CO2 - Slowing the leakage

[SCROG McDuck]

Couple months ago, installed a Sentinal co2 controller cppm-1.
It controll only the co2 distribution with the lights on.

I have the box so that canope temps are 85F, without exhaust
fans.. except the fan for the light.
The light fan is on/off with the light, on med/low.

But this little 3'x3'x6' (54cu ft) is now sucking a bottle of co2 every 60 days. Is this normal usage?

I've watched the ebb and flow of the PPM counter on the Sentinal.. it is set point at 1250 and runs 1185ppms to 1470ppms.
That cycle seems to take about 4-5 minutes...

Earlier in the grow temps, without the light/fan on kept the canope about the same... so although I'm thinking 'the light',
I also know, the co2 swing was about the same without the fan.

What else should I look for/can I do, to slow the co2 loss?
Not that $25 every 2 months is alot, I just dont like going there.

 

[Buzzsmirk!]

u could go with a propane burner

u could go with a propane burner

hi, u could switch to a propane gas gen.
they r a bit bulky but the heat would be low cuz ur space would get to the set point fast and shut down the burner and ur pilot flame would have a maintenance effect on levels

propane bottles are exchanged everywhere w/no reason to feel weird about doin lotsa grillin etc.........

BUZZ!

 

[!!!]

What's a "bottle of co2"?

Is your light setup in a closed fashion, so that the intake comes from out of the grow room, through the light and out the exhaust?

 

[Buzzsmirk!]

What's a "bottle of co2"?

like a gas cylinder , like for soda fountains and such

 

[SCROG McDuck]

hi, u could switch to a propane gas gen.
they r a bit bulky but the heat would be low cuz ur space would get to the set point fast and shut down the burner and ur pilot flame would have a maintenance effect on levels

propane bottles are exchanged everywhere w/no reason to feel weird about doin lotsa grillin etc.........

BUZZ!

HA! I do not feel weird going there... I'm just a lazy SOB.

I have thought of a gen but not really.
The bottle creates 'NO' heat.
I couldn't put a it 'in' the box, no room.
Cost isn't a factor, if a gen would be better.

You saying that I maintain the whole room, with the burner, at 1100-1500ppms? The box is just in the room and is victum to
ambient co2 concetrations.

The bottled co2 looks very much like scuba tanks w regulator and gague.

 

[fireman]

yea your setup is way to small to get a gen IMHO. I mean every 2 months really isnt that bad. Try to get it from you hydro guy when you have to refill on nutes i mean you have to go the hydo store eventually i imagine?

 

[SCROG McDuck]

yea your setup is way to small to get a gen IMHO. I mean every 2 months really isnt that bad. Try to get it from you hydro guy when you have to refill on nutes i mean you have to go the hydo store eventually i imagine?

yea, that's where I was going>>> tanks... but gassing the whole room
does meen that the other 2 boxes (veg & clone/veg) would get gassed too.

NO... light/exhaust timing would be impossible.

Tanks.. yes??? what was my first question?? Oh, yes.
Preseving co2..
2 months isn't that bad.. but 3 would be much better!

Thanks for thinking... all of you.

 

[foaf]

a bottle every 60 days is great

 

[teemu shalanie]

a bottle for 2 months is great , like foaf, said be happy where I am @ gas refillls are 45 for the large cylinders , growing is an investment , co2 will pay u back @ harvest time

peace TS

 

[badmf]

Your issue isn't with what "method" of CO2 but sealing your space better! You are not "using" that much CO2, its leaking out somewhere!! Foam and seal all openings you see then check floor to walls up to canopy tops & all corners, wall sockets (seal with plastic dry cleaning bags) Burn about ten sticks of incense to locate leaks, look for smoke/smells. You didn't say but I bet you have a 20#er. I have a larger room and get 4-5weeks. 10 x 20 x 8. Once you do seal watch your temps/humidity esp. nites!

 

[Lazyman]

yea your setup is way to small to get a gen IMHO. I mean every 2 months really isnt that bad. Try to get it from you hydro guy when you have to refill on nutes i mean you have to go the hydo store eventually i imagine?

Yep, 6 bottles a year is nothing my man, growing costs money.

 

[bendoslendo]

I think your plants might be eating up all your CO2. Maybe grow less or get rid of them altogether?

 

[SCROG McDuck]

Your issue isn't with what "method" of CO2 but sealing your space better! You are not "using" that much CO2, its leaking out somewhere!! Foam and seal all openings you see then check floor to walls up to canopy tops & all corners, wall sockets (seal with plastic dry cleaning bags) Burn about ten sticks of incense to locate leaks, look for smoke/smells. You didn't say but I bet you have a 20#er. I have a larger room and get 4-5weeks. 10 x 20 x 8. Once you do seal watch your temps/humidity esp. nites!

I grow in a generaly, 3 foot x 3 foot x 6 foot 'box'... wish I had a 'room'.
I'd like to think that they are eating the co2, bendo, but there are only 2 plants.
I'd think that if they were eating it they'd be GIANT but they are normal sized.


fireman, I'm not running from spending money, It's a PITA for me to get the bottle undone and just go to the gas store.
A bottle every 60 days... yes, it could be worse.

I like the idea of the incense, badmf.. next time, after the cut.

 

[fireman]

Its not about spending the money my man its about logistics. Co2 burner costs about 3-500 for something decent and then you still have to change the bottle now its just propane. Not only that its gonna take up majority of your headroom taking you down to about 4ft from 6ft ,unless you go with a newer watter gen and mount it on the wall or soemthing. I have to change my propane every 2 weeks feel lucky my friend. Not only that gens will add good heat to your box so another factor to consider. I`m also about 90% there isnt any gen on the market that should run in something only 3x3x6..

soo i dont see anywhere what size bottle you are running? if your not running the 50Lb bottle that could definitely be a simple solution to having to change it. haha now you jsut have to buy a huge 50lb and have to figure out a reason to walk in and out wth it.

 

[SCROG McDuck]

Its not about spending the money my man its about logistics. Co2 burner costs about 3-500 for something decent and then you still have to change the bottle now its just propane. Not only that its gonna take up majority of your headroom taking you down to about 4ft from 6ft ,unless you go with a newer watter gen and mount it on the wall or soemthing. I have to change my propane every 2 weeks feel lucky my friend. Not only that gens will add good heat to your box so another factor to consider. I`m also about 90% there isnt any gen on the market that should run in something only 3x3x6..

soo i dont see anywhere what size bottle you are running? if your not running the 50Lb bottle that could definitely be a simple solution to having to change it. haha now you jsut have to buy a huge 50lb and have to figure out a reason to walk in and out wth it.

Amen brother... 20lb/60 days isn't looking so bad...

You're right, I'd have to change out the P tank anyway...

I'll go with sealing up more, in there, better...
Although I think I'm tight.. incense/smoke> look!