My grow room is cooled by AC. The lights on temps are between 80*- 85*.If I'm supp co2 with an injection system is it neccesary to exhaust the room at all ? Also if I start to aircool my 1000w hps and the temp drops to the 70's. is the co2 not being used properly, should I just keep the temps at 80*-85* and use that $ somewhere else in the grow room?
Spot on smarmy. If you can control the temps with just the A/C unit and are injecting CO2, there is no need to exhaust. Keep your temps 80-85.
Carbon Dioxide Enrichment will dramatically increase the growth of green plants. Green plants use carbon dioxide ( CO2 ) and water in the presence of light to synthesize organic compounds. The plant then converts these organic compounds into elements that it can use (food). This process is called photosynthesis. If any of these ingredients ( CO2, water or light ) are at levels below what the plant can use for maximum efficiency, it will only be able to perform at that level and no greater. Adding carbon dioxide to a growing environment that is not receiving proper nutrients or is low on light will not produce the desired results. Similarly, plants that are receiving plenty of sunshine and nutrients will only perform as well as the ambient level of CO2 will allow. The ambient level of CO2 in the earth's atmosphere is generally between 300 and 600 ppm. Most plants receive far more water and energy in the form of sunshine than they can use. Increasing the CO2 in the growing area will let the plant use the excess water and energy that is stored in the leaves. The result is a substantial increase in the growth rate of any plant that uses chlorophyll in the process of photosynthesis. Enrichment should commence at sunrise or when photoperiod begins and refrain during darkness hours. The average CO2 level that is recommended is 1000 to 2000 parts per million (PPM). The object is to maintain a constant level in the atmosphere. You can run a small unit continuously during photoperiods or you can use a larger unit and time it to function periodically. Where exhaust requirements are frequent, the latter method is preferable. After the exhaust function the generator can be cycled to replenish CO2 quickly to maintain rapid plant photosynthesis. determine the size of generator and the number of minutes of operation required for the level of CO2 desired. Frequency of recharge depends on the rate of consumption. DIG IT !!
CO2 and AC is the only way to go I plug in CO2 and cool with AC. I can grow weed in a bank Vault. http://www.texashydroponics.com/shop/home.php?cat=112 http://www.air-conditioners-america.com/product.asp?product=SH-909-18
Dig it GTD: Allright, I'm sold... I have only the $$$ to get a 10lb tank and regulator.... no sensor. Luckily when I got an atmospheric controller, it came with CO2 outlet. My cab is small, C24, I've been reading up on the regulator and seems like there are some out there for small areas. Question: If you regulate in 0.1-1 Cubic Feet per Hour, what's your guess for flow for this space to get your 1000-2000?
Merman, A bit sauced right now, and don't want to give you bad formula. Will post formula for CO2 injection based on time, flow, area etc. Complete calcs. Post sometie tomorrow.
Useless: Thanks brutha, I look forward to it, enjoy that buzz!GTD: Power to the People! Just happened across your tat in the Photo Gallery. Turn up some 'Spearhead' sometime if you don't already know'em! /monthly_2006_03/base_image.jpg.1b86a6185455c2571ff7457bddafa590.jpg
http://www.greenair.com/emitter.htm If you check out this link it will answer your question about CO2. Your cubic ft is determined L x W x H pay attention to the rate of flow chart and the time it takes to enrich the grow space
Ok lets use 1500ppm of co2 for example. multiply your cubic feet of space (WxHxD)times .0015.Mine is 315 x .0015 = .4725. For all practicle purposes round it up to .5 cubic feet of co2. If you set the flow meter at 1.0 (thats 1 cubic foot per hour)then you should release co2 for 1/2 hr. I then wait 2 1/2 hours and exhaust the room . then I do it all over again. I dont use a co2 meter but this works for me. I hope this helps.
Smary beat me to the punch, but that is the correct formula for enrichment. If you want to enrich to a higher ppm like say 2000 you would just want to multiply by .002 so on and so forth. You may want to get a simple exhaust system set up just to more efficiently use your co2. You will be fine without one just using a constant stream of gas though if money is a concern. Exhaust fans can be expensive depending on the size of your growroom, not to mention carbon filters and controllers for the fan and co2. Thank You Mr.Minor
great thread I wish i woulda got the emitter from greenair. Lets have some more stats about cfm of CO2 in an enclosed, non-ventilated space.
