Anyone have experience running CO2 in a sealed flip flop?

[Scrappy-doo]

I'm currently designing the setup for a new space. There are some rules I have to follow, one of which is no holes in the walls, so looks like I'll be running a sealed room. There is central air in this space so occasionally the vent will kick on. Aside from that no access to outside air.

I'm trying to get as much out of this space as possible without tripping circuits so I'm doing a flip flop.

First time with a sealed room. I've read CO2 is not good for the girls at night so just wondering if there's anyone doing this successfully and any advice on how to do so.

Can I just leave the CO2 on 24/7?

Burner or tanks?

Anything else I need to consider to be successful with this?

Any info or ideas would be very helpful and much appreciated.

 

[Fatboyjay]

I'm no expert but I've been researching for a bit now and you don't run c02 24/7. A low tech way to go about it is to hook the c02 to the light timers so the gas comes on with the lights. When it's dark plants don't use c02. If you have the $$$ you can get a controller that monitors the ppm and adjust on the fly.

 

[Scrappy-doo]

Thanks for the reply Fatboyjay.

I'm aware that you're supposed to use it only when lights are on that's why I'm asking this cause I'm looking for someone who's done it to either tell me I can run it 24/7 without causing harm to the plants, or who knows how I should set it up so that each tent gets it when it needs it.

I'd much rather just get a generator and leave it on because obviously it's the easiest option. A tank setup I think is less ideal unless I buy 2 separate tanks and regulators, plus always having to go to the grow shop to get tank refills. Much easier to just buy some propane at the local mart.

I have a CO2 controller already so keeping it at a set level isn't going to be a problem. Not sure what you mean by adjusting on the fly.

 

[Fatboyjay]

You can give plants too much c02. Plus it's just wasteful. If you have a controller then you've already solved your issue. A controller measures the ppm and adjust your c02 generator or tank.

 

[Scrappy-doo]

Do you know what a flip flop setup is?

 

[ElusiveQuark]

Hey Scrappy - I recall seeing a dual zone controller and monitor for CO2 tanks. I think it was a Sentinel.

 

[Fatboyjay]

Do you know what a flip flop setup is?

Yeah, I know, or at least I think I know what you mean. But that still means 12/12 for the flowering room (or two if that's you flip flop set up) so you'd still have to ease off the c02 when the plants are enjoying their dark hours.

Mind you I admit I'm a newbie but everything I've read on c02 says anything over 1500 ppm is a waste and at night (or dark) plants release c02 so you'd actually have too much come morning. Anyway, sounds like you know a bit more than me so I'm sure you'd figure it out.

 

[Scrappy-doo]

Hey Scrappy - I recall seeing a dual zone controller and monitor for CO2 tanks. I think it was a Sentinel.

Nice! I'm definitely gonna have to look into that. Thanks buddy.

Yeah, I know, or at least I think I know what you mean. But that still means 12/12 for the flowering room (or two if that's you flip flop set up) so you'd still have to ease off the c02 when the plants are enjoying their dark hours.

Mind you I admit I'm a newbie but everything I've read on c02 says anything over 1500 ppm is a waste and at night (or dark) plants release c02 so you'd actually have too much come morning. Anyway, sounds like you know a bit more than me so I'm sure you'd figure it out.

Oh ok. Sorry, I wasn't trying to come across as a know it all or anything, it just seemed one of us was not understanding the other, and I wasn't sure which it was.

Flip flop setup meaning I have two flowering rooms on opposite light cycles within the same room, so if I add CO2 to the room one of them will be getting it at the wrong time. That's why I was hoping someone would reply who has a way around that, or who's just kept it on 24/7 without issues. Really that's what I has hoping for. I didn't/don't want to have to buy two CO2 systems but with something like what EQ is suggesting I won't have to.

So is a generator out of the question then? Anyone? Perhaps some way to inject fresh air into the tent that is lights off? I coulda swore I remember reading about people just leaving the generator on with a flip flop but just at a little lower ppm, and not having any issues. Haven't been able to find it though.

Thanks again for chiming in guys it's much appreciated.

 

[Marshall]

Typically when you run flip flop you run two separate rooms with each room having its own ac co2 etc. Rooms have different requirements at night and day so using the same equipment for both poses challenges.

Plus you said you can't cut holes and that would be the only way to exchange air between the rooms

 

[MensaBarbie]

I have two sealed air rooms on flipflop power box. Each room has its own co2 meter with a photocell so gas only comes on When lights are on. I use an atlas 1 in one room and atlas 3 in the other. Atlas regulator on each tank. Works great.

 

[MensaBarbie]

Tanks are way safer. No potential for explosions from leaks. Deposit on each tank is like $120 but the refills are only ten bucks. One room is very frugal w CO2 and one uses it up. I have three tanks so i always have a full one on backup. Good luck

 

[wildgrow]

Wow MB - co2 is way cheap where you are. A burner was much more economical for me. I don't have use for it since leaving my partnership, but I was going to do a flip flop.

My plan was to have a sort of co2 lung room. 2 ducts, 1 to each room. 6 in booster on each with 1-way dampers. When the lights came on in 1 room the 6 in for that room would turn on and draw co2 from the lung while the damper on the duct to the 2nd room stayed closed. And vice versa - or flippa floppa.

Never implemented so I don't know how it would have worked out. Interested to see how you address it.

 

[Scrappy-doo]

Pretty sure I'm just gonna run co2 24/7 and see how that works out. Easiest simplest option, and I'm pretty sure I've read people do that with no issues.

 

[MensaBarbie]

Wild interesting idea. I would just worry about any other exchanges the idea would introduce. I keep my rooms totally separate for sanitation/ light leak reasons. Let me know ifnu find out.
Scooby 2000 ppms of co2 can knock me out and i can die. I would rather spend a few bucks on a meter. My life is worth that.

 

[MensaBarbie]

The problems w burners are they are dangerous and they add tons of heat.

 

[Scrappy-doo]

Thanks MensaBarbie. Yeah I've used a CO2 burner before and they do produce a lot of heat but there's also gonna be an air conditioner in the room so it should be all good. I also have a CO2 monitor/controller so ppm's will also be under control.

But yeah there is also the danger element.

 

[MensaBarbie]

Scrappy doo i am glad my fave cartoon Character is safe. I prefer tanks because there is already too much heat w lights and dehu.