CO2 Help Please

[RockinRobot]

I am going to start running CO2. I can not afford a full fledged controller with ppm sensor yet but I did get a Solenoid activated regulator that I plan to run on a timer.

What Flow rate do I want to put out from the regulator? Plan to run for like 15 min every few hours during lights on.

I will get a full blown controller as soon as I can afford it but for now this is what I can do. Any help will be appreciated.

 

[Granger2]

You are running sealed, right? Can't help you much without knowing dimensions of grow area, tent? or what? -granger
https://www.hydrofarm.com/resources/co2calc.php
http://growershouse.com/co2-calculator-for-grow-rooms

 

[RockinRobot]

Well the grow area is in a room 10'x15' with 10' ceilings

 

[Granger2]

You're running a sealed room? If not, forget CO2. Use the calculators. -granger

 

[RockinRobot]

yes I am in a sealed room.

 

[eighty9concentr]

When i first started growing before i got a atlas co2 controller i use to set my burner on a timer for 15min on every 2hrs while the lights were on. Im not sure what the ppm actually were but the plants did great and didn't seem to mind. I learned that method from my friend who set me up with the room years ago and taught me how to grow

 

[eighty9concentr]

oh and by the way it was a 12'x20' room with 10' ceilings

 

[RockinRobot]

I was planning 45 min starting right before lights on then 15 min every 2 hours thereafter but I need an idea of how much flow rate to put out. My Regulator can be adjusted from .5cf/min to 14cf/min. For right now the line will be attached directly to an oscillating fan that blows across the canopy.

To give a better idea of my grow. My garage was divided off into a 10x15 storage room. Inside I built a 4'x3' wood frame to put up reflective film around for my grow area. The actual grow area is not sealed. The entire room is sealed so I have to plan to raise the ppm of the entire room for now. I am hoping that by having the fan blowing the CO2 directly across the plants that I can get away with a lower overall concentration in the room.

 

[eighty9concentr]

I didn't have an adjustable regulator on my system so I'm not sure. I just had a line that screwed on to the propane bottle, and then into the burner. I bought i 100 pound propane tank on amazon that takes around 23 gallons of propane. Well worth the investment instead of refilling a regular bbq tank all the time. It was only $135 shipping included

 

[RockinRobot]

ahh you were using a burner. I am using compressed CO2 from a tank with solenoid activated regulator.

 

[RockinRobot]

Wow No one has any Idea on a good flow rate for CO2?

Well broke down and ordered an Atlas 7 Controller. Should be here next week. Even with it I still need an idea on a how high to set the flow rate.

 

[Granger2]

I sent you links to 2 different CO2 calculators. What you want me to calculate it for you? -granger

 

[RockinRobot]

Didn't realize what those links were. So many people have links to grows in sigs I usually just ignore them

Thank you they help immensely

 

[Matt8800]

I think the only right way is to get a sensor. I would not want to work in an area that had extra CO2 but didn't know for a fact it was below toxic levels to humans. Just my opinion.

 

[Granger2]

I originally used the calculators. I calculated it back and forth. Then I calculated how long a tank should last. The tanks last pretty close to what I calculated. I am confident about there not being toxic levels. Since then I bought one of these:
https://www.monstergardens.com/Clim...tors/Autopilot-Desktop-CO2-Monitor-auto-pilot
It checks out. Good luck. -granger