Plants need carbon dioxide for photosynthesis. At times—during cloning and mothering, for example—extra CO2 in the grow room atmosphere accelerates plant development. CO2 tanks or packs are convenient, affordable solutions in small spaces.

CO2 Tanks

Compressed CO2 tanks & regulators are essential equipment for CO2 enrichment and supplementation. Compressed CO2 comes in all sizes, from tiny 8-gram cartridges and bottles to large 100-pound high-pressure tanks, with 20- to 50-pound tanks being most common. Compressed CO2 can be one of the most controlled ways of injecting CO2 into your grow space. The initial investment is the most expensive aspect of adding CO2 to your grow room. After setup, refills are pretty cheap.

Plants use CO2 for making energy from light during photosynthesis. Without enough CO2 your plants will "suffocate" and die. For the most effective CO2 enrichment, you want to maintain levels up to 1500 PPM of CO2 in your grow space with very bright light. This makes your plants more resistant to heat and light stress.

Compressed CO2 is best for smaller grow spaces (up to 10x10) and should be released only when the lights are on. An alternative is the CO2 packet, which releases CO2 when exposed to moisture. Packets are a great backup to CO2 tanks in case the tanks go empty.

Combine your enrichment method with a CO2 regulator or timer for automated CO2 release.