Why is my filter leaking smell

[Boatguy]

I use a 6x18" in my 3x3 and it still doesnt scrub all the smell if it is a stinky variety. Not buying into anyones exhaust scrubbing all odor... unless they are double filtering it with another second space/filter

 

[itsaliveterps]

Ditto to what everyone else said, but the issue Corey brought up about ducting is important and overlooked by many, I think.

If either of those two connections from the ducting hose (duct to the fan, and duct to the filter) can seep in some air, then it doesn't matter how good the filter is - the smell is getting through.

I use 3" wide Gorilla duct tape to seal the duct connection to the fan and the duct connection to the filter and make sure it's airtight (i.e., the tape width needs to be half around the duct and half around only the fan shaft itself with no bubble gaps, and then do the same with the filter side).

I then use HVAC foil tape around the duct tape, but you could skip that and just use another layer of duct tape (make sure it overlaps the first duct tape seam that forms to the fan and filter shafts to cover any possible bubble gaps). After those are sealed, I use the hose clamp rings to tighten the rest of the duct to the fan/filter.

Lastly, make sure you're not using cheap ducting. I had cheap ducting (came with a fan/filter kit) and when I cut a 6" piece and extended the ducting and looked through it, I could see light inside the ducting. It was so bad it looked like some kind of constellation exhibit - hundreds of tiny pinholes throughout the ducting not visible to the eye from the outside. The entire 4' of ducting that came with it had all those pinholes.

Obviously if light can get into the ducting, then there are holes in the ducting and unfiltered air will get through it and be part of your exhaust. I bought some AC Infinity ducting and that had zero pinholes in it.

Do you think that's why? It's leaking smell bcuz I haven't connected the ducting to filter & fan air tightly enough?

 

[weedstoner420]

Ditto to what everyone else said, but the issue Corey brought up about ducting is important and overlooked by many, I think.

If either of those two connections from the ducting hose (duct to the fan, and duct to the filter) can seep in some air, then it doesn't matter how good the filter is - the smell is getting through.

I use 3" wide Gorilla duct tape to seal the duct connection to the fan and the duct connection to the filter and make sure it's airtight (i.e., the tape width needs to be half around the duct and half around only the fan shaft itself with no bubble gaps, and then do the same with the filter side).

I then use HVAC foil tape around the duct tape, but you could skip that and just use another layer of duct tape (make sure it overlaps the first duct tape seam that forms to the fan and filter shafts to cover any possible bubble gaps). After those are sealed, I use the hose clamp rings to tighten the rest of the duct to the fan/filter.

Lastly, make sure you're not using cheap ducting. I had cheap ducting (came with a fan/filter kit) and when I cut a 6" piece and extended the ducting and looked through it, I could see light inside the ducting. It was so bad it looked like some kind of constellation exhibit - hundreds of tiny pinholes throughout the ducting not visible to the eye from the outside. The entire 4' of ducting that came with it had all those pinholes.

Obviously if light can get into the ducting, then there are holes in the ducting and unfiltered air will get through it and be part of your exhaust. I bought some AC Infinity ducting and that had zero pinholes in it.

This^^^^^ 100% agree about the seal between filter and fan being often overlooked and one reason why people think a carbon filter doesn't eliminate 100% of the smell.

You can probably remove that few inches of ducting and just butt the filter right up against the fan and seal it as best you can with gorilla tape.

Also exhausting outside seems unnecessary if it's just for a 1.2 x 1.2 meter tent...you would have less to worry about if you exhausted back into the room...

 

[itsaliveterps]

But I thought the whole point of exhausting to the outside was to get rid of the hot stale air?

 

[Star Dog]

I use straps around the edges of the pre filter to stop anything sneaking around the edges.

I also tape the join between the fan and filter underneath that clamp and put a wrap of tape around the fan joint.

You need to start with a decent filter I'd bet spider farmer use/buy crap carbon?

 

[itsaliveterps]

I use straps around the edges of the pre filter to stop anything sneaking around the edges.
View attachment 5465420
I also tape the join between the fan and filter underneath that clamp and put a wrap of tape around the fan joint.

You need to start with a decent filter I'd bet spider farmer use/buy crap carbon?

What carbon filter do you use?

 

[weedstoner420]

But I thought the whole point of exhausting to the outside was to get rid of the hot stale air?

I dunno, I have a slightly smaller tent than you and air gets pulled in the bottom right and exhausted out the top left and back into the room, and I've not run into any issues with that (in a concrete basement no less).

I guess it might depend on how big the room is and how much it's sealed off from the rest of the house, but I would think in most cases you'll be fine as long as you're cycling air through the tent. It doesn't necessarily need to go outdoors.

Not sure if this was mentioned but exhaust speed also makes a difference - I would aim for as slow as possible while still having negative pressure (which doesn't require much airflow if your tent is closed) and keeping temps and humidity in check. That will maximize the amount of time the air is in contact with the carbon, thus increasing its effectiveness at removing smell.

 

[coreywebster]

I have a wall vent I was just washing my windows outside when I stood underneath the vent blowing air outside I can smell a very slight smell of weed if someone stands underneath the vent they will smell put it that way
.. I'm super spooked right now what to do?

Yes the tent has negative pressure on I've turned down the intake if that makes any sense?

Spyder farm Filter is 6" in a 1.2 .1.2 2.0 been using it just under 2 months

Invest in a better filter.

All these make everything brands don't specialise in anything..

Jack of all trades.

Go bigger , get an 8" (use a 8"-6" reducer)
Try a company that specialises in carbon filters.
Mountain air
Phresh
Rhino

 

[coreywebster]

Ditto to what everyone else said, but the issue Corey brought up about ducting is important and overlooked by many, I think.

If either of those two connections from the ducting hose (duct to the fan, and duct to the filter) can seep in some air, then it doesn't matter how good the filter is - the smell is getting through.

I use 3" wide Gorilla duct tape to seal the duct connection to the fan and the duct connection to the filter and make sure it's airtight (i.e., the tape width needs to be half around the duct and half around only the fan shaft itself with no bubble gaps, and then do the same with the filter side).

I then use HVAC foil tape around the duct tape, but you could skip that and just use another layer of duct tape (make sure it overlaps the first duct tape seam that forms to the fan and filter shafts to cover any possible bubble gaps). After those are sealed, I use the hose clamp rings to tighten the rest of the duct to the fan/filter.

Lastly, make sure you're not using cheap ducting. I had cheap ducting (came with a fan/filter kit) and when I cut a 6" piece and extended the ducting and looked through it, I could see light inside the ducting. It was so bad it looked like some kind of constellation exhibit - hundreds of tiny pinholes throughout the ducting not visible to the eye from the outside. The entire 4' of ducting that came with it had all those pinholes.

Obviously if light can get into the ducting, then there are holes in the ducting and unfiltered air will get through it and be part of your exhaust. I bought some AC Infinity ducting and that had zero pinholes in it.

Exactly, my method with insulated or acoustic duct , which I always use, is the first layer goes over the fan/filter, I pin it there with aluminium tape then wrap half a role of electricians tape, then over with the insulation and outer duct and do the same again and then clamp it with a jubilee clip so it's sealed completely.

That pin hole stuff, I remember a few years back they were passing it off as duct, when it's supposed to be the inner layer of acoustic duct, theres supposed to be a clear plastic membrane on top of it, then insulation and then the outer layer which has no pin holes.

But for whatever reason there was rolls of it in hydro shops been sold as standard non insulated duct .

 

[itsaliveterps]

I dunno, I have a slightly smaller tent than you and air gets pulled in the bottom right and exhausted out the top left and back into the room, and I've not run into any issues with that (in a concrete basement no less).

I guess it might depend on how big the room is and how much it's sealed off from the rest of the house, but I would think in most cases you'll be fine as long as you're cycling air through the tent. It doesn't necessarily need to go outdoors.

Not sure if this was mentioned but exhaust speed also makes a difference - I would aim for as slow as possible while still having negative pressure (which doesn't require much airflow if your tent is closed) and keeping temps and humidity in check. That will maximize the amount of time the air is in contact with the carbon, thus increasing its effectiveness at removing smell.

I'm using digital spyder farmer My fan setting is on level 7 is this too high?

 

[weedstoner420]

I'm using digital spyder farmer My fan setting is on level 7 is this too high?

I would keep it at the lowest setting where you still have negative pressure in the tent, and temperature and humidity stay in a good range. Any faster is not really necessary.

 

[Star Dog]

What carbon filter do you use?

Phresh filter

 

[Fish scale]

Phresh filters and mountain air carbon filters are the best on the market

 

[itsaliveterps]

Phresh filters and mountain air carbon filters are the best on the market

Could I put a 400g tub of odourless ona gel into the wall vent tube?

 

[Mumbeltypeg]

But how would I know Its doing dat?

Lower your fan speed and see if it helps

 

[Fish scale]

Could I put a 400g tub of odourless ona gel into the wall vent tube?

odourless ona gel? I've never heard of that before. I thought ona gel always had a smell to it? I wouldn't put that stuff anywhere near your vents if I was you. Your buds will end up smelling like ona gel if you put it too close to your tent and your vents. You just need a better carbon filter if you ask me

 

[itsaliveterps]

odourless ona gel? I've never heard of that before. I thought ona gel always had a smell to it? I wouldn't put that stuff anywhere near your vents if I was you. Your buds will end up smelling like ona gel if you put it too close to your tent and your vents. You just need a better carbon filter if you ask me

Wall vent not tent vent

 

[itsaliveterps]

odourless ona gel? I've never heard of that before. I thought ona gel always had a smell to it? I wouldn't put that stuff anywhere near your vents if I was you. Your buds will end up smelling like ona gel if you put it too close to your tent and your vents. You just need a better carbon filter if you ask me

I was thinking about putting it in the wall vent extraction tube so any smell coming out is eliminated but after what you just said I dunno now lol

 

[itsaliveterps]

odourless ona gel? I've never heard of that before. I thought ona gel always had a smell to it? I wouldn't put that stuff anywhere near your vents if I was you. Your buds will end up smelling like ona gel if you put it too close to your tent and your vents. You just need a better carbon filter if you ask me

I don't have a choice 5% of smell is leaking outside from the vent I can't get a new carbon filter until another 2 weeks I can't afford to lose my project especially now but of course I don't want my bud to smell like ona gel... :/

 

[Gemtree]

I use a 6x18" in my 3x3 and it still doesnt scrub all the smell if it is a stinky variety. Not buying into anyones exhaust scrubbing all odor... unless they are double filtering it with another second space/filter

I use a 4" in my 3x3 and it does. Turn your fan down