Co2 generator!

[bterzz]

Hey guys - Just received my new co2 generator. Pretty badass!

I've read that co2 is wasteful to run at night (lights off) ..

Can anyone enlighten me to as WHY it is wasteful?

Can anyone enlighten me on a way to get my plants fresh co2 even when they are sleeping, without bringing in air from outside environment. (100+ degree temps during lights off, outside of the room of course)


Super excited. Thanks in advanced!

 

[Lazyman]

Plants inhale CO2 and exhaust O2 with the lights on.

Plants exhale CO2 and intake O2 with the lights off.

It's a great oversimplification but that's the net result.

 

[bterzz]

LOL as simple as that sounds I am confused --

Would I be OK without running an intake OR co2 with lights off 12 hours a day?
The only fresh air they would be getting is A/C when it reaches certain temps.

 

[Lazyman]

Its fine to run exhaust/intake fans with the lights off, most CO2 controllers are preprogrammed to turn off at night anyway. A night device port will be good to light up an exhaust fan. If your outside ait is that hot you would be better off with AC or you'll have a positive differential room, hot with the lights off. Better to have cold air than hot air if you have a choice.

 

[dtfsux]

you dont need to do anything at night except make sure temps are in line. No CO2 or venting

 

[bterzz]

Awesome. Thats great to hear..

If the room gets above desired temp, the 36,000 BTU A/C will turn on and cool the room, supplying fresh air, as well.

BOOM shakalaka.

Sealed for sure seems the way to go...

Any downfalls to running co2 vs fresh air?

 

[Lazyman]

Only the intial expense and labor, and if using tanked propane or bottled gas, the ongoing expense. Picking up and transporting these tanks gets old too.

The room is gonna be hotter to work in (make it 85* or don't bother!) but if I'm gonna be in a CO2 room a long time I turn off the CO2 and kick exhaust fans or AC on. Dim the lights if you have dimmable ballasts (or unplug half) and it will be more tolerable.

Hmm, you come to rely more heavily on more equipment. A broken AC in a sealed room takes quick work to bypass, whereas an air cooled room only relies on simple fans to cool the place. If you rely on window AC's and yours burns up in January it sucks hunting down fast replacements.

Thats all I can think of off the top of my noggin...

 

[madback]

Plants inhale CO2 and exhaust O2 with the lights on.

Plants exhale CO2 and intake O2 with the lights off.

Has anyone ever experimented with putting oxygen in when lights are off??

 

[bterzz]

Good to hear -- the burner I received (Gen2) should cut all the ongoing expenses + labor out of the picture!

36000 BTU Window A/C @ 220
74 pint Dehumidifier
Gen2 natural gas burner
PPM co2 controller
12" Exhaust fan circulating air
8" fans to cool the hoods

seal that bitch up and im ready to rock n roll...

Cant wait.

Thanks for the help everyone.

 

[bterzz]

Has anyone ever experimented with putting oxygen in when lights are off??

I'd like to know as well.

The burner that I bought specifically says it is wasteful to run with lights off.. in the instruction manual.

I'll take there word for it!

 

[Phillthy]

i only run mine with lights on. i use a controller and have no complaints. sealed rooms rock. no sound, no smell, no one knows

 

[sparkjumper]

Its nothing for my room to have 2500PPM when the lights come on.In this case I exhaust until I'm around 1500PPM.I'm a firm believer in having a max 200PPM fluctuation during the 12 hours on period.The other way letting it fall slowly from 2500PPM loses you a few hours of enrichment.

 

[Lazyman]

Hey Sparky, new research suggests a max of 1000ppm is the most beneficial, it's discussed in the last couple pages of my co2 thread in my sig.