Clogged carbon filter. Limescale??

W

Wufi

Member
Hi guys,

This is the first grow I am using my new extraction fan (TD Silent 6") and a 6" CF. The fan works like a charm. However, I noticed several days ago, while checking the end of the ducting, that there wasn't as much air coming out as before.

The fan is connected to a STR transformer with thermostat, so temperatures slightly raised and the fan automatically switched to a higher speed, but still there wasn't much change.

So I end up removing the filter mat and found this:



As soon as I removed it, a gently breeze was coming out the ducting again.

I must say I have a humidifier running while lights are on that has tap water. Is that the reason? Should I buy a RO filter, another mat to change it periodically...??? What do you guys do in cases like this one?

Thank you.
 
jondamon

jondamon

Well-Known Member
Wufi said:
Hi guys,

This is the first grow I am using my new extraction fan (TD Silent 6") and a 6" CF. The fan works like a charm. However, I noticed several days ago, while checking the end of the ducting, that there wasn't as much air coming out as before.

The fan is connected to a STR transformer with thermostat, so temperatures slightly raised and the fan automatically switched to a higher speed, but still there wasn't much change.

So I end up removing the filter mat and found this:



As soon as I removed it, a gently breeze was coming out the ducting again.

I must say I have a humidifier running while lights are on that has tap water. Is that the reason? Should I buy a RO filter, another mat to change it periodically...??? What do you guys do in cases like this one?

Thank you.
Click to expand...
Yes pretty much.

A humidifier in a grow room should use RO or distilled if you have water with an EC above 0.2 or around 200ppm
 
W

Wufi

Member
jondamon said:
Yes pretty much.

A humidifier in a grow room should use RO or distilled if you have water with an EC above 0.2 or around 200ppm
Click to expand...
Yes, it definitely has higher ppm! 380 to be precise. One more question before getting the RO filter. The water it produces... is it drinkable too? It would be good making the most of the filter to be honest lol, because I have a Brita and you have to change the filter every month and they aren't cheap
 
jondamon

jondamon

Well-Known Member
Wufi said:
Yes, it definitely has higher ppm! 380 to be precise. One more question before getting the RO filter. The water it produces... is it drinkable too? It would be good making the most of the filter to be honest lol, because I have a Brita and you have to change the filter every month and they aren't cheap
Click to expand...
To be perfectly honest I’m unsure as I don’t have to use RO water and never have.

What RH are you dealing with in your grow room.

IME anything from 30% upwards isn’t too bad and as plants get bigger the RH increases as transipiration rates increase due to more plant matter.
 
W

Wufi

Member
jondamon said:
To be perfectly honest I’m unsure as I don’t have to use RO water and never have.

What RH are you dealing with in your grow room.

IME anything from 30% upwards isn’t too bad and as plants get bigger the RH increases as transipiration rates increase due to more plant matter.
Click to expand...
Max 65% RH. I'm in vegetative.
 
D

Dank101

Member
I have been having the same problems.
It's very dry where I am and I could not get above 40% so I got a humidifier and got it up to 60% but after 2 weeks of running using tap water my filter clogged up.
I am know about to buy a RO fillter system. Also I found that if you have a 5/6inch extraction fan running max in a small tent you will suck all the humility out and the humidifier will be going all the time go keep up
I have a fan controller so I turn down my fan half way and then make sure I have a oscillating fan going to keep the air moving hope you get it sorted
 
jondamon

jondamon

Well-Known Member
Dank101 said:
I have been having the same problems.
It's very dry where I am and I could not get above 40% so I got a humidifier and got it up to 60% but after 2 weeks of running using tap water my filter clogged up.
I am know about to buy a RO fillter system. Also I found that if you have a 5/6inch extraction fan running max in a small tent you will suck all the humility out and the humidifier will be going all the time go keep up
I have a fan controller so I turn down my fan half way and then make sure I have a oscillating fan going to keep the air moving hope you get it sorted
Click to expand...

Same here.

I over spec’d my fan for this exact reason.

I use a 480m3/h fan (250cfm) with a 900m3/h filter (600cfm) along with a temperature sensored speed controller that’s set to 24C/75F.

I set my controller to the minimum fan speed and if my sensor reads over 24C it speeds up to reduce temp and then idles again until it peaks above 24.

My humidity is always above 20% early on in my grows.

With 1 plant during full bloom I peak at 55%

With 4 plants during bloom I can peak on nights at 70% so I have a dehumidifier on hand should I need to use it.
 
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