Why Should You Avoid Buying Cheap Activated Carbon Filters?

by Lee Safin

An activated carbon filter efficiently traps odors, bad smells, and unhealthy particles from the grow room. Choosing a high-quality activated carbon filter ensures proper functioning for a prolonged time.

Why should you avoid buying cheap activated carbon filters?

Cheap activated carbon filters are not efficient enough to remove unwanted smells, and toxic air pollutants inside the grow room. Besides, they won’t last long. Investing in decent activated carbon filters ensures proper functionality and a longer lifespan.

Why Should You Avoid Buying Cheap Activated Carbon Filters?
Why Should You Avoid Buying Cheap Activated Carbon Filters?

Why Should You Avoid Buying Cheap Activated Carbon Filters?

We always look for budget-friendly products without compromising quality. So, you are here to know why should you avoid buying cheap activated carbon filters?

Quality Portrays Durability

VIVOSUN 6 Inch Air Carbon Filter Smelliness Control With Australia Virgin Charcoal For Inline Duct Fan, Grow Tent, Pre-Filter Included, Reversible Flange 6'x 18'
VIVOSUN 6 Inch Air Carbon Filter Smelliness Control With Australia Virgin Charcoal For Inline Duct Fan, Grow Tent, Pre-Filter Included, Reversible Flange 6'x 18'

Quality things have reasonable prices. After all, the manufacturer uses the best parts and materials for the product to ensure smooth functionality and long-lasting durability.

Even high-quality activated carbon filters last 2 years on average if you use them continuously. Hence, they require frequent replacement. Buy something inexpensive, and you will have to replace it or repair it dozens of times.

Isn’t it better to invest in a dedicated one to ensure reasonable durability? Or, you want to save a few bucks initially but end up spending more at the end?

Quality Portrays Functionality

Why buy an activated carbon filter? Obviously, you want to remove annoying smells and maintain fresh air inside the grow room.

But, cheap activated carbon filters may not work smoothly and consistently. Since the plants are growing in a restricted space, continuous filtration is essential to make a favorable environment for the plants.

However, choosing cheap activated carbon filters makes you compromise this factor. We are not saying you have to buy top-expensive activated carbon filters. Just make sure it is long-lasting and functions appropriately.

If you are going to buy it for the first time, take suggestions from the current users. Also, check for online reviews. Keep yourself away from fake products.

How do Carbon Air Filters Trap Gaseous Pollutants?

Generally, carbon air filters absorb harmful air pollutants and annoying smells from the air through their vast surface area and thousands of pores.

How Do Carbon Air Filters Trap Gaseous Pollutants?
How Do Carbon Air Filters Trap Gaseous Pollutants?

The whole process of removing and trapping gaseous pollutants works through a process. When the different airborne pollutants contact the air filter surface, it traps and absorbs them inside the pores.

Since millions of air particles are surrounded in our environment, continuous usage is essential. Airborne particles are super light, so their movements are quick. They continuously come even if the carbon air filter is continuously removing them.

Hopefully, you got a clear idea on “How do carbon air filters trap gaseous pollutants?”

I Can’t Seem To Locate My Cabin Air FilterDo All Cars Come With A Factory Cabin Filter?

How many car filters are in your car depends on its model. If you own a vehicle, which model is older (before 1980), it is likely to have only one filter. On the other hand, most standard cars after 2000 also have only one filter. But, expensive models may have up to 3 filters. Generally, carbon air filters are located at the back of the glove box or under the car windshield.

How Often Should I Replace My Filters During Wildfire Smoke Events?

Since wildfire smoke events are not regular, changing filters more frequently is essential. You will notice some symptoms when it is time to replace them. You may need to replace them every month if the environment is highly unhealthy.

Here are a few indicators:

  • Filters become clogged
  • Failing to trap heavy physical smoke particles
  • Blocking issue in the HVAC

Where Can I Buy PM 2.5 Filter Masks Or Filters?

You can buy PM 2.5 filter masks or filters from several brands. Here are the links of them:

Brand Name Important notes
Leche Made from polyurethane foam
Silvadur reusable mask Last up to 50 washes
VIDA & Co Replace after 7 days
OUBA Professional PM 2.5 Filter 5-layer activated carbon filters
Steve Madden Includes 20 pieces in each packet
Ministry Of Supply 3D Print-Knit Mask

How Would I Get Benefits From an Activated Carbon Filter?

How Would I Get Benefits From An Activated Carbon Filter?
How Would I Get Benefits From An Activated Carbon Filter?

Having activated carbon filters benefit you in several ways. From the smallest particles to large particles, it can trap and absorb several types of particles.

The primary task of carbon filters is to remove dangerous and smelly pollutants from the surrounding internal areas. It creates a healthy environment with fresh and non-smelly air.

Here are the lists of things an activated carbon filter can absorb from its closed area:

No Items Name
1 Allergens
2 Pet dander
3 Typical domestic chemicals
4 Smoke
5 Many organic chemical compounds
6 Mold spores
7 Dust

According to several studies, decent-quality carbon filters can remove up to 99.97% of airborne particles and other harmful contaminants. If you have aggravation or allergy issues, a carbon filter is a more precious option for you. It improves air quality. And, you feel fresh.

If you live in a smoky area or a chain smoker lives with you, having a decent quality carbon filter benefits you in several ways. It mainly protects your respiratory health.

How To Effectively Use An Activated Carbon Air Filter?

In order to ensure optimal performance of an activated carbon air filter, it is crucial to use it correctly. Here are a few critical factors to check out if you want to know how to effectively use an activated carbon air filter.

AC Infinity Air Carbon Filter 6' With Premium Australian Virgin Charcoal, For Inline Duct Fan, Odor Control, Hydroponics, Grow Rooms
AC Infinity Air Carbon Filter 6' With Premium Australian Virgin Charcoal, For Inline Duct Fan, Odor Control, Hydroponics, Grow Rooms

Carbon Volume

Does the filter have enough carbon? Higher carbon ensures higher efficiency. The machine can absorb more harmful airborne substances from the surrounding area of the grow tent.

Sufficient Air Flow

A good amount of air needs to pass through the carbon to ensure a good reaction. Only then can it eliminate the highest amount of air pollutants from the surrounding area. This approach is called “dwell time.” For example, about 95% of the absorbable contaminants are decreased in concentration with 0.5 second dwell times.

Replacing Carbon Filter

Changing carbon filters is necessary when it loses its effectiveness. So, If you change the carbon filter when it needs to be changed, how will you know?  It looks completely saturated.

Aside from that, you may notice annoying smells coming from the filter surface. Since it is a rough estimate, following the manufacturer’s guidelines is a far better option.

Replacing a carbon filter depends on how much you use it regularly and how much dirty pollutant it collects from the surrounding area.

You can also follow the manufacturing company’s guidelines to change it. Changing carbon filters requires a reasonable budget. But, buying them each month seems fair.

How to Choose a Filter By Its MERV Rating?

How To Choose A Filter By Its MERV Rating?
How To Choose A Filter By Its MERV Rating?

MERV Rating is an essential factor for choosing the right carbon filter. The scale ranges from 1 to 16. MERV ratings are highly correlated with efficiency. Carbon filters with low MERV ratings fail to collect small particles. Experts categorized them into four categories.

Rating Scale Particles Size Percentage of particles can collect
MERV Rating 1-4 3.0-10.0 microns 20%
MERV Rating 5-8 3.0-10.0 microns up to 85%
MERV Rating 9-12 1.0-3.0 microns up to 89%
MERV Rating 13-16 0.03-1.0 microns up to 95%

A carbon filter with a higher MERV rating can absorb more precise particles from the surrounding area. But, they are expensive too. Besides, you may not need them. On top of that, filters are required to change after a few months. Buying higher MERV rating filters increases your budget as you need to replace them repeatedly.

So, how will you know when you should buy filters with a higher MERV rating and when with a lower MERV rating?

  • If you don’t have any allergies and neither smoke nor have any pet, a 1-7 MERV rating is perfect.
  • Choose a filter with an 8-10 MERV rating if you have serious allergy issues.
  • If you smoke heavily inside your home or set up a wood-burning fireplace, consider choosing a filter with an 11-13 MERV rating.
  • If you set up a filter in your industrial or hospital area, it should be more than a 13 MERV rating.
  • The filter you will choose should be perfectly matched with your grow room size for good functionality.
  • Since you need to replace them frequently, investing in an inexpensive option is better.

How Often Should I Change My Cabin Air Filter?

Most experts recommend replacing cabin air filters after 15000 miles of use. Replacing them after 15000 miles keeps the internal environment fresh and clean. It is safe to breathe.

If you delay changing it, the overall efficiency of the air filter will reduce. It will be clogged up. The HVAC system may not work smoothly.

Which Type of House Water Filter Should You Get?

House water filter comes in several types:

  1. Aeration Filter
  2. Ultraviolet Disinfection
  3. Carbon Water
  4. Ion Exchange
  5. Reverse Osmosis

Different filters are suitable for different purposes. The Ultraviolet Disinfection water filter is perfect for removing bacteria and viruses, while the Ion Exchange water filter eliminates organic and microorganism contaminants.

If you want to get rid of heavy minerals or organic substances from the water, a carbon water filter is a better option. When your water is full of perilous waterborne bacteria, you can use a Reverse Osmosis filter.

Final Thought

Are you still wondering why should you avoid buying cheap activated carbon filters? Surely not! We got you covered on this topic. Thanks for reading!

Last update on 2023-01-28 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Buy them at Walmart, eBay, or Etsy

OUBA Professional PM 2.5 Filter - Etsy, eBay

About Lee Safin

Lee Safin was born near Sacramento, California on a prune growing farm. His parents were immigrants from Russia who had fled the Bolshevik Revolution. They were determined to give their children a better life than they had known. Education was the key for Lee and his siblings, so they could make their own way in the world. Lee attended five universities, where he studied plant sciences and soil technologies. He also has many years of experience in the U.S. Department of Agriculture as a commercial fertilizer formulator.

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