Best Co2 controllers for exhausted room

[dankohzee]

Hi. I'm fixin to make the switch to co2. My current plan is to leave my ventilation system intact and turn my exhaust down as low as possible. My exhaust sucks through my scrubber, which is on the ceiling 12 feet up.

Is it necessary for me to buy a controller that shuts off the exhaust while the c02 runs? Hydro store guy says exhaust won't affect co2 levels much so high up on the ceiling. True, or bullshit? He's misled me before.

I just dumped a lot of money on an AC system and would like to save a few bucks, but not if its going to cause problems.

Should I just not exhaust at all? My AC will handle the heat, but it will work the unit more, thus reducing its life. I'm not sure what to do. Any input would be appreciated.

 

[Hydrolized]

A reduction in life of your AC unit shouldn't be a concern considering the 10-30% yield increase from running CO2. IMO running CO2 with any type of active exhaust is just a waste.

 

[dankohzee]

A reduction in life of your AC unit shouldn't be a concern considering the 10-30% yield increase from running CO2. IMO running CO2 with any type of active exhaust is just a waste.

You say that is your opinion. What are the facts? Will I lose much co2? Hydro guy says no. He says co2 settles to the lower part of the room and gets blown around, but because it is heavier than air, it tens to remain in the lower portion of the room. Very little will get sucked out.

What are your thoughts on this?

 

[Hydrolized]

I don't have scientific experimental facts...but if you think about gaseous diffusion added to the fact that you have circ. fans mixing the air constantly, if your using proper exhaust CFM to cool your area your going to be sucking out a good portion of your CO2 no matter what you do....CO2 is only about 50% heavier than air it's not like it's going to overcome the fans pushing it around and stay at the bottom.

Why bother pondering all this though...when you get your CO2 monitor, first put it near the top of the room, preferably near your exhaust intake, to monitor the CO2 levels of the air leaving the room. Then place it where it should be (canopy level) and check again...that should give you a good idea.

 

[eL artist]

i have used co2 in a semi sealed and an almost completely sealed unit. I used bottled co2 and was replacing bottle at least every 2-3 days with semi sealed room and no vent now since i built my enclosed hut and almost completely sealed it i have yet to replace in last two weeks+, also i vent 15 min every 2 hours with a vortex 4" fan. My meter is on a timer that turns it off went vent fan comes on. From my experience between a semi sealed room and sealed room you do not want to vent when co2 is on because you will be wasting co2 but you can still vent with timer used properly

 

[Hammerhead]

I would have to agree. Co2 systems are for sealed rooms. There is no benefit in a exhausted room. Im not sure if you are understanding what is being said here. Co2 is used about 1200ppm with elevated temps. If you have a exhausted room the Co2 will not be in the room log enough to make a cost effective difference. We are just using common sense . The reason people use co2 is they have sealed rooms and plants need co2 to live. Plus it gives some added yield benefits when used properly..


You can still use the AC. You would need to do some reworking of the room. Depending on what kind of AC you have. I use Portable AC units for sealed rooms. I make a hot box where the hot air is blown from the AC ,Scrubbed then blown out. The room itself is separated from the hot box this box can get very hot. I had to use insulation to keep the the room from heating up

 

[eyes]

co2 and an ac room is the ultimate ticket. if you are venting with co2 your throwing money out the window with very little return. youd be better off with increased venting then to go co2 in a vented room. match an intake and an exhaust fan and youll see explosive growth. its no fun fillin and luggin co2 tanks especially if you are not sealed.

 

[dankohzee]

Thanks guys.

I understand the concept that venting co2 from the room would be a waste. I was thinking that a small amount of Ventilation through the hoods might be helpful in keeping the room cool and was desirous of info on controllers that would shut off that small amount of exhaust for a period of time while co2 supplementation was actually happening--there are many that do that.

Now I think it is more trouble than it is worth.

 

[budleydoright]

The cap air 3 and 4 will work for this. It can work running a semi sealed room, if you can maintain a reasonable tempurature for a reasonable period of time with no ventalation.

I can do this in the winter. Seal a room with a vented hood on a fan connected to the air3. Co2 is on and at 1500, temps and humidity stay in the high 70s and mid 50's for about 45-60 minutes. Then the RH gets too hight and the co2 is turned off and the fan on.

Not nearly as cool as my sealed room with water cooled co2 burner though.