Carbon filter help

Hi i just got my 600w setup and am almost done with setting up my room just need to finish some things up but now im going to need a carbon filter.. my question is how big will i need (cfm wise) its going to be in a closet 6.5' x 8' x 2' L x H x D in case you were wondering. also my fan is 6" but i have a reducer to 4" if those filter will work. also ill have about 6-10 plants.

n0thing...in terms of deciding what size carbon filter, you really want to base it off of your exhaust fan. i run 1000w with a 6" vector exhaust fan (right around 450 cfm)...having a smaller carbon filter with a stronger exhaust will not be efficient. i use a phat filter (carbon filter) that is 6" x 24"...500cfm. this carbon filter is a perfect size for my 4x4x8 area as i am able to suspend it from the ceiling. if you wanted to go to the next biggest carbon filter, you may have to place it in the corner on the floor, given that you are looking for 6-10 plants --> you should aim to be suspending your filter to maximize your grow space.
now, i have a question...why are you planning to use a reducer to 4"? i am just curious...the less stress on the exhaust fan, the better off you are.

2dogs

as above, match the filter to your fan, so if your 6 inch fan is 450cfm you want no less than a 450 cfm filter.

ok i get it.. my fan is probably around 450cfm as well (rigged up a fan) and i dont plan on using a reducer i was just saying i have one if a 4" carbon filter would work.. also i have another question.. if i were to make my own carbon filter ( because the 500cfm are pretty expensive 100$+ ) how would i make one to be about 500 cfm?

also i plan to have it suspended near the ceiling to vent through my cooltube and out my room thru my exhaust.

hey n0thing..

i wouldn't try to mess with making a carbon filter myself. i rely heavily on the carbon filter to eliminate smell as we all do, thats why i leave it up to professionals. also, make sure you are pulling air through your filter and not pushing air through it...in case using a filter is new to you, plan your set up before opening a box. the more turns/twists in your ducting, the more stress on your exhaust fan...i dropped a couple extra bucks are purchased 6" attachments to run ducting easily to and from my hid hood. hope this helps.


2dogs

so youre saying its going to be hard to make a carbon filter for a 450 cfm fan? and yes, it will be sucked through my cooltube.. will go as,, carbon filter > duct > cooltube > duct > fan > duct > outside.

yes it will be hard to make one for that cfm imo, just stump up the cash m8 and you wont need to worry about smells for around 12 month, also that setup you've stated above is perfect.

Ok, im wondering though would i really need my fan on full speed (it has 3 speeds..its one of those stanley blower fans listed on here as a DIY fan.) it would be about 300 cfm on meduim (im guessing) would that work to cool a 600w cooltube setup in a 6.5' x 8' x 2' area. Honestly all i really need it for is 1 harvest then i can upgrade i just dont have the cash right now since i already bought everything else at the same time (bad idea) already spent $650 so wont have more $$ till next payday.

im wondering also because i just bought 5lbs of activated carbon charcoal with everything else to make a diy filter -_- (aluminum screen, 6" to 4" reducers, end caps, and those carbon filter fabric.) im literally..

n0thing said:

so youre saying its going to be hard to make a carbon filter for a 450 cfm fan? and yes, it will be sucked through my cooltube.. will go as,, carbon filter > duct > cooltube > duct > fan > duct > outside.

Click to expand...

i agree with robsterb that this is perfect...my system is set the same way. my carbon filter was $136 before tax and worth every penny. You may be able to find something online on how to construct a carbon filter, but like i said, i leave that stuff up to the pro's...i'd rather worth about my genetics and keeping things clean. I will say that adjusting your fan certainly is an option; but if you are doing it to adjust the temp., you could always just put your exhaust fan on a timer for every other 15 mins. if i am only in veg, i have my fan on a timer at 18/6 along with my light...when i flower, after the 1st week, i leave my fan on all the time. now, if you are worried about the noise, its a challenge, you should get 2 bungee chords and suspend the fan using them, it will take any rumble noise away if you were to just have the fan balancing on a stool or table...i have also seen people using weather strips and a small padded box around the fan (didn't seem 100% safe to me though).

it's probably worth waiting until you have all the components...if you need to work a veg...go ahead, i would just plan on using that next paycheck for a carbon filter, unless you make one that is legit in the meantime. if you do make one, please make a video...i'd like to see that process.


2dogs

yea you guys have a point there.. well i still have to put up the poly film and make it light proof then ill try to get a carbon filter.. i think i will attempt in making one, just to see if it will work. if not then atleast i tried.

i use panda film for any room or closet...i find it to be the best product aside from using tents, never had any issues with burning or anything with panda. i bought a 50' or 100' roll of panda film and after a few grows and set ups, i could still outline a closet and small room with what is left. you can always try panda later, just wanted to offer my 2 cents.

2dogs said:

hey n0thing..

i wouldn't try to mess with making a carbon filter myself. i rely heavily on the carbon filter to eliminate smell as we all do, thats why i leave it up to professionals. also, make sure you are pulling air through your filter and not pushing air through it...in case using a filter is new to you, plan your set up before opening a box. the more turns/twists in your ducting, the more stress on your exhaust fan...i dropped a couple extra bucks are purchased 6" attachments to run ducting easily to and from my hid hood. hope this helps.


2dogs

Click to expand...

My fan pulls air from the room and pushes it through my carbon filter...works like a charm...how would you pull air through it and get rid of the heat from your room?

smoking loon...i pull air through my carbon filter and then through my hid hood and out of my grow...i may be wrong, but i believe you get more "bang for your buck" if you're pulling through vs. pushing. i know my go-to grower pulls through his carbon filter and also a handful of other set ups. but if it is working for you, then keep on with what you're doing...maybe switch and pull through on your next grow.


2dogs

Smoking Loon said:

My fan pulls air from the room and pushes it through my carbon filter...works like a charm...how would you pull air through it and get rid of the heat from your room?

Click to expand...

have the carbon filter attached to the ceilimg with ducting coming off it going down to your cooltube, then ducting from other side of cooltube goes to your fan then ducting out of room. simples.

ROBSTERB said:

have the carbon filter attached to the ceilimg with ducting coming off it going down to your cooltube, then ducting from other side of cooltube goes to your fan then ducting out of room. simples.

Click to expand...

as n0thing put it...

carbon filter > duct > cooltube > duct > fan > duct > outside.

robsterb is correct....very simple and worth every minute or dollar spent. give it a shot smoking loon, you'll be happy when your system is more efficient.

Pushing dirty air into the filter will clog it. My pre filter needs to be cleaned once a month from pulling air through it. You have the stuff to make one just use the dimensions of a commercially availble one to make your own. When mine craps out I will be drilling out the pop rivets and refilling with some new carbon and re rivet it back together.

I made my own. It works, but not good enough. I also have a 450 cfm fan and 6" ducts. Im actually going to buy a real one tomorrow.




And in the box with my fan.

well i just put my HPS up and made my own filter. Its been about an hour now and no smell but i dont want to get my hopes up since i was in the room so i might have gotten use to the smell.. either way in about 2 hours my wife will be coming home and she will be able to tell for sure. Also nice DIY filter man. nice and clean. mines sort of ghetto but im pretty sure it works! used 5lbs of carbon all together.

Btw that stuff is REALLY messy! i had to give it a good rinse before i hooked it up to the fan because i would touch it and have so much black powder on my hands.. can that mess up my bulb? since its hooked up to my cooltube with no prefilter before it.. i probably should have put a prefilter on im assuming. i have prefilter on the outside where air gets sucked through i just cut some 6" round pieces (about 3) and put them in. im juse worried it will get all over my cooltube / bulb .