Smell Proofing Question

juicemc22

juicemc22

Well-Known Member
I've been growing for around 4 years, but I have yet to use any smell protection since I am a legal card holder. I've recently moved, and in this location I've decided to setup a inline fan / filter setup to make sure the smell doesn't exit the room.

My flower room is about 8ft x 8ft x 8ft, so over 500 cubic feet.

I dropped into the hydroponics store that I do all of my buying from, but the prices were pretty high. For the smallest setup that would manage my space, it was around $400. I was hoping to spend around $200, but that wasn't happening. I had already browsed online a bit to check out prices, and it seemed to be cheaper. I mentioned that in the store to the employee, and he informed me that you can get stuff cheaper online because they don't have employees and a building to lease... So buying online seems like the better choice. It just sucks I can't see the items before buying them!

I've got 2 - 1000 watt HPS lights, but I may only use one. It depends on how hot the space gets.

I know that in the hydroponics store they had a plugin that had a thermometer you could set to a specific temperature. When the room hits that temp the inline fan / filter kick on. Would it be better to have the thermometer that automatically kicks the system on, or should I purchase a fan speed controller? Any information you can share will be greatly appreciated!!

I plan on blocking off the window and running the air from the filter out of the window. If the room gets to hot, I can also put my portable A/C in there to cool it down. A new room means experimenting, I guess. Any tips or suggestions are appreciated... (fan size, filter size, how to exhaust / filter the air.)

http://www.virtualsunhydroponics.com/Agricultural/products/VS600F-SET.asp?rt=2

Here is one of the fan / filter combo's I found online... Let me know what you think, please and thanks.
 
juicemc22 said:
I've been growing for around 4 years, but I have yet to use any smell protection since I am a legal card holder. I've recently moved, and in this location I've decided to setup a inline fan / filter setup to make sure the smell doesn't exit the room.

My flower room is about 8ft x 8ft x 8ft, so over 500 cubic feet.

I dropped into the hydroponics store that I do all of my buying from, but the prices were pretty high. For the smallest setup that would manage my space, it was around $400. I was hoping to spend around $200, but that wasn't happening. I had already browsed online a bit to check out prices, and it seemed to be cheaper. I mentioned that in the store to the employee, and he informed me that you can get stuff cheaper online because they don't have employees and a building to lease... So buying online seems like the better choice. It just sucks I can't see the items before buying them!

I've got 2 - 1000 watt HPS lights, but I may only use one. It depends on how hot the space gets.

I know that in the hydroponics store they had a plugin that had a thermometer you could set to a specific temperature. When the room hits that temp the inline fan / filter kick on. Would it be better to have the thermometer that automatically kicks the system on, or should I purchase a fan speed controller? Any information you can share will be greatly appreciated!!

I plan on blocking off the window and running the air from the filter out of the window. If the room gets to hot, I can also put my portable A/C in there to cool it down. A new room means experimenting, I guess. Any tips or suggestions are appreciated... (fan size, filter size, how to exhaust / filter the air.)

http://www.virtualsunhydroponics.com/Agricultural/products/VS600F-SET.asp?rt=2

Here is one of the fan / filter combo's I found online... Let me know what you think, please and thanks.
Click to expand...

It sounds to me you're describing the same product. ... but here goes anyhow

There are two main types. One is a mechanical type, often called a 'Variac'. These are the best type because the produce NO BUZZING associated with the second type of controller. These are electronically controlled, they have a small chip which controls the speed, these often produce a BUZZING similar to the sound coming from a home dimmer switch.

Both types can also be fitted with or without a thermometer that automatically turns the fan on to the desired speed.
 
Moebius, I kinda follow ya.

It's nice to have the thermometer because the room will never exceed the set temp. I'd say, I'd never let mine go over 85 degrees, so that'd always control that for me, correct? If so, the thermometer is a must by for me!

I was asking about the fan speed controller because I wasn't sure if I need this item (http://www.virtualsunhydroponics.com/Agricultural/products/950001.asp?rt=2)

When I've been shopping around online some talk about fan speed controllers and some don't... confused me a bit.

Do you think that fan / filter combo is a solid buy? It'd be nice to see it in person, but if it's similar to the ones I saw at the hydroponics store, it should be good.

And to be clear... a fan speed controller and the thermometer plug in are the same thing? That makes sense!
 
Most carbon filters will only last a year. I recently bought a phresh filter, suppose to last longer, but you pay for quality. I've also found, the cheaper the fan the louder it is. $400 seems about right for a quality fan/scrubber combo.

My 2 pennies.
 
juicemc22 said:
Moebius, I kinda follow ya.

It's nice to have the thermometer because the room will never exceed the set temp. I'd say, I'd never let mine go over 85 degrees, so that'd always control that for me, correct? If so, the thermometer is a must by for me!

I was asking about the fan speed controller because I wasn't sure if I need this item (http://www.virtualsunhydroponics.com/Agricultural/products/950001.asp?rt=2)

When I've been shopping around online some talk about fan speed controllers and some don't... confused me a bit.

Do you think that fan / filter combo is a solid buy? It'd be nice to see it in person, but if it's similar to the ones I saw at the hydroponics store, it should be good.

And to be clear... a fan speed controller and the thermometer plug in are the same thing? That makes sense!
Click to expand...

I'm not in the U.S but that controller looks like an absurdly GOOD buy. Jeeze is that how much you guys are paying for your equipment. Nice one... In my country I would have to pay 4 or 5 times that for a similar product.

Edit: That one looks like a Mechanical one. Its says a 'Motor' based controller which is what you want.

Edit 2: The Thermometer plug in is a fan speed controller . Although some fan controllers have no thermometer and are controlled manually by the dial.
 
On your exhaust end you can place some ona gel in a small container for added smell control. You are around your plants alot and your nose can be acclimated to the smell. Others will be able to smell what you dont and its usually the unwanted people lol.
 
Moebius said:
I'm not in the U.S but that controller looks like an absurdly GOOD buy. Jeeze is that how much you guys are paying for your equipment. Nice one... In my country I would have to pay 4 or 5 times that for a similar product.

Edit: That one looks like a Mechanical one. Its says a 'Motor' based controller which is what you want.

Edit 2: The Thermometer plug in is a fan speed controller . Although some fan controllers have no thermometer and are controlled manually by the dial.
Click to expand...

if youre in the uk you can get a fan speed controller for less than a tenna,and they work perfectly fine because i have some so i know.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/ELECTRIC-...arden_PlantsSeedsBulbs_JN&hash=item3f0f86c8fb
 
calicat said:
On your exhaust end you can place some ona gel in a small container for added smell control. You are around your plants alot and your nose can be acclimated to the smell. Others will be able to smell what you dont and its usually the unwanted people lol.
Click to expand...

Good tip calicat.

Home-made Ona gel can be made for pennies. .....

Water absorbing crystals - found in garden or DIY store
Essential oils - Used in Homeopathy and perfumes
Polysorbate 20 - Used to emulsify the oil and water, can be found in stores that sell bath salts and such.

all ingredients are also on ebay.
 
So there are different types of fan / filter controllers? Which one is the best in your opinion(s)? What's the difference??


I don't want the fan / filter running constantly. The guy at the hydroponics store said it'd be on 5 minutes per hour, about. I liked the thermometer controller because the room will stay below a specific temp... say I'm at work and can't check, I can be guaranteed it won't go over 85 degrees.
 
As for the odor and fan, a simple 8" CAP fan will move 600 CFM, add on a original Can Filter(the best) and set-up the forced intake to 50-75% the CFM of the exhaust and you have negative pressure, no smell. Or make sure you have a large enough passive intake. I run fan/filter 24/7, no reason not to. In your case with two 1000s a 8" should work, but you can bump up to a 12" CAP fan for $200, another 175 for a filter. For only $200 total you'd only be able to do a 6" and a filter and that will still cost 240 or so.

And someone early stated carbon filters last only 1 year. That would be the minimum for a quality filter like Can. Mine is currently going on 20 months moving 500 CFMs 24/7, 7 days a week 365 a year. Not a scent of smell anywhere until we open the panda/velcro doors to enter the flower room.

Someone also made a statement about it being loud. Nonsense. When the CAP fan or something like a MAXFan brand fan is connected to a carbon filter on one end and how ever many feet of insulated or non-insulated ducting, it's pretty damn quiet. Initially it can sound loud, but after a few days you realize it's not bad at all. I guess certain circumstances like really thin walls in a shitty apartment, or other close quarter scenarios it's a different story, but for most cases that kind of set-up is not too loud.

I suggest running filter and exhaust/intake fans 24/7 and dialing in your temps under those conditions rather then having a device turn them on and off according to temps. In a negative pressure scenario that wouldn't work anyway. The moment the fans stop the odors will begin to escape.

If you need more control over fan speeds just grab a 10-20 dollar fan controller.
 
Okay, I'm catchin' more and more as we go. Since my room is rather small, I may only run one of the 1000 watt lights. If I can keep it cool, I'll run both of them.

TheHole, so what all would you suggest I get on top of the filter and fan combo? Isn't the fan controller the same as the temp controller... how do they differ?
 
In a 8x8 and I'm assuming about a 7-8' high room you should easily be able to run two 1000s and maintain acceptable temps. We have a 5x7x7.5' high flower room and we can do 4-5 girls with two 600 HPSs and maintain 82 day temps. Of course I may be in a different climate then you but currently we have a heat wave of 90+ and it's not much of a struggle to maintain 82-83 day with proper air circulation and exhaust, we also run day hours at night.

I'm not sure if a temp controller is the same as a fan speed controller, I use fan speed controllers when it gets too hot to expel more exhaust to help with temps so i suppose they are the same thing.

I don't trust combos like that. I have no idea who makes the carbon filter or the quality of it. It would be OK for veg being small isn't bad there, but in flower if odor control is important one does not skimp.

This

http://www.sunflowersupplies.com/products/CAP-VALULINE-VALUELINE-8"-IN-LINE-DUCT-FAN-745-CFM.html

along with this

http://www.amazon.com/Can-Filter-8-600-CFM/dp/B001H3KEPU

would be golden.

If you searched hard enough I'm sure you could find better prices.
 
Also, to maintain the life of a carbon filter you should never directly connect the fan to it.

It should go

CARBON FILTER--DUCTING--FAN--DUCTING>>>>>OUT of room
 
TheHole, thanks for the tip on how to setup the fan, filter, and ducting! I'm beginning to thing that a fan speed controller and a thermometer controller are different, but I'm unsure... hopefully someone can clear that up.

It'd be ideal to run two lights. I'm hoping to avoid running an A/C with the inline fan exhausting the hot air. The two links you posted for the fan and filter are solid. I could afford that. Why do you prefer to buy them separately like that? You don't want the fan / filter to be made by the same company? If you could give me some info on what brands are good I can look into it more. I see you posted an 8" when I was lookin' at 6". Do you think 8" is better, why?
 
My day cycle will also run during the night. And the filter will be for flower, I'm not worry about veg smelling.
 
thehole said:
Also, to maintain the life of a carbon filter you should never directly connect the fan to it.

It should go

CARBON FILTER--DUCTING--FAN--DUCTING>>>>>OUT of room
Click to expand...

How does this factor into filter life, I see a lot of filters sitting in a corner with a fan directly on top, some just scrubbing a recirculating others with an exit duct but mostly with the fan in direct contact with the filter.
 
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