CO2 Generator vs MicroBulk Tank

Dr.fillDAblunt420

Dr.fillDAblunt420

Active Member
I am debating whether to use a NG Generator vs a MicroBulk Tank. I have a commercial facility and I want to make sure I have a clean quality end product. My facility has a 2000sqft bloom room and a 750sqft veg room.
Is one or the other cleaner for the end product result? Ex: does a generator leave any residues on the plants that could possibly fail testing?
I know generator produce more heat, but I’ve also read that they produce more humidity. Is this true? If so how much more humidity does a generator produce?
MicroBulk tanks make sense to use in a standpoint of safety, and less heat. It appears MicroBulk tanks are more expensive to run than a natural gas generators. I have not used a natural gas generator so I’m not sure how much gas it actually uses. It could possibly end up being close to the same cost as a MicroBulk tank. Also the generator uses more electricity because it has more heat to cool. I’m just not sure on the efficiency of both systems and what the actual cost difference would be when compared to one another.
Any help or advice on this would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks
 
A

Apalchen

Well-Known Member
I'm in the process of deciding which to use as well. If testing is a worry I'd go bottled. Majority of large grows here have large c02 tanks outside. And I've heard that the burners can make you fail testing here in Mi.
 
Keesje

Keesje

Well-Known Member
Let's say you have a CO2 generator that runs on propane.
When propane is burned, C3H8 (propane) and oxygen are converted into CO2, water and heat. In the absence of oxygen (insufficient supply of fresh air) - just like with all natural gasses - the toxic and odorless CO (carbon monoxide) and C (carbon) can also be formed.
So if you make sure your burner works good, you only create water (and CO2 of course, duh)
So yes, it will rise the humidity level.
You have to be sure that your burner runs on a clean gas like propane or butane for example.

In the end it is way cheaper then bottles of CO2.
Where I live there are a lot of greenhouses. If they use CO2 enrichment, it was only with burners.
Now you sometimes see that they use CO2 which is delivered to them for free (or almost free) from industries who have CO2 as an unwelcome byproduct.
 
Dr.fillDAblunt420

Dr.fillDAblunt420

Active Member
Apalchen said:
I'm in the process of deciding which to use as well. If testing is a worry I'd go bottled. Majority of large grows here have large c02 tanks outside. And I've heard that the burners can make you fail testing here in Mi.
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Well I am located in Michigan. how certain are you of this that it can cause you to fail testing?
 
thenasty1

thenasty1

Well-Known Member
i run a generator and have yet to fail a lab test for anything (also in mi). just make sure to check the burner caps regularly and keep them clean
 
Renfro

Renfro

Well-Known Member
Dr.fillDAblunt420 said:
I am debating whether to use a NG Generator vs a MicroBulk Tank. I have a commercial facility and I want to make sure I have a clean quality end product.
Click to expand...
You want the NG CO2 generator if you supplement CO2. If you have to vent a lot for heat then it's a no go though.
 
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Apalchen

Well-Known Member
Renfro would know, I've just been to a few large gardens here as I just moved here, he has been in legal state for a while. The ones I was in run tanks(couple 72 light rooms and couple 36 light rooms) and the ones they are setting up in town next to me have large c02 tanks outside, but they could also be using that for processing as they are large operations that most likely process material too.

The one guy that showed me a few of his large grows that actually told me some people were having issues with testing and burners did run large tanks that set outside and were refilled by a local company. But I can't say for sure this info is correct and if renfro says your good to go on testing he has way more experience with that than I do.
 
Dr.fillDAblunt420

Dr.fillDAblunt420

Active Member
Apalchen said:
Renfro would know, I've just been to a few large gardens here as I just moved here, he has been in legal state for a while. The ones I was in run tanks(couple 72 light rooms and couple 36 light rooms) and the ones they are setting up in town next to me have large c02 tanks outside, but they could also be using that for processing as they are large operations that most likely process material too.

The one guy that showed me a few of his large grows that actually told me some people were having issues with testing and burners did run large tanks that set outside and were refilled by a local company. But I can't say for sure this info is correct and if renfro says your good to go on testing he has way more experience with that than I do.
Click to expand...
Sweet thanks for the info. The gross by me TriMed is using MicroBulk Tank as well. It just makes me wonder why they aren't using generators I feel like I'm missing something. Everything in a cost perspective says to use a generator but when I see the grows down the street from mine using tanks it makes me wonder.
 
Keesje

Keesje

Well-Known Member
Just for fun or for those who like the subject.

As I wrote before the most commercial greenhouses that need CO2 use generators. The CO2 is a byproduct of their heaters.

1594109335060.png


But there are also greenhouses that use CO2 tanks. But these greenhouses don't just release the CO2 in the air.
They have a different system of distribution.
They use plastic tubes with holes. They are placed on the floor of the greenhouse near the stem of the plants they grow. Or a bit higher if it is possible.
The CO2 is released through tiny holes, so the CO2 is directly at the plants.

1594108751466.png

1594109013766.png

1594109044220.png

I hope I explained it well. As some might know: English is not my first language.
 
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