Topic: Odor Control
Been thinking really strong about this subject for some time. I'm going to start with what I will call a DIY ONA/Carbon Scrubber - but I do NOT know yet how this will work. I will test it and will always remain open to changing or adding to what I'm doing as needed. If I need to buy a couple carbon scrubbers - I WILL.
I ran across a DIY odor control bucket at another website and numerous responses from those who have tried it. Many said that is all they used and it worked wonderfully, while others said they tried it and it didn't work for them.
I have taken the main concept of how this is done from that information and then added to it. Their DIY project uses ONA as the odor control, I am attempting to alter it to add carbon filtration also.
DIY ONA/CARBON SCRUBBER
Supplies
1 5-gallon bucket with lid.
1 9" round fan (that allows operation with detachment of stands or legs)
Activated Carbon Filter
Activated Carbon
1 (?or 2?) round wire wreath rings (or whatever you have that would work!)
Tools to remove extra/outer fan parts
Tools to drill holes in bucket and to cut lid of bucket
Possibly supplies to mark bucket for where holes go
NOT PICTURED BELOW
Liquid ONA (odor neutralizing agent)
Soil Moist
Water
Here is an image of the basic "bucket" supplies that I used, some because they would work and I had them on hand (image does not include Soil Moist or ONA)
Below, I marked the bucket for where to create ventilation holes. I left room at the bottom of the bucket to hold the water, liquid ONA and Soil Moist mixture (when complete), and room above the ventilation hole area so I can fit a carbon filter. I may need to create more holes, but did test with carbon filter and fan and seemed to be drawing air in nicely.
The guys here would have laughed at how I did the holes. Hubby has all his tools in his work trailor, so I had no drill (did have the right bits tho), so I used a heat pen I have for crafting and burnt them! Didn't even smell too bad. Whatever it takes sometimes!
Next I removed the stand from the 9" round fan and cut the lid so the fan will fit in it. The fan will be faced out so that it is pulling air into the bucket via the holes in the bucket and blowing the clean air out into the room.
Now, I don't know if it will work or not - I may need to tweak this along the way.... but I thought I could maybe add a carbon filter that may help even further with this DIY odor control bucket.
I dug out some wreath rings (granny has done a lot of crafting)...
and cut the outer-most ring so I could fit it snugly inside the bucket. I then cut a peice of carbon filter and wrapped it to the wreath ring (below)
Below, I filled the carbon filter with 9 oz of activated charcoal (but may add more to this as I test it) and inserted it snugly into the bucket.
I have a second wreath wrapped with carbon filter that I have the option of inserting above the layer shown above - I will be testing the ventilation if I use it. I did test a different type of carbon air filter for furnaces - but the air could not move thru as well.
Anyways, when it is all put together, it looks like this...
Then, the bottom mixture (I am waiting on delivery of ONA I purchased online) as recommended is:
Put 9 cups water in the bucket. Add about 1 cup of liquid ONA and stir to mix. Add 1 to 2 cups Soil Moist, making sure all liquid is absorbed and remembering that Soil Moist expands 50 times (so add and allow to absorb before adding more).
The Soil Moist is reusable after it dries out. Info said this lasts approximately 3 to 4 weeks. When dry, you mix more water and ONA and add to the current Soil Moist. I purchased Soil Moist at our local garden center. Just an interesting tidbit: Soil Moist is also used in cooling kerchiefs worn by bikers. The soil moist is sown into a kerchief. Get them wet, wrap them around yer neck, and they hold in the cool water and cool you while ya ride. They work pretty nicely.
I purchased liquid ONA, gel ONA, and a new ONA "Pro" spray that is supposed to be as close to "oderless" as you can get. I am going to set up a couple of these DIY buckets and try the spray (didn't have that flavor yet in liquid) in one of them. Will see what differences there are when I test.
Anyways...
I don't know IF or HOW this little project will work and will update as time goes on and the real test of MJ fragrance comes. The reviews from just the basic ONA (NO carbon filtration added) setup were mixed but numerous bud growers swore this worked wonderful for them and that they didn't need a carbon scrubber.
Of course, I am completely aware that I am attempting a very large grow and the stink thus increases. I will purchase a carbon scrubber immediately if I feel I am not controlling the odor.
But I also have other thoughts about odor control in my environment. If temps and humidity are not too high in the room (don't feel that will be a problem), I may try a small fan venting up into our upper attic area to help the room air to rise up out of the room.
As is, I do have the room air venting out thru the 1000w light straight to a roof vent (and will have a second 1000w doing the same thing when plant sizes require the second light). The first seems to remove smells quickly. When I burned (melted plastic odor) the holes in the plastic bucket, the air moved quickly out of the room, didn't even bother me, and I couldn't smell it downstairs. I thought this was a good sign that the room air is exiting nicely.
Have one more to post (and then payroll and bookwork to do!)... but off for a 420 break with our middle son first.
