Complete DIY Carbon Air Filtration System for under $100

runninupinya

Active Member
Home Dep-artment store items:

14" x 6" Return Vent: $6.44
American Metal Products Sidewall Grille, 14 In. x 6 In. White, Steel, Return Air, 1/2 In.
Model # 372W14X6

Register Box: $8.87
Master Flow 14 In. x 6 In. to 8 In. Universal Register Box
Model # RB14X6X8

8" 500CFM In-Line Duct Fan: $33.97
Inductor 8 In. In-Line Duct Booster Fan
Model # DB208

8" to 6" Reducer: $7.68
Master Flow 8 In. to 6 In. Round Reducer
Model # R8X6

6" to 4" Reducer: $7.68
Master Flow 6 In. to 4 In. Round Reducer
Model # R6X4

3-Wire 8' long plug: ~$6

Package of duct screws (short self taping sheet metal): ~$2.00

duct tape

electrical tape

three 18/16 AWG inline wire plice connections

Wally World Items:

2x Activated Carcoal containers: $6.20
Aquatech Carbon 9oz./900mL each
Item: 000885482

Wire Mesh Pencil Cup: $7.47
4-3/8" x 5-1/8" Wire Mesh Cup
Item: 62557

Clear Plastic ~4" screw top container: ~$6.00
(Forgot actual name, but it's in the tupperware isle and is basically an exact copy of the activated carcoal containers, except larger and fits the entire mesh pencil cup inside except the very top.) Test fit the mesh cup inside, and it should be about 1" from all the sides when inserted all the way till it stops.

2 nylon stockings (free?)


Assembly: Cut hole in drywall just large enough for the register opening, put two screws through the sides of the register into the wall studs. Screw return vent in on other side of the wall(should be perfectly spaced for going into a stud on each side. Put over 9000 small holes in the clear plastic container, pull the nylon over the container, and fill about 3/4 of the way with carcoal. Pull other nylon over mesh cup. You should have around 1/2 of one of the containers left over when you are done. This is a trial and error type deal, because you have to find the right amount so that you can put the cup in the clear container so there are no air voids in the carcoal. This requires rotating the container with the opening on the side, as you push in the cup. Tape the two together once they are connected at the opening. Use proper connections to connect the 3-wire plug to the fan. Consult an electrician for proper connections and electric load on your home wiring. (fan is 0.6 Amps) Attach all the parts listed in the order in which they are listed with duct screws, then go over all the seams with duct tape.

Notes:
1. You are going to need to get one of those duct crimpers to make the conections fit together properly, the tool is about $23 from the Home store.

2. I am aware that this inline fan is not actually pulling 500cfm, but it pulls enough to create negative pressure in my room that is fairly well sealed, so all excaping air exits through the filter. My room in which I grow tomatoes is ~1,700 CF because I never bothered to partition off the growing area. Since I hooked up the filter, it has completely removed all the tomato smell from the house.
 
Home Dep-artment store items:

14" x 6" Return Vent: $6.44
American Metal Products Sidewall Grille, 14 In. x 6 In. White, Steel, Return Air, 1/2 In.
Model # 372W14X6

Register Box: $8.87
Master Flow 14 In. x 6 In. to 8 In. Universal Register Box
Model # RB14X6X8

8" 500CFM In-Line Duct Fan: $33.97
Inductor 8 In. In-Line Duct Booster Fan
Model # DB208

8" to 6" Reducer: $7.68
Master Flow 8 In. to 6 In. Round Reducer
Model # R8X6

6" to 4" Reducer: $7.68
Master Flow 6 In. to 4 In. Round Reducer
Model # R6X4

3-Wire 8' long plug: ~$6

Package of duct screws (short self taping sheet metal): ~$2.00

duct tape

electrical tape

three 18/16 AWG inline wire plice connections

Wally World Items:

2x Activated Carcoal containers: $6.20
Aquatech Carbon 9oz./900mL each
Item: 000885482

Wire Mesh Pencil Cup: $7.47
4-3/8" x 5-1/8" Wire Mesh Cup
Item: 62557

Clear Plastic ~4" screw top container: ~$6.00
(Forgot actual name, but it's in the tupperware isle and is basically an exact copy of the activated carcoal containers, except larger and fits the entire mesh pencil cup inside except the very top.) Test fit the mesh cup inside, and it should be about 1" from all the sides when inserted all the way till it stops.

2 nylon stockings (free?)


Assembly: Cut hole in drywall just large enough for the register opening, put two screws through the sides of the register into the wall studs. Screw return vent in on other side of the wall(should be perfectly spaced for going into a stud on each side. Put over 9000 small holes in the clear plastic container, pull the nylon over the container, and fill about 3/4 of the way with carcoal. Pull other nylon over mesh cup. You should have around 1/2 of one of the containers left over when you are done. This is a trial and error type deal, because you have to find the right amount so that you can put the cup in the clear container so there are no air voids in the carcoal. This requires rotating the container with the opening on the side, as you push in the cup. Tape the two together once they are connected at the opening. Use proper connections to connect the 3-wire plug to the fan. Consult an electrician for proper connections and electric load on your home wiring. (fan is 0.6 Amps) Attach all the parts listed in the order in which they are listed with duct screws, then go over all the seams with duct tape.

Notes:
1. You are going to need to get one of those duct crimpers to make the conections fit together properly, the tool is about $23 from the Home store.

2. I am aware that this inline fan is not actually pulling 500cfm, but it pulls enough to create negative pressure in my room that is fairly well sealed, so all excaping air exits through the filter. My room in which I grow tomatoes is ~1,700 CF because I never bothered to partition off the growing area. Since I hooked up the filter, it has completely removed all the tomato smell from the house.
Do you have a link to the inline duct fan that you used or can you tell me what brand you used? And was this fan the only exhaust fan you had for your entire grow room?
Thank You
 
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