New Grower Let's Talk CO2 (Tank Fed)

[Trapper]

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

Not a tank system, no. I ended up using a couple exhale bags for my first grow. I didn't have exhaust in that grow just a small fan drawing a bit of fresh air...
I think it helped....the plants need CO2 to convert and when they produce oxygen in a basically closed cab, the O2 needs to be replaced with more fuel for
photosynthesis.

CO2 is heavier than air, so in a closed tent, if you keep your exhaust port higher than the bottom of the tent (which you should to dissipate heat, anyway)
you won't expel the CO2 before it has a chance to help the process.

And if you have an ambient RH% around 25-35%, It can help bring that up a bit while controlling temps. my 2cents.

 

[Trapper]

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...

Yeah, there's a reason they are trusted in the nastiest and roughest places on earth...because they reliably get you back OUT!
No other vehicle has the reputation across the globe. But then, I'm biased having owned 4 of them.

 

[angular ocelot]

have you thought of using second hand co2 fire extinguishers? they're all the rage amongst aquascapers due to cost. or they were a few years ago when i did it.

 

[Joedirt]

I have a cuz thats lives in oregon, he has a big grow like 100 plus plants . CO2 generators are a must! myself, tiny little shit, its a big waste of time.
if I want more weed I plant more beens.

 

[Trapper]

have you thought of using second hand co2 fire extinguishers? they're all the rage amongst aquascapers due to cost. or they were a few years ago when i did it.

I have a tank, I just have to get it re-certified and get a regulator/timer. I've found it easier to use biomass/mushroom CO2 generators...something about a volatile, compressed liquid gas, highly
pressurized, missile waiting to happen, air tank just seems unnecessarily dangerous for a plant grow.

 

[angular ocelot]

I have a tank, I just have to get it re-certified and get a regulator/timer. I've found it easier to use biomass/mushroom CO2 generators...something about a volatile, compressed liquid gas, highly
pressurized, missile waiting to happen, air tank just seems unnecessarily dangerous for a plant grow.

fair enough but i don't think it's that dangerous, lots of aquatic hobbyists have them and i've never heard of anything untoward. even if you already have your own bottle a secondhand co2 extinguisher could work out cheaper.
i just stick to yeast, sugar and water though.

http://www.ukaps.org/forum/threads/fire-extinguisher-co2.266/

 

[angular ocelot]

also, if you use any sort of pressurised system, you can fit a timer to some sort of actuator to turn off the co2 during lights out to save you wasting gas, which unfortunately you can't control with biomass/yeast etc systems.

which may be of concern to some growers for ecological reasons.

 

[Joedirt]

Co2 is inert
O2 displacement. Not volatile.

 

[Trapper]

Co2 is inert
O2 displacement. Not volatile.

Not explosive, still very volatile in liquid form...pressurized. It wants to be a gas and is forced into liquid form by pressure. Knock off the regulator and it's a very heavy, very fast projectile that would punch through walls. It's why they require restaurants to chain them down (for their soda guns at the bar). Furthermore, any flaw or degradation in the construction of the tank could create a rupture which could also have catastrophic consequences.

But to angular ocelot's point....RE: Off time.

I actually have a game plan for that - And to keep the Bloom Box out of the tent to save space.
This technique was recommended from "my guy" at the hydro store.

Parts List:

1X - MyCO2 Bloom Box
1X - large styrofoam cooler
1X - Fish/Air pump (like used for bubbling water)
1X - Digital timer
2X - 5ft. lengths of tubing

Place the Bloom Box in the bottom of the cooler, place the air pump in the bottom of the cooler, route tubing to release gas directly above plants.
Set timer to activate for whatever interval you desire, and to be off for lights out.

The CO2 (slightly heavier than ambient air) will "pool" in the cooler, the air pump must draw air to pump it, if it's immersed in CO2, that's what
it will pump out. So the process basically collects the produced CO2 and evacuates it from the cooler, then the reservoir replenishes when the
pump is off.

At least that's the working theory that I'll be trying

 

[Muddy]

Trap, CO2 is most effective in veg and early flowering. Once you get into full bloom you need to start cutting the level back or you can end up with fluffy buds. It's also only effective during lights on. I run it in my hydro room and start out at 1,500 ppm and am down to about 500 by around week 5-6 of flowering, which is only slightly above atmospheric levels. If I were using it on autos, I'd cut it off after the 2nd or 3rd week of bloom.