How Long Does Carbon Filter Last

If you own a grow tent, you know that it is imperative to clean the air coming from the growing area. With a good fan, you can push the chemical smells and different odors from your tent. 

In any case, assuming you need to release perfect and odorless air from your grow room, you also know the importance of a carbon filter. The carbon filter is usually appended to the ducting system or in an inline fan. 

It cleans your air. You will not see any odor coming from your grow room.

Tragically, carbon filters do not last forever. They get saturated after a point in time. Moreover, when they are saturated, you will smell all smells coming from your grow tent. 

Along these lines, after some time, you need to replace your carbon filter. This is something you should know even before you set up a grow room. 

That being said, you should put a carbon filter in the list of grow room activities. 

In this article, we will talk about how regularly you need to replace your carbon filter in a grow room. We will also be discussing a few basics about Carbon Filters. 

Let’s hop right onto it!

What is a Carbon Filter?

A carbon filter is a part of the air exhaust system in a detached space (grow tent, grow room, nursery, and so on). They contain beds of activated carbon (charcoal) with huge loads of pores inside. 

At the point when the quality of a grow room or nursery is vented through a carbon filter, it traps the smell, pollens, spores, dust, and other airborne substances. 

Also, your grow space stays liberated from awful smells, destructive chemical compounds, and unfortunate contaminants.

What are the benefits of Carbon Filters?

Well, a few of the benefits of carbon filters are explained in brief below.

Odor Management 

For a grower, probably the hardest job is to fend the awful smell off, especially when you do not want your neighbors to know about this ‘pastime’ of yours. 

Luckily, a carbon filter can trap every one of the smelly particles from the air. To get that going, you have to deploy exhaust fan(s) to draw air and take that air through the filter before releasing them outside. 

Taking Impurities Out 

Aside from the right temperature, humidity, and nutrients, grow plants also need clean, outdoor air. Contaminations like airborne bacterias can cause diseases in plants and ruin the entire grow yield. 

Also, activated carbon has the capacity to scour such impurities out of the air. 

To allow your plants to inhale properly, you have to set up a ventilation system where the entirety of the air is regularly taken through the carbon filter.

Speedy and Easy to Setup 

Another benefit of carbon filters is that they are very easy to install. On the off chance that you consider getting a carbon filter-fan combo, it needs to be put on the ideal spot. You need to simply set it up at the right height and attach it with ducting using clasps.

Reduces Your Expenses

There are numerous systems for air filtration. Moreover, some of them may cost you a fortune. In any case, grow room air carbon filters are the most un-expensive ones that cost less and work effectively.

As growing indoors is a force-hungry business, a good carbon filter can keep the power bill down.

How to Know the Time To Change The Filter?

Clearly, when your carbon filter will be messed up, it will not have the ability to trap the smelly particles any longer. So the smells will come out and let everybody know about this ‘side interest’ of yours. 

Be that as it may, imagine a scenario where your nose can not sense the second when it occurs. You know, the olfactory receptors of yours are really used to the smell. So, it might not perceive its unexpected presence. 

All in all, is there some other way to know how often to change the carbon filter in a grow tent? 

Of course, there are! In fact, there are two ways to do so.

Smell the Active Carbon

Smelling is the best way you will have for your carbon filter. Smell whether the active carbon is working or not. Compare its smell with that of unused activated carbon. 

This needs to be done after every 3-4 months of establishment. 

The moment you do not detect the smell of new carbon from your filter, it is time to supplant it. It is an indication that the active carbon is completely saturated and it can not be used any longer.

Smell the Air Coming Through Your Carbon Filter

One thing that will tell you that your carbon filter needs to be replaced is a terrible odor getting through the filter. 

The sole reason for the filter is to clean the air from your grow room before it is released into the environment. Also, assuming the filter stops playing out this purpose, replace it with another effective filter. 

Along these lines, over time, focus on the smell of the air getting through the filter. Compare it, and the smell inside your grow room. If these two smells are something very similar, it is time to replace the carbon filter. 

The air coming from your filter needs to be fresh and odorless. On the off chance that you had used a few chemical substances in your grow room and you can smell the marijuana, it implies the filter is not working. 

Now, supplant the filter.

Factors that Determine the Frequency of Changing Carbon Filters on Your Grow Tent

As we stated earlier, the carbon filters will require a replacement relying upon their use. It is the main factor that will decide how frequently you need to replace them. 

Notwithstanding, different components will decide how often you will have to replace the filters. Coming up next are the key factors you need to consider.

The Type of Carbon Filter 

There are two kinds of carbon filters – reversible and irreversible. The reversible filters are inline, while the irreversible filters have an impasse. 

Reversible filters can be easily flipped or turned. You can very well interchange the exhaust and intake opening. The flipping will give you an additional month of air cleaning. 

The very same thing is not possible on the irreversible filters. When the carbon bed is saturated, it is all done. 

Along these lines, the kind of carbon filter you have in your grow room decides the time your filter will serve you.

Humidity Level in Your Grow Room

The amount of humidity in your grow room decides the adequacy of your carbon filter. In the event that the overall humidity of your grow room goes past 85 percent, the activated carbon stops working. 

Along these lines, to give your filter more time, keep your grow room climate dry. Make sure that the humidity is below 70 percent. 

You can consider using a dehumidifier. It will direct the humidity in your grow room.

Your Plants

The plant you have in your grow room is the main thing that will decide the life expectancy of your air carbon filter. A few plants are more sweet-smelling than others. They push all the smelly chemical substances to the filter. 

Subsequently, such plants soak your carbon filter quicker as compared to less fragrant plants. 

It implies that if your plants are sweet-smelling, you should replace the carbon filter all the more frequently.

Sort of Carbon Particles

The nature of carbon you have will also decide the life expectancy of your carbon filter. 

Significantly, there are two distinct sorts of carbons used on filters. They are either granulated or palletized carbons. 

In case you are browsing for a filter with a longer life expectancy, take granulated carbons into consideration. They have a longer life because of their increased surface area per gram. 

Palletized carbons have a uniform molded molecule. They have a smaller surface region. It is also the reason why they do not have a longer life.

The Density of the Carbon Used 

Carbons have different densities. There are carbons with a density of 50 to 60 grams for every cubic centimeter. Different carbons have a density of 30 to 40 grams for every cubic centimeter. 

Dense carbons have pores that do not make the particles spacious. Accordingly, they cause untimely obstructing. They decrease the life expectancy of the carbons. 

Then again, less dense carbons have much wider pores. Accordingly, they permit more air into their pores. Accordingly, they last more. 

Thus, if your filter has dense carbons, it will last for a shorter period of time. And vice-versa.

What are a few things you must keep in mind before getting your hands on a carbon filter?

Material: Choose material that will give your filter strength. Aluminum and stainless steel materials are worth considering. 

Warranty: If a maker gives you a warranty, the filter will give you significant serenity. It is also one more method of recognizing a superior and good quality filter. No manufacturer will give you a guarantee if they realize their product will break down quickly. 

Cost: Don’t simply buy a filter that is cheap. Go for a filter that will give you an incentive for your money. It needs to be strong and have great execution. Find harmony between cash and performance. 

Size: As we mentioned earlier, the size of your filter needs to be similar to the size of your exhaust pipe. Its CFM needs to be somewhat similar to the CFM of your grow room fan.

The Best Carbon Filter for Grow Room Replacement

When your carbon filter gets exhausted, you need to replace it with another one. In particular, you need to purchase a filter that will serve you better and more. 

Fortunately, these filters are promptly accessible on the internet. Here are a few of our favorites!

TerraBloom 6-inch Carbon Filter

This filter comes with an RC-48 charcoal carbon. This quality is only found in Western Australia – perhaps the best charcoal you will ever find.

With its length of 6 inches and 46mm thickness, the carbon filter offers better execution as compared to other filters. It has 15 percent more carbon in it. It is because filters that are commonly found in the market are 38mm.

Moreover, if the quality is an issue, this filter comes with a three-month guarantee.

Key Features of the TerraBloom 6-inch Carbon Filter:

• A great performance as it has 15 percent more carbon
• Long-lasting 
• 90 days guarantee

iPower 4-inch Air Carbon Filter 

This is an amazing 4-inch spine ducting filter with a 12-inch length. It has a wind flow of 200 CFM. 

One thing you will love about this carbon air filter is the 1050+ IAV charcoal. It will give you prevalent performance that you will not find in a lot of different filters you will find on the lookout. 

For durability, it accompanies a reversible flange. 

As per the details provided by the manufacturer, the filter has a life expectancy of 2 years. 

Key Features of the iPower 4-inch Air Carbon Filter:

• 200 CFM
• Reversible flange for sturdiness 
• Can serve you for as long as two years

Which is the Best Among the Two Filters? 

Both. In any case, you surely won’t be buying the two of them at once. These are prevalent filters that will give you sturdiness and unrivaled execution. 

When replacing your filter, consider their size and compare them and your exhaust pipe. If your grow room exhaust pipe is four inches, get the iPower 4-inch Air Carbon Filter. Notwithstanding, if your exhaust pipe is 6 Inches, get the TerraBloom 6-inch Carbon Filter. 

It is the main factor that you need to think about when choosing your filter.

With this, we have come to an end of our guide. We hope this helps you out in the best way possible.