I think you’ll agree that choosing the best carbon filter for a 4×4 tent can be a bit of a challenge. There are so many options available that it can be hard to find a carbon filter that’s the right size for a small 4×4 tent.
That’s why we compiled this list of the best carbon filters, so you can quickly find one that will effectively prevent any odors from escaping your 4×4 grow tent.
If you’re in a hurry and just want to know our top pick we recommend the Phresh Carbon Filter Inline Filter (Buy Online)
Best Carbon Filter for a 4×4 Tent
What Size Carbon Filter Do I Need?
What size carbon filter for a 4×4 tent? In most cases, a 4-inch carbon filter will be more than enough for a 4×4 tent. Since a 4×4 tent has a relatively small internal volume a 4-inch carbon filter should easily remove all the odors from the air before they are exhausted from the tent.
If you plan on running an HPS (High-Pressure Sodium) light you might want to run a larger 6-inch carbon filter with a high CFM fan. In that scenario, you’ll need to vent a lot of excess heat, and you’ll need to get a larger carbon filter and fan to cool down the tent.
It’s also important to size your fan accordingly so the carbon filter operates at peak performance. For that reason it’s a good idea to get a carbon filter fan combo, so you can be sure that the carbon filter and fan will work together to keep odors from leaking out of the grow tent.
Do Carbon Filters Remove Odor
A properly installed carbon filter can reduce plant odors by up to 99%. Although, they might have some trouble when your plants are in their later stages of flowering, and they won’t do much if you’re always opening up the tent.
Carbon filters work by permanently trapping molecules inside their complex pore structure. They are especially good at capturing the main source of plant odors (terpenes) since activated carbon forms strong bonds with organic compounds.
In order to make sure that your carbon filter removes as much odor as possible, you’ll need to have a strong inline fan in your 4×4 tent to provide adequate ventilation. The grow tent will also need to be kept in a constant state of negative air pressure, so all of the air goes through the filter and out the exhaust vent.
You also might want to look into an ozone generator, if you really want to neutralize any lingering odor that the carbon filter might have missed.
4 Inch Carbon Air Filter
iPower 4 Inch 150 CFM Inline Carbon Filter Grow Tent Ventilation, Kits
The iPower 4 Inch Inline Carbon Filter Ventilation Kit (Buy Online) is one of the best carbon filter systems on the market. It comes with a carbon filter, pre-filter, 150 CFM fan, ducting, and a fan speed controller. This kit also comes in an 8-inch and a 6-inch version if you need a larger carbon filter for your tent.
The 4-inch carbon filter is 12-inches long and it’s filled with 1050+ IAV Australian charcoal. It also comes with a custom made pre-filter that will help keep dust from jamming the carbon filter media. You also get 25-feet of aluminum tubing included with the kit, and two stainless steel mounting clamps.
The kit also includes an extremely efficient 150 CFM inline fan. You’ll also get a fan speed controller that has 3 individual speed settings, and to top it all off you even get a free weather station to monitor the temperature and humidity inside your tent.
Overall the iPower carbon filter is a great choice for someone who’s just setting up their first 4×4 tent. It also comes with everything you need to install a complete ventilation system in your tent, so you can quickly get it set up and start growing your plants.
VIVOSUN 4 Inch 190 CFM Inline Duct Fan with 4 Inch Carbon Filter Odor Control
The VIVOSUN 4 Inch Carbon Filter Kit (Buy Online) is one of the best carbon filter fan combo systems you can get. The system includes one large carbon filter and a very powerful inline fan. You can also get it in a larger 6-inch carbon filter fan combo kit.
This carbon filter kit comes with a powerful 190 CFM blower that has a fan that runs at 2300 RPM. The fan is also very quiet since it only puts out 31dB at peak power, so it won’t sound like you have a jet turbine inside your tent.
The carbon filter itself is filled with 1050+ RC 48 Australian virgin charcoal, and it measures 4” x 14”. That makes this filter a little larger than most 4-inch models, so it can absorb more odors, and it will last longer before it needs to be changed. It also comes with a free pre-filter to keep dust out of the carbon element.
Overall this is the best carbon filter fan combo if you already have your ducting and your mounting equipment. In addition, the VIVOSUN 4 Inch Carbon Filter Kit is also a very affordable system to add to a 4×4 tent.
PrimeGarden 4” Inline Fan Carbon Filter Grow Tent Ventilation System
The PrimeGarden 4” Inline Fan Carbon Filter Ventilation System (Buy Online) is a great low-cost carbon filter ventilation kit. It comes with a compact carbon filter, Inline fan, ducting, fan speed controller, and a timer. This kit also comes in 3 different size options, 4-inch, 6-inch, and 8-inch.
The carbon filter that comes with this kit has a 4-inch flange, and it measures 7” x 10”. That makes it a little smaller than most 4-inch carbon filters, which might be useful if you have limited space inside your tent.
The fan that comes with this kit draws 101-watts of power when it’s running at full speed, and it has a maximum output of 189 CFM. The kit also comes with 25-feet of flexible double layered ducting that’s very easy to bend.
You also get a small indoor thermometer/hygrometer with this kit to keep track of the conditions inside of your tent. It even comes with a mechanical timer to control your lights, so you get almost everything you’ll need to set up your first grow tent.
VIVOSUN 4 Inch Air Carbon Filter Odor Control with Australia Virgin Charcoal
The VIVOSUN 4 Inch Air Carbon Filter (Buy Online) is one of the best carbon filters for a 4×4 tent. This carbon filter element measures 4” x 14”, and it comes with a replaceable Velcro pre-filter, and carbon filter belts.
This filter uses 1050+ Virgin Australian Charcoal for superior odor absorption. It also has a large pore structure, so air will easily flow through it and out the vents. This filter is also larger than most 4-inch carbon filters, so it can remove more odor molecules and it will have a longer lifespan.
6 Inch Carbon Filters for Grow Rooms
Apollo Horticulture 6” Inch Premium Carbon Charcoal Air Filter Scrubber
The Apollo Horticulture 6” Inch Premium Carbon Charcoal Air Filter (Buy Online) is a perfect choice if you need a larger filter for your 4×4 tent. This carbon filter element measures 9.75” x 21.5”, and it has a 6-inch flange.
This filter uses RC 48 activated carbon, and it has a durable aluminum housing that won’t easily bend. The one downside is that it doesn’t come with a pre-filter, so you’ll need to buy one separately.
Best 4×4 Tent Kit
(Carbon Filter Fan Combo)
TopoLite Grow Tent Complete Kit Hydroponic Growing System LED800W Grow Light 6″ Carbon Filter Combo
The TopoLite Grow Tent Complete Kit (Buy Online) is a great choice if you haven’t already bought your light and your tent. This grow tent kit comes with a 48” x 48” x 80” tent, 800-Watt LED grow light, 6-inch carbon filter, and a 460 CFM Fan.
The grow tent itself is made of 96% reflective Mylar and it’s completely waterproof. In addition, the tent has a lightproof heavy duty 600-Denier nylon outer shell. The tent is also very easy to assemble since the metal frame snaps together using plastic connectors.
You also get a high powered COB LED light with this kit that outputs more than enough light for a 4×4 tent. Each COB LED has 64 3-watt chips that output full spectrum white light that will support robust growth during both flowering and veg.
Then to top it all off you’ll get a powerful 460 CFM fan and a 6-inch carbon filter to help remove scents. The kit also comes with all of the mounting hardware and ducting, so all you’ll need to supply are the plants.
How to Install Carbon Filter Diagram
The video above contains some helpful step by step instructions on how to install a carbon filter in a grow tent. Your tent might be a little smaller than the one in the video, but you’ll definitely get a better understanding of how to install a carbon filter into a 4×4 tent.
How Long Do Carbon Filters Last
A carbon filter can last for a year or more as long as you properly maintain it. The number one thing you can do to extend the life of a carbon filter is to protect it from dust. Dust will slowly start to clog the small pores in the carbon filter, which can reduce its effectiveness. The dust will also restrict airflow which can put excess strain on your fan.
That’s why it’s always a good idea to run a pre-filter on your carbon filter to trap the dust before it can clog the activated carbon. If you run a pre-filter you’ll have to replace it every 3 to 6 months, or when the dust builds up enough to reduce the air flow in your tent.
Of course, over time the carbon itself will become less effective at removing odors, and it will need to be replaced. This can take up to a year or more depending on the size of your carbon filter and how hard it had to work over its lifespan.
Once you start to notice more odors escaping the tent then that’s a good sign that the carbon filter needs to be changed.
How to Clean Activated Carbon Air Filter
A carbon filter really can’t be cleaned since the activated carbon forms strong chemical bonds. That means once it’s spent the only thing you can really do is get a new carbon filter.
If you just want to clean some dust and debris off the filter you can lightly brush it off, or you can gently vacuum it if it’s stuck in the vents. The best way to avoid dust build up in the first place is to use a pre-filter to keep the carbon filter running at peak performance.
