Grow Room Lifespan of Carbon Filters

[tronN00dles]

Hey folks,

I'm currently using a Vivosun 4" carbon filter inside my 20" x 36" x 60" tent, and I'm noticing it's just not doing a great job at scrubbing the air anymore. It's around 12 months old. I was under the impression you could reasonably get 18-24 months out of a carbon filter.

I should point out that I'm not venting outside - I'm venting through the wall into an adjacent room that has additional air quality controls in place, i.e., air exchanger, de-humidifer/ac unit, as well as an additional 6" carbon filter which scrubs and recirculates air in this adjacent exhaust room . But I'm in week 11 of a grow right now, and things are starting to get stanky in the exhaust room. The room in which my tent is sitting smells fine.

Any thoughts?

-tronN00dles

 

[BII]

The lifespan of your filter is over. Maybe get a new filter with more activated charcoal content, that's larger, etc. -- It should last longer.

Otherwise, a carbon filter is something I and likely many others just normally keep a backup ready to go as needed.

 

[Sheriffatman]

Wise to have back up , but not always practical for everyone, things cost. Wish I had a back up of everything then I would have 2 tents and would need some back up, oooo look 3 tents lol gonna need some back up lmao

 

[Bill.de.Cat]

Hey folks,

I'm currently using a Vivosun 4" carbon filter inside my 20" x 36" x 60" tent, and I'm noticing it's just not doing a great job at scrubbing the air anymore. It's around 12 months old. I was under the impression you could reasonably get 18-24 months out of a carbon filter.

I should point out that I'm not venting outside - I'm venting through the wall into an adjacent room that has additional air quality controls in place, i.e., air exchanger, de-humidifer/ac unit, as well as an additional 6" carbon filter which scrubs and recirculates air in this adjacent exhaust room . But I'm in week 11 of a grow right now, and things are starting to get stanky in the exhaust room. The room in which my tent is sitting smells fine.

Any thoughts?

-tronN00dles

Yup, it's done. Figure out how to open it up (drill rivets and replace with screws) go to tropical fish store and buy a activated charcoal recharge. Dump out the old, put in the new, shake to settle it, pour in more, shake to settle till its full. Don't tamp it, just let gravity do its thing. put it back together with new screws. Hear old charcoal can be recharged by baking in a pan in oven but haven't tried it.

 

[Gravton]

Trying to recharge the carbon in your oven will probably not have the the effect that you are looking for. To burn out all the gunk that the carbon has trapped inside and essentially reactivate it completely would take about 1,000 deg F and steam. They used to do it where I work. Putting the carbon of the can in your oven would do something. To me it just doesn't seem worth the time. I would also consider all of the other filter media in the can. It isn't just the carbon layer. Whatever has been trapped in the rest of the filter layers for the last year is still there. The effect of all that accumulating stuff in the filter is slowly putting more pressure on your fan system, making it work harder to get the air through. Additionally, I imagine if you repacked your filter with fresh carbon it would require more frequent changes.