Strong smell despite tent size, filter and exhaust fan

[GreenZone]

Hey All,

I’m going to start by saying I’m fresh at this process and I could easily be doing something wrong.

I can’t for the life of me get the smell under control during flowering.

my setup consists of:
AC Infinity 4” exhaust fan
2x2.5x6 Gorilla grow tent
Spider Farmer SF-1000 grow light

I can visibly see the negative pressure being made from the exhaust fan pull air through the filter and out the tent through the ducting. The exhaust fan is directly connected to the filter and I’ve got it wrapped in metal duct tape and the ducting hose is running straight from the outtake end of the fan to the port on the side of the tent with no angles or bends to optimize CFM. I’ve got passive intact occurring that I can feel if I put my hand next to the vent and I’ve provided proper airflow in the room so it’s constantly being vented with open windows and a big fan that’s pushing air through the room.

with all that being said, my wife is going to kill me if I don’t get the smell under control and I wouldn’t blame her. Any thoughts or suggestions?

 

[IamN2pot]

Since you have negitive pressure in the tent and your exaust is forced through your carbon filter, you do have a carbon filter?, the problem has to be a flakey filter. A GOOD active charcoal carbon filter will kill your smell (I have the same wife problem ). Also, is the exaust fan running 24/7? If not, that could be your problem.
Hope that helps,
N2

 

[SweetLeafGrow]

You might want to post pics of your setup.

I am not an expert by any means, but I wonder if your fan/filter is not big enough for the job. I run an 8" fan/filter and vent it outside the tent as you are doing and I also open up of the lower vents on the tent to make sure there is plenty of fresh air supply for the fan. My set up takes care of all the smell, which I actually like the aroma of Cannabis....but I get it. My wife isn't too enthusiastic about the smell either.

 

[Maxwax]

Tell her to split, shes done, roll a fatty enjoy the smell and the peace and quiet. Thank me later.

 

[freezeland2]

Hey All,

I’m going to start by saying I’m fresh at this process and I could easily be doing something wrong.

I can’t for the life of me get the smell under control during flowering.

my setup consists of:
AC Infinity 4” exhaust fan
2x2.5x6 Gorilla grow tent
Spider Farmer SF-1000 grow light

I can visibly see the negative pressure being made from the exhaust fan pull air through the filter and out the tent through the ducting. The exhaust fan is directly connected to the filter and I’ve got it wrapped in metal duct tape and the ducting hose is running straight from the outtake end of the fan to the port on the side of the tent with no angles or bends to optimize CFM. I’ve got passive intact occurring that I can feel if I put my hand next to the vent and I’ve provided proper airflow in the room so it’s constantly being vented with open windows and a big fan that’s pushing air through the room.

with all that being said, my wife is going to kill me if I don’t get the smell under control and I wouldn’t blame her. Any thoughts or suggestions?

Exhausting to the outside?

 

[GreenZone]

Since you have negitive pressure in the tent and your exaust is forced through your carbon filter, you do have a carbon filter?, the problem has to be a flakey filter. A GOOD active charcoal carbon filter will kill your smell (I have the same wife problem ). Also, is the exaust fan running 24/7? If not, that could be your problem.
Hope that helps,
N2

So I’m thinking that’s gotta be it then because my fan is running 24/7. And yeah I’ve got the AC Infinity 4” charcoal filter. What type of setup do you have? Do you ever have issues with smell?

 

[SofaKingHigh]

Hey All,

I’m going to start by saying I’m fresh at this process and I could easily be doing something wrong.

I can’t for the life of me get the smell under control during flowering.

my setup consists of:
AC Infinity 4” exhaust fan
2x2.5x6 Gorilla grow tent
Spider Farmer SF-1000 grow light

I can visibly see the negative pressure being made from the exhaust fan pull air through the filter and out the tent through the ducting. The exhaust fan is directly connected to the filter and I’ve got it wrapped in metal duct tape and the ducting hose is running straight from the outtake end of the fan to the port on the side of the tent with no angles or bends to optimize CFM. I’ve got passive intact occurring that I can feel if I put my hand next to the vent and I’ve provided proper airflow in the room so it’s constantly being vented with open windows and a big fan that’s pushing air through the room.

with all that being said, my wife is going to kill me if I don’t get the smell under control and I wouldn’t blame her. Any thoughts or suggestions?

Pictures will definitely help. You can also try and take the carbon filter off and shake it and see if that helps. If not I would try a better charcoal filter.

 

[freezeland2]

Pictures will definitely help. You can also try and take the carbon filter off and shake it and see if that helps. If not I would try a better charcoal filter.

Bigger exhaust too, like 6” instead of 4”

 

[GreenZone]

You might want to post pics of your setup.

I am not an expert by any means, but I wonder if your fan/filter is not big enough for the job. I run an 8" fan/filter and vent it outside the tent as you are doing and I also open up of the lower vents on the tent to make sure there is plenty of fresh air supply for the fan. My set up takes care of all the smell, which I actually like the aroma of Cannabis....but I get it. My wife isn't too enthusiastic about the smell either.

 

[freezeland2]

I have Gorillas 3x3 so not much bigger. I started with the 4” fan like you. Ended up getting a 6”. I moved the 4” to be a supply at the bottom with 6” as exhaust. I plugged the 4” into the same controller running the 6”. Both at max speed of 8 and minimum at off of 3. Works well to maintain environment in the tent like that.

 

[freezeland2]

I would also recommend their high cfm bars. They really help with the negative pressure collapsing the tent walls. They are cheap.

 

[SweetLeafGrow]

I would also recommend their high cfm bars. They really help with the negative pressure collapsing the tent walls. They are cheap.

I always try to keep a vent open on the lower side of the tent for fresh air intake, especially if you don't run an intake fan like you do. I don't so much worry about the tent sides coming inward as I do about burning up the fan because it's not getting a good enough air supply. Might not burn it up outright, but could lessen the life of the fan.

 

[GreenZone]

Exhausting to the outside?

Yeah I’ve got it exhausting to outside the tent. Would you consider exhausting back in after the air has been scrubbed?

 

[GreenZone]

Since you have negitive pressure in the tent and your exaust is forced through your carbon filter, you do have a carbon filter?, the problem has to be a flakey filter. A GOOD active charcoal carbon filter will kill your smell (I have the same wife problem ). Also, is the exaust fan running 24/7? If not, that could be your problem.
Hope that helps,
N2

Hey IamN2pot,

what is your current setup looking like? I’ve calculated the CFMs for my area, tent size, hoses, etc. and the numbers come out where I’m net positive by a significant amount, but I don’t know if I should just shell out the cash for a 6” fan instead. Here’s my current setup.

 

[Ponky]

Run your exhaust outside. Or add another charcoal can to the exhaust side.

 

[IamN2pot]

So I’m thinking that’s gotta be it then because my fan is running 24/7. And yeah I’ve got the AC Infinity 4” charcoal filter. What type of setup do you have? Do you ever have issues with smell?

I'm running a 6" Infinity fan and carbon filter in a 'tall' 4x4 tent. I'm setup with the filter connected to the intake side of the fan inside the tent, just like yours. The 6" duct goes out the top of the tent and into my attic. I keep the fan on #3 or higher and that keeps the wifes nose happy. I'm thinking you have a bunk filter. I'd order another one, differant brand on Amazon and see. If it fixes the problem, then you have a beef with Infinity. If it doesn't eliminate the smell, ........... Hell! I'd be pretty stumped. As for upsizing to a 6", not in a 3x3. My 4" exaust does great in my veg 4X4, but there aren't any smell issues with veg.
N2

 

[IamN2pot]

I would also recommend their high cfm bars. They really help with the negative pressure collapsing the tent walls. They are cheap.

I couldn't agree more. You will lose aproximately 25% of your tent width at the center of the tent. I priced CFM bars for my tents and decided I'd rather put that $30 (ea w/shipping) to better use. I used my bamboo stakes, cut to size and secured to the poles with my green wire tie. In the tall tent I upgraded to a 3/8" dowel rods from Home Depot for a buck each. They give you soooo much more space inside the tent in the middle and work perfectly.

 

[SofaKingHigh]

Bigger exhaust too, like 6” instead of 4”

Agreed

 

[Deaner]

You'll be fine if you just get a new filter for your exhaust. Ask yourself? Was it working when I first got it? Always keep it new 2 grows max!
Love and respect!

 

[Deaner]

I'm running a 6" Infinity fan and carbon filter in a 'tall' 4x4 tent. I'm setup with the filter connected to the intake side of the fan inside the tent, just like yours. The 6" duct goes out the top of the tent and into my attic. I keep the fan on #3 or higher and that keeps the wifes nose happy. I'm thinking you have a bunk filter. I'd order another one, differant brand on Amazon and see. If it fixes the problem, then you have a beef with Infinity. If it doesn't eliminate the smell, ........... Hell! I'd be pretty stumped. As for upsizing to a 6", not in a 3x3. My 4" exaust does great in my veg 4X4, but there aren't any smell issues with veg.
N2

View attachment 1235993

I always draw in fresh air while exhaust the heat out of the top of my tent. Slight negative pressure, goes a mile and a half!!
Just keep incoming air les than the out going air. A small but important part.