CO2 Can Be Your Friend
When you want professional quality marijuana, or when you have a large grow operation, you need a CO2 generator setup. Using dry ice, fermentation, or mushroom boxes just isn’t enough. You can’t wait for global warming and rising carbon dioxide levels to save the day, either.
CO2 Regulators Reviewed Here
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CO2 Accessories Reviewed Here
Waiting for Climate Change?
Right now, CO2 levels are at about 400 parts per million. You may have seen weed growing blogs and magazines quoting it as 350 PPM, but that’s data from years ago. If you want to know the current statistic, check out this page. Levels go up or down by about 10 PPM depending on the time of year, but yes, climate change is real, people.
When you grow cannabis, you can raise the amount of carbon dioxide in the air to nearly 1500 PPM and your weed will flourish. You’ll have up to 30% more buds at harvest time if you add CO2 to the air. Go over that amount, and it will suffocate and die.
Quick note: before we move on, if you’re going to add carbon dioxide to your plants’ air, use ventilation. Move the air around in your grow space.
Generators, regulators, and controllers, oh my!
You can purchase an all-in-one ready-to-use CO2 generator, or you can buy parts separately and put together your own system. You’ll need a source of carbon dioxide and a way to control its release into your grow room or greenhouse.
Some all-in-one systems burn propane or butane to release CO2. If you don’t want to add extra heat and humidity into your plants’ environment, you can use a tank of carbon dioxide plus a controller and regulator. The controller senses the amount of PPM in the environment. The regulator controls the release of CO2 from the tank.
How much carbon dioxide do you need?
It’s safest if you invest in a controller that can sense CO2 levels in your grow room. Simply using a tank and a regulator means you’re guessing whether it’s enough or too much. That said, a rough estimate here might help you:
- Check the CFH rating (cubic feet per hour) if you have a generator.
- Measure the size of your grow tent to get the cubic volume (length x width x height).
If you’re using a tank of CO2 like you’d buy for MIG welding, you can set the same amount of flow rate. Again, it’s smart to have a controller, and a timer, too. Plants only use carbon dioxide during the daytime, not at night.
- A pound of carbon dioxide compressed in a tank is equal to about 8.7 cubic feet of gas once it’s released into the air
- Take the cubic size of your grow room and multiply it by .0015 (or .0013 PPM if you want to play it safe) to find out how much flow you need
- Set the regulator for the correct amount of PSI and flow rate
- Set the timer to have the gas released as desired
Here’s some sample math:
- Your room measures 8 by 8 by 8, so that’s 512 ft
- 512 x .0013 = 0.6656 or about 0.66 cubic feet
- You can set the regulator for 100 PSI with flow at 0.33 cubic feet per minute (20 CFH)
- Let gas flow for 2 minutes and you’re done
- Repeat every couple of hours while your grow lights are lit
Why is a timer also important?
Because breathing in too much CO2 isn’t good for humans. You don’t want to be hanging out in your grow room when your system is releasing the gas into the air. Unlike a generator that burns propane or other natural gas fuel, using a tank and regulator means you’ll be injecting gas into the air for a couple of minutes every couple of hours. You don’t need to let it run for long periods of time. It’s actually a pretty cheap solution.
- WEATHERPROOF CONSTRUCTION - Specifically crafted for outdoor use, this Intermatic timer tackles dynamic weather conditions while offering hassle-free operation.
- VERSATILE CONTROL - Seamlessly manage an array of applications including pool pumps, water fountains, landscape lighting, holiday decorations, and more.
- USER FRIENDLY OPERATION - Flexible scheduling with green and red pins for start and end times, and ships with 2 sets of pins for dual ON/OFF settings daily.
- THOUGHTFUL & LASTING DESIGN - With a grounded 3-prong plug, waterproof cover, and manual override ON/OFF switch, this timer delivers durability and reliability.
- RELIABLE RATINGS - Boasting ratings of 15 Amp, 1,800 Watt, 120 V, 60Hz, and CSA Certified, this Intermatic timer comes with a 1-year warranty for added peace of mind.
Now we’ll review the top regulators here below so you can get the best one for your system
The top CO2 regulators
We’ll begin with the ones that have solenoid valves.
GRO1 CO2 Grow Room Environment Regulator Flow Meter Solenoid
- 2 Plastic White Washers
- 6 FT Long 13-prong Grounded Power Cord and Plug to 120V.60hz Household Outlet
- 5 Meter Long Black 1/4" Tubing
- Solenoid Valve
- Pressure Gauge, Brass Alloy Body, Tank Pressure Gauge
The CO2 Grow Room Environment Regulator is a popular one for people who grow plants in aquariums, but it’s also ideal for growing pot. The flow meter adjusts between 0.5 and 15 cubic feet per hour and it has a pre-set regulator and a durable solenoid valve. It’s covered by a factory warranty.
Get this controller because you need control
Really, it’s so nice to have something monitoring your CO2 levels.
CO2Meter RAD-0501 Day Night CO2 Monitor and Controller for Greenhouses, Grey
- Accurately controls CO2 levels in greenhouses or grow rooms
- Built-In light sensor that automatically turns off LEDs lights and CO2 enrichment during dark period
- Piggy back plug allows for control of CO2 generator or tank with electronic regulator
- Piggy back plug allows for control of CO2 generator or tank with electronic regulator
- Easiest CO2 controller to use in the industry, Controller automatically adjusts CO2 level according to altitude
Use this CO2 Monitor to keep an eye on gas levels in your grow room. Mount it inside your setup and plug it into electricity and your regulator. It automatically shuts down your flow when it’s dark because it has a light sensor, or when levels reach your desired preference for PPM. In fact, you can be quite picky over CO2 PPM with this controller because it’s adjustable in 50 PPM increments from 100 to 9950.
A few accessories for use with your regulator
AcuRite 00613 Indoor Humidity Monitor
- Maintain the Right Room Temperature and Humidity Levels: This wireless indoor thermometer/hygrometer combination is perfect to pair with humidifiers or dehumidifiers
- Simple, Easy-to-Read Display Monitor: View current temperature and humidity at a glance with this indoor thermometer gauge and humidity sensor
- Daily High and Low Indoor Temperature and Humidity Levels: Easily understand your range of conditions in any room with this home thermometer and humidity detector
- Switch Temperature Readings Between Fahrenheit or Celsius: This wireless home instrument measures indoor temperatures from 32 °F to 122 °F (0 °C to 50 °C)
- Sleek Design with Multiple Placement Options: Use the integrated keyhole for wall mounting, the magnet for placement on a metal surface (refrigerator or freezer), or the fold-out kickstand for use on any flat surface — the perfect desk thermometer
- Indoor Thermometer/Hygrometer Measurements: 3" H x 2.5" W x 1.3" D
- Company Based in Lake Geneva, WI, USA — Since 1943
It’s always a good idea to keep an eye on the temperature and humidity levels in your grow tent. This one’s battery-operated, easy to read, and wireless.
Exhale 365 – Self Activated Co2 Bag Homegrown for Grow Rooms & Tents
- 𝗦𝗘𝗟𝗙-𝗔𝗖𝗧𝗜𝗩𝗔𝗧𝗘𝗗 - ExHale 365 is a self-activated version of the Original CO2 Bag. The 365 will provide a 4x4 foot or 128 cubic foot space with CO2 for 9 months of which 6 months are peak production. This product is great for small grow rooms and grow tents that are looking to produce more CO2 than what you’d normally have.
- 𝗘𝗫𝗣𝗘𝗥𝗜𝗘𝗡𝗖𝗘 𝗔 𝗟𝗔𝗥𝗚𝗘𝗥 𝗬𝗜𝗘𝗟𝗗 - Grow rooms, when used in companionship with the Original ExHale CO2 bag, can experience anywhere from 20% - 30% more growth. Requires no heat or electricity.
- 𝗧𝗪𝗜𝗡 𝗖𝗔𝗡𝗔𝗥𝗜𝗘𝗦 𝗖𝗛𝗔𝗥𝗧 𝗜𝗡𝗖𝗟𝗨𝗗𝗘𝗗 - The 365 will provide a 4x4 foot or 128 cubic foot space with CO2 for 9 months of which 6 months are peak production. Twin Canaries Chart included in every order!
- 𝗠𝗔𝗜𝗡𝗧𝗘𝗡𝗔𝗡𝗖𝗘 𝗙𝗥𝗘𝗘 - Place the ExHale bag slightly above the height of the plants in your grow space. CO2 being heavier than O2 will precipitate downward towards your plants. ExHale-Homegrown CO2 is a revolution in indoor CO2 production systems. Maintenance Free! Just CO2! Proudly made in the USA
- 𝗣𝗘𝗥𝗙𝗘𝗖𝗧 𝗙𝗢𝗥 𝗠𝗢𝗦𝗧 𝗣𝗟𝗔𝗡𝗧𝗦 - ExHale can be used for both vegetative plant growth as well as for fruit and flower production. Put the ExHale CO2 Bag in your grow tent and let it do its thing.
- 𝗗𝗜𝗥𝗘𝗖𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡𝗦 - Remove hanger from bag. allow the material in the upper spawn pod to fall to the sterilized substrate below by gently moving the spawn pod down to the lower part of the bag. Re-attach the hanger by placing it above the filter patch. The Exhale bag can now be placed in your garden.
Nothing wrong with baby steps! If you have a little grow room not more than 4 by 4 feet in size, you can still add CO2 to the air with this bag from ExHale. It lasts up to 6 months. Just hang it a little higher than your plants.
CO2 is Your Friend (Sometimes)
Using carbon dioxide to reap a larger harvest of cannabis is smart. It’s also not hard to do. Building your own setup with a tank, regulator, and controller is easy. Check back soon for more reviews of the best products for raising healthy weed.
And if you still need to complete your ventilation setup, check out our round-up of the best inline fans for growing marijuana.
Last update on 2023-02-20 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
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