Can I replace the carbon in my Can-Filter 9000?

[LlamaSchool]

Like the title says, I have a Can-Filter 9000. It has 6.6 lbs of carbon and is not working for my 600w/~350 CFM setup. Before I up size, I'd like to try replacing the carbon in this filter. Is this possible?

 

[FreezerBoy]

I checked 3 different sites. All say the 9000 is rated at 118 cfm. At 350 cfm, rapid failure (if it ever works at all) is to be expected. They also say the flange is a separate purchase. What's under the flange? With some DIY, I'm sure the carbon can be swapped but, fixing the wrong filter for your grow seems a waste of time and money.

 

[LlamaSchool]

This filter is several years old, left over from someone's aborted 400w grow. I don't even use a flange because my ducting is the diameter of the filter. There seems to be some bolts on one end of the filter but I wanted to check before pulling it down from the cieling. Thanks though.

 

[PonicallyMade]

at $70 for a new one - is it really worth it?

I've tried messing with replacement carbon from the pet shop before - it was a messy disaster. I blew black dust out of my nose for weeks. It may also be a challenge getting into the can 9000 to dump old carbon - and you'll never get it packed in there like the factory does it. They bounce em until all of the carbon settles tight.

@ 350cfm though I'd look into a Can Filter 33 or Can Filter 66 versus the 118CFM Can 9000.


Peace
PM

 

[Cyber9]

Freezerboy is correct, that filter is way to light for the fan you have.. I'd even go as high as the can-fan 75... tho why anyone would buy one of these over priced filters is beyond me... my growshop charges like $350 for the can-fan 75!

Personally I'd go check out this thread :http://icmag.com/ic/showthread.php?t=31679

Heres the specs for the can-fan 9000 right off their site
Can-Filters 9000

Specifications MAX CFM:
Recirculating
(Scrubbing):
110/400 m³/h
Exhaust:
55/200 m³/h
@ 0.1 sec contact time
Prefilter: Yes (not shown)
Mounting: Bayonet or Standard
Flange: 4"/5"
Dimensions: (with pre-filter)
·Outside Diameter: 140mm/5.5"
·Height: 600mm/25"
·Total Weight: 5.5kg/12lbs.
·Carbon Weight: 3kg/6.6lbs.
Recommended Fan:
FAN Filtered Air CFM
(For Recirculating)
5" HO Can Fan 109 CFM
(For Exhaust)
4" Axial 46 CFM

As you can see it is only rated 109 CFM and your fan is 350 CFM... would be the reason its not working... relpacing the carbon ain't going to do anything my friend

 

[LlamaSchool]

Yeah I think I'm going to step up to at least a Can 33 for this setup. Now that I'm pricing out activated charcoal it doesn't make sense. I'm a little strapped for cash though, and also considering the "off-brands" like Carbonaire and others. Thoughts?

 

[Cyber9]

Yeah I think I'm going to step up to at least a Can 33 for this setup. Now that I'm pricing out activated charcoal it doesn't make sense. I'm a little strapped for cash though, and also considering the "off-brands" like Carbonaire and others. Thoughts?

My grow shop sells the can-fan brand carbon for 4 bucks a lb. You can also buy it in 10lb/20lb bags off ebay.

And the Can-33 is only rated for 210cfm again it won't work with a 350cfm fan.. if your strapped for cash, check out that link I gave you, Its build a carbon scrubber for dummies. You can build what you need for under $100 bucks.

 

[FreezerBoy]

Check Ebay for a guy named thirdmillenium. $1.99 a lb + shipping (approx $2.35 a lb delivered to your door)

 

[LlamaSchool]

So besides picking a filter based on airflow, can I (in general) judge ultimate odor neutralization capability by the total weight of carbon it contains?

 

[FreezerBoy]

The Ultimate Neutralizer? Is that like Marvin the Martin's Molecular Disintegrator? After death, it's hard to get more dead. I think as long as you deal in known brands (or DIY) it's more about longevity.

 

[Guvnor]

Im actually looking to replace the carbon in my scrubber, whats the exact name of the carbon used in scrubbers?

It looks like a simple case of me drilling out the rivets that hold the top flange on, taking out the old carbon and replacing with new- then all I have to do is re-rivet the top back on. Anyone see a problem with this? Only draw back I can see is that I may not be able to pack the carbon as well as my grow store would.

Thanks for any help
Guvnor

 

[randude101]

A bit off topic, and maybe it had been discussed, but one can re-activate activated charcoal. It is just a matter or baking it. I am sure google will help anyone that is interested in that.

 

[boroboro]

Hey Randude,
Reactivating carbon stirred my interest, so I looked it up for a few minutes. It doesn't sound very promising:

• http://www.icmag.com/ic/showthread.php?t=60437 -- A few years ago these guys were saying it takes high temperatures or extreme conditions to reactivate.
• http://www.freepatentsonline.com/3965037.html -- This guy filed a patent based on mixing carbon with HCL acid to reactivate. Why bother if it were easy?
• http://www.water.siemens.com/SiteCo...rbon/Brochures/reactivated_carbon_q_and_a.pdf -- a process of high heat and steam
• http://www.hallman.org/filter/gac.html -- high temperatures: "Reactivation requires very high heat in a controlled environment to restore the sorption sites"

Damn ... now I'll have to buy replacement carbon. Any opinions on appropriate sources for replacement carbon? I'm sure I'll here 'Ebay', but I like to keep purchases local and anonymous. Would stuff from a pet store be acceptable?

 

[randude101]

Hey Randude,
Reactivating carbon stirred my interest, so I looked it up for a few minutes. It doesn't sound very promising:

• http://www.icmag.com/ic/showthread.php?t=60437 -- A few years ago these guys were saying it takes high temperatures or extreme conditions to reactivate.
• http://www.freepatentsonline.com/3965037.html -- This guy filed a patent based on mixing carbon with HCL acid to reactivate. Why bother if it were easy?
• http://www.water.siemens.com/SiteCo...rbon/Brochures/reactivated_carbon_q_and_a.pdf -- a process of high heat and steam
• http://www.hallman.org/filter/gac.html -- high temperatures: "Reactivation requires very high heat in a controlled environment to restore the sorption sites"

Damn ... now I'll have to buy replacement carbon. Any opinions on appropriate sources for replacement carbon? I'm sure I'll here 'Ebay', but I like to keep purchases local and anonymous. Would stuff from a pet store be acceptable?

Boroboro, my friend. My first answer would be Yes, pet store carbon would work, but after you posted all of those links I don't know anything about it anymore.

Myself, I use an ozone generator that I built myself. Cost about $20

 

[FreezerBoy]

The buzz word is activated whether carbon or charcoal. Avoid powder. If pellets are all you can find, they'll do but granules is what we want. The greater surface area means greater adsorption. Again, check Ebay for thirdmillenium. $1.99 a lb instead of $4.99 at the fish store. Reactivating takes temps in the range of 1500ºF though your standard oven may buy you some time in an emergency.

 

[Guvnor]

Thank you FreezerBoy

I can get my hands on 1 kilo of activated carbon granules for £8, which seems like a good price. I have a 8inch scrubber which is just under 3ft and was wondering how much carbon it would take to refill? I'd think 3kg would be more than enough.