CO2 - how expensive is it to set up and use???
- Thread starter pftek
- Start date
well i just baught a hydrogen watercooled co2 generator from hydroinnovations, cost 350, plus if you dont have a co2 monitor they sell one as well, simple but cheapest ive seen, i paid 700 for my monitor but they sell theirs for 150 or 250...i dont quite remember....but if you pay for water usage then this wouldnt be for you(i run drain to waste, but you can buy a chiller, but thats a couple of thou$$$.....)with chiller total co2 set
up-3500....without chiller 1000 or less.
but if you want to go with the tanks then cout your self paying about 1500 depending....calculate 1 regulator, 2 tanks(so you dont fill them up so often, but i would recomend more), 1 co2 monitor(this is the most expensive part of the buy, cheapest one i seen was from hydro innovations but i got a IGS PLUG N GROW and paid 700)
just remember, you get what you pay for....do some research on products and brands and make a budget...other wise it may cost alot more....
the other route
up-3500....without chiller 1000 or less.
but if you want to go with the tanks then cout your self paying about 1500 depending....calculate 1 regulator, 2 tanks(so you dont fill them up so often, but i would recomend more), 1 co2 monitor(this is the most expensive part of the buy, cheapest one i seen was from hydro innovations but i got a IGS PLUG N GROW and paid 700)
just remember, you get what you pay for....do some research on products and brands and make a budget...other wise it may cost alot more....
the other route
pftek
Member
jesus!
what else can i do??? it's a fairly sealed off room.... don't want smell leakage... how important is it to get fresh air into the room or me or someone else going into it 1-2 times a day enough?
Fresh air is about as important as light.
Basically CO2 (whether it be in refreshed air or coming from a burner or tank), Light, Water and Nutrients are the 4 cornerstones of a good grow.
W/O plenty of CO2 photosynthesis stops and so does your planties metabolism/growth.
I'm not sure how long it'd take of you being in there to elevate CO2 levels to a reasonable level, I've read it somewhere...just can't find it. I'm sure someone will know
Basically CO2 (whether it be in refreshed air or coming from a burner or tank), Light, Water and Nutrients are the 4 cornerstones of a good grow.
W/O plenty of CO2 photosynthesis stops and so does your planties metabolism/growth.
I'm not sure how long it'd take of you being in there to elevate CO2 levels to a reasonable level, I've read it somewhere...just can't find it. I'm sure someone will know
MIGHTYMITE
Member
yep ya gotta problem there ,,4k worth of plants will eat up all the CO2 no problem
so i would go woth the hydroinnovations set up
itried runnin one off a chiller ,,spent 700 on it before i gave it up
now i drian to waste kinda..
the pump for the hydro gen is located outside the room in a 30 gal rez.
no chiller i just keep the water level high
anything over a 10 minute burn and the hydro gen will over heat and shut off
oh well..
10 min burn is way overkill for a 13 x 10 room
min setting is 15cfm per min iirc
so i would go woth the hydroinnovations set up
itried runnin one off a chiller ,,spent 700 on it before i gave it up
now i drian to waste kinda..
the pump for the hydro gen is located outside the room in a 30 gal rez.
no chiller i just keep the water level high
anything over a 10 minute burn and the hydro gen will over heat and shut off
oh well..
10 min burn is way overkill for a 13 x 10 room
min setting is 15cfm per min iirc
creeper327
Member
pftek i use a 45 lb tank 120$ with regulator $130 on a regular timer $15 and my room is almost same in size. i think my bubble is set a 3CUft. i have it set on a timer for 1 hour lights on to get room up in 1500 ppm range, then 15 minutes every 90 mins till lights out. one tank last about 17 days. and cost $15 to refill
i dont use a monitor yet.. but eventually i will.
i dont use a monitor yet.. but eventually i will.
M
milehighmedical
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generalchaos
New member
I was kinda wondering the same thing, local hydro store guy said you can get a decent setup for around 350 (im guessing thats a tank and hydrofarm regulator) or ball out and spend about 2k.
and creeper, is 3CUft a bit overkill for a 10x10? im in a slightly bigger space then that and the online co2 calculator tells me I only need to spray about 1.5CUft.
if a 45lb tank only lasts 17 days thats rough.
and creeper, is 3CUft a bit overkill for a 10x10? im in a slightly bigger space then that and the online co2 calculator tells me I only need to spray about 1.5CUft.
if a 45lb tank only lasts 17 days thats rough.
w0rmsw@y has a $600 sentinel CO2 ppm controller, or a $725 that adds controls for cooling, heating, and humidity devices. They also carry Sentinel Variable CO2 Generators, with electronic ignitions for $480-$680. I assume Propane Tank Sold Separately, so that is about $1100 as an entry to 'ball out'.
M
milehighmedical
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I would get a natural gas/propane burner.
those gas exchange stations are nearly at every gas station and grocery store, and if your house has a natural gas line you don't have to fool with tanks at all.
There is a meter you can get for less then $300
a controller for less then $180 both made by control wizard
a burner will run you around $300
and a solenoid valve for the gas supply will be around $180
So you looking at around $1k
those gas exchange stations are nearly at every gas station and grocery store, and if your house has a natural gas line you don't have to fool with tanks at all.
There is a meter you can get for less then $300
a controller for less then $180 both made by control wizard
a burner will run you around $300
and a solenoid valve for the gas supply will be around $180
So you looking at around $1k
I am in the process of setting up a small scale cab (4'x32"x6') and I eventually want to be able to run co2, my question(and factor for wether or not to use it on such a small room)is what kind of gains will I see and will it be worth it, I already have regulators and solenoids laying around along with several 15 and 20lb tanks so all I need is a controller. and seal off my room 
yep for any CO2 burner this is gonna be a min..
i have a smaller room than you, and i use bottled c02. dont make the same mistake, and have all your c02 get sucked out via your ac. i used a portable ac, and it sucked a 20lb tank in like 4 days in a 4x8 room. haha got a regular ac that i can close the vent on now though, and everything works fine.
newhiddengrower
Member
Hey i have a sealed room. 4k lights i am using Co2 with a controller.
The problem is that my tank runs out way too quickly for a 12x12 room.
I believe that my Portable AC is sucking the CO2. Is this correct?
My 20lb tank last for 3-4 days
The problem is that my tank runs out way too quickly for a 12x12 room.
I believe that my Portable AC is sucking the CO2. Is this correct?
My 20lb tank last for 3-4 days
yea hiddengrower, its definitely the portable ac. the suck smell and c02 right out. mine last the same as yours. your going to have to get a window ac that has the option of being able to close the vent in order to just recirculate the inside air, instead of exchanging it.
More than likely, they are known for that...
Back to the OP
You have a lot of choices on what to do. I suggest you set it up properly and get a controller. using a timer is nothing more than a guess.
CO2 or propane generator? As mentioned before, on larger rooms its better to go with a generator. You are kind of on the threshhold IMO. Do you plan on expanding? Propane tanks can be swapped anywhere and nobody thinks twice about you carrying propane tanks around. CO2 tanks on the other hand are a little odd to be hauling around all the time. But generators produce heat, can your room handle the additional heat? Keep in mind your room can run around 85 with the CO2.
BTW unless you get a lot of positive input on the hydro innovations generator from the new model, I wouldn't use it if they paid me. I had two older ones that were pieces of shit.
Controller. You need a controller. Timing your release is just guessing and not adapting to your plants needs as they grow etc. You can get a basic CO2 controller for $300 or a more advanced one for more that will control humidity, temp, etc.
I have used the sentinel burners and CHHC-1 on three different ops and if I ever started up again, I would go with those in a heartbeat
I would make sure the room is well sealed. You can use panda film to cover the interior with tape.
Just like any business, use your earnings to reinvest. 4kw is decent and after a harvest or two, you should have enough to reinvest and get the proper equipment.
How many grows have you done already? It is always wise for newbs to get a few grows under their belt before adding CO2
