One of the best and the worst things about weed is it’s smell. The smell of marijuana is one that most stoners really love. It’s kind of strong, pungent and skunk-like in some cases – but growers really have a nose for that and the smell of weed is really quite a part of the smoking and growing experience. When you smoke weed, it smells – and same is the case with growing weed. The smell tends to linger on. While it might be a pleasant olfactory experience for you, the same is not the case for everyone – as the smell of weed can be quite a turn-off for non-stoners. In this article, we talk about how to use carbon filters in your grow room – so that your plants remain smell proof!
Besides the fact that the smell provides you with quite a sensory experience and helps you get an enhanced experience while smoking up, it is also an instant ‘tell’ that someone’s smoking or growing weed. Even worse, the smell tends to linger on for a really long time and sometimes even gets absorbed in your clothes, walls, or furniture and tends to remain there for a long time. This smell can be an unpleasant experience for your neighbors or parents (or anyone who you don’t want to know that you’re growing weed). The cops can even show up at your doorstep if the smell is so strong they can smell it too!
Most people grow weed indoors to keep it hidden from prying eyes. However, things like smell are hard to hide because they can linger around in the air and travel a distance too. Growing indoors gives you complete control over the lighting, humidity, temperature, nutrition, etc. All of these factors, in nature, are quite random – but you can generate the perfect combination indoors. If you use carbon filters, you can exercise quite a bit of control over the smell as well!
If you are someone who is bothered by the smell of weed for any reason, and wish to suppress it, you have come to the right place. In this article, we talk about carbon filters which help you capture the smell and reduce/eliminate it. We talk about everything including how to set up a carbon filter and which are some of the best carbon filters out there in the markets – a complete guide to carbon filters for growing weed indoors! Without any further delays, let us cut straight into what these equipment are and how do they help in containing the smell of weed:
What are Carbon Filters
Carbon filters are basically equipment lined with charcoal layers which help trap smells in a room. When you are growing weed, as pointed out above, there is bound to be quite a bit of smell that is generated, especially towards the flowering phase. While there are means to mask the smell temporarily by using fresheners and essential oils etc, there is no way in which you can substitute this smell forever. Carbon filters are attached to exhaust fans via pipes and ducts where the smell gets trapped and the stale air is filtered out. Let us now take a closer look at the functioning of these filters:
How do Carbon Filters Work
A question that is often asked is – how do these devices work? How can they catch the smell from the air! There are layers of activated charcoal inside these filters, each of which carry multiple pores, which is where the air is basically ‘scrubbed’, and the not just the smell, but other small particles and impurities that flow along with the air are also trapped in them. It is these particles which carry the smell around and since carbon filters trap them, only the air is allowed to escape and hence the smell gets trapped inside them. These filters need to be changed every few months/years in order to get a smooth performance.
DIY: How to Make Your Own Carbon Filter for Your Grow Room?
Many growers, especially in 2021, prefer using DIY equipment. DIY lighting, DIY grow tents and even DIY carbon filters. The biggest benefit of creating a DIY (Do It Yourself) setup is that it allows you to significantly reduce the costs and to tweak the setup in a way in which you desire it to be.
Before we proceed with creating our own carbon filter setup, you will need to get hold of some items that go into it. These are: a roll of aluminum screen, duct tapes, a laundry basket that has a lid on it, quilt batting rolls, a dryer hose vent, a PVC cap and adopter, and the most important of them all – activated carbon! Here’s a closer look at how to create your own DIY carbon filter setup:
- The first step involves creating a tube out of the aluminum screen that you have acquired. Make sure that the tube that you are creating has a diameter that matches that of the PVC cap that you have.
- Once the tube is ready and adjusted for the perfect diameter, fit the cap at one end of this tube and tighten it up and seal it using the duct tape. Remember this is a very important process as sealing up the filter from all sides is critical because in case of any gaps or openings, the smells would leak out.
- Place this capped-tube inside the laundry basket, and make sure that the level of the open head of the tube and the rim of the basket are on the same height. If the tube is taller you might need to cut it to the right size. Once you have made sure of the levels, take the tube out and put the carbon inside the tube using the open end. Place the adapter on the other side. Use the duct tape to seal it up like how you did in the previous step.
- Double up the quilt batting by folding it into half and then wrap it around the tube twice – this will give it an extra padding as well as a protective cover in case there are any spills. To be doubly sure, use the duct tape to tie up the whole thing and seal the device from all ends. Use the batting to cover the entire basket in a similar fashion. Inside the basket too, line up the walls with this quilt batting till there’s a few centimeters of gap that remains between the padding and the filter.
- Cover the top with the padding as well and then cut out a hole that is of the same size as your tube. Use the dryer hose and attach it with your tube. The other end gets connected with the exhaust fan! Your DIY carbon filter is ready.
7 Best Carbon Filters for Grow Rooms:
Now that we know what a carbon filter is and how it functions, one must also know some of the best options that are available out there in the markets when it comes to buying a carbon filter. Here are some of the best options for you that you could buy off Amazon in just a few clicks:
| Image | Product | Features | Price |
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VIVOSUN 4 Inch Air Carbon Filter Odor Control |
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Check Price On Amazon |
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4 Inch Carbon Filter-Tent Grow Plants Filter |
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Check Price On Amazon |
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iPower 8 Inch Air Carbon Filter Odor Control Scrubber |
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Check Price On Amazon |
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MELONFARM 4 Inch Inline Air Carbon Filter Carbon Filter Odor Control Scrubber |
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Check Price On Amazon |
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Growtent Garden 6 inch Air Carbon Filter Odor Control Filled by Australia Virgin Charcoal |
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Check Price On Amazon |
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Activated Charcoal Carbon Filter 8″ x 24″, Up to 750 CFM, Premium Grow Tent Odor Scrubber |
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Check Price On Amazon |
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AC Infinity Air Carbon Filter 8″ with Premium Australian Virgin Charcoal |
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Check Price On Amazon |
1. VIVOSUN 4 Inch Air Carbon Filter Odor Control with Australia Virgin Charcoal for Inline Fan, Grow Tent Odor Scrubber
VIVOSUN 4 Inch Air Carbon Filter Odor Control with Australia Virgin Charcoal for Inline Fan
- 4-inch diameter
- Comes with changeable prefilter
- Uses high quality australian virgin charcoal
One of the most popular brands out there when it comes to gardening and growing weed. Vivosun is a company which manufactures a lot of gardening equipment and carbon filter happens to be one of them. This is a four inch variant, which is the most common and popular one out there – but there are six and eight inch variants also available on the same page. The filter makes use of 1050+ RC 48 carbon, which is capable of capturing upto 3x more elements from the air than the average charcoal.
The filter flange and base here are reversible, which guarantees a longer lifespan. Then there’s the changeable prefilter that comes with this carbon filter, which comes pretty handy too. Setting it up is quite easy and so is hanging it as it comes with belts that can be used to adjust the height and hang it to the rods of the grow tent. There are four layers of filtration here – the exterior of the prefilter, followed by the outer mesh, followed by the charcoal bed and lastly the inner mesh. Vivosun also has ducting, inline fans and noise reducers which can be used as a set while growing your weed indoors.
Check Price & Reviews on Amazon
2. 4 Inch Carbon Filter-Tent Grow Plants Filter, Odor Control Growing Tent Indoor Plants Inline Fan, Reversible Flange 4 x 14 Inch 210 CFM
4 Inch Carbon Filter-Tent Grow Plants Filter, Odor Control Growing Tent Indoor Plants Inline Fan
- 4-inch diameter
- Features premium virgin Australian activated charcoal
- Comes with one pair of Carbon Filter Belt to hang it
Manufactured by G Hydro, this is a four inch carbon filter that has been trusted by hundreds of people on Amazon and has received among some of the most positive reviews and ratings. One of the best carbon filters for growing weed, it costs under $33 and is available in a larger 6-inch variant too for those who have larger needs. It features a tapered base and a reversible flange which can be used to extend the lifespan of the device.
This carbon filter is ideal for those growing weed indoors in a grow tent because it ensures that all the smell that comes from the plants is trapped in it – and that only odorless air goes out of the grow tent. This filter also makes use of activated carbon which is highly effective and can trap way more particles than compared to a regular carbon filter. Almost every filter in our list features this premium filter and this is no exception. This is also quite easy to set up and install as well as pocket friendly.
Check Price & Reviews on Amazon
3. iPower 8 Inch Air Carbon Filter Odor Control Scrubber with Australia Virgin Activated Charcoal for Grow Tents
iPower 8 Inch Air Carbon Filter Odor Control Scrubber with Australia Virgin Activated Charcoal for Grow Tents
- 8-inch carbon filter
- Contains Australian virgin activated charcoal
- Best suited for growers with large sized grow tents
This next filter on our list comes from iPower which is another prominent and well-known brand for gardeners and marijuana growers. If you are someone who is growing weed in a grow tent you are more than likely to have heard this brand’s name. They make some of the best grow tents as well as other growth equipment. iPower’s ducts, fans and filters are perhaps the best ventilation kit that you can get. This one here is an 8 inch carbon filter from iPower which is suitable for growers who have larger needs.
This filter costs you a little under $90 but offers you one of the best and the cleanest experiences that you could find! It has a very high efficiency of trapping all the odor and will not give even a hint to people around you that you are growing weed. Thanks to the reversible flange and the pre-filter that come with this device, you can extend its overall lifespan as well. This is one of the best carbon filters which will ensure that you not only get a great experience when it comes to trapping all the smell of weed, but will also ensure that the air in your grow tent remains pure and free of any and all pollutants and particles that might otherwise hamper the growth of your plants. It’s an absolute winner in terms of performance!
Check Price & Reviews on Amazon
4. MELONFARM 4 Inch Inline Air Carbon Filter Carbon Filter Odor Control Scrubber with Australia Virgin Charcoal for Inline Fan
MELONFARM 4 Inch Inline Air Carbon Filter Carbon Filter Odor Control Scrubber with Australia Virgin Charcoal for Inline Fan
- Well designed filter
- 4-inch diameter
- Cost effective
Bored of all the steely grey or black-and-white carbon filters that you see all over the market and on the web? Here’s something different for you. This is a carbon filter manufactured by Melonfarm – and it carries a whole new color combination, as parts of it are made out of a shade of green that we rarely ever get to see on a carbon filter. 53% of the total surface area of this carbon filter has inlets for the air to be sucked in which ensures that it helps clean quite a bit of the air via inline fans. The flange and the base are made out of aluminum which make it light in weight as well as mighty durable!
Moreover, this carbon filter uses RC412+ Australian virgin charcoal bed, which is highly beneficial for growers planning on growing weed as it can trap all the smell with ease, especially when compared to regular or inferior quality charcoal. This is a four-inch variant which is the best suited for small and personal scale growers. While you can use this filter in a grow room, some people also choose to use it in bathrooms or kitchens so that it can eliminate all the odor from those areas.
Check Price & Reviews on Amazon
5. Growtent Garden 6 inch Air Carbon Filter Odor Control Filled by Australia Virgin Charcoal with Reversible Green Flange for Inline Fan, Prefilter Included
Growtent Garden 6 inch Air Carbon Filter Odor Control Filled by Australia Virgin Charcoal with Reversible Green Flange for Inline Fan, Prefilter Included
- 6-inch carbon filter
- Uses Australian virgin charcoal
- Colorful design – unique looks
Manufactured by Growtent, this carbon filter is of a size we haven’t talked much about in our list. We’ve seen some four inch and eight-inch filters, but a six inch filter is the perfect fit between these two extremes. A four-inch filter might be too small for some growers and an eight-inch filter might be too large. This 6-inch filter is just the perfect option for you in such a case. Like the one above this, the Growtent carbon filter also uses a splash of color in the top and the bottom areas and is made of aluminum.
This grow tent also uses activated Australian virgin charcoal, which is the best a grower can get! The bottom portion has been crafted in such a way that growers get to make the most out of it and the raised bottom ensures maximum inflow of air. With over 50% of the surface area allowing air inlets, you can cover quite a large room with this filter. You also get hanging belts and a pre-filter when you buy this device. At just a little over $50, the price too is just right.
Check Price & Reviews on Amazon
6. Activated Charcoal Carbon Filter 8″ x 24″, Up to 750 CFM, Premium Grow Tent Odor Scrubber
Activated Charcoal Carbon Filter 8″ x 24″, Up to 750 CFM, Premium Grow Tent Odor Scrubber
- Premium looking design
- 8-inch carbon filter
- Activated Australian virgin charcoal
One of the best looking carbon filters on our list – you could actually confuse it with a sound bar or a bluetooth speaker! This carbon filter is all black and grey and carries a very sleek and metallic look to it! It is an 8 inch carbon filter which suits the needs of large scale growers really well. The carbon used here is the West Australian activated charcoal, the best in the industry. Besides that, this filter makes use of 46mm thick carbon beds, and the manufacturer claims they offer about 15% more carbon than almost any other brand in the markets! Thanks to this thick layering, the smallest of granules can be caught here by this filter.
This carbon filter can last you for about 24 months – which is indeed a long life-span for such a device. Besides that, it is compatible with fans that operate on speeds of upto 750 CFM, which is also quite impressive. You also get two washable pre-filters along with this carbon filter. There’s a 90-day warranty on the device too, something that is quite rarely seen on carbon filters. Lastly, it costs about $130 but we believe thats a fair asking price for a product which is as premium and long-lasting.
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7. AC Infinity Air Carbon Filter 8″ with Premium Australian Virgin Charcoal, for Inline Duct Fan, Odor Control, Hydroponics, Grow Rooms
AC Infinity Air Carbon Filter 8″ with Premium Australian Virgin Charcoal, for Inline Duct Fan, Odor Control, Hydroponics, Grow Rooms
- 8-inch carbon filter
- Suited for soil-based as well as a hydroponic growth
- Supports airflow upto 770 CFM
Last but not the least, this carbon filter comes from AC Infinity, and features an 8-inch carbon filter – again something that a large scale grower should be looking with keen interest at! One of the highlights of this carbon filter is that it is also very well suited for hydroponic growers. It is mostly metallic in terms of its looks but is quite durable and long-lasting in terms of the exterior. Supporting airflow of upto 770 CFM, this carbon filter is great for exhaust as well as intake operations.
It uses activated charcoal from Australia which allows the best possible separation of particles and granules from the air, thereby trapping the odor in a much more effective manner than many other similar products out there. At just $80, this is priced right too – and doesn’t feel like a burden on your pocket. Indeed one of the best carbon filters you find out there on Amazon!
Check Price & Reviews on Amazon
Frequently Asked Questions About Carbon Filters for Growing Weed
Here is a set of answers to some questions related to carbon filters that people tend to ask us a number of times. We have put them together under this common FAQ umbrella so that you can go through them and understand everything that there is to know about them. This will help you get a better and a broader sense of understanding about carbon filters. Let us begin:
1. Why Should I Use a Carbon Filter?
Using these equipment will help you reduce the smell of weed in your room. The kind fo smell that weed tends to leave, especially during the flowering phase – is very strong and very pungent. For most non-stoners, this is a smell that they would define as ‘obnoxious’ and unpleasant. If you are growing weed secretly, this is the easiest way that you might get caught. Hence, trapping the smell of weed is very important and carbon filters are of great use when it comes to that.
2. Where to Place the Carbon Filter?
Carbon filters are attached in grow tents – every grow tent needs to have a minimum of one such filter. These filters are generally attached to the ceiling of the tent. These filters don’t really hang around in isolation but are connected to exhaust fans and ductings. The air goes into the ductings via the filter and out of the tent via the exhaust, which is connected on the other end of the duct. Try and place the filter as high-up in your grow tent as possible. If there are any openings or gaps make sure you use a duct tape to close them.
3. When to Change the Carbon Filter?
Most manufacturers will let you know on the product details as to when you have to change your carbon filter. Nonetheless, most filters can last you for about 1.5-2 years on an average. The DIY filter that we have made above can last you for as many as two years. As is the case with every filter, carbon filters too tend to get clogged up over time and their efficiency starts to reduce – you can choose to replace them any time you feel they aren’t stopping enough smell. However, in most cases, 1.5 years would be the minimum they can function well for.
4. Is it Possible to Contain the Smell Without Using Carbon Filters?
There are ways of doing that but one must understand that carbon filters are the only way of completely eliminating the smell. Almost all the other processes involve using another overpowering smell to mask it such as using scented candles, deodorants, and room fresheners which will ensure that due to a newer, stronger smell, the older smell isn’t noticed. Opening up your doors and windows will also make sure that the room doesn’t smell as much – but then you’d risk letting the smell out in the open. We strongly suggest growers to buy a carbon filter as it will be the best option of eliminating the smell of weed.
5. Are There any Disadvantages of using Carbon Filters?
Not really. There are no disadvantages of using a carbon filter as such. It might add a little extra cost to your growth operations, has to be updated every two years, and adds a little weight to the tent. These are very minute issues compared to the good that these filters do, and as such there are no disadvantages of using one!
6. Where to Buy These Filters From?
One can buy these filters from Amazon (links to some top products have been provided in this article) and they can also be bought from your nearest gardening store as these are very commonly available.
7. Are Carbon Filters Legal?
Carbon filters are 100% legal. However, growing weed falls in a legal grey zone as every region has different laws so it is best advised to confirm with your local authorities before you begin to grow weed. Even in regions where it is allowed, there’s usually a restriction of how much qualifies for growing for ‘personal consumption’ beyond which you might require commercial permits so watch out for that!
Conclusion
Containing the smell sounds like a challenging task but it really is quite simple if you do it the right way. We hope that reading this article helped you understand not only how to use carbon filters in your grow room, but also what they are, how they function, and which are the best carbon filters available out there in the markets. If there are still any more questions, feel free to send us a message over mail, or drop a comment below and we shall get back to you as soon as we can! Till then….
….Happy Growing!
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