity and danger to humans. Without your tank running, I don't see any way it really reaches that. Bad sensor or miscalibrated.

 

[Eivets00]

First thing I thought of. So I re calibrated to outside air, it reads 400, then I take it in the container and it spikes instantly. I turn on the exhaust fan and it brings it back down. Turn off the exhaust fan and it goes right back up. I take it outside and it reads 400 again. Weirdest issue ever. This container is underground btw so not sure if that has anything to do with it. I don’t see how it can be producing co2. Only way to fix the issue is to get the container full of plants in each room and keep it that way. They suck up enough co2 to stabilize it. Just figured I would ask on here and see if anyone has ever experienced this.

 

[TintEastwood]

Leak at tank????

If easy enuff, remove just the Co2 tank completely. But keep your controller running for ppm readout. See what happens after exhausting.

 

[Eivets00]

Good idea. Will try and let y’all know. Thanks!

 

[Northwood]

I don’t see how it can be producing co2.

Is this a sterile synthetic nutrient hydro grow or a soil grow? More info is required.

Healthy soil with its associated microorganisms can give off huge volumes of CO2 provided there's still enough oxygen in there to sustain life.

 

[Eivets00]

It’s in canna coco. Using canna coco a and b plus calimagic for nutrients. I have also added beneficial bacteria in the root zone during transplant.
I took the co2 tank out and it is still producing co2. I also put an autopilot co2 monitor only and it is showing almost identical co2 levels as the co2 controller. Now that the plants are getting larger (I just hit day 13 of flower) the co2 levels are starting to flatten out and my controller is kicking on toward the end of the light cycle. The good thing is a 50lb co2 tank is lasting me forever at this point I have come to the conclusion that it must be the wood floor in the container. I doubt it’s the paint in the walls. It was testing high before I put any plants in it but I figured it was my breathing and the fact that it’s completely sealed and underground. But after I put plants in it it was still testing high so something has to be producing co2. Plants are super healthy so I guess it’s not really an issue.

 

[Northwood]

I have also added beneficial bacteria in the root zone during transplant.

Yup, it might be just from coco getting eaten. No worry about your plants though, it's all good.

Wood contains a lot of carbon, but bacteria have a hard time getting their teeth in it without a source of nitrogen. Fungi attack it first of course for the lignin, but it's a pretty slow process and I don't think would account for the CO2 you're reading.

You cannot trust any reading if you're inside the grow room BTW. Humans cycle a fair amount of carbon back into CO2. Hopefully you can use your cell phone or whatever to monitor stuff remotely.

 

[Eivets00]

Thx for the response. I appreciate the help My monitors show me the last 24 hours so that’s how I know the controller is kicking on the tank towards the end of the light cycle. Unfortunately no wifi or cell signals can get through the underground container. So one of my next project is to run an Ethernet cable down there and get my equipment online

 

[westcoast420]

Something has to be creating those co2 levels. And there is no chance its coco, or the floor or anything like that. Your flirting with almost lethal levels of co2 for your plants and yourself.

 

[Geedoubya]

Have you considered all plants take in co2 and give off oxygen during daylight hours and take in oxygen and give off co2 during the night cycle. Since co2 is heavier than air the position of your sensor may be the problem if it's too low to the floor....just a thought.

 

[ҖҗlegilizeitҗҖ]

Thats a crazy amount of natural CO2!
CO2 sinks, maybe there is some sort of factory or other type of facility or generator near by that is releasing co2??

 

[ҖҗlegilizeitҗҖ]

Your spending money for ne reason by gassing in veg.
Only run it in bloom.

Never saw that issue before though.

That is absolutely not true.
Vegatative shows HUGE benefits with co2 around 1200-1500.
Veg cycles can be cut by atleast a week or two.
It is also very important for early flower development and bud stacking. The only time I turn down the co2 is the last 2 weeks of flower. Evidence shows that elevated co2 can prevent maturation of buds and sometimes they actually grow in weird shapes or fox tail.

 

[Dr. Who]

That is absolutely not true.
Vegatative shows HUGE benefits with co2 around 1200-1500.
Veg cycles can be cut by atleast a week or two.
It is also very important for early flower development and bud stacking.

On what scale?

In a tent or two? Still not actually cost effective to result!

BTW - To actually make 1500 ppm work? You have to supply light at energy rates that 98% here, (at least) can NOT preproduce in their operation. Without insane cost's!
To actually be REAL about gassing. Right about 1300 ppm is the growers limit by available lighting intensity. A solid and effective ppm ratio is more like 1100 or so, with high end Umol expression... Say 1K of DE HID may go 1200....

I found gassing in veg to make plants to "lanky" and have increased node length.. This was studied in college with other C3 plants. I also tried it later, at a grow for cannabis. Did the same thing. Added too much work to control those issues and/or manage the plant by trimming/training. To make it work (sort of).

The "cutting" of veg cycle time is still effected by the above plant growth issues.. No real gain!

ANY "early flower development and bud stacking". Is first effected by the change in light exposure times! There are a few "secrets" to the use of nutrient values to help that a bit. It has to be done rather carefully. It's like a one time use thing.

The only time I turn down the co2 is the last 2 weeks of flower. Evidence shows that elevated co2 can prevent maturation of buds and sometimes they actually grow in weird shapes or fox tail.

This is due to the Gassing reducing ethylene gas production. The gas is what is ripening your buds.
In the use of Co2 generators. They need to be monitored for efficient gas burning. IF the gen is having burn issues - like a dirty or "burnt" burner.
Then it will produce too much ethylene and pre mature plant finish WILL happen!

Bottom line. With all due respect to your "observations". You are incorrect!

I'll say this also.
Ed Rosenthal backs this 100%! He tells you the same thing in some of his writing on the subject!

I strongly suggest you take the time to research this topic MUCH DEEPER! Including light needs, temp and RH needs vs the amounts of Gas you deliver!

 

[ҖҗlegilizeitҗҖ]

On what scale?

In a tent or two? Still not actually cost effective to result!

BTW - To actually make 1500 ppm work? You have to supply light at energy rates that 98% here, (at least) can NOT preproduce in their operation. Without insane cost's!
To actually be REAL about gassing. Right about 1300 ppm is the growers limit by available lighting intensity. A solid and effective ppm ratio is more like 1100 or so, with high end Umol expression... Say 1K of DE HID may go 1200....

I found gassing in veg to make plants to "lanky" and have increased node length.. This was studied in college with other C3 plants. I also tried it later, at a grow for cannabis. Did the same thing. Added too much work to control those issues and/or manage the plant by trimming/training. To make it work (sort of).

The "cutting" of veg cycle time is still effected by the above plant growth issues.. No real gain!

ANY "early flower development and bud stacking". Is first effected by the change in light exposure times! There are a few "secrets" to the use of nutrient values to help that a bit. It has to be done rather carefully. It's like a one time use thing.


This is due to the Gassing reducing ethylene gas production. The gas is what is ripening your buds.
In the use of Co2 generators. They need to be monitored for efficient gas burning. IF the gen is having burn issues - like a dirty or "burnt" burner.
Then it will produce too much ethylene and pre mature plant finish WILL happen!

Bottom line. With all due respect to your "observations". You are incorrect!

I'll say this also.
Ed Rosenthal backs this 100%! He tells you the same thing in some of his writing on the subject!

I strongly suggest you take the time to research this topic MUCH DEEPER! Including light needs, temp and RH needs vs the amounts of Gas you deliver!

Jesus. Tomatoes tomatoes on the 1200-1500 ppm.
Yes 1500 is a bit high but not a huge deal.

Look i won't pretend to be a fricken scientist myself. But I know this isn't bro-science. All the studies I have seen and researched have shown extensive benefits in vegetative with elevated CO2 levels, and not just in "branch elongation". If thats happening it sounds like you are not supply enough PPFD to satisfy the hunger created with enrichment and so the plants are stretching.
You obviously are smart and know co2 enrichment only works if its your limiting factor. Everything else obviously has to also be maximized.

 

[ҖҗlegilizeitҗҖ]

I have one 4x4 tent, 4 plants and run 1200-1500 beginning to end and it works great. I maybe be alittle high on the co2, but my room is extreamly well sealed so I'm not concerned.
I 100% have seen a huge, huge difference then before I was enriched.

 

[Dr. Who]

I have one 4x4 tent, 4 plants and run 1200-1500 beginning to end and it works great. I maybe be alittle high on the co2, but my room is extreamly well sealed so I'm not concerned.
I 100% have seen a huge, huge difference then before I was enriched.

I'll respect your opinion on your home observations. This would be for what you do, in your situation. YOUR getting what YOU want.

I'll still respect the science, and the formula's that govern it's use.

Trust me on this. I have no issue with delivering high light energy to satisfy these formula's at my op's.


I'll ask this. Have you taken the time to compare yields and the total cost of them for gassing all the way through?
VS.
Gassing only in bloom?

I am glad you like your result. Isn't that part of growing?

Peace on man!