possible off gasing

[Last stand]

I've been growing successfully since the 90's until recently I had a major cyclamen mite invasion and by the time I figured out what the culprit was it was time to scrap my lifes work and start over. While I was waiting on my new seeds I decided to build a room so I could divert the whole hvac to it and have a more controlled environment. I used insulation board for the walls and ceiling and I've recently noticed some of my plants are drooping, especially before lights out and into the first few hours of light. I used some adhesives and gap fillers like liquid nails and great stuff and I'm wondering if this or the board could be the culprit. Any help appreciated, after all I've been through over the last 9 months I wont hesitate to tear it down and start over. Does anyone know the symptoms of off gassing?

 

[Granger2]

I really can't help much, but during my just completed room make over, I decided to use silicone caulk in place of Liquid Nails because I was leery of what the LN might off gas. The silicone only off gasses methanol, and a little ammonia. Never noticed problems. Home Depot carries it in black. Sry about your loss. Good luck. -granger

 

[vostok]

Drooping? ... is usual to seek in the root zone, although plants do breathe in c02 from in their stomata, very little is researched into various gases and the effects they have on plants....so with you hvac plugged into your grow room does that mean plants get to smell your feet come bed time ....? is not a good idea to involve house with grow room!

 

[RetroGrow]

Great Stuff is a known off gasser. That is the culprit. Never use it in your room.

 

[furrywall11]

yea, I would say Great Stuff is an off gasser too. Plants are affected by off gassing, no doubt.

Can you run fans and get fresh air into your room for a week - ten days before using it? that'd probably work

 

[RedBeardy5]

How long does great stuff give off gasses?

 

[RetroGrow]

How long does great stuff give off gasses?

Don't know exactly, but NEVER put that crap on your grow room. It destroys plants, and I wouldn't out it in my living space either. Very bad off-gasser.

 

[RedBeardy5]

Well god damn lol. I sealed my room and used great stuff all along the room. It has been 2 months now. Shouldn't the foam be cured by now, everything has a half life. Also I have a scrubber inside the room for smell, wouldn't the charcoal absorb the gasses?

 

[furrywall11]

practically everything off gasses.. polyester sheets off gas.... a new space heater needs to be run outdoors for 24 hours before you run it inside or you'll get sick... carpet.... treated wood...tarps... some things are worse than others.. caulking and great stuff are pretty bad but, after two months I think it'd be O.K...

 

[RonSmooth]

I have used great stuff, acrylic caulk, silicone and power grab and have had no problems with "off-gassing" over the last 3 runs.

 

[RetroGrow]

I have used great stuff, acrylic caulk, silicone and power grab and have had no problems with "off-gassing" over the last 3 runs.

Use what you like, but "Great Stuff" is poison. You must have extreme ventilation if you are having no off gassing issues. Do a little research, and you will find that it is an off-gasser. Found out the hard way.

 

[RedBeardy5]

interesting, a carbon filter I would think would take care or any off-gassing

 

[RedBeardy5]

I did a search and the company says once it is cured for a week or 2 there should be no off-gassing from the Great Stuff....

 

[RonSmooth]

I use a 6" centrifugal exhaust fan and a carbon filter. Pretty much standard equipment.

I would think that if the concentrations of toxic gas are so great that plants are dying, you need to address the ventilation.

Without knowing details of a grow it is hard to say that toxic gasses are killing the plants. It could be a ton of other more plausible factors. I suppose its a good idea to er on the side of caution and use things like great-stuff in small quantities and remove the plants while applying it.

 

[Last stand]

I tore it all out and put up black and white poly, plants looked better overnight. It was a pain to scrape off all the great stuff and liquid nails but it had to be done.