Ventilation and Climate, Page 2

Ensuring plants have the perfect environment should be the goal of every indoor grower. Only then will you use the electrical energy and other resources you have invested in cultivation effectively and achieve high yields. In the following lines, you will learn how to create the perfect climate in a grow room.

The basic climatic factors affecting plant growth are temperature, humidity, VPD, light and air circulation. Your goal should be to keep all these variables within the optimal range throughout the entire growing cycle. Remember that these factors are interconnected and influence one another, affecting the way plants take up water and nutrients. Therefore, if you change any of the climatic factors, you should also adjust watering and fertilising of the plants.

Vapour pressure deficit (VPD)

Water constantly flows through plants: roots absorb it and leaves release it back into the surroundings in the form of water vapour during a process called transpiration. This enables them to absorb nutrients, cool themselves and drive metabolic processes and photosynthesis. The rate at which water evaporates from plants through the leaves depends on the temperature and humidity of the surrounding air. The difference between how much moisture the air is able to hold and how much water it is holding at a given moment is called VPD (Vapour Pressure Deficit). At low VPD, the air is saturated with moisture, transpiration slows down and the risk of mould increases, whereas at high VPD transpiration speeds up, leading to greater water and nutrient uptake, but also to the risk of overfertilisation. Optimal VPD helps maintain a balance between water and nutrient uptake and healthy plant growth.

• The simplest way to achieve optimal VPD is to keep a stable temperature in the growing space and adjust the air humidity according to the age of the plants.
• How to handle VPD and advanced climate control.

Temperature

Temperature affects the rate at which plants absorb and process nutrients. Most plants thrive best at temperatures in the range of 20 to 30 °C. The lower the temperature drops, the more slowly plants will transpire, their metabolism will slow down, and their growth will stop completely at around 16 °C. As temperatures rise, plants can carry out photosynthesis more efficiently. This allows them to use more energy from light and grow faster, with the fastest growth achieved at 30 °C and 1,500 PPFD (Chandra et al. 2009). If temperatures rise above 30 °C, plants will not be able to cool down quickly enough and their growth will stop completely at 32-35 °C.

• Measure the temperature in the growing space with a digital thermometer with an external probe, which you should hang near the new shoots, as they are the most delicate.
• Prepare your grow box for winter.
• High temperatures in indoor growing and how to avoid them.

Humidity

The ideal humidity for indoor growing depends on the age of the plants, the temperature and VPD. Maintaining low relative humidity in the growing space is especially important during flowering and ripening, when plants are more susceptible to mould and botrytis. In general, during germination and rooting the humidity in the growing space should be around 70%, during the vegetative phase 55-65% and during flowering around 50%. Do not forget that air humidity that is too low speeds up transpiration, which results in high water consumption, slow growth and lower yields.

• To increase humidity in the growing space, use humidifiers; to reduce it, use dehumidifiers.
• For indoor growing, you cannot do without a digital humidity metre with thermometer.

Light

During photosynthesis, plants convert energy from light into sugars, which they then use to power their metabolism. For this process to be efficient, the incoming light must have the appropriate spectrum, intensity, and the length of lighting is also important. Most plants need approximately 18 hours of light per day for growth and 12 hours for flowering. A suitable grow light should have a spectrum corresponding to sunlight. This is usually provided by LED diodes or HPS discharge lamps. Light that is too weak limits growth, while light that is too intense burns and stresses plants.

• How light spectrum affects plant growth.
• The most important criteria for choosing grow lighting.
• How to control photoperiod to increase plant yield.

Air

A sufficient air circulation in the growing space is essential for maintaining the correct temperature, humidity and a supply of fresh CO₂ for plants. Ideal airflow in a grow box or grow room is ensured by a combination of a extract fan and internal circulation fans. The extract fan removes excess humidity and brings in fresh air, while circulation fans ensure even airflow around the plants.

• How to choose ventilation ducting for a grow box or grow room.
• Where and how to correctly place fans in a tent or grow room.
• Buy a fan with control or without?

Would you like to learn the basics of indoor growing or are you looking for information about the latest developments in growing and the newest gardening gadgets? You will find all of that on our Higarden blog!

Growing ventilation equipment Prima Klima - these include odour filters, which we focused on last time, but the traditional German manufacturer may be even better known in the world of indoor gardening, as well as in many other fields of human activity, for producing reliable fans with above-standard durability and other attractive features, which we will look at in this article.

For growers using Prima Klima fans, there are no limits in terms of their real-world use. Quality workmanship, functional design, long service life, discreet operation and impressive performance - these are, in short, the main characteristics of the 36 variants available from us and the reasons why Prima Klima fans are so popular. The best-selling fan with thermal control is shown in the introductory photograph. It now only depends on the scale at which you devote yourself to growbox indoor cultivation and, of course, on your budget. The following lines will help you find your way more easily through the wide range of Prima Klima fans.

To begin with, however, we would recommend three separate articles that you should definitely not miss, especially if you have never chosen a fan before. 

• How powerful a fan do you need?
• Should you buy a fan with control or without?
• The best fans for a growbox: EC or AC?

And now we can focus purely on Prima Klima fans:

AC Prima Klima fans

An AC fan, such as the single-speed model PK100-L, is more suitable for occasional ventilation of a grow tent. In the case of Prima Klima, however, these are duct fans (inline fans) with backward-curved blades and an aerodynamically optimised housing, which, given their low price, pleasantly surprise with fast air transport without unnecessary pressure losses.

Although fans with an EC motor generally represent the better investment, even in the AC fan category the German manufacturer clearly demonstrates that quality workmanship in every respect deserves every class of fan. And although the aforementioned model PK100-L is essentially a very simple radial fan with a single speed setting, there are several aspects here that clearly point to the uncompromising quality typical of the Prima Klima brand. In short, a lot of performance for little money. So what characterises this small and inexpensive extract fan (in the picture), intended for smaller grow tents? 

• By a plastic housing we mean a lightweight housing made from impact-resistant and heat-resistant polyamide.
• Nor was the motor skimped on. The MES AC motor has ball bearings and contributes to the fan’s discreet operation and low electricity consumption.
• Another advantage is integrated overheating protection.
• If you do not want a quality but truly the most “basic” duct fan, it may be a disadvantage that this fan has no more than one speed setting. Among the cheaper variants, for example, the two-speed AC fan PK125-2 comes into play.

Of course, it depends on individual needs, and Prima Klima, as you will soon be sufficiently convinced, truly suits everyone. “Basic” variants with an AC motor, such as PK-100L or, for example, PK-150A, are fans without control.

If you are interested in AC fans with control, then for example the model PK100-TC, also fitted with a high-quality EBM-Papst AC motor with maintenance-free ball bearings for smooth operation and long service life, already stands out for its ability to regulate speed based on the current and optimal temperature. The temperature sensor on a four-metre cable (see picture) continuously monitors the temperature in the growing space, and as soon as it exceeds the preset value, the fan speed immediately increases so that the warm air in the space is vented out. Once this happens, the speed automatically drops to the minimum set value.

Among the long-term most popular AC fans with thermal control are also the variants marked PK125-TC (the absolute bestseller among Prima Klima fans), PK150-TC, PK160-TC. Prima Klima also manufactures AC fans for effective ventilation of large growing spaces. Here, for example, simple duct fans without control such as PK200-A, PK250-L1 or, for example, PK250-A1 come into consideration.

In addition to flange size, you will choose fans according to air flow capacity. Prima Klima AC fans have this range:

EC Prima Klima fans

Low consumption - high performance! Prima Klima fans with a direct current EC motor cost a little more, but from a construction point of view they surpass brushed AC fans in many respects, which brings the following benefits to users of all categories, not only in the case of the Prima Klima brand:

• Much, much longer service life.
• On average 3x lower electricity consumption.
• Low noise even at low speeds, because electronically commutated motors start smoothly and without unnecessary noise.
• Smaller size for the same performance.
• High efficiency and easier power regulation are ensured by the electronically controlled stator.
• Simple and precise power regulation without reducing service life using digital controllers.
• EC Prima Klima fans are among those that work flawlessly at a lower operating temperature and do not overheat.

Let us introduce straight away the most popular model in this category, which is the quiet and efficient duct fan with thermal control, fitted with a top-class Swiss Ziehl-Abegg motor. This bestseller is designated PK125EC-TC. As the picture shows, there are three control knobs on the polyamide housing. The one for temperature setting is on the left. The upper right knob sets the minimum speed, and the lower right one sets the maximum fan speed. Three knobs mean convenient setting of the fan’s optimal operation.

Do you have a large grow tent (growbox)? More than double the air flow can easily be handled, for example, by another popular EC fan with speed control and thermostat, designated PK250EC-TC. 

Prima Klima BLUE LINE fans

The royal range of duct fans with an EC motor and a top-class Swiss motor was designed for continuous operation and intensive air flow.

A frequent choice for medium-sized and larger growing spaces are the PK160-ECblue and PK250-ECblue variants.

And then there is a trio of robust fans, predestined to handle an incredible air flow continuously and with ease, moreover with low noise emissions. These are the following professional fans:

• PK300/315-EC (4400 m3/h)
• PK355/400-EC (4800 m3/h)
• PK400/450-EC (8000 m3/h)

At full performance, expect more than 80,000 hours of continuous operation at full performance! Despite the fact that these are already large fans, used not only in large growing spaces but also in other (industrial) operations, their vertical or horizontal installation is very easy. Pre-installed robust mounting brackets allow perfect placement in any room.

Sound-insulated Prima Klima fans

5 models with patented technology stand out among Prima Klima fans under the designation WHISPERBLOWER. The best is usually saved for last, so it will certainly not surprise you that these sound-insulated, “whispering” fans stand out not only in name. You can learn everything essential about them in a separate article: WHISPERBLOWER: professional fans with unrivalled efficiency. Recommended!

As you can see, Prima Klima has produced a fan for every grower without exception. You now know their common denominators and the specific features that distinguish them from one another. In combination with carbon filters from the same manufacturer (see the article link below), you will secure excellent ventilation equipment at a reasonable price. We will be happy to make your purchase easier. Please direct your questions to the well-known e-mail address info@higarden.eu.

We also recommend these products:

• Prima Klima wall bracket for fans
• Red Scorpion METAL fan 100 mm, 320 m3/h
• CO2 Generator MOTHER NATURE

What to read next:

• Plant cultivation and carbon dioxide. How and why to use it?
• Choosing your first tent with everything included
• Prima Klima - odour filters with activated carbon that you can rely on

Are you interested in the main differences between EC fans and AC fans? Then read this article, in which we will not only explain them, but you will also find out why, from a professional point of view, it usually pays to pay extra for a quality fan fitted with an electronically commutated direct current motor (EC). We will also recommend proven products to you. Every experienced indoor grower knows that ventilation equipment, which can boast a combination of properties such as long service life, quiet operation and low electricity consumption, belongs among those investments that pay back with every further harvest.

While AC fans, driven by an asynchronous electric motor with a traditional design, are generally used more for occasional ventilation of the growing space, EC fans work much more efficiently, and therefore in cultivation practice you can also use them much more to ensure your plants continuously have ideal conditions for vigorous development thanks to a perfect microclimate inside the grow tent or room throughout the entire growing cycle.

Advantages of EC fans

EC fans are driven by modern electric motors with higher output and efficiency. Compared with AC fans, they offer especially an average of 3x lower electricity consumption! That is certainly a sufficiently strong argument in itself, but because the purchase price of EC fans is usually considerably higher than that of AC fans, it is necessary to emphasise that the list of benefits does not end there. These are therefore further reasons that, despite the higher price tag, speak in favour of EC fans:

• Many times longer service life
• Significantly lower operating costs (costs for energy efficiency)
• Low noise and zero “hum/humm noise” even at low rpm
• Smaller size for the same output
• Simple and precise output control using digital controllers without reducing service life

Our TIP: Discover the number one in the field of speed control! Use controllers from the top Dutch manufacturer TechGrow.

In the picture on the right you can see one of the best-selling controllers for fan speed from the TechGrow brand.

EC control for EC fans:

• GSE Controller with LCD display for 2 EC fans

This digital controller from a renowned German manufacturer was made exclusively for EC fans. It allows up to 15 individual settings using just 3 buttons and easy control depending on temperature, humidity, day phase and hysteresis. Technically, it is also equipped with a clear LCD display and a built-in light sensor.

• A simpler and cheaper alternative is the proven GSE controller for EC fans.

How do EC motors work?

Electronically commutated direct current motors, which we classify among synchronous motors, have a so-called commutation circuit, which is an electronic speed control system that keeps the fan at optimal rpm. The EC motor consists of a stator and a rotor fitted with permanent magnets made of ferrite material. The rotor and stator form a pair of elements, both of which create their own magnetic field. These fields act on each other and the result is torque on the rotor. The rotor speed in these synchronous motors (for example Ziehl-Abegg) is therefore identical to the speed at which the electromagnetic field rotates. As a result, there are also no slip losses, which are typical for asynchronous motors (AC), where the electromagnetic field rotates faster than the rotor. (With AC motors, this would not even be possible without slip, because without it no magnetic field would arise.)

Prima Klima fans with EC motor

The control electronics, including the connections and capacitor, form in the case of these fans of German manufacture one compact unit, protected by an impact-resistant and non-flammable nylon housing.

Our TIP: If you are thinking about getting an EC fan and are interested in the best efficiency on the market, you can go straight to the separate article about WHISPERBLOWER professional fans, which are practically without competition in this respect.

Fans of the Prima Klima brand are manufactured in the Czech Republic, but to German quality standards. That is also why they have long been among the most popular with growers on the market, whether we are talking about the more efficient ones - fitted with a synchronous (EC) motor, or the cheaper Prima Klima fans with lower efficiency and shorter service life, driven by an asynchronous (AC) motor.

That is why, in cooperation with our specialists and also on the basis of our customers’ experience, we have selected a few key models beyond the above-mentioned WHISPERBLOWER range:

• A small but highly efficient radial duct fan with an improved aerodynamic shape is, for example, the Prima Klima PK160EC-TC. This quality fan with thermostat is driven by a premium motor from ZIEHL-ABEGG with a rotor whose blades are curved backwards.
• The long-term best-selling EC fan from the popular Prima Klima manufacturer is a real ace, bearing the designation PK125EC-TC, with an air flow capacity of 680 m3/h. This EC fan is also equipped with a thermostat. It therefore allows users to conveniently regulate the temperature in the growing space.

• More than double the air flow capacity is also offered by another long-term Prima Klima bestseller in the category of duct fans with EC motor, namely PK250EC-TC, which allows you to regulate both speed and temperature.

• The royal BLUE LINE range is fitted with ECblue motors from Ziehl-Abegg, which were subjected during development and subsequent production to the strictest tests, whether for IP protection rating or increased humidity. An example is the model for which the ECO K2607 filter together with combiflex ducting or quiet sonoflex ducting and cable ties are suitable. Exceptionally powerful, large fans with an air flow of 8000 m3/h are fantastic for large commercial operations. 

Silenced EC fans of the Q-Max range from Can-Fan RUCK 

The main added value of these reliable and high-quality EC fans is undoubtedly discreet operation.

It would be a great pity not to introduce, in connection with the topic of EC fans, at least a pair of the best-selling models from this silenced range, which differ from each other in air flow capacity, while both axial fans offer absolutely the highest aerodynamic efficiency and unrivalled electricity consumption thanks to the new 3D rotor and stator:

• Silenced fan Q-Max EC 2000 m3/h, 250 mm (see detailed parameters)
• Silenced fan Q-Max EC 3247 m3/h, 355 mm (see detailed parameters)

In addition to the incredibly quiet operation, which is the result of perfect acoustic insulation of the metal casing, these fans also offer other advantages:

• High output and long service life.
• Even flow without turbulence.
• EC motor speed controller.
• Easy installation thanks to integrated hangers.

You will achieve the best results when growing in a grow box by combining them with Can-Filters. Can-Fan RUCK EC fans can also be perfectly combined with these original controllers from the same manufacturer:

• Can-Fan EC temperature and speed controller
• LCD EC Can Fan controller - EC fan speed controller: in addition to the large LCD display, this digital controller for Can-Fan EC fans stands out especially thanks to a special probe, thanks to which the device reacts immediately to the slightest changes in the optimal conditions inside the growing space.

We hope this article has helped you decipher the answers to the most common questions and that you now have an idea of which type of fan will be the right one for you. Whether it is worth buying an EC fan, or whether an AC fan will be sufficient. Be assured that we enjoy your questions, so do not hesitate to ask us anything at the well-known e-mail address info@higarden.eu. We are here for you!

We also recommend these products:

• PRIMA KLIMA EC WHISPERSBLOWER fan 450m3/h, 125 mm, EC motor with smooth control (PK125-WHSP-ESM)
• PRIMA KLIMA fan 800m3/h, 160 mm, with thermal control (PK160-TC)
• Garden High PRO - PROFAN TT 125 mm, 220-280m3/h, 2 speeds

What to read next:

• How powerful a fan do you need?
• Prima Klima CARBOCONE: innovative activated carbon filters
• Differences between axial and radial fans. What and why?

In grow tents and rooms, in short, everywhere we need to circulate warm air, growers often use practical circulation fans, which also have uses beyond gardening. We know them well from homes and offices too, where they help maintain our alertness and comfort during hot summer months. These room fans with a transparent rotating propeller, which blow air either onto our plants or directly at us, are available in a wide range of variants. And because you often ask us which one will be right for you, in this article we will focus on the individual types of circulation fans and their features.

If we focus purely on the use of circulation fans for indoor plant growing, we can say that they are the right hand of extract (outlet) and, where applicable, intake (inlet) fans connected to ventilation ducting.

The importance of circulation fans in indoor growing environments

• Fresh air circulation: For your plants to be in perfect condition and to grow inside the grow tent as you expect, they need enough oxygen and carbon dioxide in the immediate vicinity of the leaves. Combined with lighting, this gives us the basis for successful photosynthesis. While classic fans (EC, AC), connected to ventilation ducting, ensure that there is a constant supply of fresh air in the enclosed space, the task of circulation fans or small fans is to ensure its constant movement around the plants. Thanks to them, the plant never manages to use up the CO2 around the leaves completely. And that is exactly what is desirable. Otherwise, growth and overall vitality would deteriorate. Without circulation fans, warm air in various places in the grow box would stagnate, which is certainly not beneficial for herbs or other plant species, as a static climate increases the likelihood of pests appearing in the growing environment.

Equalising the temperature inside the grow box: Returning to the source of artificial lighting, especially high-pressure and sodium discharge lamps (HPS, MH) produce a considerable amount of heat, which circulation and oscillating fans help to disperse effectively at the same time.

Choose according to output, features and installation type

Our shop range includes around thirty models with different outputs. It depends on your needs and also on the size of the growing area. It is simple: the larger the space, the more output is required.

Larger and more powerful fans can be supplemented with smaller ones in large growing spaces. Small fans are sufficient for small grow tents. Robust floor fans can also be supplemented with clip-on fans, which you can easily attach to the frame of the grow box in its upper parts, where long pedestal fans can also reach. There are also robust floor fans suitable for larger growing spaces, which also allow hanging from the ceiling or wall, such as the VF stainless steel fan, which our regular customers call nothing other than the “typhoon”.

The improved new product for 2022, the Pro Fan v2.0 from Garden Highpro, also offers the possibility of easy and secure installation at any height. As the image shows, it also comes in an unusual design.

If you know that the circulation fan will be running almost constantly, it is worth paying extra for quality workmanship (for example ball bearings, a 100% copper motor, stainless steel construction, etc.), which means a longer service life, and energy efficiency can also play a role.

Simulate a natural breeze for your little plants!

Among indoor growers, oscillating fans are very popular. These are room fans with an automatic base rotation function at an angle of up to 90°, thanks to which the air circulates in several directions. Better air distribution is also reflected in better condition of the cultivated plants, for which the automatic oscillation of the fans simulates a favourable real breeze, as if they were growing in nature. Their stems and side branches are therefore more resistant to breaking.

Division of circulation fans by installation type

This part of the article cannot be introduced by any fan other than the multifunctional 3-in-1 “combo” from the VF brand - a circulation fan combining the features of pedestal, wall and floor fans. This means you can use it exactly as you need. In any position, quiet operation and reliable blowing are guaranteed thanks to the powerful motor and automatic horizontal oscillation at 90°. A fully-fledged alternative is the STURM3.

• Pedestal fans: This type of circulation fan requires placement on a firm surface. Thanks to the solid circular base, its main advantage is stability. Pedestal fans usually have an adjustable neck, which makes it possible to direct the airflow at the desired height inside the growing space. A perfect example is the RAM Heavy Duty pedestal fan, whose profile you can see in the image.

• Wall fans: As the name suggests, these circulation fans are intended for installation on a wall. The advantage of this type of installation is undoubtedly space saving. You need a proper fan that you can mount on the wall easily, but which will hold as if nailed in place. That is exactly what the RAM Heavy Duty circulation wall fan brings to growers and others alike. It also includes an oscillation mode and effective protection against injury. In addition, you can also mount it on the ceiling without any problem.

• Floor fans: In the case of this type of fan too, the name already tells us what their main advantage is. Thanks to the lower profile, they allow somewhat easier handling in the space than pedestal models. Floor fans are also among the most powerful. Particularly popular is the quiet RAM floor fan (see the introductory photo) with a protective grille and the option of rotating around its own axis.
• Clip-on fans: Many growers swear by the so-called clip fans in smaller sizes, as they allow them to change their position at any time in a short moment, exactly according to the current needs and the space inside the grow box. They consume a negligible amount of electrical energy. In addition to economical operation, another major advantage is their extra-quiet running. When choosing a specific model, also consider how thick the bars of your grow tent frame are. If you require the longest possible service life, choose a fan equipped with ball bearings. We select products for you very carefully, which is why, not only in the case of fans with clips, we dare to say that you cannot go wrong with any fan from our range; it depends purely on your priorities.

For owners of grow tents from Secret Jardin, the Monkey Fan circulation fans are specially designed. However, as another new product this year proves, the 2-speed Monkey Fan v3.0 oscillating fan with 20 W output means that a Secret Jardin grow box is not a necessary condition for you to benefit from the excellent price-performance ratio these fans offer users. You can easily install them horizontally or vertically in any grow tent.

Speed control

In the vast majority of circulation fans, you will find switching between at least 2 speed modes. Proof of this is, for example, this small but powerful long-term bestseller with a clip and 2 speed modes from the renowned RAM manufacturer (Rapid Air Movement).

Three-stage speed control is offered, among others, by the RAM ECO Fan, and the RAM Heavy Duty pedestal fan even has 4 speed settings, so there is certainly plenty to choose from in terms of speed too. So take a look at the other models we have in stock as well.

We will be happy to advise you on choosing a circulation fan. Do not hesitate to ask us anything via the well-known e-mail address info@higarden.eu. We look forward to your questions!

We also recommend these products:

• Cyclone 40cm, 3 speeds
• RAM pedestal fan 40cm, 3 speeds
• Garden Highpro Clip Fan 15CM / 5W

What to read next:

• How powerful a fan do you need?
• WHISPERBLOWER: professional fans with unrivalled efficiency
• 100W full-spectrum supplementary light Lumatek BAR 2.9

We are pleased to present another interesting new addition to our range, this time from the German manufacturer of first-class ventilation equipment and lighting Prima Klima. Our specialists were impressed by a completely new design, developed in cooperation with ebm-papst Motoren, delivering incomparably better measurement results than we have been used to so far. Read more!

Continuous development has been Prima Klima’s number one priority for many years, and so we once again had the opportunity to test one of the tangible proofs bearing the name WhisperBlower. 

• We can now say that if you are looking for a truly professional, meaning exceptionally powerful and at the same time discreet fan in proven robust quality, this advanced fan makes your options considerably more interesting.
• At Prima Klima, they have completely rethought the existing principles of airflow and transformed the new findings into a functional design, which from a practical and economic point of view means the following for users:
• Optimised airflow under significantly higher pressure.
• Actual consumption still remains at levels that are fully comparable with conventional, less efficient fans.
• The fan’s operation is also even quieter (approx. 2.5 times)
• The manufacturer compares the operation of Whisperblower fans in practice to a ride on a roller coaster. If you have ever ridden one, it is all the easier to imagine how the fan design is adapted with regard to airflow under high pressure. The results are also well illustrated by the graphs.

• The most interesting and technically most advanced fan in the WhisperBlower product range features an adjustable thermostat and allows a maximum airflow of 750 m3/h. 
• The revolutionary Whisperblower fan range also meets the real needs of all growers, as it is produced in three speed variants:
• Single-speed
• Two-speed
• With stepless speed control

The main advantages of WHISPERBLOWER fans in brief:

• Patented SuperSilent EMB-papst RadiCal
• New blade geometry
• Highly durable and heat-resistant nylon housing (UL94)
• Maintenance-free ball bearings for long service life and exceptionally quiet operation

We believe that the most modern range of fans for indoor plant cultivation, developed by the German company based in the Czech town of Radnice, impressed you at first sight just as it did us. And if choosing a new fan for your grow tent or room is currently relevant for you, we will be happy to advise you at the well-known address info@higarden.eu.

We also recommend these products: 

• Prima Klima Lucilu SHUTTLE 6 LED 240W Dimmable light fitting (14 999 Kč)
• PRO-ECO VF carbon filters (from 899 Kč)
• Lumatek ZEUS 600W PRO 2.9 (23 999 Kč)

What to read next? 

• Comparison of top LED lights from Lumatek: ZEUS PRO vs. ZEUS PRO 2.9
• PRO-ECO VF carbon filters for reliable neutralisation of unwanted odours
• Dutch Mammoth in a new coat: taller and better!

What do you expect from an odour filter? Prima Klima Carbocone is a product that our customers value most, because it can boast the longest service life on the market, thanks in part to its patented design. It is time to learn more about this innovation!

The designers and technicians from the renowned German company Prima Klima have once again excelled themselves, and the newly improved patented conical design of the inner basket is an innovation that ultimately brings growers several benefits, as one naturally follows from the other:

• Extended service life. Compared with standard filters, any carbon filter from the premium Carbocone range will reliably serve you 30% longer. The average service life is up to around 3 years! In addition to the improved construction, high-quality metal pressure elements also contribute to this.
• Increased filtration efficiency by up to 30%! Highly effective adsorption of odour particles to an unmatched degree also means, among other things, 30% greater saturation of the growing space with oxygen, which can then take the place of the odour particles. And your plants will appreciate that!
• Why waste 100% virgin CTC 65 activated carbon, which you may also know from the Industry Line, right? However, the sophisticated design of the Carbocone range ensures the even saturation of the activated carbon layer with odour particles, or in short, its maximally even use and surprisingly low consumption.

Odour filters from the CARBOCONE product range also come with a pre-filter against dust as standard.

Compatibility of the Carbocone range

Below we provide links to the recommended Prima Klima fans that are compatible with these innovative carbon filters:

• PK160-A
• PK160-L
• PK160-2
• PK160-TC
• PK160EC-TC
• PK160-ECblue

OUR TIP: The technologically most advanced Carbocone carbon filters also pair perfectly with Prima Klima WHISPERBLOWER fans, which deserve the same label, as they too are among the hot new products and will certainly raise the efficiency and economy of the air handling in your grow tent or room even further.

If you have any questions about this innovation, or if you would like to quickly find your way around the wide range of fans, our specialists are available to you at the well-known address info@higarden.eu. 

We also recommend these products: 

• PRIMA KLIMA WHISPERBLOWER fan 750 m3/h, 125 mm, EC motor with thermal regulation (7 490 Kč)
• Prima Klima Lucilu SHUTTLE 6 LED 240 W - dimmable light fitting (14 999 Kč)
• Lumatek ZEUS 600W PRO 2.9 (23 999 Kč)

What to read next? 

• SHOGUN: The best British fertilisers with an emphasis on research
• Trichoderma, or the natural way to a rich and healthy harvest
• WHISPERBLOWER: professional fans with unrivalled efficiency

Is your goal discreet plant cultivation in the comfort of your home, but are you struggling with unwanted odours coming from the grow tent into your household? Forget cheap filters and get a truly final solution that will leave you 100% satisfied!

The modern and lightweight odour filters PRO-ECO VF are a reliable tool for a constant supply of healthy, clean air to your plants grown in the grow box and at the same time a long-term guarantee that even aromatic varieties of herbs, fruit or vegetables will not surprise you or anyone else with their intense aroma non-stop until harvest.

• The secret of the success these top-quality carbon filters have achieved on the market lies primarily in the exceptional quality of the activated carbon used, whose ability to absorb various odour particles is among the best in the world.
• It also lies in its quantity, because although the manufacturer does not skimp on it, the final product remains affordable, and that is a big plus in our view.
• It uses rare 1050+ IAV Australian RC412 carbon in granule form, shaped into a solid carbon filter wall with a 4 cm thickness.
• The granules are chopped pieces of carbon that absorb odour particles from the air across their entire surface. This is why one of the advantages of these filters is their high absorption capacity while maintaining a low weight.

Precise and sophisticated construction

• An unrivalled amount of the highest-quality activated carbon is cleverly integrated into a filter of relatively small dimensions.
• The carbon insert is protected by a thin material so that carbon dust does not pass through the openings in the filter, as is not uncommon with lower-quality products.
• The construction of these filters is characterised by a reduced height, which allows easy installation even in narrow spaces.
• The aerodynamic base ensures even airflow. As a result, odour and other unwanted particles contained in the air also land on the carbon layer more evenly. The result is higher filtration efficiency and a longer service life of the filter itself.
• The PRO-ECO VF filters also come with an aluminium lid, which significantly reduces the overall weight of the construction while also protecting it sufficiently against mechanical damage.
• Each pack of these top-quality carbon filters also includes a high-quality and washable external pre-filter. Its task is to stop particles whose properties could have a negative impact on the effectiveness of the active carbon layer. This also extends its service life, which ranges from 10 to 15 months.

Best for last. In our e-shop you can buy VF PRO-ECO carbon filters, depending on the specific parameters, with an exclusive price tag from just 899 Kč! You can choose from a wide range of models according to capacity and connection diameter. We will also be happy to advise you on the right option at the well-known address info@higarden.eu.

What to read next?

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• Unique concentrated fertilisers Metrop
• Enzymes

In most households, disruptive elements are certainly not welcome. That is why you should get an affordable and modern grow box and equip it with a fan that will contribute as much as possible for a long time to the correct microclimate for the optimal development of your plants, while being so quiet that there will be no sign or sound of it at home.

On the market for indoor plant cultivation goods, you will probably not find an intake-extract fan for ensuring perfect air circulation in a grow tent that could compete with the silenced duct fans of the Q-max range, and not only in terms of discreet operation. Do you also like that feeling when you buy a new computer that starts up smoothly, in an instant, while you have to strain your ears to hear it working? You can experience these feelings with a silenced fan equipped with an EC motor even during the operation of a home grow box. 

Fans from the Q-max series are the flagship of all modern fans with an electronically commutated motor, which are clearly worth it whether you are cultivating on a smaller or larger scale. Here are a few reasons in brief:

• The traditional Can-Fan company based in the Netherlands manufactures silenced fans in Germany that have long been dominating the market for grow ventilation. Their workmanship reflects this too; German quality standards are a matter of course here.
• As part of long-term innovation, production has made it possible to achieve even airflow without turbulence, resulting in unbeatable quiet operation.
• Perfect sound insulation provided by a silencer filled with acoustic foam, which is also visible in the image above, is one of the main reasons why we have long warmly recommended these fans as the basis of the ventilation system of every home grow box. Forget additional noise silencers, they are simply no longer needed.
• Another advantage of modern EC fans is the top-quality Swiss EC motor safely hidden in a galvanised metal casing (see image).
• Exceptional aerodynamic efficiency of these devices is based on a patented 3D rotor-stator system, which guarantees even airflow with a strength that will reliably ensure a supply of fresh air for your plants. The technology, crowned with a patent, is also clearly reflected in the exceptionally favourable electricity consumption.
• Fans with this type of motor do not overheat, as they operate at significantly lower running temperatures.
• Longer service life is another unmissable benefit of DC EC motors and another reason to invest in them instead of outdated brushed motors.
• Even small fans equipped with an EC motor are capable of matching much larger fans with AC motors in terms of performance.
• The difference in the performance of fans with an EC motor compared with others is more than obvious. In addition to exceptional performance in complete silence, environmentally minded growers also appreciate the environmentally friendly power distribution.

Q-Max controllers with built-in thermostat

The controller is worth it for everyone!

• The purchase price is quickly offset by savings on energy, and indoor gardening becomes more enjoyable.
• Are you among growers who cultivate plants on a larger scale and therefore use several fans at once? We believe that the features of Q-max fans will appeal to you all the more. With the Q-Max Controller Speed + Temperature, you can conveniently control up to 10 devices at once, while you can classically regulate the speed, but also set the operating speed of the fan depending on the integrated thermostat.

Experienced growers know that saving on the purchase price of a fan does not pay off, and this applies even to complete beginners. So why settle for anything other than the best? If you have just decided on silence and peace for your own enjoyment and that of your neighbours, combined with high performance and even airflow, we will be happy to advise you on choosing the right model at the well-known address info@higarden.eu.

We also recommend these products: 

• A range of carbon filters from the same manufacturer: choose according to flange size, or flange-free filters are also available.
• CAN-special odour filters (from 4,349 CZK): filters that are the most popular among growers right in the land of tulips!
• Q-max Controller Speed + Temperature (2,990 CZK)

What to read next? 

• Long-awaited news: LED ZEUS PRO 2.9 and LED ATS PRO
• Growing under artificial lighting: HPS vs. LED
• How to choose and assemble tent ventilation

How do you choose an odour filter, and what should you watch out for when choosing one? That is a common question, and in this article I will try to give you a few reference points to help you find your way around.

What capacity should an odour filter have? - The capacity of an odour filter is stated in the same way as for fans, and it is the ability to clean a certain amount of air per hour of operation, stated in m3. That is, m3/h. You always need a filter with a higher capacity than the maximum output of the fan; otherwise, there is a risk that it will be “blown through” and the filter will start letting odours through, even though it is otherwise perfectly fine. 

How much more powerful can an odour filter be? - In theory, there is no limit. If you use a filter with a capacity of 4,000 m3 on a fan with an output of 800 m3, the setup will work, but the filter will be enormous and you will probably have a space problem. In practice, filters with a capacity 10-50% higher than the maximum output of the fan used are usually employed. For our case of an 800 m3 fan, a filter with a capacity from 880 m3 to 1,200 m3 is suitable. The higher the maximum capacity you choose, the longer the filter will last.

How long will the filter last? - This question is very difficult to answer; it is usually stated in the range between 6 months and 2 years, depending on the chosen filter series and its intended purpose. Overall, the filter’s lifespan is affected by 3 factors.
- The first is the amount of activated carbon in the filter,
- The second is the quality of the carbon, and its “tamping” so that the gaps are always even and no air pockets form, for which manufacturers use special tools.
- The last, and very important, is the “dirtiness” of the air that the filter is meant to clean. If the odour is strong and there is a lot of dust in the air that clogs the filter, you may need to replace the filter every few months; if the odour is mild, the filter may last significantly longer than its stated lifespan.

How do you connect the filter? -  Air is always drawn through the filter so that the fan draws in already clean air. Filters are also usually made so that there is a coarse fabric on the outside that catches larger impurities - (this fabric can be replaced or even shaken out when the air is very dirty) and the air cleaned in this way is then filtered by activated carbon. If you connect the filter the other way round, meaning you blow air through the filter, large particles in the air will clog the activated carbon and significantly reduce its lifespan, as well as that of the fan, which is better off drawing in clean air.

Is it possible to replace the carbon in the filter and thereby extend its lifespan? - Theoretically yes, but because replacing the carbon is not just a matter of pouring out the used carbon and pouring in new carbon, but also very much about placing the carbon in the filter so that no air pockets form and at the same time the carbon is not “tamped” too much and the filter permeability is not reduced too much, and thus its real capacity. When replacing activated carbon at home, it is therefore necessary to count on the fact that the filter may work, but the filter parameters will be significantly worse than those of a new, originally manufactured filter.

We also recommend: 

• You can find a wide range of odour filters here.
• Prima Klima Carbocone filters with extended lifespan
• Quiet WHISPERBLOWER fans

What to read next? 

• How to choose and assemble tent ventilation
• Prima Klima CARBOCONE: innovative activated carbon filters
• Stylish HOMEbox Ambient grow tents combine the pleasant with the useful

You will surely remember the abbreviation CO2 from chemistry lessons. There are optimal growing conditions. And there are also optimal conditions enriched precisely with carbon dioxide.  Did you know that by adding it to the growing space, for example a grow box, you can easily increase yields by up to 20%?

It has been proven that carbon dioxide is clearly beneficial for plants. And not just a little. With a slight exaggeration, we can say that for plants it is, in a way, a kind of “energy drink”. CO2 therefore supports plant growth and ripening. 

During the day, plants need enough carbon dioxide and at night they need oxygen. There is enough carbon dioxide in the atmosphere to support the growth of plants grown in outdoor conditions. Even so, they can absorb much more through their roots and leaves and make full use of it for their own benefit, and therefore, of course, for the grower’s benefit as well.

A lack of CO2 can be observed especially in indoor gardening. In the vast majority of cases, insufficient ventilation or poor air circulation is to blame. In plants, low CO2 concentration in the air most often shows itself in slow growth, by as much as 30 or 40%.

We recommend remembering the basic rule of cultivation when it comes to deliberately adding carbon dioxide to the air. The more light plants have, the more CO2 they need. Under intensive cultivation beneath artificial lighting, this of course applies doubly. It also follows that with a low carbon dioxide concentration, the efficiency of the lamps used is unnecessarily lower, whether you use high-pressure discharge lamps or modern LED diodes.

Enriching the air in a grow box with CO2 ultimately also ensures better use of fertiliser.

You will reach the desired harvest much sooner, possibly by as much as two weeks compared with a growing cycle that is not accompanied by CO2 supplementation.

Once you increase the carbon dioxide concentration in your home grow room to at least around 500 pmm, growth will speed up by up to 15%. Quite often, however, it can be by a full 20%. The limit concentration is then 1000 pmm. At that level, we can expect growth to accelerate by almost half. However, this limit should not be exceeded. A proper grower must therefore not be greedy when saturating the air with carbon dioxide.

Now you know why we can clearly recommend adding carbon dioxide to every indoor grower, regardless of experience. It is therefore the right time to introduce practical and affordable products that will ensure the air in your grow room is saturated with carbon dioxide. The products in question are available in the form of practical tablets or in a cheaper variant, namely hanging bags for a grow tent.

Popular GURU CO2 tablets stand out thanks to gradual release.

Safety

Do not forget that when handling all products for supplementing CO2 in a grow box, increased caution and responsibility are necessary, as carbon dioxide itself is a colourless, odourless and tasteless gas that normally occurs in the air at normal concentrations. Why is it not directly poisonous to humans? That does not change the fact that it is unbreathable. Before entering a growing space in which equipment for enriching the air with carbon dioxide is used, it is necessary to ventilate thoroughly!

Do you cultivate plants indoors? Whether in soil, coco or hydroponically, now you know that a few tablets or a bag with carbon dioxide are enough and your efforts will bring significantly more fruit. For more information or help choosing specific products, do not hesitate to contact us. Call or write to info@higarden.eu.

- CO2 products