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Chapter 8
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There are many
methods of producing CO2 for the growth room. Some are quite simple and
inexpensive, and some require more complex equipment.
People who have worked with the different methods of CO2 enhancement say that an automated, fan integrated, cycling injection system is the only way to go. Given proper light and the other factors that are necessary for healthy growth without CO2. there is no more rewarding investment than installing a good injection system.
Determining the Amount of CO2 to Release into the Growroom
The first step is to determine the capacity or size of the room in cubic feet. Measure the length X width X height of the room. A room that is 10 X
10 with an 8 foot ceiling is 800 cubic feet.
Determining the amount of CO2 that must be released to bring the growroom to 1500 ppm is done by multiplying the number of cubic feet in the room by .0015.
1.2 cubic feet
of CO2 gas is required to enrich the air in the room to the desired 1500
ppm of CO2.
Maxi-CO2
The 1500 ppm figure is the one
given most often in the literature as being ideal. It is by no means
absolute, however. One expert puts the ideal at 2000 ppm, and a pair of
researchers who obtained excellent results on a Danish ebb-and-flow table
used a mere 1300 ppm.
The author of this book feels that 1500 ppm is a good
general figure. Perhaps more could be beneficially supplied to some fast-growing species. 2000 or even 2500 ppm may not be too much for some
species.
Remember that the plant needs more water and nutrients as
the CO2 levels climb and plant growth spurts. A plant that transpires 1
quart of water daily uses about 2 quarts or more with optimum CO2
enrichment.
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