Dial enrichment for vigorous growth and yields. Choose setpoints, injection time, and airflow assumptions easily. Get clear grams and liters per minute outputs now.
| Grow Space (m) | Current → Target (ppm) | ACH | Injection Time (min) | Typical Use Case |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 × 3 × 2.4 | 450 → 1200 | 0.50 | 15 | Small sealed indoor garden room |
| 6 × 4 × 2.5 | 500 → 1000 | 1.00 | 20 | Room with moderate leakage |
| 10 × 6 × 3.0 | 420 → 900 | 1.50 | 30 | Greenhouse bay with ventilation cycles |
| 3 × 2 × 2.2 | 600 → 1200 | 0.30 | 10 | Compact tent with careful control |
| 8 × 5 × 2.7 | 450 → 1300 | 0.80 | 25 | High-light enrichment scenario |
1) Room volume: V = L × W × H
2) Moles of air (ideal gas): n_air = (P × V) / (R × T) (P in Pa, T in K, R = 8.314462618)
3) Boost to target once: n_boost = n_air × (Δppm / 1,000,000), m_boost = n_boost × M (M = 44.01 g/mol)
4) CO2 volume at room conditions: V_CO2 = (n × R × T) / P (converted to liters for flow rates)
5) Maintenance from air exchange (ACH): n_maint/hr = n_air × ACH × ((Target − Outdoor) / 1,000,000) This approximates replacement of enriched air with outdoor air.
CO2 enrichment improves photosynthesis when light, nutrients, and temperature are adequate. Many crops respond well between 900 and 1200 ppm during peak lighting. Higher setpoints can waste gas if airflow is high or mixing is poor. Use sensor readings at canopy height and avoid chasing short spikes caused by uneven distribution. Start conservatively, then adjust with trend reviews.
The calculator converts room volume, temperature, and pressure into total air moles using the ideal gas relationship. It then applies the ppm difference between current and target to estimate the CO2 mass needed for a single boost. This step helps you size a fast correction after door openings, maintenance work, or morning ramp-up. Accurate dimensions improve the estimate.
Air changes per hour represent intentional exhaust and unintentional leaks. Every exchange replaces enriched air with outdoor air, creating an ongoing CO2 demand. By using target minus outdoor ppm, the maintenance model focuses on the portion you must continuously add to hold the setpoint. If fans cycle, use a higher ACH that matches the average exchange during enriched hours. Sealing gaps and managing intake paths can reduce demand significantly.
Mass estimates are converted into CO2 volume at room conditions, then expressed as liters per minute. Boost flow is the average rate needed over your chosen injection window, while maintenance flow indicates a steady feed to offset losses. Compare these values with your regulator range and diffuser placement to ensure stable delivery without harsh bursts. Verify mixing with multiple sensor locations.
For consistent results, interlock CO2 with lights and shut off during exhaust events. Log current and target ppm, ACH assumptions, and cylinder weight changes to refine settings over time. Calibrate sensors regularly and confirm alarms. When costs are entered, the daily estimate supports budgeting and highlights when sealing improvements provide immediate payback. Document crop stage, lighting hours, and airflow changes for context.
Most gardens use 900–1200 ppm during strong lighting. Start near 900 ppm, confirm temperature and nutrients are adequate, and increase only if plants respond and your space can hold the setpoint without excessive ventilation losses.
Begin with a practical assumption: 0.2–0.5 for well-sealed rooms and 0.8–1.5 for leaky rooms or active exhaust. Then compare predicted maintenance flow with real cylinder usage to back-calculate a better value.
Ventilation replaces enriched air with outdoor air. The difference between your target and outdoor ppm is what must be supplied continuously to hold the setpoint. Using outdoor ppm prevents overstating demand when current readings are already elevated.
Usually no. Photosynthesis drops in darkness, so enrichment provides little benefit and can raise unnecessary exposure risk. Tie injection to lighting schedules and stop dosing during exhaust or dehumidification events that rapidly remove air.
Release gas above canopy, use circulating fans, and avoid directing CO2 into an exhaust stream. Place sensors away from emitters and in representative airflow zones. Check readings at multiple spots to confirm the room reaches a uniform level.
It is an average over your chosen injection time. Many setups pulse or modulate a solenoid to avoid overshoot. Use the calculated average as a starting point, then tune controller settings using stable sensor trends.
Important Note: All the Calculators listed in this site are for educational purpose only and we do not guarentee the accuracy of results. Please do consult with other sources as well.