1 . CARBON FILTERING / CARBON SCRUBBERS
By far the best way to get rid of growroom odor is with a carbon filter . They literally scrub plant smells out of the air before the air is extracted from the growroom . Carbon filters are an essential part of your ventilation system . The extractor fan pulls air from your growroom through a filter containing an activated layer of carbon . As this happens , the odor released by your plants is trapped and retained inside the pores of the activated carbon . There are many carbon filters available out there , and to make sure you are purchasing a quality one you should look out for a deep carbon bed , as the deeper the carbon bed , the more activated carbon there will be . This means the filter can remove more odor and will have a longer overall life span . To make sure your fan and filter are perfectly connected , your spigot size needs to match the diameter of your fan . If this is not the case then you can use a reducer , however , this will impede the efficiency of your fan and filter . If your carbon filter spigot is too small , it will not be suitable for the level of odor you need to scrub as the air needs to be in contact with the carbon in your filter long enough to remove the odors . To keep your carbon filter working as efficiently as possible you should make sure you maintain it properly . Replace pre-filters every three to six months .
Pre-filters and filter sleeves are preventative measures to stop dust and debris from getting into your carbon filter , which could reduce the life of your carbon . Replace carbon filters every nine months to two years , or whenever you think they are needed . This will depend on which filter you buy . Check the care instructions for specific guidelines . Do not use a humidifier in your growroom with unfiltered water . Unfiltered water contains minerals that , when used in a humidifier , can clog up carbon filters and reduce their life . To prevent this , you should always use RO ( reverse osmosis ) water with your humidifiers . Reverse osmosis is a process where you demineralize or deionize water by pushing it under pressure through a semi-permeable membrane .
2 . NEGATIVE PRESSURE
Negative pressure is the best pressure for a growroom . This means there is more air leaving the growroom than there is being drawn in . The benefits of negative pressure are that temperature and humidity are easier to control and growroom odor is reduced . To maintain negative pressure you should use a less powerful intake fan so that you are drawing in 20 percent less air than you are extracting , otherwise your tent can become too full of smelly , unfiltered air which can then start seeping out of zippers and seams before it passes through your carbon filter .
3 . OZONE GENERATORS
Ozone generators remove odors rather than covering them up . They do this via oxidation . Ozone is three oxygen atoms ( O 3 ) bonded together . It ’ s like the oxygen we breathe with an extra oxygen atom . Oxygen atoms usually exist in bonded pairs . So , the extra oxygen atom in O 3 is very unstable , breaking off and binding to organic molecules such as the volatile organic compounds ( VOCs ) that cause plant smells . When this happens , any odors are oxidized and eliminated . There are several different types of ozone generators . Inline generators are used within your ventilation system and alongside your carbon filter . They act as an extra layer to ensure all odors are removed before the air is extracted .
Standalone generators can be plugged into the mains and emit small amounts of ozone directly into your growroom to destroy odors while still in your growing environment . Ozone generators are the subject of much debate , and opinions on whether you should or should not use them are very split . It is generally advised that if you do use an ozone generator , then it should not be used outside of the growroom , especially in a domestic environment as they can pose some health risks . Some people are more susceptible than others to ozone and may be more likely to experience adverse health effects . People at particular risk are children , the elderly , and people with asthma . Exposure to ozone can cause eye , nose , throat and lung irritation , coughing and shortness of breath , and may exacerbate chronic respiratory diseases such as asthma . Excessive use can also adversely damage materials such as rubber , electrical wire coatings , and fabrics . It ’ s also advisable to switch off any ozone generator if you plan on working in your growroom for an extended period .
If “ you do use an ozone generator ,
then it should not be used outside of the growroom , especially in a domestic environment as they can pose some health risks .”
Maximum Yield 59