Fresh Carbon Filter

Fresh Carbon Filter

Fresh Carbon Filters average six months use. Not recommended unless you are on a tight budget. Always give a good shake before use to make sure that any loose carbon pellets have been removed before connecting up to your exhaust fan. Remember this Carbon Filter is a budget option, it does not use activated carbon, but instead carbon pellets. This is a cheap Carbon Filter; beware that it performance is directly linked to the environment in which it is housed. For example if the area where the filter is used has a high water content (thus humid) then the Carbon pellets will start to become hydrated. Conseqently the pores will become blocked and this results in a lose of surface area, which in turn reduces the capablilites of adsorbing organic gas molecules. Another point to consider is the bed of carbon inside the Fresh Carbon Filter is less thick when compared to others, nor is it compacted and is loosly filled by hand rather than compacted by machine like other Carbon Filters on the market.

Why should I buy a Fresh Carbon Filter ?

We sell it as it is an entry level option, much like a Euro lighting system. We dont claim that this carbon filter is the best available option or that its activated carbon used inside either. We provide you with three choices of Carbon Filter to pick from. Regardless of the pedigree of this Carbon Filter it is still hugley popular in the market, some other hydroponics shop only sell this filter, it is also hugly popular on eBay. We don't recommend it, but it does perform and is better then nothing. But don't pay to much more for this brand of Carbon Filter, as simply it's  just not that good value for money.

What Size Fresh Carbon Filter do I need?

You need to match the Filter with the correct size exhaust Fan (we sell Systemair HVK Fans). Thus for example if you have a Fresh Filter 150A1 then a HVK 150A would be used, this combination would suit a Grow Tent of 1.2m square size with a 600watt Isis Grow Light to match. The Extraction Kit (Carbon Filter and Extraction Fan) will need to have the right capacity for the space being used. Thus a Fresh Filter 100 will not be affective when matched with a Grow Tent of 2.4m x 1.2m dimesions. Just for clarfication in this matter having a better quailty filter will not mean that it will be able to handle a larger area to work within. You need to match the Fan and Filter capacity (M³ Per Hr) with your Grow Room area. This usally translated into a specfic diameter size, presently the six most common sizes which are used are 100, 125, 150, 200, 250 and 315 (based in mm). Once you have the required diameter for your filter it is then your choice to select the brand of filter to be used.

What Brand Filter should I use?

Presently they are five or six brands on the market. At this stage we would suggest you buy the highest quailty filter possible on your budget. Try not to get caught up in the marketing out there, every brand states its the best. Also remember just because its the most money doesn't automatically mean its the ultimate in its catoregry. Try to focus on value for performance. Some brands have not moved with the times and conseqnently the filters are so big and heavy that it's above and beyond hard work to hang the filter in a Grow Tent. Others cliam to use a specfic type of carbon which makes them super special. Certain Carbon Filter brands just rob another's name and trade on that. In summary the choice is yours and you should pick a Carbon Filter Brand based on your own requirements in terms of your experience and budget than relaying soley on marketing material or a online hear'say advice.

Carbon Filter Review:

As the Carbon Filter is an important part of your grow room, a little bit of time and effort does need to be taken to researching whats avaliable before selecting on a specfic brand of Carbon Filter. 3CH has made it a little simply for you by stocking three types. For people which have very little money and need something rather than nothing there is the Fresh Filter. For people which buy into the markerting and want the current market leader there is Rhino Pro Carbon Filters. It's expensive and thus reassuring, it has a solid following and it is the only choice for the connaisseur's amongest us. The final option is the Quailty Budget Filter (QBF), its new to the market and doesn't use much marketing and relies surely on doing what it says on the tin. It overcomes all of the short comings which the Fresh has by using carbon that is non-pellet shaped and is activated. Which in summery means that it has a large internal surface, the carbon looks more jagged and raw with a darker texture due to the burning off process it has been exposed. This is used to enlarge the carbon pores so that it's capable of adsorbing greater levles of contaminated gases molecules. A negative aspect is that it's heavier as it has a thicker bed of carbon. Other filters on the market only have half an inch or three quatres of inch of carbon material inserted in between the mesh void. The QBF has at the entry level 100mm model two inches thick of activated carbon. Conseqently this and the steel caps making it much heavier than the market leader Rhino. Which is made from Aluimmiuiam material instead of Steel. Clearly from inspection on the outside the Rhino looks much more well put together than a QBF, with its shine exterior aluminiuam finish. The only draw back for many when starting this hobby is the cost of a Rhino Filter. The Filter may state it lasts for two years, but many only need six months worth of use. As not everyone uses they grow room system setup's all year round.

In Summary:

If your on a budget and just starting out on this hobby then the QBF is perfect for your requirements. If on the other hand your cash rich and consider yourself more of a professioanl whom requires the finer things in life then we would suggest a Rhino Filter. Most people starting out in this hobby dont want to layout lots of money as they dont know how long they be doing it for as circumstances change, so the senseible option is to get middle of the road QBF. Where by for only a little bit more your get an excellent performer at a sensible cost in the QBF. Thus to recap the Fresh Filter is not a high quality carbon filters or the best available. It does not have Activated carbon, It does absorb organic smells as the air is passed through the Filter. You need to attach it to the correct size Extraction Fan (dont buy a eBay toilet fan, it doesnt work)  for best results. Fresh Carbon Filters average six months use. Not recommended unless you are on a tight Budget.