Tent growers and carbon filters and exhaust fan

Just would like the opinion of actual tent growers on how often they change their carbon filter? What’s you choice of filter. The quietest exhaust for your money.

I’ve washed the sock between grows etc, usually get two grows. Maybe I’m throwing them out to soon? Some say they get heavy. I never noticed much difference in weights from new or used. By the way I grow in a 2x2 and a 3x3 tent.
Please chime in. I’m curious of what folks say.

Oh and location makes a difference I live in a sudvision homes are side by side.

For exhaust I’ve went with the cheap ones, yet they seem to work but damn their loud . Looking for some quiter easy to hookup. Seems I’m always the nipple in each end is to short and I end up using tons of duct tape to seal! Then the tape comes loose and my place smells like factory.

Please put in your two cents. I have read many articles people say I’ve never changed a filter simeb2 years some a year.

I’m I the only person with this issue? My luck?

On my 4th or 5th (perhaps a few more???)grow with my filter. It is not working well. The house smells, and...I am growing a particularly smelly strain, Diesel.
I use a 2x2.5 tent and a 4 inch fan/filter.

Am actively searching for a new filter now. Got 2 weeks left in the current grow and will start a new grow as soon as the tent is empty. I live in a legal state, so have not decided to buy locally or Amazon...Will most likely finish this grow with what I have and just put up with the smell for a few weeks, providing it doesn't get worse, then replace for the next grow.

I do not use tape or ducting or anything like that. The fan/filter sits at the top of the tent.

jeepster1993 said:

On my 4th or 5th (perhaps a few more???)grow with my filter. It is not working well. The house smells, and...I am growing a particularly smelly strain, Diesel.
I use a 2x2.5 tent and a 4 inch fan/filter.

Am actively searching for a new filter now. Got 2 weeks left in the current grow and will start a new grow as soon as the tent is empty. I live in a legal state, so have not decided to buy locally or Amazon...Will most likely finish this grow with what I have and just put up with the smell for a few weeks, providing it doesn't get worse, then replace for the next grow.

I do not use tape or ducting or anything like that. The fan/filter sits at the top of the tent.
View attachment 4351594

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Mine is hug with ties yet the lips never seem big enough to slide the hose over. Had one that worked and it sounded like a dragster The smell gets worse for me after chop and trim it wreaks! It’s a constant battle.

After about a year I replace mine. I only use can brand filters, I prefer the old school ones that are still labeled like Can 33 or Can 66 ect. The can lite filters are okay but I still prefer the original can filters over them. I have tried cheaper brands of filters and find they dont work as well.

Never use duct tape on ducting. It gets warm and the glue softens.
Sellotape actually works well and is fairly strong when you use a whole roll.
Electrical tape is good when its stretched over things.
I usually use a jubilee clip and then wrap tape around after to seal any air gaps.
Aluminium tape is very strong and sticks to anything.

Use quality filters that are at least the same cfm, try looking for box fans if you want low volume with high pressure rating.
Never buy a fan that doesn't provide Db rating.
Im not from USA but have fans similar to this..
https://www.alibaba.com/product-detail/2017-hot-220V-Acoustic-extractor-fan_873479872.html?spm=a2700.7724838.2017115.23.4b0b600apleHn1&s=p

Get some acoustic ducting too.

Apalchen said:

After about a year I replace mine. I only use can brand filters, I prefer the old school ones that are still labeled like Can 33 or Can 66 ect. The can lite filters are okay but I still prefer the original can filters over them. I have tried cheaper brands of filters and find they dont work as well.

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Never heard of the can 33 or can 66 is that a brand name thanks for sharing.

Another thing to quiet things down is to use 4 or 6 inch (depending on size) rubber found in heating between the filter and fan. The rubber fits over the duct and automotive clamps screw down. No duct tape or screws very quiet. Another benefit is the fan and filter does not need to line up exactly

Pig4buzz said:

Never heard of the can 33 or can 66 is that a brand name thanks for sharing.

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CAN filters is the brand 33 and 66 are sizeds and they go up from there. They are one of the oldest brands of carbon filters I know of and are still the best I've used.

Very good questions, I’m lurking as I’m looking to start a flower chamber in an old armoire

Question, can these filters be cleaned? Washed with water or a cleaning solution of some kind? I vaguely remember reading an article about cleaning one of these but Im not 10% sure

You can refill them, I've never tied but I remember when I first got into this prob 15 years ago or more that htg supply used to carry the carbon to refill them. I was always skeptical that it would work as well so I just replace them. I have learned over the years to not cheap out on equipment especially something that if fails can you in trouble or attract unwanted attention.

Apalchen said:

You can refill them, I've never tied but I remember when I first got into this prob 15 years ago or more that htg supply used to carry the carbon to refill them. I was always skeptical that it would work as well so I just replace them. I have learned over the years to not cheap out on equipment especially something that if fails can you in trouble or attract unwanted attention.

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Most of the good ones use Australian virgin charcoal / activated carbon, or similar I think? Do you know if they contain any other "ingredients"?

It's like building a homemade water filter out of a couple of 50 gallon barrels. I think there is only 3 to 4 things you need like charcoal, sand, gravel, etc... I don't know exactly which ones but all the ingredients are not expensive at all, so i don't really think being cheap is a bad thing when companies, or resellers anyways, inflate the selling price by 500% .

So if it is just that specific type of charcoal/ activated carbon, I wouldn't think refilling it would be a bad thing considering you're using the same stuff. Its not really a rare earth item or anything hard to source but if the units are cheap enough anyways, or cheaper than refilling, just buy a new one. I just hate wasting all that metal to make a new one each time

While the carbon used in vapor/air phase filtering can be re-activated, it is not as simple as washing or treating with a chemical. Proper re-activation requires the (dry) pelletized carbon to be heated while in a vacuum. This is for the pelltized AC found in Can type filters, not the "Socks".

A simple baking at high temps in the oven has been attempted, with mixed results. My results were negligible. Others claim varying amounts of success..

Can brand, and a few of the higher quality filters use a 3" in carbon bed. The less expensive ones use a 1-2 inch bed. This is why they do not last as long or work as effectively. Comparing weight / size of similar filters can be a good indicator of deeper carbon beds. A pre-filter as shown above in jeepster1993's photo is essential! Keeping out dust greatly increases efficiency and life span.

I started with a 6" DIY filter. Simple, effective, refillable. Using a 440 cfm fan to cover an 8 x 10 room. Plans and a "how to" are available if there is interest for such. This can be built up-sized (8 in) or downsized (4in) depending on needs.

Later I was gifted 2 used Can 33 filters. Now I refill and swap those as needed.

50 lbs pelletized vapor/air phase (AC) carbon was about $65-$85 USD shipped to my door.

Refilling is not difficult, but it is messy. Proper packing and dust removal is key to long fan life and efficient odor removal.

I refill once every 1-2 yrs. Run time, humidity, and air quality determine how long its effective.

I've compiled a lot of info on carbon types, uses, specs etc. If I can locate it, I will start a thread.
Keep it green yall