(Cheap cO2 monitor) What do you think?

desertrat

desertrat

Well-Known Member
Very limited usefulness since it doesn't control co2. You can safely assume your plants are getting at least the natural outdoor amount of co2 without a monitor - see co2 link below - but to give your plants enhanced co2 in most situations requires a controller. In those cases where u can make due without a controller then the monitor you link to is overkill.
 
desertrat

desertrat

Well-Known Member
Zcomfort said:
Well, maybe its not the best monitor and I could just use a timer and calculator. The regulator I'm getting flows between 1/2 -15 SCFH per hour. This is my results with the calculator. What do your think desertrat. http://www.hydroponics.net/learn/co2_calculator.asp
Click to expand...
didn't know u already had tank with regulator. In your special case that monitor does make sense because you can obviously adjust your regulator manually to reach 1500 ppm - much better results than using a timer.
 
Zcomfort

Zcomfort

Active Member
Well technically I don't yet. In this order I plan on building and buying. Build grow tent and set up fans and lights. Set up veg side with 400w and some fluros. Buy seeds and start growing. set up flower side with 1k and co2. Hey since you been a big help so far with all those links. Let me ask you this.

I have a value-line 6'' 440cfm and a activeair 265cfm fan. Now I was going to have the 6'' pull from my 1k and 400w lights and have the 265 exhaust. Well I found this http://www.harborfreight.com/8-inch-portable-ventilator-97762.html. I thought about connecting that to my lights and have the 6'' exhaust out and either use the 265 for intake or not at all.
The intake and exhaust fans will be split. My tents will actual be one tent that is split. One side will be 2'dx3or4'wx7't and the other side will be 2'x2'or3'x7'

Sorry about just spill all this out on ya. I haven't really found too much information on ventilation, just some basic knowledge. Plus I've seen some of your other thread and replies. Thanks man +rep
 
N

NS775

Member
+1 on the price gouging. Automated grow equipment is a complete ripoff. Period. I realize there is SOME increased costs involved in manufacturing electronics for the general public, but the fact of the mater is that the price of IC's and electronics components has fallen off a cliff. Since the mid 90's (roughly) there has been a huge increase chip production technology, and prices have been falling steadily ever since (you know... the whole Moore's law thing). Consequently, there is absolutely no excuse for some of these companies charging what they do for grow room automation gear. Really it's not just automation gear, its the whole "Home Gardening" industry but I won't get into that. For example... here is an idea of the cost of the more expensive parts used in automation systems....


$19.99 - CO2 Sensor This one is on the top of my list, and appears to be plenty accurate enough.


$1.50 - Photo Cell - Sensor outputs a voltage when exposed to light. (Used for detecting when lights are on)

$15.99 - Gas/Liquid Solenoid This solenoid is normally closed and handles up to 140 PSI, which should be plenty sufficient for controlling release from a small CO2 tank. Like this...

$59.95 - Reconditioned 5lb CO2 tank

But wait... you want to control fans, lights, pumps, etc? Then you need a
$2.61 - Power Relay It's rated for 10A @ 240VAC. Thats roughly 2400 Watts, which is 20Amps at 120VAC. That should be plenty powerful enough for some pretty large devices.


So how do you read the sensors, control output devices(like a relay), and log data over the length of your grow? Plug 'em into a Microcontroller; like an Arduino or similar system like Phidgets. This is the step that discourages most people. In reality though, it's relatively simple. With the creation of newb-friendly microcontroller development platforms like the Arduino it has virtually become a Plug 'n Play activity.

For those who are interested, check out this link. It's a tutorial on how to use a relay to control a 120V wall socket. Reading that link is where I got my start. Just imagine... complete control over every single parameter of your grow and the ability to record all those parameters for analysis, tweaking, and maximize results!
 
bowlfullofbliss

bowlfullofbliss

Well-Known Member
You get what you pay for. It's a very simple lesson in life. Buy a cheap car, and it will fall apart. Buy crappy growing equipment, and get crappy week. Simple as that.

A 5lb tank will last 1/2 a day. I use 50 lbs a week, and there are a lot of guys here who use 100.

Be as low cost as you need to be, but there is nothing more important than operating a safe grow room. A fire that is caused by an illegal grow could be excluded from your policy, except for paying the bank. You could lose everything by having cheap stuff wired by some one who knows nothing about electricity. Please be careful.
 
Zcomfort

Zcomfort

Active Member
bowlfullofbliss said:
You get what you pay for. It's a very simple lesson in life. Buy a cheap car, and it will fall apart. Buy crappy growing equipment, and get crappy week. Simple as that.

A 5lb tank will last 1/2 a day. I use 50 lbs a week, and there are a lot of guys here who use 100.

Be as low cost as you need to be, but there is nothing more important than operating a safe grow room. A fire that is caused by an illegal grow could be excluded from your policy, except for paying the bank. You could lose everything by having cheap stuff wired by some one who knows nothing about electricity. Please be careful.
Click to expand...
This is true, but my real question is do i have to have it to run co2 correctly?

NS775 the reason they cost so much i guess no one for the most part wants to build a controller. I did at one point after i bought a cap photocelled 1 minute timer that didn't work, and sent it back to them three times and none of the timers worked. I think the same one back three times. thats why i debate buying any controller.


thanks guys now just need responses on blower.
 
N

NS775

Member
Yes you do get what you pay for, to varying degrees. Regardless there is a lot of companies making a killing in the home gardening industry. 3,4,5 hundred bucks for an AeroFlow system that is little more than PVC fence posts, tube, and a Mag drive pump? $800 for a "PowerCloner" system (plastic tub, air pump, and airstones)? How many times have you seen something in the hydro store that is little more than a re-branded double-priced product that home depot carries?

That being said, some people just like to pay more money for things. If overpaying gives you a sense of security and perception of quality, then hey... to each his own. Personally, I'd much rather have a hand in building something which I know is robust and of high quality, as opposed to relying on someone else's word that whatever is inside that expensive "box" that you just bought is high quality and safe.
 
bowlfullofbliss

bowlfullofbliss

Well-Known Member
NS775 said:
Yes you do get what you pay for, to varying degrees. Regardless there is a lot of companies making a killing in the home gardening industry. 3,4,5 hundred bucks for an AeroFlow system that is little more than PVC fence posts, tube, and a Mag drive pump? $800 for a "PowerCloner" system (plastic tub, air pump, and airstones)? How many times have you seen something in the hydro store that is little more than a re-branded double-priced product that home depot carries?

That being said, some people just like to pay more money for things. If overpaying gives you a sense of security and perception of quality, then hey... to each his own. Personally, I'd much rather have a hand in building something which I know is robust and of high quality, as opposed to relying on someone else's word that whatever is inside that expensive "box" that you just bought is high quality and safe.
Click to expand...
That's cool man. There is nothing like the satisfaction of building something that works well. I personally like buying my more technical equipment, well, ok, everything, so I can call the company with questions, or if it fucks up, I can get it replaced now. This hobby tends to require immediate attention to every detail, so that's my route. JMO.

In ez-clones defense, their machine is sweet, and I didn't have to do shit to put it together, and I have 100% success. No muss, no fuss. I do hate paying for those stupid styrofoam pieces though.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top