New Grower Let's Talk CO2 (Tank Fed)

[Trapper]

I did a couple searches and nothing popped up.

I am a Land Cruiser enthusiast...Trail Runs, Rock Crawling in Moab, Bowhunting Elk in the SW Colorado Rockies...yada, yada, yada.
As such, I often deflate my tires to a lower psi...as such, I have reason to bring a CO2 tank along with to re-inflate once we get back
to the road. It appears that the CO2 regulators I have seen from horticultural purposes are very similar to the one I currently have on
my tank for off road duty.

You see where I'm going with this. Is there something that gas and welding places do to the CO2 to make it inappropriate for growing?
Or am I thinking of their nitrous? And that they introduce additives that make it undesirable to inhale for humans...
Could I get the growing regulator, valve, timer, and tubes and use this to increase trichome production?

If So...

How would I find out the correct time to start this procedure? (in the growth cycle)
How long should the intervals be? and at what overall volume per interval?
How long would a 10 pounder last?

I'm not really interested in the McGuyver techniques using vinegar and baking soda or others...
Just looking for data on whether or not it can be done with that particular version of CO2
and what the particulars are about its delivery.

Cheers!
-Trap

 

[Trapper]

Seriously? No one? Was it a stupid question?

 

[AndyBotwin]

Hey Trapper, I have not used CO2 myself for growing, but I have a buddy with a fairly complex system in his shed. I just emailed him and he said that he gets his tanks filled at a local welding supply place & he's not aware of any additives added to it. Here are a couple of decent links that I found:

http://boards.cannabis.com/advanced-techniques/183121-co2-enrichment-guide.html
http://www.hydrofarm.com/resources/articles/co2_enrichment.php

 

[Trapper]

Thanks for the links, AB! I suspected the gas was okay from the welding folks...and that I had confused it with NO2 in my addled head.

 

[Trapper]

Holy mackerel! So going by that data in the second link...for a 4' x 2' x 5' tent...I would only need .05 cu.ft./per minute of CO2 for 1 minute every 2 hours (during light) to maintain 1500 PPM of CO2 - optimal range.

A pound of CO2 gas contains 8.7 cu.ft. of CO2...so 8.7 x 10lb = 87 cu.ft. of available gas in a 10lb. tank.

At 20/4 light cycle (20 shots of CO2 per day at .05 cu.ft. expenditure) that's 1 cu.ft per day...or enough for 87 days.

Perfect links - Thanks!

 

[AndyBotwin]

At 20/4 light cycle (20 shots of CO2 per day at .05 cu.ft. expenditure) that's 1 cu.ft per day...or enough for 87 days.

Nice - so one tank is perfect for an autoflower grow cycle. I grow in a 4x2x5 tent, so I'm interested in seeing how this works out if you try it. Keep us in the loop. :thumbs:

 

[Trapper]

Actually, I got it wrong....I only need 10 shots per day...(Interval remains 2 hours not one) so tank yield is doubled.

Meaning a 10 pounder (for 4 x 2 x 5 tent) yields 174 days worth of gas. PLUS, I wouldn't think one would run it for the whole grow...maybe the last 3/4's of it...so let's call each grow at 52 days of CO2 use...

So over 3 grows worth of gas - NICE!

 

[oldster]

Hi trapper. Did you install the CO2 system and if so what were the results. Been thinking of putting one in the greenhouse.

 

[Joedirt]

I had a 1970 FJ40.
got i when I lived in the mojave desert.
it was my daily driver for like 11 years!
loved that little tank
I tried the Co2 thing, found that for my situation it was a waste of time and $$$$ my exhaust fan pulled it all out before the plants got it

 

[pop22]

I had a 1970 FJ40.
got i when I lived in the mojave desert.
it was my daily driver for like 11 years!
loved that little tank
I tried the Co2 thing, found that for my situation it was a waste of time and $$$$ my exhaust fan pulled it all out before the plants got it

You have to run CO2 in a closed environment, and need temps of 82-90F for it to work to full advantage. Maybe in a greenhouse wold be ok. For hobby/medical growers, its an expensive waste of time when you factor in a closed room, increased humidity requiring a dehumidifier, etc.