Air ionizers

[brownies]

Hello all!

 

Was just curious to find out if anyone here has used these before?

 

It seems that when it comes down to eliminating odor, there are two main choices - Carbon Filters and Ozone generators. Now I'm no expert on either but from what I've gathered, Ozone generators produce/give out a chemical called Ozone (or something of the sort) to eliminate the odor of your smelly little grow op... Some people are a little put off by this as it is supposedly toxic (or at least that's what I've read). The other things I've head are that they simply don't work that well. Carbon filters seem the go however they can be a bit pricey.

 

There is another option though - negative ion generators (also commonly known as ion fountains or air ionizers). This is probably old news to some of you however I have found very little in the forums about them and they seem to be a good option - on par, in my opinion, with carbon filters (this is from the theoretical side of things of course).

 

Just a quicky for those who don't know (info taken from Ed Rosenthal's "Closet Cultivator"):

 

On odors:

Odors are caused by minute solids floating in the air. Each particle has a positive electrical charge because it is missing an electron. This enables it to drift as it is drawn in one direction and then another by electrical charges.

 

On negative ion generators:

These units are sometimes called ion fountains or air ionizers. Negative ion generators charge air molecules with extra electrons, giving them a negative charge. When negatively charged air ions comes in contact with a positively charged dust particle, the air molecule gives up its electron. The positively charged particle is neutralized and no longer floats since it is not as influenced by electrical charges. The particle drops from the air (precipitates) and falls onto the wall or floor. It no longer creates an odor.

 

Just thought I'd pop it up here and see if people are actually aware of these as a viable option for odor elimination and if so, why more people aren't using them and opting for carbon filters... Has anyone used one? Do they work?

 

 

Brownies.

[jdv]

^{i dont think they would work well enough or quick enough to elimanate the smell} Edited July 3, 2012 by jdv

[brownies]

^{i dont think they would work well enough or quick enough to elimanate the smell}

 

That was my main concern originally, but as I read more and more indoor growing guides, they tend to pop up more. In my opinion - not at all from experience but - the fact that you're physically changing the structure of the specific particles that cause odor, would lead me to believe that they are more effective than a CF that simply 'filters' out the smell through a wall (or whatever it is) of carbon.

 

I'm just surprised that more people haven't used/tested one or at least that more people weren't interested in a method that is supposedly more effective and significantly cheaper. Oh well

 

 

Brownies.

[Naycha]

I haven't used one but I believe rather than eliminate the odour, they just create a blanket of odour on the floor.

[brownies]

I haven't used one but I believe rather than eliminate the odour, they just create a blanket of odour on the floor.

 

Apparently an odor is caused by a particle (or molecule) that is missing an electron which gives the particle a positive charge - that allows them to float about carrying smell - apparently once given back that electron they become negative charges disabling their ability to carry odor and the odor just dissipates because there's no particles to carry it. It just so happens that when the particles are given back that extra electron they also fall to the floor because they're no longer drawn by electrical charges... Iunno that's what I took from the information I read and to me that suggests that the odor is eliminated... I may be wrong though.

 

They're fairly cheap so I might get one as well and test it to see if it works as well.

 

 

Brownies.

[Frazz]

hey Brownies its an interesting topic for sure and i can see youve done research on it

even better would be good if you did a test with the device and reported back with you conclusions

one would imagine the results would be entirely dependent upon the efficiency/quality of the generator used also on the stinky-ness strain you grew

 

anyways all the best with it

[brownies]

hey Brownies its an interesting topic for sure and i can see youve done research on it

even better would be good if you did a test with the device and reported back with you conclusions

one would imagine the results would be entirely dependent upon the efficiency/quality of the generator used also on the stinky-ness strain you grew

 

anyways all the best with it

 

Won't be a while until I get my grow set up but when I do, I'll be sure to test it and let you all know

 

 

Brownies.