DIY CO2 generator

[Mazer]

Greetings Good People of RIU,
Has anybody tried one of those so called DIY CO2 generator designed for fish tanks?
The concept is basic and sound, get a steady flow of citric acid dripping on baking soda hence producing CO2.
However, I have no idea of how accurate this thing can be.
Costs about 25$ and seems like a good add on to small grows.
Waddya say?
Peace

 

[chemphlegm]

its all fun, brewing, dripping, mushrooming, etc. Proper metering and timing c02 release will go along way towards results.
I was really surprised to see how much c02 I produce just working in my rooms for a couple hours. I do use a propane c02 gen, and would replace it next day if it failed fyi. c02 is good, even a little is better than non. I recently saw small gens for tents etc, I'd save up for a meter, they were expensive when I bought one maybe got cheaper now hopefully.

 

[Mazer]

its all fun, brewing, dripping, mushrooming, etc. Proper metering and timing c02 release will go along way towards results.
I was really surprised to see how much c02 I produce just working in my rooms for a couple hours. I do use a propane c02 gen, and would replace it next day if it failed fyi. c02 is good, even a little is better than non. I recently saw small gens for tents etc, I'd save up for a meter, they were expensive when I bought one maybe got cheaper now hopefully.

Dear chemphlegm,
you are definitely right about proper CO2 equipment as CO2 is paramount to the plant physiology. Yet, I am sure it is not essential to have high end equipment to achieve a good crop both quality and yield wise.
Having said this, I have a thing for tiny grows helping people to achieve self sufficiency with minimal risk in areas where prohibition is still enforced. These grows are the most "lowcostester" on the scene as the growers usually do not expect a return on investment. They just want clean&sweet dank in a 4sqf tent.
that's why I am exploring these cute and low priced devices that seem to work for fishtanks.

PEACE

 

[chemphlegm]

unless sealed up your plant will receive enough c02 to grow, and produce buds to use too.
I've found no advantage to using these types of diy c02 techniques.
a plant will only grow to its weakest resource, we get to choose which ones. If we're not happy with the results already c02 will do nothing for you I suspect. for instance using cfl bulbs .....c02 efforts would be wasted, as the light resource would be weakest one, not c02(using ambient air) yes, your device will create c02. no, it will not grow better marijuana unfortunately
I grew sweet grade a mj in a 4x4 tent multiple times without the use of diy/or any added c02. your experience may be different, good luck

 

[HideousPenguinBoy]

So without assuming a small grow can't seal up and doesn't have 600PPFD+:
is there an increase in light absorption from enhanced CO2 levels at PPFDs of 600-1200?
would this provide enough to create even a 5% increase in said condition?

It's fine to say, "If you do not meet these conditions there will be no apparent enhancement from ANY CO2, let alone this DIY CO2 device." But "I/you grow stuff fine so I/you don't need nothin new" is a terrible thought process in a DIY section.

I would certainly be interested in other people's opinions.

 

[NaturalFarmer]

Your plant will be able to function at higher rates provided you maintain the higher rates of water, nutes and temp to go along with it.

 

[NaturalFarmer]

@HideousPenguinBoy


http://smartgrowtechnologies.com/cannabis-sativa-response-to-ppfd-temp-and-co2/

http://smartgrowtechnologies.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/Cannabis-Sativa-Response-to-PPFD-temp-and-CO2-annotated.pdf

 

[chemphlegm]

So without assuming a small grow can't seal up and doesn't have 600PPFD+:
is there an increase in light absorption from enhanced CO2 levels at PPFDs of 600-1200?
would this provide enough to create even a 5% increase in said condition?

It's fine to say, "If you do not meet these conditions there will be no apparent enhancement from ANY CO2, let alone this DIY CO2 device." But "I/you grow stuff fine so I/you don't need nothin new" is a terrible thought process in a DIY section.

I would certainly be interested in other people's opinions.

we all been there. I'm a home brewer long before a home grower. was a secret grower too. I get it. if it feels good to brew wine in the tent, and it does, I did it, then by all means do it. dont expect returns to be worth the effort. You exhale much more c02 with every breath than that bottle will supply in hours. get in there and breathe instead maybe? thats fun too right

 

[HideousPenguinBoy]

@HideousPenguinBoy
http://smartgrowtechnologies.com/cannabis-sativa-response-to-ppfd-temp-and-co2/
http://smartgrowtechnologies.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/Cannabis-Sativa-Response-to-PPFD-temp-and-CO2-annotated.pdf

Weird, the pdf won't load.

So now that we know it is helpful, how much is that DIY device producing? Would it be enough to shift the CO2 in your space?

 

[Mazer]

Weird, the pdf won't load.

So now that we know it is helpful, how much is that DIY device producing? Would it be enough to shift the CO2 in your space?

The PDF works fine for me. Quick summary (and correct me if I got it wrong) it sais at 1500 μmol m-2s-1 PPFD. And 25-30 degree Celsius+ CO2 high concentration (750 μmol mol- 1) Canabis Sativa does best