Make Adding CO2 to your Grow Tent Easy!

Inside a hydroponic grow tent is a perfect little world for plants. The grower hopefully has created a space where the plants have just the right amount of light, heat, nutrients, and water. And it may be possible to make it even better by adding CO2 to your grow tent. 

 

If plants are struggling, it’s not from a lack of CO2. In fact, plants already should be super healthy before investing in a CO2 system. And the grower must already be an expert on lighting, watering, nutrients, cleanliness, and air exchange, and the grow tent should reflect that. CO2 will not fix existing problems. It’s an additive, not a cure. 

 

Normal CO2 levels in the outside atmosphere are about 400ppm, and increasing yearly. But how much more CO2 will be beneficial to plants? A good target to try for is 1200-2000ppm. At 3000ppm it becomes dangerous for people to breathe in the tent, and 5000ppm could be deadly. 

 

There are a few ways to add CO2 to a grow tent. 

 

A CO2  generator burns natural gas, kerosene or propane to produce carbon dioxide. It also produces heat and moisture during the process. This will not work in a small grow tent. Burning one pound of fuel creates 21,800 BTUs of heat and 1.5 pounds of water. It’s only recommended for rooms bigger than 500 cu feet. Also, if it’s not properly adjusted, a generator can actually produce toxic carbon monoxide. 

 

Compressed CO2 is CO2 that has been collected, compressed and put into a tank by a manufacturer. A regulator controls how much CO2 is dispensed. Tanks can be bought and refilled. 

 

A CO2 Bag is a bag of organic matter that comes with a strain of mycelium. As the mushroom grows, it eats the substrate and produces carbon dioxide. The bag should be hung above the plants. It lasts about six months. 

 

 

When using carbon dioxide enrichment, there must be good air circulation. CO2 is heavy and will sink, so it needs to be released above the plants. It is essential to set up your system with a monitor and controller so the system automatically comes on or shuts off depending on the CO2 level in the tent. CO2 should not be run when the lights are off. 

 

There are downsides to adding CO2 to a grow tent. First of all, it’s expensive.You should be certain you will get enough produce to justify the cost. Second, it can be dangerous. You must carefully monitor the CO2 levels at all times, especially when using a generator. Finally, you must increase the light output when using supplemental CO2.

 

Adding CO2  to a grow tent can be a great idea if it’s the right system, it’s carefully monitored, and the plants are high value.

 

For more great content check out the Proponics YouTube channel below!

 

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