CO2 system in a Tent?

[chronic user]

Hey guys, I have two tents running right now and was thinking of setting up a co2 system in there. The part I'm having trouble with is; how could I set it up so that the exhaust won't suck out all the co2?

The scenario: The air inside the tent reaches over 83 degrees, so the controller turns on the exhaust. This, in turn will lower the CO2 levels inside the room, triggering the controller to also turn on the CO2 system. The exhaust fan does its work, and turns off at ~80 degrees, and the CO2 ppm levels reaches around 1200. Soon after, the exhaust fan turns on once again at 83 degrees, and more CO2 is wasted.

So in essence, the damned controller contradicts itself and i believe the CO2 levels will never reach optimum levels. any suggestions?

 

[Gobwats]

Hey guys, I have two tents running right now and was thinking of setting up a co2 system in there. The part I'm having trouble with is; how could I set it up so that the exhaust won't suck out all the co2?

The scenario: The air inside the tent reaches over 83 degrees, so the controller turns on the exhaust. This, in turn will lower the CO2 levels inside the room, triggering the controller to also turn on the CO2 system. The exhaust fan does its work, and turns off at ~80 degrees, and the CO2 ppm levels reaches around 1200. Soon after, the exhaust fan turns on once again at 83 degrees, and more CO2 is wasted.

So in essence, the damned controller contradicts itself and i believe the CO2 levels will never reach optimum levels. any suggestions?

Don't use a controller myself, but if setup properly it should be set to where it turns off the CO2 slolenoid whenever the exhaust is running.

I just use timers myself; exhaust runs, shuts down, CO2 runs, shuts off, plants enjoy, cyclce repeats itself. Just have to figure out your temp rise time, and adjust the flow to match the on time for the CO2 solenoid.

 

[chronic user]

Hey thx for the reply. I would have to agree with your method except I'm not sure the weather outside will stay consistent. That is to say, that on a given day the temperature might swing 10-15 degrees, and that would throw off the timing I set for my timers (5 minutes on one day, might have to be 15 minutes on another, and same for nights etc). I don't live with my grow so I can't be there often enough to make adjustments in time.

Could anyone else here, maybe with experience with a controller offer their ?

 

[Hempstress]

Actually, CO2 is utilized best when temps are up around the 90 degree mark. I think that gobwats has a good workable system. The higher temps are not a detriment with C02 enhancement.

 

[CanaDan420]

What about the brains they have that cost a good 4-600 bucks? For a lot of money, cant you get a brain that reads the rooms temp and shuts the exhaust off and runs c02 to its optimum until the temps climb and the exhaust turns on cause the brain detected it? Is this something good to go with even though their expensive? Mainly does anyone know how good they work or if their reccomended?

 

[chronic user]

"Actually, CO2 is utilized best when temps are up around the 90 degree mark. I think that gobwats has a good workable system. The higher temps are not a detriment with C02 enhancement. "

Yes, he does have a system that probably works pretty well for him. However he probably lives with his grow, whereas I do not. Temperatures outside change and vary from day to day, and day to night. Having the exhaust run for 5 minutes while the temperature is 32 degrees F outside might do the job one day, but when it hits 56 degrees the next day and the timer is still stuck at 5, I'm pretty sure it will get too hot in there. It just sounds, altogether inefficient and would not provide my plants with the proper care since I can't be there every couple hours.

For the other fellow; not sure what you're getting at but it sounds like you're trying to be funny? Did you seriously suggest I shut on, and off, the exhaust and CO2 every time they are needed? Guess I'll just ignore you from now on.
Any help is appreciated.

 

[Gobwats]

What type of controller are you using there chronic? I have looked at them and read up on them, but you are right I am here with my grow (get to watch it all day everyday) so the cost was not feasible for me vs gauging my temp cycles and using much cheaper timers. That said, every controller I looked at had a feature to either shut the CO2 solenoid when the fan ran or shut the exhaust while the CO2 ran. Being away from the garden I would probably make use of a controller myself. Hopefully someone with a proper setup will chime in soon.

 

[AndreNicky]

What i would do is install a window AC unit(if thats possible) and mount it into the tent, completely seal the tent and run it like that. If thats not possible maybe set your controller to only turn the fan on when the temps reach 85-87, also do u have a aircooled light thats cooled seperatley from the grow room? i.e. 1 fan for grow room/1 fan for lights, this will help alot

 

[purpledomgoddes]

sealing garden is best option w/ c02 enhancement. but this may be option. cheap c02, if using air exchange/tunnel air flow method, so no coins really lost if vented out of area, as it is being regenerated constantly for >coins.

http://www.icmag.com/ic/showthread.php?t=108618&highlight=unlimited+cheap+c02

 

[chronic user]

Gobwats: Hey thanks for the reply. I'm using http://www.hydroponics.net/i/133932 at the moment, the Sentinel CHHC-1. If what you say is true about most controllers having the option of turning off the co2 while the exhaust is on, then you have solved my problem. I guess I should tinker with the controller more, considering I spent a bunch on it. Going to go to the grow later today and I'll update ya.

AndreNicky: I also thank you for your suggestions. For the longest time I was thinking of using a closed system, where no air (or almost no air) would be exhausted out of the room or into the room. But the prospect of building a frame for the A/C unit so it could be mounted to each tent looks grim and excessive considering I basically live in the city. I have 8 inch air cooled hoods, and a spare 8 inch inline fan which I was running until the neighbors complained that they couldn't sleep at night (vegging at the moment). I've had to purchase a variable speed controller for the other 8 inch inline fan to keep the noise down and I don't think I can run the other inline fan until I move my grow after the first harvest.


I'll go check out the grow today n' update ya'll w/ more questions and stuff.

 

[Gobwats]

Dude, you have the controller you need and I want. Setting that to fuzzy logic it will add a little bit at a time and maintain a more constant level for you. It will also sense when the exhaust cycle is running and shut power to the CO2 solenoid so it cannot fire until the exhaust fan stops, then it will bring the area right back to the set level and keep it up there (my method works, but the concentration decreases steadily as the plants utilize some and the rest finds any leaks to vent out through) until the temp or humidity hits the on switch to the exhaust again. I'll gladly trade you all my timers for your controller, lol. Hope you can get it figured out bro.

 

[chronic user]

Christ, so you're telling me the fuzzy logic on my controller automatically shuts off CO2 when exhaust goes off?! I'd have to look at the manual a bit closer, but thanks for that info Gob. I guess that solves it. I'll probably run CO2 so I'll will post pics when the plants look a little more presentable. The new 1000w light system I got came damaged, and the ballast crapped out on me so I'm in a scurry to find a replacement ballast. Till then -


Chronic User

 

[Hammerhead]

semi closed loop cold air intake for the lights. Temps wont be a problem. I use this method with co2 but I have opened the front door to use the whole room. My Sativas got to tall.

 

[Gobwats]

Christ, so you're telling me the fuzzy logic on my controller automatically shuts off CO2 when exhaust goes off?! I'd have to look at the manual a bit closer, but thanks for that info Gob. I guess that solves it. I'll probably run CO2 so I'll will post pics when the plants look a little more presentable. The new 1000w light system I got came damaged, and the ballast crapped out on me so I'm in a scurry to find a replacement ballast. Till then -


Chronic User

The fuzzy logic is what you paid the big bucks for as it will sit there and look at CO2 levels, temp, and humidity and determine how much to add when. You will like it as it will keep your concentration a lot more stable and actually use less gas. Can't wait to see pics once you get everything going.

 

[Hammerhead]

The Co2 should turn off when the exhaust is on thats how mine works. I have it set to about 80f it will turn off the Co2 and turn on the big fan(air king) and fresh
air intake/exhaust.

 

[chronic user]

OK, so I went and got a CO2 tank, slapped on a hand-me-down regulator, figured out the fuzzy logic mode, then realized I need a solenoid; or at least I think that's what I need. I got a little happy on the gas today, and the PPM levels hit 2000 for a brief moment. It was then that I heard the CO2 tank still spewing gas. Now if I'm not mistaken, the solenoid is the one that's supposed to be plugged into the controller? My regulator has a plug so that's what I figured was supposed to be plugged in. I'll take a pic when I get the chance. Sorry for my really stoned confusion

 

[Hammerhead]

Yes you need a solenoid 120v that your controller will turn on/off at a given PPM setpoint. It's going to look like this or similar

 

[Tokin_Jo]

We have two tents approx. (8x8x7.6ft) in a rectangular room that is 16ft x 24ft. 24000btu AC outside tents along with C02 generator. Each tent has multiflow 48sites, 4-1000's w/cooltubes, 4 -265cfm blowers intaking and venting for each tent. 2- 440cfm blowers intaking air from outside the outter room into one tent through the next with 2-440cfm blowers exiting cooled lights air out the outter room.

So basically its a huge room with a 16 x 24ft room inside it with two tents inside the 16 x 24ft room. This will have to make do until the bunker is finished this summer.

 

[xcrispi]

Chronic User
My Sentinel cppm-1 came w/ a 12v power supply that turns off the regulator w/e my emergency exhaust system is on . Im pretty sure your controller has the same feature too .
Crispi

 

[chronic user]

Hey guys, I took some pics tonight of the group that'll be flipped tomorrow. Also some pics of equipment / my setup.

The temperature rises quickly making the exhaust fan turn on. I guess I have to crank it up a bit more?

These are the guys that are in the E & G. Their leaves are bumpy and discolored. Any clue as to what this might be? -- haven't put the air stone in yet, been a bit busy lately--

Another shot at the ailing sour diesel clones. =(