Help Me With My CO2 Tank -- Quick Question!

Hi all,

I ordered some CO2 equipment haphazardly over the last six months. But now I'm stuck.

I turned it on super-slow (at least, that's what I thought) and it emptied the tank in 24 hours. Here it is:



I guess I don't know how to use this. Can someone give me a few tips?

Thanks for helping a CO2 moron.

~jessie

not sure bro, as I've never used co2 with my plants. Carbon Monoxide can kill us humans.. so I tend to stay away from things that can kill me.

But, I have heard from people that have used c02.. on their plants and they were blown away with the results.

I also have a buddy who's currently growing some LSD from Barney's Farm... and he had major heat issues.. well until he started using c02 that is.

He said that once he started using the c02... it dropped his temps big time...

Yeah, I don't really know anything about using the co2 bottles.. My only guess would be that you had the valve open just a little too much.. therefore letting out too much c02. But then again it could be the regulator's fault too...

anyhow, good luck with it!

you should get a co2 controller that only opens the valve when the sensor reads under 1500 ppm. if you have it open, it will all be gone pretty quick, especially if you have an exhaust fan that turns on while the co2 is running.

bluehippo said:

you should get a co2 controller that only opens the valve when the sensor reads under 1500 ppm. if you have it open, it will all be gone pretty quick, especially if you have an exhaust fan that turns on while the co2 is running.

Click to expand...

Agreed. You need a controller that shuts off the flow once the desire PPM is reached. It will automatically turn on and off to maintain whatever level you set it to. However, just like Bluehippo said, if you have an exhaust fan, a controller that manages both is desirable. Otherwise your exhaust fan will be sucking out all the CO2 and your CO2 system is just going to be dumping it into the room without ever reaching the desired concentration.

Also, CO2 is not carbon monoxide. It is carbon dioxide, and while it can still be dangerous, levels at or below 1500ppm won't hurt you unless you expose yourself regularly for extended periods of time. Carbon dioxide is not directly toxic to us, but when the concentration in the surrounding environment is higher than the concentration in your blood, the carbon dioxide in your blood can't diffuse into the air, which causes your blood to become acidic. Life threatening concentration is around 5000ppm.

Kinda went on a tangent there, but I figure the more info you've got, the better Hope that helps!

ganjaluvr said:

not sure bro, as I've never used co2 with my plants. Carbon Monoxide can kill us humans.. so I tend to stay away from things that can kill me.

But, I have heard from people that have used c02.. on their plants and they were blown away with the results.

I also have a buddy who's currently growing some LSD from Barney's Farm... and he had major heat issues.. well until he started using c02 that is.

He said that once he started using the c02... it dropped his temps big time...

Yeah, I don't really know anything about using the co2 bottles.. My only guess would be that you had the valve open just a little too much.. therefore letting out too much c02. But then again it could be the regulator's fault too...

anyhow, good luck with it!

Click to expand...

the reason it fucked with his temps is probably because rapid expansion of air out of any compressed tank makes it cold. but co2 is actually a liquid which changes into a gas when it is let out of the canister. so yes it is cold if it's rushed out of the tank. he must have left the valve open too far.

also co2 will not kill you unless you sat in a room with no vents and inhaled a ton of the shit on purpose.

this may sound dumb but if you got a paintball shop near you just buy a 9 oz and go back every week or so to fill it, cause c02 will slowly leak out of that bottle regardless. or go to walmart if you dont have a shop near you. and it's not like anyone will ask, and if they do just say you play. i've seen dudes buy boxes of 20oz tanks and nobody asks shit. as far as they know you play a lot or own a small shop.

ganjaluvr said:

not sure bro, as I've never used co2 with my plants. Carbon Monoxide can kill us humans.. so I tend to stay away from things that can kill me.

Click to expand...

CO2 is Carbon Dioxide.
CO is Carbon Monoxide.

But for the OP, whats controlling the solenoid? Just hardwired in the open position?
Like its been said, get a controller that will keep it in a closed loop.

(CO2 is the last thing to ad to a grow-op. The money for it can be better used for quality lights, etc. The room should be sealed nearly airtight too. Of course this means the temp/humidity control has to be spot on without using air from outside the grow room. CO2 complicates the grow room set up exponentially.)