MAJOR n00b - question about smell

[OneDayJD]

I am thinking about doing my first grow in January. Therefore, I want to have all of my research done ahead of time. I am going to do a grow box in a closet probably with the Rubbermaid bin setup. My question is about smell. Obviously I need to keep this discreet and don't want my room and/or house to smell like pot the whole time I am growing. My question is when does it start smelling? Does it smell as soon as the plants start to grow? Or does it not start smelling until they are flowering? Sorry to ask such an elementary question, but I am sure I will have many more. Thanks.
-B

[GetThisOrDie]

It all depends on the strain. Some smell as soon as they start growing. Others smell in flower. I have a haze plant right now that stinks hard and is still in veg. The best bet is to have your odor control ready.

[OneDayJD]

Thanks so much for the head's up. That leads me to my next question...

If I am doing an active and passive intake system with computer fans, do I put the odor control there? How does that work? Do I use a carbon filter on the air that's going out? Also, can I just filter it into the room and it won't smell, or do I need to run some elaborate vent system into my attic or outside? I guess I am asking more so how effective the filters are. Thanks.

[GetThisOrDie]

If you get a carbon filter with a fan that is rated for it there will be zero smell. I was venting outside but now that its cold as shit I just vent inside the room. As long as everything is connected right it will be fine. A pc fan will not cut it for the filter. If stealth is important to you then you cannot skimp on this part.

Try looking for a 4" inline duct fan (not a duct booster) and a matching carbon scrubber like a Phresh filter. Also check out a speed controller for the fan since your grow space is very small. There are some DIY threads on here for filters as well. Ive made my own before and it worked fine but the ease of just buying a new one was too tempting. Now I use Phresh filters and they work great.

[OneDayJD]

Thanks for the info. The Phresh filters and fans look great and I'm sure they are great, but I think they are a little too pricey for me. I guess I'm going to have to go the DIY route. Can I still have pretty good success using a DIY setup?

[OneDayJD]

I tried to start a new thread for this, but for some reason it will let me reply to my post but I can't start a new post. What gives?

Anyway, I am thinking of using a DIY carbon filter. Like the one here:
http://boards.cannabis.com/grow-faqs/99371-diy-how-carbon-filter.html

My question is this...
I will be using it for the growbox and during drying/curing. How often do I need to change out the activated carbon? Should I just change it when I switch from the grow to the cure? Or do I need to change it a few times throughout the grow? Thanks.