Odor control devices (Ionizers, Ozonizers, etc)

[Asmodeus]

Hello, I'm a total n00b trying to plan in advance his first grow so everything goes smooth.
So the first problem is, stealth.
I would like to know if there is any kind of low/no noise odour control device, that works and that has been used with success by someone here.
I know that most just use carbon filters, but they cost a lot and require a powerful and noisy fan.
Which is not an option for me.

I'm planning to grow in a small closet, about 55x105x125 (about 2x3x4 feet), using CFLs as they emit very little heat.
I heard ozonizers will destroy any smell and bacteria, but can also be harmful to humans, and one can easily smell ozone, so not really sure on that option.
Do ionizers work? Has anybody used/tried a powerful model, what were the results?

Ultimately, is there any way of suppressing smells that doesn't involve lots of noise?
Thanks in advance.

 

[alien12]

I have used ozone generators with good results but someone who knows what ozone smells like will have a good idea of what your up to. Also ozone generators can be quite pricey and they do tend to put out less ozone over time as the plates get oxidised. Invest in a systemair inline fan with filter they are quiet, mine sounds as loud as an average air conditioner (I can sleep in the same room with no problems). Or get youself a low odour variety. Theres a thread running about low odour plants. https://www.icmag.com/ic/showthread.php?t=107363

 

[Asmodeus]

Yes, as I feared ozonizers are out of the question.
Anybody ever tried ionizers?

 

[David762]

There are options, but few are really inexpensive.

There are options, but few are really inexpensive.

Ozone generators do work, with the best (CD) being effective, long lasting (durable) and pricy. They will require a fan, as well as a ductwork mixing chamber for exhaust from your grow-op.

Activated charcoal air filters can be effective, sometimes for a year or more, and not cheap for their expected lifetime. An oversized AC filter in conjunction with a speed-controlled fan could easily control the odor -- but when it does stop being effective, it becomes an emergency to control immediately.

Ona and Ona Pro Gel can be quite good at masking odor, last a relatively long time, and are cost-effective. I would buy the 1 Gallon bucket of gel, place it inside a larger bucket that has a sealable top, with the Ona fan inside. A sealed O-ring could be used for the fan power cord, and a somewhat smaller hole cut into the large lid (2 - 3" diameter) for the air to exit. Smaller 1/2" holes can be drilled in the larger bucket near the bottom for the air intake. When not in use (between crops?) the fan can be removed, and the Ona Pro bucket lid reinstalled to preserve the remaining gel.

All of the above require the use of duct-work and | or a fan, and can be noisy, even with a fan speed control module.

The cheapest odor control method is to initially pick a strain that doesn't have a lot of odor to begin with.

That said, I have never tried an ionizer for such a purpose -- odor control is quite a bit different from controlling smoke, as in a smoker's den. I cannot see where such a device would be effective for odor control, without being large enough to be quite expensive.

For your intended grow-op area, I would recommend an Ona Pro gel bucket, along with either their (Ona) fan or smaller equivalent, along with a timer and fan speed control module. You will not need to run the fan all the time, maybe 5 minutes ON and 25 minutes OFF, with the speed control set to perhaps 1/2 speed -- adjusting these factors to control the odor without wasting resources.

Yes, as I feared ozonizers are out of the question.
Anybody ever tried ionizers?

 

[BadRabbit]

Hello, I'm a total n00b trying to plan in advance his first grow so everything goes smooth.
So the first problem is, stealth.
I would like to know if there is any kind of low/no noise odour control device, that works and that has been used with success by someone here.
I know that most just use carbon filters, but they cost a lot and require a powerful and noisy fan.
Which is not an option for me.

I'm planning to grow in a small closet, about 55x105x125 (about 2x3x4 feet), using CFLs as they emit very little heat.
I heard ozonizers will destroy any smell and bacteria, but can also be harmful to humans, and one can easily smell ozone, so not really sure on that option.
Do ionizers work? Has anybody used/tried a powerful model, what were the results?

Ultimately, is there any way of suppressing smells that doesn't involve lots of noise?
Thanks in advance.

Ozone generators help, but prepare yourself for the reality -- Stinky blooming pot is pretty much impossible to cover/mask in a house or apt without either major ventilation to outside or chimney and/or major carbon filter application (and even that's not always 100%).

And the thing is, anyone who knows the smell, and you'd be shocked how many know exactly what it smells like, will easily sense the presence of a blooming pot plant ...

Recommend simply factoring that reality in as part of your plan ... or reconsidering the plan!

best,
rabbit

 

[Asmodeus]

Ok, I get that Ionizers and Ozonizers are not good enough for one reason or another.
But carbon scrubbers just cost a lot and are meant for use with high power fans, which make waaaay too much noise.

So I need to build a scrubber that will have less airflow resistance and will let me use quieter fans.

This created a new problem for me, I can't find activated carbon that's meant for air filters in reasonable (less than 25kgs/55lbs!) sizes in my country (I'm European), even looking around the rest of Europe isn't easy, everybody sells activated carbon for aquariums, but I guess the particle size will be different?
What size and shape do I need?
Any European here can recommend a good source?

 

[alien12]

you could try the carbon sheets that are designed to go in cooker hood filters.

 

[big ballin 88]

I use a charcoal filter in my 1.5 x 1.5 x 4ft tent. Its much better than my ozone generator for keeping odor down constantly. The ozone generator is much better for smoking in the house and needing to get rid of the smell in a couple of minutes. Besides that i'd prefer a carbon filter with low noise fan. Even with people in my room they cant hear my fan.

My ballasts are a different story when it comes to noise...

 

[Asmodeus]

Ok, I've been reading up a bit on Ona products, is there someone here that has used them that is not a smoker?
Or at least has had non smoking guests close to the grow room that didn't notice the smell?
They claim that their product does not mask but literally destroys the smells, is it true?
Cause if it is yet another fancy deodorant, it's not what I'm looking for.
Of course I will try to use low odour strains, but I would like to have something helping out the carbon scrubber.

 

[stonedar]

if you want something to finish what a scrubber started ona isn't a bad choice. you need to place it high in the room and ideally have some air flow across the top of the container. no it still won't get rid of the stray odor but it will get rid of 99%. it uses essential oils to chemically change the odors.
a better solution is a Vaportek, it also uses essential oils but will save you some money over the long run and the built in fan makes it more effective. I prefer the neutral scent. vaportek.com $179-ish unit is the one you want

neither one is cheap, ona pro gallons cost $28-44 depending where you buy/how many you buy and last me about 40 days. I put it a few feet away from my tents exhaust, but in air flow.

I use a 6 inch phresh filter in my flowering tent with an ona pro gallon sitting in the exhaust air flow as i said above and a vaportek downstairs in the living area. Neither my sister who doesn't smoke nor my mother-in-law has ever mentioned it (pot grow odor) to me or my wife. It's still not 100% cause I get a wif at the top of my stairs sometimes.