How to Add CO2 to grow tent?

If you are starting as a grower, you already have a lot on your plate. This is why it's better to do as many things as you can the right way, right off the bat, and find ways to boost your yields. Possibly the most economical technique to increase your yields is to add CO2.

Indoor growers (amateur indoor plant growers and experienced growers alike) constantly search for fresh and creative approaches to increase their output. Adding CO2 to your grow space is a relatively straightforward approach to increasing yields and developing robust, healthy plants.

Adding more CO2 to your garden plants can boost growth and yields by up to 20%. There are proper and improper ways to use CO2; sadly, many individuals misuse CO2 and miss out on the benefits.

Few other actions in your garden offer you as much value for your money. Additionally, it's relatively simple to carry out. Keep reading to find out how to add CO2 to your grow tent. We'll discuss various approaches, from simple to complex and figure out everything that has to do with adding CO2 to your grow tent.

 

What is CO2?

In modest doses, the greenhouse gas known as carbon dioxide (CO2), which is natural and safe, can harm sleep and productivity. CO2 levels concentrate indoors where there is less ventilation since it is most frequently created indoors by the air we exhale.

Oceans, soil, and living organisms act as reservoirs for carbon, eventually releasing CO2 into the atmosphere. One carbon atom and two oxygen atoms combine to form CO2 through a multitude of processes, such as the decomposition of organic matter, the burning of fuels like wood, coal, and natural gas, animal and human respiration, and natural phenomena like volcanic eruptions.

Here are some more facts about CO2:

• In addition to being a prevalent gas in the atmosphere and necessary for plant life.
• CO2 is a natural consequence of fermentation, chemical processes, and plant and animal life breakdown.
• The atmospheric CO2 concentration is about 400 ppm.
• CO2 has no explosive qualities and is not flammable.
• Although CO2 poisoning is uncommon, scuba divers must be on the lookout for it.
• Pressurized CO2 tank leaks in enclosed spaces can be hazardous to occupants due to high CO2 and low oxygen levels.

What are the factors to consider when adding CO2 to a grow tent?

The following factors should be considered when adding CO2 in a grow tent:

• Equipment: To supply CO2 into the grow tent, you'll need a CO2 generator or a CO2 tank with a regulator and a diffusion technique, like a diffuser or a nozzle.
• Safety: CO2 levels should be monitored and the grow tent should be ventilated as necessary because it can be deadly in high amounts.
• Timing: To enhance CO2's efficiency, it should be added throughout the light cycle, when plants are actively photosynthesizing.
• Rates: Depending on the needs of the plants and the size of the grow tent, the rate at which CO2 is introduced should be modified. As a general guideline, keep CO2 levels between 1200-1500 ppm.
• Monitoring: To make sure that the CO2 levels in the grow tent stay within safe and productive ranges, a CO2 monitor can be used to track their levels.

You may successfully add CO2 to your grow tent to promote plant development and health by taking into account these factors and making modifications as needed.

What Amount of CO2 Will Increase Yield?

Although setting CO2 in your grow tent helps enhance indoor garden plant yields, it is not a miracle cure-all. The finest outcomes will be obtained if you have a grow room that is tightly sealed, a decent AC, and a powerful dehumidifier. By doing this, CO2 will not escape.

Adding CO2 will enhance the moisture content and make plants more resistant to severe temperatures since they require enough moisture to flourish. The temperature must be at least 70 degrees for the plants to live. The plants can survive greater temperatures and absorb more heat with a CO2 increase.

How Does CO2 Affect your Plant?

When appropriately used, CO2 will accelerate and boost your growth's output. If you move that swiftly, there won't be a dry season, and you'll have more harvests each year, producing higher and better yields.

Utilizing CO2 in a grow will enhance the moisture content and provide your plants greater resilience.

Because plants can often only tolerate temperatures of 70 degrees, they won't dry out as quickly when maintained with CO2. As a result, your plants will benefit from being able to withstand a little more heat than they usually would.

Use a controller connected to a CO2 bottle or a CO2 machine to provide more CO2 to your indoor farm. Your plants will develop best with the assistance of these growing alternatives.

Researchers found that when you sustain and increase CO2 levels in a grow tent that's above 1200 PPM, it can result in accelerated growth rates that rise to 20% and the size rises to 30%. Remember that levels above 1500 PPM are hazardous and cause plants to grow very stringily.

When Should CO2 Be Used in a Plant?

Although plants may consume carbon dioxide during the vegetative and flowering stages, they only require it for the process of photosynthesis. Thus it would help if you only injected it when the grow lights are on.

Additionally, you shouldn't constantly increase CO2 levels; instead, CO2 should be utilized in conjunction with several other elements; without these components, you may observe improvement, but it won't be what you expect.

CO2 Effect During Vegetative Stage

Because CO2 accelerates vegetative growth, adding extra CO2 is a great way to grow larger plants with less time during the vegetative stage of herb growing.

Keep the CO2 flowing when your plants are vegetative, showering it down over them. Not much else is involved.

CO2 Effect During Flowering Stage

Running CO2 has the most noticeable effects on improved growth and bud development in the first month of flowering.

Some producers think CO2 is less beneficial once flowering has started, while others think it does boost bud production even in the second part of the flowering stage, up until two weeks before harvest.

Benefits of Using CO2 In A Grow Tent

Despite the advantages, incorporating CO2 can be costly. Before injecting CO2 into your grow area, consider whether the benefits are worthwhile.

Increases Yields

You are introducing another ingredient necessary for plant growth when you add CO2 to your grow tent. Your plants will produce more as they expand both horizontally and vertically with its assistance.

This will enable the indoor plant to absorb even more nutrients from the water supply if you have used a hydroponic system for some time. To increase yields and make your plants more robust, you can add LIGHT to your grow tent using LEDs or CFLs.

Strengthens Plants

Plants can gain vigour from CO2 addition as well. When plants are under stress from food or water shortages, they might not generate as much bud as they could if the Co2 system in their grow tent provided them with more nutrients.

Heat Resistant

Grow tents may be more heat-resistant by adding CO2, which offers you greater control over the temperature in your grow space. This is crucial if you want to choose a strain that can withstand high temperatures without scorching the leaves or harming the plant itself.

Enhances Stretch

Co2 gives plants more energy during growth, which makes them stronger and better able to endure stresses like pests and illnesses. This is crucial while growing outdoors because several pests and illnesses are waiting to attack.

Consequences of Too Much CO2 in a Grow Tent

Your plants may suffer in a growing environment with too much CO2. Around 350 ppm of CO2 is present in the atmosphere. However, regional differences in atmospheric CO2 concentrations, as well as influencing environmental variables, might occur.

The amount of oxygen the plants have access to in a grow tent will decrease if there is too much CO2. Additionally, CO2 acts as a "fertilizer" for plants, promoting cell division and development. Additionally, CO2 concentrations might reduce the growth time by up to 30%.

To produce biomass, CO2 is an essential component. In actuality, photosynthetic CO2 assimilation accounts for 90% of the dry matter in all living plants. Through this process, CO2 is converted into carbon molecules that the plant uses to build biomass.

How to Stop CO2 From Harming your Plants

Stop using CO2 immediately and attempt to figure out what's happening if you see your plants suddenly becoming weak or turning yellow. Either there is an excessive buildup of CO2, or the temperature is too high.

Since CO2 tends to sink to the ground and is a heavy gas, it should fall above the herb plants. Exhaust fans will make it easier for the plants to absorb the CO2 and circulate it about the space effectively. If you don't strictly adhere to the guidelines, utilizing CO2 could cause more harm than benefit.

If you do it correctly, you'll have a more significant yield, and your harvest will be available a few days early.

It should be noted that CO2 becomes hazardous for people to breathe around 3000PPM and becomes lethal at 5000PPM. Most growers concur that CO2 levels between 1200-2000PPM will considerably boost their herb harvests. Anything above is considered dangerous levels for flower production.

How Can I Determine If CO2 Is Beneficial to My Plants?

Because more photosynthesis is taking place and more chlorophyll is available in the leaves, your plants should look greener. Your plants acquire energy as this occurs, enabling them to develop thicker stems and more robust branches, naturally resulting in a better structure.

Additionally, it has been discovered that greater CO2 levels can improve the effectiveness of water absorption. More effective and widespread root systems result from this, giving your plant a better chance to absorb the nutrients in the soil.

What Levels Are Best For My Grow Room?

Even while each setup may have somewhat different requirements, there are a few general things you should watch out for to keep your grow room operating well.

The ideal grow room temperature should be between 25 and 28 degrees Celsius, yet when CO2 is enriched, temperatures may be slightly higher. Additionally, you need to have enough light to support photosynthesis.

Time has equal importance. It makes sense only to add CO2 to your grow room when the lights are on since plants absorb CO2 for photosynthesis, which can only occur when there is light. It is a waste of time and money to add CO2 at night because your plants are already using oxygen while the lights are out.

It's true what you may have heard about nurses occasionally removing plants from hospital wards at night to prevent patient oxygen levels from dropping too low. Another question is whether the minimal oxygen level adjustment would impact patients.

Although airflow is crucial, you shouldn't use CO2 while an external ventilation system is running. Most of the CO2 will escape from your room if it is continuously aired from the outside. It won't be suitable for the atmosphere or your plants, either!

Your plants should occasionally vibrate slightly due to just enough airflow. You might do this using an oscillating fan or the brand-new DiffuseAir, which is ideal for evenly distributing air across your grow area.

How To Increase CO2 With a Grow Room?

Hang Carbon Dioxide Bags

CO2 bags are the quickest and most affordable method to add CO2 to your growing environment.

Hang it over the growth area. For around six months, it will continually release CO2 every hour of the day. Small grow rooms are better suited for this; huge grow rooms require ample CO2 bags.

Compressed CO2 Tanks

Utilizing a CO2 tank is a standard method of adding CO2 to your grow space. These tanks may be attached to a regulator and are filled with compressed CO2, allowing you to regulate the flow of that gas into your grow tent.

For those who desire more command over the CO2 levels in grow tents, CO2 tanks are a fantastic alternative. However, they can be challenging to set up and are more costly than CO2 bags. As a general rule of thumb, keep in mind that it's usually cheaper to purchase compressed CO2 tanks from a welding supply store rather than a gardening store or hydroponic store.

CO2 Generators

In extensive growth operations, CO2 generators are the best option. These automate the delivery process and transfer the gas through pipes for a constant supply. Bear in mind that CO2 generators burns liquid propane, natural gas (from natural gas burners) or sometimes denatured alcohol. Propane is, however, the most common element used in CO2 generators.

Compressed Air

Herb CO2 containers are sold in shops that deal with everything from paintball to hydroponics. Depending on the size of your grow tent, choose a gas tank accordingly: a tiny canister for a little tent, a huge, hefty one for a large operation. 

The Takeaway!

CO2 from plants has the effect of accelerating plant development. The plant produces more leaves due to accelerated and extra photosynthesis, improving this nutrient supply in the long run.

Along with more CO2, your plants can withstand greater temperatures. Transpiration becomes more effective, increasing the water efficiency of your entire system. For more information on CO2 in plants, check Canada Grow Supplies. You can also read more about Grow Tent Ventilation Guide.