I repurposed my old carbon filter into a cool, air pot like planter. Any other ideas?

I was cleaning my basement and realized that I've got old carbon filters building up that I didn't know what to do with. Obviously didn't want to put them in the trash, and I thought, there has to be something cool you can do with these things.

So I made one into a planter and put a norfolk pine in it. I think it turned out kind of cool. You could line the inside with plastic to keep the roots out of the carbon, or put a pot inside it first but I didn't. I'm gonna see if the carbon effects the plant, could be a fun experiment. It seems like it will work like an air pot too cause of the porous design.

But anyways, does any one else out there have any old carbon filter recycle ideas?

/shrug

I like it.

I would be far too worried about a guest being like sweet planter where can i get one? then i'd have to kill them.

Does a carbon filter has a lifespan, and should be replaced accordingly?

keysareme said:

Does a carbon filter has a lifespan, and should be replaced accordingly?

Click to expand...

For me, one filter will last about a year. You could try to refill them maybe, but it would be pretty hard, and the carbon would cost almost as much as a new filter. I just buy a new one on eBay like every 10-12 months. Usually by the 3rd or 4th grow with a filter, my house starts getting REAL stanky haha. You can't smell anything though with a fresh filter.

The reason carbon works is because its very porous and all the organic odors get stuck in the pores basically. But eventually all the pores will be clogged with organic matter and they'll stop working.

i like the idea, your take on how a carbon filter works is quite dumbed down but also very accurate.. to accurate to dispute. so do you clean them or just run it with the impurities you have captured still in the filters, i would think if you could clean them then you would just use them again haha so there i go answering my own question... as i said i like the idea, im all about recycling in unconventional means (maybe im a hoarder).

as you where..

Indagrow said:

i like the idea, your take on how a carbon filter works is quite dumbed down but also very accurate.. to accurate to dispute. so do you clean them or just run it with the impurities you have captured still in the filters, i would think if you could clean them then you would just use them again haha so there i go answering my own question... as i said i like the idea, im all about recycling in unconventional means (maybe im a hoarder).

as you where..

Click to expand...

Lol yea it was actually a terrible description but I didn't want to get too deep into it or copy paste a google search.. I figured I'd ball park it.

I was also concerned about all the crap caught in the filter so I ran it under water till it ran clear. I am curious to see how the tree grows, could kill it or be awesome, guess we will see!

TheNameless said:

For me, one filter will last about a year. You could try to refill them maybe, but it would be pretty hard, and the carbon would cost almost as much as a new filter. I just buy a new one on eBay like every 10-12 months. Usually by the 3rd or 4th grow with a filter, my house starts getting REAL stanky haha. You can't smell anything though with a fresh filter.

The reason carbon works is because its very porous and all the organic odors get stuck in the pores basically. But eventually all the pores will be clogged with organic matter and they'll stop working.

Click to expand...

Ok, thank you for the wisdom. I've a filter that has been used, not sure its precise remaining life.

yeah ive learned its best not to clutter up these threads with information it helps with the flow when you don't give a reason for someone to correct you haha

definitely keep us posted on it, what type of fur is that? i know they either develop or prefer acidic soil, wonder what the effect if any the carbon will have on that. only a matter of time until someone suggest an MJ grow, i can't really think of any benefits or draw backs. possible storage of beneficial salts? i think im coming down with something my mind is wandering today

Indagrow said:

yeah ive learned its best not to clutter up these threads with information it helps with the flow when you don't give a reason for someone to correct you haha

definitely keep us posted on it, what type of fur is that? i know they either develop or prefer acidic soil, wonder what the effect if any the carbon will have on that. only a matter of time until someone suggest an MJ grow, i can't really think of any benefits or draw backs. possible storage of beneficial salts? i think im coming down with something my mind is wandering today

Click to expand...

It's a Norfolk Pine and your right like most evergreens it prefers acidic soil. Really reliable little indoor plant. I do have a male Grand Daddy Purp plant that I wouldn't mind transplanting into it for the sake of experimentation.

There is really no tellin how it will turn out. I can think of some really good benefits and also some plausibly terrible ones haha.

keysareme said:

Ok, thank you for the wisdom. I've a filter that has been used, not sure its precise remaining life.

Click to expand...

You'll prob know when to replace cause it will start to smell if you've got flowering buds.

TheNameless said:

You'll prob know when to replace cause it will start to smell if you've got flowering buds.

Click to expand...

Thank you, scentless thus far.

TheNameless said:

You'll prob know when to replace cause it will start to smell if you've got flowering buds.

Click to expand...

Thank you, scentless thus far.

love it. i want ten please.

dannyboy602 said:

love it. i want ten please.

Click to expand...

Thanks danny, glad you like it. Only have a few right now, but I imagine I will be acquiring 1 or 2 every year for the rest of my life haha.

Its cool cause they all match, but they come in different sizes. So you could put a bunch of them together and I think it would look awesome.