Are Can Fan filters any good?

[bass ackwards]

From everything I have read about activated charcoal it is the huge surface area created by fissures within the granules which absorb the VOC's which are the cause of odors. My question refers to the process of compressing the charcoal granules. It seems to me that compression would reduce the surface area which would in turn limit the effectiveness of the filter. Does this sound reasonable? Possibly this explains why their filters contain more charcoal than their competitors filters. Also,I wonder if this allows the creation of channels within the filter which allow unfiltered air through.

I could use some advice on this since I need to purchase a filter soon. Can Fan filters are available to me locally whereas others are not,and would need to be shipped.

Respect bass

 

[enter sandman]

they will work but granulated carbon 4x8 size is the best. I just got a 4x12 phresh filter, hooked up to my growbright 170 cfm, and it is one of the best filters I've had. They are actually not phat filter, but phresh filters are about the exact same as phat (i was skeptical before deciding on phresh) It has the granular carbon & the carbon bed thickness is over 1 1/2 inch. I went from a 4" elf filter cause those elfs have only barely an inch of carbon. I recommend phresh...they are sold just about everywhere on the net.

 

[IWanaGetHiSoHi]

Safest money I ever spent IMHO. They work. I have a mountain aire ... all of the mentioned are the same beast. The one that didn't make the cut was the Box/Locker type with 3 or 4 flat filter inserts ...

 

[Tr33]

I use a can 150 with a 12" max fan as a room scrubber, works perfect in my sealed grow room.
The phresh filter last I used last year did not do as good as the can filter, IME why should we pay more for the letters PH on the beginning of a name that's marketing and playing the phish crowd, what a joke and the filter does not last long or work near as good as the can's.
Always go larger than you think you need, believe me it's worth the clean air.

 

[John Deere]

My question refers to the process of compressing the charcoal granules. It seems to me that compression would reduce the surface area which would in turn limit the effectiveness of the filter. Does this sound reasonable? Possibly this explains why their filters contain more charcoal than their competitors filters. Also,I wonder if this allows the creation of channels within the filter which allow unfiltered air through.

Your logic makes no sense to me. The "compression" of the charcoal means they're packing it in with as little extra air space as possible. All the air being pushed through HAS to go through the carbon instead of sneaking through air channels that would be in less compacted charcoal. They're increasing the surface area of the charcoal, not decreasing it.

And yes, Can filters work great.

 

[enter sandman]

Tr33...the phresh is made in just about the exact same dimensions as the phat and I first never got one because of them copying the phat name but they are actually very good filters (again, same as phat just diff name) They are by far better than the can filters....I've had two cans before. Much better constructed and lighter. And granulated carbon is better than the pellet my friend, research it.

 

[someotherguy]

i've been using my Can2600 on a 170CFM blower inside
my micro-cab for 2 years now with no problems.

fact is, i'm thinking i should change my carbon it's
been so long, lol. (something you can do with Can
filters 'cause they are screwed together and not
riveted)

IMO you should go buy the Can filter locally and save
the shipping, you won't be sorry.

peace, SOG

btw, here's a couple pics to illustrate. note that my
'flange' isn't, it's a piece of PVC that happens to fit
like a dream, only tool needed is a rubber mallet.

note also that that isn't the 170CFM blower, although
it's the same type from the same company, just bigger.

 

[what the]

I use a can 150 with a 12" max fan as a room scrubber, works perfect in my sealed grow room.
The phresh filter last I used last year did not do as good as the can filter, IME why should we pay more for the letters PH on the beginning of a name that's marketing and playing the phish crowd, what a joke and the filter does not last long or work near as good as the can's.
Always go larger than you think you need, believe me it's worth the clean air.

I've had both Can and Phresh. They both performed the same, cost about the same, but the Phresh was half the diameter because of the packing and lighter.

Phresh wins hands down IMO

 

[Phillthy]

can 150 with a 10 in max fan recirculating in a sealed room. been going strong for a year of non stop use and still kicking ass.

 

[JackTheGrower]

I have a metal Can made to be refilled. I order 4mm pellet and that can will last longer than I will..

It was manufactured in Canada..

Oh the carbon is running about $75 for #55 now.. That fills the can twice.

I also built a wood box that accepts two filters of 14x20x1 and has a carbon in between the two filters.

It's based on the CFM of the fan as to how much ( volume ) of 4mm pellet.

I am not familiar with the granules.

The carbon works very well. I have no fear of flowering stinky girls.

 

[JackTheGrower]

i've been using my Can2600 on a 170CFM blower inside
my micro-cab for 2 years now with no problems.

fact is, i'm thinking i should change my carbon it's
been so long, lol. (something you can do with Can
filters 'cause they are screwed together and not
riveted)

IMO you should go buy the Can filter locally and save
the shipping, you won't be sorry.

peace, SOG

btw, here's a couple pics to illustrate. note that my
'flange' isn't, it's a piece of PVC that happens to fit
like a dream, only tool needed is a rubber mallet.

note also that that isn't the 170CFM blower, although
it's the same type from the same company, just bigger.

I don't regret paying the cost of a metal refillable can.

I only need to find the filter bag the size.. Carbon lasts much longer with filter pre-filtering dust.

Humidity can reduce effectiveness but that reversed once it dries out. Also I know first hand that Ozone is a No-No as that will fill up the carbon.


So look for a Can you can refill I find it silly to have to buy a complete unit each time.

 

[big ballin 88]

I don't regret paying the cost of a metal refillable can.

I only need to find the filter bag the size.. Carbon lasts much longer with filter pre-filtering dust.

Humidity can reduce effectiveness but that reversed once it dries out. Also I know first hand that Ozone is a No-No as that will fill up the carbon.


So look for a Can you can refill I find it silly to have to buy a complete unit each time.

You have a good point. I'm trying to sell my can 2600 because i dont like its design. I bought a Phresh filter 4x8 and now can fit it inside my cab. The Phresh filter is smaller and can handle more CFM!

IMO it seems to be a much better design than Can. Phresh only makes filters, so i'm hoping their good at it.

 

[enter sandman]

big ballin...you won't be dissapointed in your phresh. Mine is a 4x12 & I've already harvested 3 times with it (had a couple fairly stinky girls) & I smelled nada. I've had so many premade filters in my life, I know when I've got a good one. It basically comes down to carbon wall thickness, granular or pellet, cfm of fan etc. Carbon filters are very simple mechanical designs...meaning it's hard to make a bad one & easy to make a good one.

 

[sanjuan]

. . . Also I know first hand that Ozone is a No-No as that will fill up the carbon.

Huh, interesting--this is the first time I've heard that.
Seems like the O3 would refresh the carbon if anything.

 

[THRIPS AHOY!]

Too actually answer yer question,yes they work great.Just buy a can and a blower that matches the cfm requirement and yer good to go.

 

[big ballin 88]

just make sure you find a size you like is the only thing i will say. thats why i'm making the change now. The can is alright, i just hate their flange design. Phresh uses a huge piece of weather stripping foam, while Can uses an iity biity one made for windows essentially.

 

[JackTheGrower]

I am reworking my ventilation.

So this is a small "Mother Room" and that is a metal can I bough on Ebay years ago.
I don't remember what I paid but it came with Carbon and I think I was a low bidder as I did have to wrangle to get the Can sent.
It was a low bid.. The Guy wasn't happy I remember.. LOL I am happy.

Oh and the black straps are quick disconnect "Luggage Straps" .. It's a bitch to hang heavy cans in tight places so a quick snap strap system is a blessing!

 

[JackTheGrower]

Huh, interesting--this is the first time I've heard that.
Seems like the O3 would refresh the carbon if anything.

I can learn more for sure.. I'll stand back on sounding expert on how Ozone effects activated carbon but I am sure that Ozone reduces our Carbon's life from my own experience. I owned a Big Blue and thought I would "double dip" my odor control but ended up getting less odor control in a short time.
Live and learn?

Here is a link to read. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10529990

 

[sanjuan]

I can learn more for sure.. I'll stand back on sounding expert on how Ozone effects activated carbon but I am sure that Ozone reduces our Carbon's life from my own experience. I owned a Big Blue and thought I would "double dip" my odor control but ended up getting less odor control in a short time.
Live and learn?

Here is a link to read. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10529990

By posting that link you are an expert in my eyes.

Getting back more on topic:
Are the Active Air (Hydrofarm) Can filter copies any good in practice?
I own a pair of the Can 66 equivalents but I've decided to do ozone in the exhaust ducts instead. Might do in-room scrubbing with the carbon.

 

[JackTheGrower]

Yo...

I made a box...

It has two filters and is rated 640 CFM on the volume of air to 4mm carbon pellet.

Just a heads up that we can build our own units.. No need to be slaves to industry.




My empty w.filters.. takes a little over 5 Gal. Carbon...


It works like Insurance... I know the Math on 4mm Carbon pellets...

Be well..