Getting rid of the plant's odor?

[cracker]

Any scientist types or botonists ot there? Just how small is the molecule that give plants their characterist odor? Anybody hear of trying micron socks or pushing the air thru a fluid filter? Blowers for spas could push a lot of air thru a solution that would react with this molecule. Maybe a concentrated Bicarbonate solution or RO/DI water. Just wondering.

[moKing]

I'm looking it up in google at the minute, i've never heard fluid filters of but charcol filters apparently do the trick.

[wildflower]

go with what works..carbon scrubber.

[bud_man19]

charcol filters work Edited August 21, 2006 by bud_man19

[Luke Skywalker]

Carbon filters are generally considered the standard in the growing community, although ozone generation (which actively destroys rather than filters the smell).

 

The smell is caused by volatile organic compounds (VOC'S) which float off the plants at a molecular level. Running a carbon filter before or after the exhaust fan filters out these molecules.

 

Ozone generators attach another oxygen molecule to the VOC's and these then become inert from a scent point of view. Ozone is harder to use safely than a carbon filter though, and ozone can be tricky to master as far as timing of the lamp and mixing time for the air which is to be de-odourised.

 

You can also just mask smells, but this is a poor alternative to a carbon filter. Some also use ionisers but these are generally also thought to be less effective than carbon and ozone.

 

I have heard that there are some experiments happening with HEPA style filters, although these aren't finished yet and the air-pressure may have to be fairly high, even in comparison to a cylindrical carbon filter. I'd love to try it myself but a hepa filter of suitable size for a small fan is pretty steep.

[pipeman]

I am going to try zeolite in my next filter. I have been told it is just as good as carbon for neutralising smell but isn't as sensitive to high humidity.