Cool DIY Carbon Scrubber

Red Eye Jim

Red Eye Jim

Active Member
Starting to get a bit stinky, like a skunk in my grow area. Desided that a carbon scrubber would help. I found a site with good pictures and instructions to make your own carbon scrubber. You can buy all the parts at Home Depot, Lowes, whatever and Walmart. It was easy to make and kinda fun. Don't buy your carbon from a pet store like it says in the instructions, I found theye we pretty expensive. Went to the pet section of Walmart and saved about 20%. And wear some gloves, the metal is sharp.

Here is the site:

DIY Carbon Scrubber - Mycotopia Web Forums

Hope it helps!!
 
DrGreenFinger

DrGreenFinger

Well-Known Member
Red Eye Jim said:
Starting to get a bit stinky, like a skunk in my grow area. Desided that a carbon scrubber would help. I found a site with good pictures and instructions to make your own carbon scrubber. You can buy all the parts at Home Depot, Lowes, whatever and Walmart. It was easy to make and kinda fun. Don't buy your carbon from a pet store like it says in the instructions, I found theye we pretty expensive. Went to the pet section of Walmart and saved about 20%. And wear some gloves, the metal is sharp.

Here is the site:

DIY Carbon Scrubber - Mycotopia Web Forums

Hope it helps!!
Click to expand...

thanx for the tip, i made a similar one. but if you intend to make one of these, you should know that you can buy these preassembled for less than the $70 quoted at mycotopia.

odor sock:
National Garden Wholesale : Gardening Supplies

ebay has many, this is just one...search:
eBay Store – CAN FAN CARBON FILTER: Search results for FOOTHILL FILTERS.

:peace: :blsmoke:
 
Red Eye Jim

Red Eye Jim

Active Member
Good to know stuff. I made a larger filter, 10" to 8" versus the 8"-6" version in the website I saw. Keep in mind, no shipping and I did it a bit less for what they said. The one's I saw that you had were 4" and 6"

Fun afternoon project. I like the DIY version, makes you feel like McGyiver. He is almost as good as the professor on Gilligan's Island!!! A little bamboo, cocnuts and walaa! A toaster! :mrgreen:
 
Red Eye Jim

Red Eye Jim

Active Member
By the way Doc GreenFinger, nice buds on your hyperlink!!

I have a while to go, can you send me some buds like stealth style. The professor would send it in a coconut, first class mail!! Gilligan (Bob Denver) was a classic stoner, God Bless him!!! Plus he doinked the dogshit out of Tina Louise (Ginger) :clap:
 
DrGreenFinger

DrGreenFinger

Well-Known Member
Red Eye Jim said:
By the way Doc GreenFinger, nice buds on your hyperlink!!

I have a while to go, can you send me some buds like stealth style. The professor would send it in a coconut, first class mail!! Gilligan (Bob Denver) was a classic stoner, God Bless him!!! Plus he doinked the dogshit out of Tina Louise (Ginger) :clap:
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:lol: :hump::clap:hell yeah!!! i stalked Ginger 'til i was a teenager.

BTW the links i sent ya for filters are the ones i have found. i haven't marketed or purchased any. i made one from the activated carbon sheet. probably wouldn't work for heavy duty smell, but works great for my 24 girls (18-Grapefruit Haze, 4-G13, and 2-unknown). the best part is i only paid $23 for parts. here's the link:

https://www.rollitup.org/do-yourself/75657-23-activated-carbon-scrubber.html

:peace: :joint:
 
ganjagoddess

ganjagoddess

Well-Known Member
THERE IS A DIFFERENCE IN CARBON TYPES!!!

There are two types of activated carbon

Vapor Phase
and
Liquid Phase

What You want to buy is Vapor Phase 70ctc or 80ctc Virgin Activated Carbon

DO NOT BUY the carbon from any fish store!!!! Let alone the Walmart Fish Section.

it is intended for water filtration!!!! and wont do shit for air odor removal.

If you need carbon pellets yourself for make shift DIY carbon filters try getting it off ebay or from one of the following websites:

BULK ACTIVATED CHARCOAL CARBON AIR WATER PURIFICATION
Carbon Activated Corporation
 
Hawk

Hawk

Well-Known Member
All carbon has both a vapor phase (CTC absorption) and liquid phase (iodine absorption) properties. It's just that not all carbon has actually been tested to determine what these ratings actually are. Just because some particular activated carbon does not have a vapor phase rating does not mean it's incapable of filtering air. In my estimation, most activated carbon is marketed for water filtration so that's what it's most commonly tested for (if tested at all). None of that means that carbon without a CTC absorption rating can't or won't absorb CTC and is therefore incapable of filtering air effectively.

It doesn't need to be pellets either. Granulated works fine and might even offer advantages in surface area. Pelletized carbon is commonly seen in air filtration applications because it offers lower pressure drops through the filter (in other words, it's easier for air to pass through pellets than graduals) and possibly lower dust. But again, pelletized carbon is hardly a requirement for air filtration.

I'm using granulated activated carbon who's spec sheet only lists an iodine absorption number. It works great. If I could have easily purchased CTC rated carbon for a decent price I would have gone that route. But I didn't. The iodine rated carbon I'm using is removing all my odors quite well.

I'm not trying to defend my choice of carbon. I just don't want anyone to be mislead into thinking there's only one specialized type of carbon that is effective for air filtration.

$0.02
 
ganjagoddess

ganjagoddess

Well-Known Member
Point well put, in fact +1. but in my opinion If you have a choice between spending $69 for a Factory made Carbon filter or trying to make one the same size for close to $50.

I would rather at least think that I am able to compete with the Factory by using the same quality material as they do.

I have smelled the difference between a Can Filter and a Homemade filter made with "Aquarium store" carbon. The differences in my mind are unquestionable as to which is better.
 
Hawk

Hawk

Well-Known Member
Cool. :blsmoke:

I didn't dismiss what a CTC rating can mean. But when I was looking, the only CTC carbon I could find was twice the price. I decided it was better for me to buy 18lbs of iodine rated carbon for $34 delivered and error on the side of using more carbon than necessary to achieve the performance I was after (cfm flow, longevity, odor absorption). I suspect that whatever incremental difference there is between the carbon I bought and CTC rated carbon is overcome by simply using a little more of it.

If circumstances where such that I was trying to build a filter I though would be just barely big enough, then CTC rated carbon would have been more important to me. If the very best carbon is required, CTC rated carbon is best for air filtration. Otherwise you just don't know how good a job it will do. Iodine only rated carbon will probably do a satisfactory job (I'd guess) if your filter is constructed well, carbon is well packed, etc but you won't have that warm fuzzy feeling that you've done everything you can to build a great scrubber.

FWIW, the carbon I'm using was advertised as excess production intended for a municipal water treatment facility. Based on my current experience with this carbon, I'll definitely look for it again if want more. Also, as far as odor control, I don't distinguish degrees of performance--it either stops all odor or it doesn't. My filter is stopping everything so I'm happy.

peace
 
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DrGreenFinger

DrGreenFinger

Well-Known Member
Hawk said:
All carbon has both a vapor phase (CTC absorption) and liquid phase (iodine absorption) properties. It's just that not all carbon has actually been tested to determine what these ratings actually are. Just because some particular activated carbon does not have a vapor phase rating does not mean it's incapable of filtering air. In my estimation, most activated carbon is marketed for water filtration so that's what it's most commonly tested for (if tested at all). None of that means that carbon without a CTC absorption rating can't or won't absorb CTC and is therefore incapable of filtering air effectively.

It doesn't need to be pellets either. Granulated works fine and might even offer advantages in surface area. Pelletized carbon is commonly seen in air filtration applications because it offers lower pressure drops through the filter (in other words, it's easier for air to pass through pellets than graduals) and possibly lower dust. But again, pelletized carbon is hardly a requirement for air filtration.

I'm using granulated activated carbon who's spec sheet only lists an iodine absorption number. It works great. If I could have easily purchased CTC rated carbon for a decent price I would have gone that route. But I didn't. The iodine rated carbon I'm using is removing all my odors quite well.

I'm not trying to defend my choice of carbon. I just don't want anyone to be mislead into thinking there's only one specialized type of carbon that is effective for air filtration.

$0.02
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good info, thanx for the clarification. :joint: :peace:
 
Red Eye Jim

Red Eye Jim

Active Member
DrGreenFinger

DrGreenFinger

Well-Known Member
Red Eye Jim said:
I learned the vapor phase is the way to go, it's has more pores versus liquid phase.

I suppose this is the difference between good and better, the better being vapor phase, huh?

quote]

dude, go back and read post #7 by hawk ("All carbon has both a vapor phase (CTC absorption) and liquid phase (iodine absorption) properties. ") :peace:
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ganjagoddess

ganjagoddess

Well-Known Member
Hawk said:
All carbon has both a vapor phase (CTC absorption) and liquid phase (iodine absorption) properties. It's just that not all carbon has actually been tested to determine what these ratings actually are. Just because some particular activated carbon does not have a vapor phase rating does not mean it's incapable of filtering air. In my estimation, most activated carbon is marketed for water filtration so that's what it's most commonly tested for (if tested at all). None of that means that carbon without a CTC absorption rating can't or won't absorb CTC and is therefore incapable of filtering air effectively.

It doesn't need to be pellets either. Granulated works fine and might even offer advantages in surface area. Pelletized carbon is commonly seen in air filtration applications because it offers lower pressure drops through the filter (in other words, it's easier for air to pass through pellets than graduals) and possibly lower dust. But again, pelletized carbon is hardly a requirement for air filtration.

I'm using granulated activated carbon who's spec sheet only lists an iodine absorption number. It works great. If I could have easily purchased CTC rated carbon for a decent price I would have gone that route. But I didn't. The iodine rated carbon I'm using is removing all my odors quite well.

I'm not trying to defend my choice of carbon. I just don't want anyone to be mislead into thinking there's only one specialized type of carbon that is effective for air filtration.

$0.02
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Still you buy cheap you buy twice.
Put the best in, get the best out.

period.

And yes that vendor on e-bay is a primiere source of small amounts of carbon.

roughly 5 lbs should be enough to make a Kick ass carbon filter.
 
ganjagoddess

ganjagoddess

Well-Known Member
Activated Carbon is generally good at absorbing CTC for up to 18 months.

The other carbon that the guy listed here will probally only last half that.

However, some people say, once the carbon is toast, take it out and bake it at as close to 800 farinheit as possible and re-use it and its good for like another year, then throw it out.

I have never re-used the stuff so I cant testify to that.
 
DrGreenFinger

DrGreenFinger

Well-Known Member
ganjagoddess said:
Activated Carbon is generally good at absorbing CTC for up to 18 months.

The other carbon that the guy listed here will probally only last half that.

However, some people say, once the carbon is toast, take it out and bake it at as close to 800 farinheit as possible and re-use it and its good for like another year, then throw it out.

I have never re-used the stuff so I cant testify to that.
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i heard of baking carbon to reactivate it. i have also heard to bake it at 350 i think. fuk all that. im gonna do it the right way, probably buy an odor sok or make the real deal. :peace:
 
ganjagoddess

ganjagoddess

Well-Known Member
You should see my DIY carbon filter thread Im about to post as soon as my 80ctc vapor carbon arrives.

I was so sick of seeing all these Nylon stocking versions that generally seem like crap and have so many design failures that I engineered my own.

Look for it in my Diary thats gonna start here any day now.
 
DrGreenFinger

DrGreenFinger

Well-Known Member
ganjagoddess said:
You should see my DIY carbon filter thread Im about to post as soon as my 80ctc vapor carbon arrives.

I was so sick of seeing all these Nylon stocking versions that generally seem like crap and have so many design failures that I engineered my own.

Look for it in my Diary thats gonna start here any day now.
Click to expand...
for sure, i will look for it. the thought of pantyhose and dust forced me to come up with the cheapo i redesigned.

https://www.rollitup.org/do-yourself/75657-23-activated-carbon-scrubber.html

not heavy duty, but definitely workin' 4 me. :mrgreen: :peace: :joint:
 
Hawk

Hawk

Well-Known Member
I look forward to seeing your DIY filter, ganjagoddess. I'm always on the look out for better ways of doing things. :blsmoke:



But I'm still skeptical about HOW MUCH better the CTC rated carbon being sold by that ebay seller is versus "average" carbon (whatever "average" carbon might be). You mentioned buying cheap and buying twice. I got twice the carbon for the same price. So even if the carbon I have only offers 50% of the performance then all I'm out is the time it takes to re-charge my filter with the other half of my supply (refurbishing old carbon with heat notwithstanding) or just make the filter twice as big to begin with. But I can't imagine that what I have is 50% worse. 10%? Sure, I'd buy that. 20%, maybe--who's to say? But 50% as effective? No way.

To add more perspective to this debate: Does anyone really know exactly what carbon is used in commercially made filters?

I did some checking....

--CanFilter makes NO mention as to what type of carbon they use. CF Group :: Canfan, Canfilter

--I can't find any website or specific information on the Carbonaire (Eco-Plus) filters other than retailer descriptions about it's "highly activated" carbon content.

--ProFilter (made by Atmosphere, the Vortex fan folks) describe their carbon as "...TC940 3mm grain sized carbon...". I have no idea what TC940 means. I couldn't find any info about it. 940 is too large to be a CTC number although it is suspiciously in-line with typical iodine rating numbers. Atmosphere Inc -- High Performance Inline Duct Blowers

--All I could find for Mountainair filters is from the following "more info" link from a retailer. All I really see there is ad-speak about how their carbon is the best carbon on the planet--no real specifications or test data. MountainAir Filters - More info

--General Hydroponics filters (Dutch Breeze) only says in it's PDF brochure that its carbon is 3mm grain size from coal instead of coconut tree fiber. Nothing more. http://www.bghydro.com/mmbgh/Others/Dutch Breeze Brochure.pdf

--Phat Filter seems to provide the best tech data on their carbon. And it's a granular carbon with an iodine rating--not a vapor phase CTC rating. Phat Filter - Activated Carbon Filters - Technical Data


I went to Norit (http://www.norit-americas.com/industry.php), a source manufacture of activated carbon, and searched under....

Industry: Air Purification
Application: Odors
Challenge: Trace organic vapors

....and looked at the four types of carbon listed. The two that specifically list odor removal from gas streams in their product description (Vapure 612 and Vapure 410) both list an iodine number number, not a CTC number.




I'll let each of you to draw your own conclusions about what all that means.

I'm not challenging that the CTC rated carbon sold by that ebay seller is good carbon. But for me, until more/better information influences me, I believe there is LOTS of alternative carbon choices out there that perform similarly for our application--especially when you include $$ value as a factor. My feeling is that a 10% (or whatever figure is appropriate) increase/decrease in longevity or minimum amount of carbon required to achieve 100% odor elimination, is not a significant concern. And like I mentioned before--I don't distinguish degrees of odor control. It's either 100% effective or it's not. I know that in my attempt at a DIY carbon filter using iodine rating 875+ carbon, it works.

I'm only taking the time to communicate my feelings because I just went through a carbon purchase choice. I specifically debated about whether I should pay the extra money for that CTC carbon on ebay. His advertising makes a compelling case. But I chose carbon from a different ebay seller so I could get more of it and I'm happy with my results.

$0.02
 
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