Stealthstyle
Well-Known Member
Ive had my carbon filter for about 7 years but only used it about20 months worth of growing...wondering when ill be expected to get a new one or get my current one refilled.
how long do carbon filters last?
- Thread starter Stealthstyle
- Start date
Southside112
Well-Known Member
For me 2 grows without pre filter. With pre filter 3-4 grows. Use the pre filter!! 7 years, I wish. All mine have eventually choked up and needed replaced. I use cheap vivosun filters probably part of the problem.
OldMedUser
Well-Known Member
I bought one about 5 years ago and it's still all sealed up in the box. Big one too that cost me $180. Might just sell it on Kijiji or something. 6", 600cfm. Should last forever at this rate. 
dubekoms
Well-Known Member
I have the same one for my 4x4. Works great. Been using it for about 2 years now with no problems.I bought one about 5 years ago and it's still all sealed up in the box. Big one too that cost me $180. Might just sell it on Kijiji or something. 6", 600cfm. Should last forever at this rate.
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spliffendz
Well-Known Member
Until the cops/robbers come knocking
Billy the Mountain
Well-Known Member
A year or two in my experience, its very gradual and high humidity will accelerate the process. You can extend the useful life a bit by reversing the flange so that the airflow is reversed; hitting more of the less-used carbon.
OldMedUser
Well-Known Member
I wanted one bigger than I needed so it would last a long time and the guy at the hydro store had what I think is a good tip. Wrap the bottom half in Saran wrap and when you can start to smell it outside wrap the top half and unwrap the bottom. Like having 2 smaller ones. I just run my exhaust fan at half speed so theoretically only pulling around 200cfm and half that one is good for 300. With the larger capacity the air moves slower thru the carbon and traps more stink.
I should probably use mine then exhaust into the house. We could use the extra humidity upstairs.
cannabineer
Ursus marijanus
I believe the humidity factor may be a thing. I live in the Mojave where humidity trends 10 to 20 per cent, and I know of two filters (good ones, Phresh) that are still working like new after 8 years of steady use. I am amazed by this longevity but am reporting the fact of it.
MICHI-CAN
Well-Known Member
Honest thoughts from a long time user and still same screens and interior filter.
It depends on your air quality. I use filter sleeves. Launder every 30 days. Have a spare to save your filter and fan. One full run and I remove my filter. Rinse with water. Tap hard but gentle enough on each end. Rinse for longer than I think needed. Then Blow dry with compressed air with an oil separator. Don't use a fischer price compressor. Air lube is toxic. Set in hot sun or a day and flip before repeating next day. Tap on both ends on a pad fairly hard and actually better than new.
It depends on your air quality. I use filter sleeves. Launder every 30 days. Have a spare to save your filter and fan. One full run and I remove my filter. Rinse with water. Tap hard but gentle enough on each end. Rinse for longer than I think needed. Then Blow dry with compressed air with an oil separator. Don't use a fischer price compressor. Air lube is toxic. Set in hot sun or a day and flip before repeating next day. Tap on both ends on a pad fairly hard and actually better than new.
Southside112
Well-Known Member
Got 3 old ones in the garage. Gonna try this.
MICHI-CAN
Well-Known Member
Good replacement media is cheap in the aquarium aisle if you need it and can operate a cordless drill/driver. Hit me up. I'm a cheap bastard with too much info. LOL.
Southside112
Well-Known Member
Sounds good. Yeah a lot of people are talking about losing smell protection. My filters literally clog so bad over time I can't move any air through them. I extract way more air than I have to though. Something like 250 cfm in a 3x3.
Herb & Suds
Well-Known Member
Buy them with pre-filter
You won't regret it
Two machine washes and no stink for 2 years regardless what ya do
You won't regret it
Two machine washes and no stink for 2 years regardless what ya do
MICHI-CAN
Well-Known Member
Was gonna post a crazy 3 week sleeve. Too many files. Crazy resin GG Faux. But only 3 weeks. I order sleeves by the 12 pack from Chiwan. LOL. Good for two washings at best. But like $2.Buy them with pre-filter
You won't regret it
Two machine washes and no stink for 2 years regardless what ya do
Billy the Mountain
Well-Known Member
It took me a little while to figure why my pre-filters would clog quickly, maybe a 50% airflow reduction in a few weeks. Turns out it was minerals from my tap water used in a humidifier. The pre-filter would get filled with an incredibly fine talc-like powder. Blowing out with compressed air helped a little, but a quick wash with woolite in a bucket works much better.
Does anyone know roughly how much activated carbon is inside the filters? They are a bit weighty. Wondering if this is the actual carbon inside or is it the metal structure of it. Was going to buy 25kg of 4mm carbon pellets and refill mine. I don't know what they put in cheaper ones that makes them work so poorly. I think it may be the quality of the actual carbon. To buy a 25kg bag of quality carbon is over $300 from a air purification specially industry. If someone can answer this it would be greatly appreciated.