CO2 in a Sealed Grow Op

Rrog

Well-Known Member
So after consulting with a few fine folks here I'm looking at a 220 sqft grow area. Just under 2000 cubic feet. I'll be sealing this up and now need to look at burners, meters and controllers. I didn't find a sticky here or at my other fav forum, so I figured I'd start back here with you MI guys.

As a side note, I'm looking at Growtronix to control the rooms. Came highly recommended by a guy I trust, so I'm OK jumping in the pool. The Grotronix will ultimately measure and dispense the CO2.

Thanks for any insights on CO2 generators.
 

Rrog

Well-Known Member
You came all the way to the MI forum from Sonoma just to insult me. How kind. And I don't even know you.

"Everyone" is actually only 1 guy. While I can't blame you for not reading through 5 epic pages of the horseshit closed thread you're referring to, I think it was pretty clear from those that responded that his paranoid response was in overdrive. Maybe you should read the shit before talking shit.

I'll make sure and keep an eye out for more exceptionally helpful and mature posts from you. As long as you're here do you know anything about CO2 generators?
 

bowlfullofbliss

Well-Known Member
Whats your air cooling system for this grow Rrog? Keep in mind that every device that creates heat has to be dealt with in cooling power. I've always used bottled because of this, even though the convenience of propane woud be great.
 

Rrog

Well-Known Member
I'm planning to run around 4K and so at 5K BTU per KW I'd need a 20K BTU unit. So I'm looking at a 24k from LG. This burner could throw me over, eh? Really glad you saw that. I'll have to decide on a burner, get the specs and add it to the total. Thanks for that
 

buckaroo bonzai

Well-Known Member
use bottled...not burner

burner are wet heat--moisture

use bottled and shop for a good co2 plug-in controller...there around

i have an Itelligent Grow System co2controller...I think their out of business...?

but you can find one on eBay also sometimes

i got mine a 7-8 yrs ago and ended up buying a 'used' bottle and just exchange it for a fullone

co2works great! and with a TLO garden like you've expressed watch the juicy little pineapples grow!

would you run it lights off? or on?

i set mine for 1500ppm wen running--
-I'm not set up for it right now and would not be cost effective for me
 

Rrog

Well-Known Member
Great rundown BB. Tanks make great sense but I hate the back and forth with tanks. Like a trail of cookie crumbs. I know a lot of guys love them. 220 sq ft area that I would not be dosing like crazy. Want to offset the sealed environment plus a little. I don't know, 600ppm?

Wouldn't I go through a few of those tanks? I guess I could pay cash and go the next town over to pick up tanks. I'll have to rule out a burner first. The stealth is important, despite the MMJ card I'll have by then.
 

abe supercro

Well-Known Member
many tanks have the top plastic handle for lugging. blk plastic garb. bag 4 cove/ or sporty bag cylinders kinda tall 28". aluminum tanks @ 15lbs less than hvy steel. buy 3 tanks when possible, try to xchange jus two, one full always. many (gas co's) take no info for purchase plus xchanged on assumed acct name ie: jack anyname. tank may last week or further only a guess tho.

co2 tanks are key for some during summer, winter would be the season to run a burner. few routes togo
 

NEEDMMASAP

Well-Known Member
I'm planning to run around 4K and so at 5K BTU per KW I'd need a 20K BTU unit. So I'm looking at a 24k from LG. This burner could throw me over, eh? Really glad you saw that. I'll have to decide on a burner, get the specs and add it to the total. Thanks for that
If I remember right for 1KW you only need about 3,500 BTU
 

Rrog

Well-Known Member
I can get a CAP Gen 1 burner for propane. Not sure how many burners yet. I'm double checking the calcs and will ask whatever distributor I buy from obviously. I think I'm still good with 24k.

I was looking at the HydroGen water cooled but people say they're problematic.

NEEDMM- 3500-5000 was the range most recommended. I like overhead.
 

NEEDMMASAP

Well-Known Member
I can get a water cooled CAP Gen 1 burner for propane. Not sure how many burners yet. I'm double checking the calcs and will ask whatever distributor I buy from obviously. I think I'm still good with 24k.

NEEDMM- 3500-5000 was the range most recommended. I like overhead.
What RH are you wanting ? The A/C BTU factor can mess up your RH control .
 

superstoner1

Well-Known Member
rrog, you just need a 4 burner gen. guys, in this size room he would be chaging out 50# bottles every 2-3 weeks. a generator is the only way to go and will be much cheaper in the long run. my 30# propane tank just cost me less than $20 to have filled, it will last 3 months, that is less than $7 per month. you would spend 3-5x that much on bottles.
 

NEEDMMASAP

Well-Known Member
I can get a CAP Gen 1 burner for propane. Not sure how many burners yet. I'm double checking the calcs and will ask whatever distributor I buy from obviously. I think I'm still good with 24k.

I was looking at the HydroGen water cooled but people say they're problematic.

NEEDMM- 3500-5000 was the range most recommended. I like overhead.
this may help some ---Temperature, humidity, and CO2 concentrations form a triangular relationship in a greenhouse or indoor grow. If all 3 factors are not in equilibrium, there is a risk to the plant in terms of stunted growth, toxicity, or death/disease.

Standard growing conditions typically include concentrations of CO2 at 300-500 ppm, temperatures between 65-80°F, and relatively low humidity (20-40% rH). Studies have shown optimal growth and yields at 90-95°F, 1,500 ppm CO2, 45-50% relative humidity, 7,500-10,000 lumens/square foot of light, and vigorous air movement both above and below the canopy. CO2 enrichment under 80°F, under 7500 lumens/sf, or above 50% humidity is not recommended because plants will not be conducting photosynthesis quickly enough to benefit from the enrichment.

Internal air movement in the grow room is critical to CO2 enrichment. Carbon dioxide is a slightly heavier molecule than other molecules floating around in the gaseous mixture we call air. Thus, CO2 enrichment without air movement will result in the gas settling out of the atmosphere before it has a chance to reach the plants. High temps and humidity without air movement can also encourage mold and bacteria growth.

To calculate the amount of Carbon Dioxide needed to enrich a room to 1500 ppm, first calculate the volume of the growing space. For instance, an 8x8 foot room with an 8 foot ceiling would contain 512 cubic feet of space. Determine the CO2 needed to enrich to 1500 ppm by multiplying the volume of space by .0015.

512 x .0015 = 0.768

Thus, 0.768 cubic feet (or rounded up to 0.8 cu ft ) of carbon dioxide will be needed to enrich this room at 1500 ppm. 1 lb of CO2 is equal to about 8.5 cubic feet at normal temperature and atmospheric pressure.
 

Rrog

Well-Known Member
SS1, you think I'm still OK with 24k? I think I'm pretty solid. I may not even run at 1500 so a 4 burner would have a short burn. Plus I can afford to run hotter with some CO2
 

superstoner1

Well-Known Member
i think so but you can always go another step up to 30k to feel more comfortable. i dont water cool my generator and i have 3 ballasts in my room along with the household 50gal electric water heater and mine does great.
 

st0wandgrow

Well-Known Member
I have a Gen 1. I've had it for a while, so it's kinda obsolete now, but it works like a charm still. I keep my room (14x10x8) at around 1200ppm, temperature around 80 lights on, and the plants love it. I go through a propane tank (standard bbq tank) once every month, at $20 bucks a pop. Pretty inexpensive, and you don't raise any red flags going to Home Depot to exchange one out. I have two on the go so one is always full and on backup.
 
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