Do carbon filters remove odor? 420 Guide 2020 Updated

Growing weed at home can be a smelly business. Although cannabis buds smell delightful, such skunky terpenes can also give your hobby away to nosey neighbours. Learn how to use carbon filters to remove suspicious smells from the air and keep you grow private. Then, follow our step-by-step guide to learn how to make your own carbon filter for grow tent at home. 

A carbon filter has the primary function of removing impurities in the external environment, which is vital when it comes to odor management. It can exist in various forms, such as a carbon block water filter. Those that are mentioned in this post, on the other hand, exists in the form of carbon air filters.

When you are growing indoor plants, including cannabis, you will use fertilizers, nutrients, and pesticides, among other things. While it can indeed bring some benefits, it can also lead to a foul odor. The unpleasant smell can be strong and can reach even outside the grow tent. This is the reason why you need to invest in the best carbon filter for grow tent.

More than odor management, a carbon filter will help in the elimination of compounds that can cause diseases in plants. Through the ventilation that it provides, air-borne pathogens can be kept out of the grow room, promoting the best state of health of your plants.

Carbon filters can exist in two main forms. The first one is solely a carbon filter. The second one is more versatile – a carbon filter fan combo. In the case of the latter, the carbon filter can also function as an inline and exhaust fan.

Often in a cylindrical form, a carbon filter makes use of active carbon or simply a carbon that has been oxygen-treated. It is equipped with a highly-porous charcoal where air would pass through. As it passes through, the odor is also trapped, and hence, there is no foul smell that could escape. This is important when growing cannabis in a discrete manner.

Carbon filters use the principle of adsorption—the adhesion of molecules to a surface—to scrub the terpene-rich air found in grow tents. Because activated carbon possesses a greatly enhanced surface, it serves as the perfect substance for the job. To put things into perspective, a single gram of active carbon features a surface area of 3,000m²!

To ensure terpenes pass through the filter, growers need to create a vacuum in the grow space. Exhaust fans that match the requirements of the carbon filter in use will drag air through the device and out of the grow tent. Adequate suction will force all of the terpene-rich air through the filter, preventing any from leaking out of the sides of the grow tent.

As the smelly air passes through the filter at the correct speed, the active carbon will capture airborne terpenes while allowing other molecules to pass through, preventing the obvious smell of cannabis from seeping out of the grow tent. By attaching ducting to the external outlet of the exhaust fan, growers can direct odourless air out of the nearest window or ventilation shaft.

When selecting a carbon filter, you should consider various factors. We summed these factors up for you.

The number of carbon matters  

Activated carbon adsorbs to its surface. Hence when fully adsorbed, the capability to be useful is depleted. Also, the amounts of pollutants being adsorbed, a small amount of carbon can be consumed within weeks making the filter useless. Therefore, the number of odor produced will influence the amount of carbon in the filter one can purchase.

The thickness of carbon matters 

The more contact time carbon has with a pollutant, the better chances there are for the odor to be adsorbed. Also, the thicker the carbon filter the better the adsorption. 

Thin carbon filters that are used in low-priced air filters are not the most effective in removing chemical fumes or odors.

Coconut shell activated carbon 

This activated carbon’s hardness makes the filters cleaner than other filters. This gives these filters a longer life expectancy. They are further divided into three groups depending on their general sizes, which include Micro-pores, Meso-pores, and Macro-pores.

Pre-filter

The pre-filter is used to reduce particles like dust from getting into the air filter. The pre-filter not only improves the lifespan of the filter but also helps in keeping the inline equipment or fan in check.  

Portability 

The portability of the filter refers to how quickly the filter can be moved. In the purchase of the carbon filters, filters that are compact tend to produce lesser noise and vibrations. They tend to be more efficient in their works as well. 

Durability 

This refers to the longevity of the filter. Most people would opt for the cheaper option without remembering the infamous saying that cheap is expensive. 

In this case, going for a more expensive filter will be a better choice due to its (often) higher quality. The expensive filters tend to last longer and have low maintenance compared to their cheaper counterparts.

ECO Farm Carbon Filter

• Aluminum tops and bases for reduced weight. Half the weight of other filters.
• 46mm (1.8") RC-48 activated, certified virgin carbon bed.
• Machine packed carbon means more carbon and less movement.
• Cone shaped internal base for optimum air flow.
• Sealed, bagged, boxed and labeled directly after being manufactured for optimum life span, handling and presentation.
• 51% open air custom mesh.
• Unique "Anti Air Bypass" System.
• Large selection of sizes available to fit any application.
• Flange & pre-filter included.

VIVOSUN 4 Inch Carbon Filter

• SUPERIOR CARBON QUALITY: Made of imported Virgin Australian activated charcoal, delivering 100% filtered airflow. 1050+ RC 48 carbon captures three times more air contaminants than average due to optimal surface area per carbon particle.
• ELIMINATES ODOR AND CHEMICAL IRRITANTS: Protects from chemical irritants and eliminates odors- from pungent indoor grow operations to bathrooms, basements and kitchens. Absorbs odors from pets and smoking as well.
• EFFECTIVE ODOR CONTROL: Eliminate some of the most undesirable odors, pungent smell and particulates from indoor grow tent, hydroponics grow room.
• VERSATILE APPLICATIONS: Item can be used as intake or exhaust filter in a variety of setups including use with 4 inch inline fan and duct fans, intake and exhaust fans, air exchange fans, ventilation ducts, and other accessories.
• PACKAGE INCLUDES: Carbon Filter; Changeable Velcro Pre-filter; Carbon Filter Belts. Dimensions: 4'' x 14''

Grow rooms need good grow tent ventilation to keep cool, fresh air coming in and warm, moist "used" air going out. But indoor growing can produce unwanted and even potentially toxic odors and contaminants from soils, fertilizers and the plants themselves. Since the exhaust air often flows into an adjacent indoor area, adding activated carbon filters to your airflow system is the best way to control odors and contaminants. Hope you can choose a carbon filter for ideal odor control to clean your air while maintaining efficient airflow.

Although not necessary to grow big buds indoors, a carbon filter inside a grow tent is always a good thing to have. Not just for the smell but also for your plant’s health. Air circulation inside a tent is a must for healthy buds hands down.

A carbon filter is a perfect add on to venting systems because they do what they are supposed to do.

Eliminate the strong smell of cannabis during the budding stage. I typically will add the carbon filter as I make the switch from veg to flowering as this is when smells with a certain strength begin to form.