C02 generator vs tanks

So my room is 8x11x 11. Since we are heading into colder weather I have to stop venting to the attic. My room is sealed other than an intake and exhaust I've been using to bring in fresh air. So I can either still use them to vent if go with generator or seal them up if go with tanks. My concerns on the generator is that I've got to pay someone to hook it up and I've heard some horror stories from generators but they were usually fixed with periodic venting. The generator would be natural gas. So how big of a generator would I need? And what are some good brands? If I go with tanks am I going to be running thru multiple tanks a week or month? I've got 4k in l de hps and roughly 70sq ft of canopy that's packed in real close.

I am honestly very hesitant to add c02 cause with exhaust the way I have it smell has become a non issue as the carbon filter works great that way. But it's either that or add a roof vent so don't mold attic. Does adding c02 really make much of a diff? I feel I do pretty good without it. And how well do your guys sealed rooms do with smell, I mean it's seal d as tight as I could get with tape and panda film but I'm sure there a some smaller leaks.

Also forgot to ask how much heat does a generator really add to the room, is it gonna over power my mini split? I have a 24k btu mini and 4 de 1000 lights

So I've been thinking and looking around tentatively thinking about this burner and having my guy come install it and roof vent at same time so can still vent if need be. Any idea if this c02 generator any good? I wanted to get the full trolmaster hydro x setup, but will have to add it over time.




Since didn't get many answers (I know it's a slow part of the day) gonna tag a couple people to see their thoughts. @Renfro @TintEastwood @diggs99 anyone else also feel free to share your thoughts.

Long term aside.

If I were in that situation I might get creative.
Barter/beg/trade to borrow for 6 months....

Tank
Regulator & rain tubing
Controller

Let it rip @ 800ppm average. I'd learn from the run about Co2 consumption. I'm not good enough to know if it helps my grow.
Just a thought.

Tank exchanges in my area are local and around $20ish. That can be a factor for some.

Smell. Ideal to run an independent fan/filter recirculating room air 24/7 as a scubber. I care more about particulate and crap being filtered. Maaaan does the outer filter sock get filthy. That crap would be in my weed.

You might need a dehumidifier also. They throw out some heat too. I would get 2 tanks or one larger than 20lb and a co2 controller. I set my intake/exhaust on a humidity/temperature controller. If the humidity peaks over 60%rh or if the room hits 86*. Minimal CO2 lose and if you hear the fans always on, you know something is off.

Apalchen said:

So my room is 8x11x 11. Since we are heading into colder weather I have to stop venting to the attic

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I love my CO2 generators. I don't like hauling tanks.

nevergoodenuf said:

You might need a dehumidifier also. They throw out some heat too. I would get 2 tanks or one larger than 20lb and a co2 controller. I set my intake/exhaust on a humidity/temperature controller. If the humidity peaks over 60%rh or if the room hits 86*. Minimal CO2 lose and if you hear the fans always on, you know something is off.

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I already have a 30 pint and just got a 70 pint as well. How do you get your c02 to shut off if your fans are kicking on at high temps?

It only wastes a little. I get a month to a month and a half to a tank in winter. Only difference is I use COBs and have no AC.

Apalchen said:

I already have a 30 pint and just got a 70 pint as well. How do you get your c02 to shut off if your fans are kicking on at high temps?

Click to expand...

In my case my environmental controller will know it's venting and stop CO2 enrichment. You could also plug the CO2 controller into a high temperature shutoff.

I am interested in a generator, but I am worried about heat. Why haven't the water cooled generators become more common? Do they not work well? I can only find a couple of options or brands. I have read threads about on-demand hot water heaters. Is this truly a good option? I don't want to haul tanks up down stairs. Especially big tanks, Gota fill 640 ft3.

People just use the on demand tankless gas water heaters and vent them inside. A CO alarm is advised.

Take a water tank and bury it in the ground. Use a pump that runs when the heater is kicked on to circulate the heated water to the cooling reservoir.

The bosch tankless I had didn't even need electricity, it used the water pressure going thru the unit to generate enough power to light the burners. So in this case your pump kicking on would start the heater. Thats ideal since a pump failure means no heater running although they should not over cook themselves it's not ideal.

Could you give a size recommendation? I don't know how much have a co2 output to expect. Bosch has several different size options. Most are available in LP or NG. Cheaper under the sink models ($150) or a whole house model ($1000-1300)? I would rather error on the larger side but dont want to over do it either. I have to fill 640 ft3.

Having not done this myself I can't recommend any particular model. I am sure each will have it's own things we have to work around. Unless you have one laying around you would probably be better off buying this:

As to calculating the CO2 enrichment potential of a LP or NG tankless water heater one might use the BTU ratings and compare those to CO2 generators and their recommended room volumes.

Renfro, I was admiring your grow journal 40+ on a flip. Wow! Im curious, do you use supplement co2? Bottled or generator?

Natural Gas CO2 generators

I run a LP 4 burner generator in a 20x8 room with 12' vaulted ceilings. Room is sealed and air conditioned. The generator is barely on and hence doesn't generate tons of heat. Though you will have to account for it. My buddy who is rather smart help me set it up. He said it was equivalent to a 1500w light. I didn't ask him where he got that but that's what he said. I was really worries about the heat it would put off but its really been a none issue. The generator also adds water vapor (humidity).

If I were you i'd go with generator. keep your outtake so you can pull fresh air in once or twice during lights on and again once lights are off. If everything is dialed in you should see a marked improvement over non co2 room.