How to Control CO2 Levels in a Grow Room
Hello, in this article I will explain how to control the CO2 level in a mushroom growing room.
An optimal CO2 level can improve the quality and quantity of your crops, while too high or too low a level can cause problems.
Therefore, it is essential to measure and control the CO2 in your grow room. To do this, I am going to show you some methods and tools you can use.
Contents
What Is Co2 And Why Is It Important For Mushrooms?
CO2 is carbon dioxide, a colorless, odorless gas that is produced by the respiration of fungi.
Fungi use oxygen and release CO2, just like humans.
CO2 is necessary for fungal growth, but it must be in balance with oxygen.
- If there is too much CO2, fungi grow too fast and lose quality and yield.
- If there is too little CO2, mushrooms grow slowly and may become deformed or fail to fruit.
The optimum CO2 level depends on the type of mushroom and the stage of cultivation.
In general, it is recommended to maintain a CO2 level between 600 and 1000 ppm (parts per million) during the vegetative phase, when the mycelium spreads through the substrate.
In this phase, CO2 stimulates mycelial growth and prevents premature formation of fruitlets.
During the reproductive phase, when the fungi begin to form their fruiting bodies, it is recommended to lower the CO2 level to less than 600 ppm, preferably between 300 and 500 ppm.
In this phase, CO2 inhibits the development of fruiting bodies and favors stem elongation.
How To Measure The Co2 Level In A Grow Room?
To measure the CO2 level in a grow room, a CO2 meter or sensor is needed.
This is a device that detects the CO2 concentration in the air and displays it on a screen or sends it to a controller.
There are different types and models of CO2 meters, with different features and prices.
Some examples are:
Portable Digital Meter
This is a device that can be taken anywhere and displays the CO2 level on an LCD screen.
It is useful for spot measurements or for small grow rooms. Its price is usually around $100.
Fixed digital meter
This device is installed on the wall or ceiling and displays the CO2 level on an LED screen.
Useful for continuous measurements or for larger grow rooms. Its price is usually around $200.
Analog sensor
This device does not have a display, but sends an electrical signal proportional to the CO2 level to an external controller.
It is useful for integration into an automated system or for professional grow rooms.
The price is usually around 50 dollars.
How To Control The Co2 Level In A Grow Room?
To control the CO2 level in a grow room, different methods and tools can be used, depending on the size and type of room, the budget and the desired degree of automation.
Some examples are:
Ventilation
This consists of exchanging the air inside the room with fresh air from outside.
This process helps to remove excess CO2 and other gases that can affect fungal growth.
To ventilate the room, fans and grilles can be installed to maintain a constant flow of air, avoiding stagnant pockets of CO2.
The frequency and duration of ventilation will depend on the size and design of the room, the type and amount of fungi and the outside climate.
A timer or controller can be used to regulate ventilation according to the CO2 level measured by the sensor.
This is the simplest and most economical method of CO2 control, but it is also the most energy-intensive and the most likely to alter the room temperature and humidity.
Explanation Table For Mushroom Ventilation
| Factor | Explanation | Example |
|---|---|---|
| The size and design of the grow space | A larger or more closed space may require more ventilation than a smaller or more open one. | If you have a closet or a box for growing, you can use a passive fan to extract the air. If you have a room or a greenhouse, you can use two active fans to introduce and extract the air. |
| The type and number of mushrooms | Some species of mushrooms produce more CO2 than others, and the more mushrooms you have, the more CO2 will be generated. | If you grow oyster mushrooms, which are fast-growing and high-yielding, you may need more ventilation than if you grow shiitake mushrooms, which are slow-growing and low-yielding. |
| The stage of development of the mushrooms | Mushrooms need more CO2 during the vegetative phase (when the mycelia grow) than during the reproductive phase (when they form the fruiting bodies). | If you are in the vegetative phase, you can ventilate the space every two days for 10 minutes. If you are in the reproductive phase, you can ventilate the space every day for 20 minutes. |
| The ambient temperature and humidity. | A warmer or more humid environment may require more ventilation than a colder or drier one. | If you live in a tropical climate, where it is hot and humid all year round, you can ventilate the space twice a day for 30 minutes. If you live in a temperate climate, where it is cold and dry part of the year, you can ventilate the space once a day for 15 minutes. |
| The desired CO2 level | The optimal CO2 level for mushroom growth is usually between 800 and 1200 ppm (parts per million). You can measure the CO2 level with a meter or a sensor and adjust the ventilation accordingly. | If your meter indicates that the CO2 level is higher than 1200 ppm, you can increase the frequency or duration of ventilation. If your meter indicates that the CO2 level is lower than 800 ppm, you can decrease the frequency or duration of ventilation. |
Supplementation
This consists of adding extra CO2 to enhance fungal growth.
When the CO2 level is too low or when you want to increase the mushroom yield, this method is used.
Different sources can be used to supplement CO2, such as bottles of compressed CO2, CO2 generators from combustion or fermentation, or CO2 injectors from carbonated water.
To supplement CO2, a regulator is needed to control the amount and pressure of the gas, a diffuser to distribute it around the room, and a solenoid to shut it off when it is not needed.
A controller can regulate the supplementation according to the CO2 level measured by the sensor.
This is the most effective and accurate method of CO2 control, but also the most expensive and complex to install and maintain.
Absorption
Consists of removing excess CO2 by means of a chemical or biological absorbent.
When the CO2 level is too high or when we want to reduce energy consumption and gas emissions, we use this method.
Different materials can be used to absorb CO2, such as soda lime, potassium hydroxide, algae or plants.
We need a container that contains the absorbent, a fan that blows air into it and a filter that prevents particles from escaping to absorb CO2.
You can use a controller to regulate the absorption according to the level of CO2 measured by the sensor.
This is the most environmentally friendly and sustainable method of CO2 control, but it is also the least efficient and takes up the most space.
Co2 Controller For Mushroom Farm
There are different brands and models of CO2 controllers for mushroom farms on the market, with different features and prices.
Here are three options:
| Brand | Description | Accuracy | Sensor Life | Features | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Inkbird | Smart temperature and humidity controller with CO2 measurement | ± 50 ppm or ± 5% | 5 years |
|
$79 USD |
| Atlas Scientific | CO2 meter for monitoring grow room CO2 levels | ± 30 ppm or ± 3% | 10 years |
|
$99 USD |
| CO2Meter | CO2 controller for mushroom farms with integrated power cable | ± 70 ppm or ± 5% | 15 years |
|
$199 USD |
We hope this explanation has been useful for you to better understand the topic of CO2 control in mushroom farms and has given you some options to choose the most suitable product for your needs.
Conclusion
As you have seen, controlling the CO2 level in a mushroom growing room is very important for good results.
There are different methods and tools to do this, each with its advantages and disadvantages. The ideal is to combine them according to your situation and preferences.
I hope this article has been useful to you and has clarified your doubts.