Atmosphere Vortex Pro-Lite 4 x 12 | Carbon Filter for Grow Room

Picking a Carbon Filter for Grow Room Exhaust

This is the smallest body in the Pro-Lite line, with a 4 in integrated flange on a 12 in canister. Recommended maximum airflow is 200 CFM, and pressure drop at that rate is 125 Pa, roughly 0.5 in of water gauge. Carbon is RC-48 Australian activated granular, the same grade the larger bodies carry. It is rated at 99.5% removal of volatile organic compounds across the line. Top and bottom are aluminum, which is why the whole thing ships at 7 lb. That weight matters more in a tent than it ever does in a room. A crossbar already holding a light and a fan has little left for a steel-ended scrubber. A pre-filter comes with it, wrapped around the housing. Maximum operating temperature is 175 °F. Atmosphere names the VTX400 and VBC400 as the fans matched to this size. Part number is ATPLF412 with UPC 628507304010. The integrated flange is worth a mention, because a bolted-on collar is the usual leak path on a small filter.

What a 4 Inch Carbon Filter Handles

A 4 inch carbon filter is a tent and closet part rather than a bench part. Small tents, propagation cabinets and single-light closets all sit inside its airflow band. Mount it inside the space near the top, with the fan pulling through it and the duct heading out. Air then leaves the tent already scrubbed, and the walls pull inward slightly instead of bulging out. That inward pull is the signal the exhaust is winning, and it is what keeps smell off the landing. Hang it from the frame on its straps rather than letting the ducting carry it. Flexible duct will hold a filter for a while and then sag into a kink that strangles the fan. Leave a hand's width above the intake end if the tent allows it, because the filter has to draw from somewhere. A canister jammed against the roof fabric gives up part of its open area straight away. Speed control is worth having on a fan this small. Running flat out through a short filter makes noise and shortens the carbon's life without cleaning the air any better. Change the pre-filter when it greys, keep the carbon dry, and expect a shorter interval in a humid tent than in a dry one.

Key Features

• 4 in integrated flange: No bolted collar, so there is no leak path at the joint.
• 200 CFM maximum: Matched to the VTX400 and VBC400 fans.
• 7 lb total: Light enough for a crossbar already carrying a light.
• RC-48 Australian carbon: The same activated granular grade as the larger bodies.
• 99.5% VOC removal: Rated across the Pro-Lite line.
• Pre-filter included: Wraps the housing and catches dust before the carbon does.
• 175 °F maximum: Handles the warm exhaust coming off a sealed tent.

Technical Specifications