Co2 tank

[primster]

hey
i'm going to buy a co2 tank but i have a question ... do i need a regulator to get co2 into the my grow box or could i just put the tank in the box and put it on a low presure so it comes out constantly ? what would work ????

primster Reviewed by primster on 10-27-2005. Co2 tank hey i'm going to buy a co2 tank but i have a question ... do i need a regulator to get co2 into the my grow box or could i just put the tank in the box and put it on a low presure so it comes out constantly ? what would work ???? Rating: 5

[Zandor]

hey
i'm going to buy a co2 tank but i have a question ... do i need a regulator to get co2 into the my grow box or could i just put the tank in the box and put it on a low presure so it comes out constantly ? what would work ????

No, the tank would freeze and you could not regulate the amount. You should do some research on how to use CO² properly before you hurt yourself. High levels of CO² are great for your plant (like above 1500 ppm to 1800 ppm) but they will kill you. You do need a regulator and special feed lines that will not freeze on you. You also need a delivery system (a way to get it to where it need to be) and you room needs to be sealed tight no air in and no air out. You can use a timer to regulate the CO² but you must do the math and work out how long to run the gas to reach the PPM you choose. Then you need to keep it at that level for as long as the lights are on. Then you evacuate the room and exchange the air.

[hydro]

Zandor,
I have a super closet and would like to use co2. I have the filled tank and regulator, every thing is set up but Im not sure how much , how long or often to feed them. Could you tell me the calculations I would use to figure this out. My closet is 2x3x6. A shelf is about 1.5 ft. from the bottom. My resovoir is underneath. you also said that during this time there should be no air in and no air out. Does this mean that I should shut off my exhaust blower and fans while the lights are on and turn them on when the lights are out? If so what about heat?

Im still reading up on all this stuff before I try it, but it seems like you know what you are talking about in all the other threads, so I hope you dont mind. Also do I feed them co2 during veg or wait till they are in flower? Any help would be appreicated. God knows this girl needs help.

[Zandor]

That's easy
http://www.hydroponics.net/learn/co2_calculator.asp

That's a caculator you will find helpful.

CO² during vegetation cycle will make them grow faster and larger BTW. If you run CO² then you also need to modify some other rules. Like temperature for example. When you use CO² (only when the HID lights are on) the temperature needs to be raised to around 85f for the plant to take full advantage of the extra CO²

[Zandor]

The idea is to raise the level up to around 1500 PPM to 1800 PPM and hold it there for hours. Then take the air out of the room and do it all over again. While the CO² is on you much have a sealed room or you waist the gas. The calculator link I gave you only calculates the amount it takes to reach the number and does not count how often you need to fill. Depending on how much your room leaks, how much the plant uses is not a factor in their math. Only you can figure that with a PPM controller or one of those syringes that measure the air and give a reading on colored paper. http://www.discount-hydro.com/co2.asp

Fluorescents lights are no good for use with CO² they do not produce enough light for the plant to process the extra amount in the air.

Your plants will drink up a ton of water when you start using CO² so be prepared for that as well as how much larger the plants will get. The extra temperature needs to be controlled properly and donâ??t let it get to hot. Itâ??s a fine line to walk but well worth the effort in the long haul.
Enhanced CO² is one of the most effective wayâ??s to grow big buds there is today. When you combine that with proper temperature control and humidity you have very healthy, happy large plants.

[primster]

Zandor. how would i get the co2 out the room ? and how would i set it up so that it released every hour or so .... ?

[Zandor]

You use a timer or CO² controler to regulate the gas and you use an exhaust fan with a damper to remove the air from the room at pre-timed intervals.