Seeking advice on carbon filter setups, and what's economical long term,refilling?

[Bear777]

Anyone have experience with refilling carbon filters, and was it worthwhile expense wise.?

Right now, I have 4 of the 6" carbon filter/ inline fan combos of 3 different brands and I am considering/looking for options that maybe for economical in the long run. Downstairs running 2 flower tents, veg tent and a drying tent, while upstairs have a carbon filter/fan for smoking. It's been less than a year trying this indoor growing and had to replace 2 of the carbon filters a few months ago so want to have a think about options.

Also was wondering about large version just to put downstairs outside the tents, maybe that is a better option? Are they usually a refillable type?

 

[Goonie Goat]

You can buy 20kg bags of activated charcoal on eBay for around $120. Haven't done it myself but from what I've read it can be a pain getting them back together, but persistence should pay off.

1 Bag 20KG Activated Carbon Charcoal Granular Filter Aqua Air Water Fish Tank | eBay

Not for drinking water. Prior to use for water filtration, suggested to remove the dust by rinsing it with water or blowing air though it to avoid dust entering into the circulation system. If you are treating the water or air with chemicals, this product must be removed to avoid all the added...

www.ebay.com.au

20kg Bulk Sack Activated Carbon Pellets For Air Purifier Water Decontamination | eBay

4mm in size, commonly used in Eliminates bad odours and toxins both in the air and in water!

www.ebay.com.au

AC infinity have some newly released reusable carbon filters which seem pretty good. Can purchase them through Quickbloom lights

Refillable Carbon Filter Kit, With Charcoal Refill, 6 Inch - 150 MM

Introducing the AC Infinity Refillable Carbon Filter Kit 6", a sustainable and cost-effective solution for air purification in grow tents and hydroponic setups. Features Australian charcoal, easy refill design, and durable build for lasting use.

www.quickbloomlights.com.au

Also if you have the space i recommend running a bigger sized carbon filters than the exhaust fan (10 inch or 8 inch filter on a 6 inch reducer to the inline fan for example) or getting a duct splitter which you can run the multiple filters off the one fan, wont be as much drag on the fan. Should be able to get a bit more out of the filters before replacing

 

[Hudo]

I done one once it was a dirty shit job
If you have e an orbital sander push it on the side without paper on it to vibrate the carbon so it packs tight enough. I just factor the cost into my budget. The time and effort for.me outweigh the cost of a new filter

 

[Sedge]

Anyone have experience with refilling carbon filters, and was it worthwhile expense wise.?

Right now, I have 4 of the 6" carbon filter/ inline fan combos of 3 different brands and I am considering/looking for options that maybe for economical in the long run. Downstairs running 2 flower tents, veg tent and a drying tent, while upstairs have a carbon filter/fan for smoking. It's been less than a year trying this indoor growing and had to replace 2 of the carbon filters a few months ago so want to have a think about options.

Also was wondering about large version just to put downstairs outside the tents, maybe that is a better option? Are they usually a refillable type?

They should last longer than that ,,
Sounds like they shit themselves in winter,,,if there is plenty of rain ,and humidity is way too high ,the filters take in a lot of moisture and can stop working ,,,

I changed one years back and hung on to it coz it weighed a heap more than when new ,,thought if I let it dry out it’d be ok,
It’s still sitting there waiting to be checked ,hopefully it’ll work again ,,and now it doesn’t feel heavier than it should,
Any way bad filter with extreme humdity might not be the end of its use,,,
It’s worthwhile to have at least one spare filter .

 

[benn0]

Seems like a cunt of a job to refurbish one yourself when they aren't that expensive

 

[Bear777]

You can buy 20kg bags of activated charcoal on eBay for around $120. Haven't done it myself but from what I've read it can be a pain getting them back together, but persistence should pay off.

1 Bag 20KG Activated Carbon Charcoal Granular Filter Aqua Air Water Fish Tank | eBay

Not for drinking water. Prior to use for water filtration, suggested to remove the dust by rinsing it with water or blowing air though it to avoid dust entering into the circulation system. If you are treating the water or air with chemicals, this product must be removed to avoid all the added...

www.ebay.com.au

20kg Bulk Sack Activated Carbon Pellets For Air Purifier Water Decontamination | eBay

4mm in size, commonly used in Eliminates bad odours and toxins both in the air and in water!

www.ebay.com.au

AC infinity have some newly released reusable carbon filters which seem pretty good. Can purchase them through Quickbloom lights

Refillable Carbon Filter Kit, With Charcoal Refill, 6 Inch - 150 MM

Introducing the AC Infinity Refillable Carbon Filter Kit 6", a sustainable and cost-effective solution for air purification in grow tents and hydroponic setups. Features Australian charcoal, easy refill design, and durable build for lasting use.

www.quickbloomlights.com.au

Also if you have the space i recommend running a bigger sized carbon filters than the exhaust fan (10 inch or 8 inch filter on a 6 inch reducer to the inline fan for example) or getting a duct splitter which you can run the multiple filters off the one fan, wont be as much drag on the fan. Should be able to get a bit more out of the filters before replacing

Interesting, never thought about reducers and splitters. Thanks for the links,.

 

[Bear777]

I done one once it was a dirty shit job
If you have e an orbital sander push it on the side without paper on it to vibrate the carbon so it packs tight enough. I just factor the cost into my budget. The time and effort for.me outweigh the cost of a new filter

Didn't know about packing issues, good to know

 

[Bear777]

They should last longer than that ,,
Sounds like they shit themselves in winter,,,if there is plenty of rain ,and humidity is way too high ,the filters take in a lot of moisture and can stop working ,,,

I changed one years back and hung on to it coz it weighed a heap more than when new ,,thought if I let it dry out it’d be ok,
It’s still sitting there waiting to be checked ,hopefully it’ll work again ,,and now it doesn’t feel heavier than it should,
Any way bad filter with extreme humdity might not be the end of its use,,,
It’s worthwhile to have at least one spare filter .

Well that could be it for sure, my humidity had been and is also currently too high. Didn't know that high humidity could effect them, but it makes sense. I cant say I remember how heavy they were when i replaced but did set those 2 filters aside, I will move them somewhere drier and recheck them later. Hoping I get a chance to get the split system installed in next week or two, just a matter of finding the time, with the weather changing rapidly here, have to make it a priority.

 

[VinDeezle]

I usually get around 2 years continuous from my evergrow filters tbh. Had the worst performance from the two can lite filters (GT 300 and GT 425) and they keep emptying their carbon out the duct alongside doing a very average job for the money.

I don't control humidity myself and luckily haven't had any issues with reduced performance from waterlogging so far.

 

[Bear777]

Over the life of the carbon filter, how often do you find it worthwhile to change or clean the pre filter sock or are most people just changing it when the carbon filter is due for a change

 

[snapper]

When it gets like this. Usually wash every six months.
One thing I learnt is not to put it in the washing machine. Comes out all twisted and wooly/fluffy and out of shape. Best to hand wash.

 

[thefullspectrum]

Also to use the sock on the inside of the filter if blowing through it.

 

[Squire]

I have a Mars hydro 4" that only lasted One and a half grows . Could smell as soon second flowered . Get what you pay for I reckon

 

[Hudo]

Over the life of the carbon filter, how often do you find it worthwhile to change or clean the pre filter sock or are most people just changing it when the carbon filter is due for a change

I swap every grow they usually come with 2 so I put the clean one on each crop cycle and wash the other so it's ready to go for next run