GrowCNanswered grow question 3 years ago Are you using a exhaust fan designed for that purpose? They are designed to work with more back pressure so it can force air through a filter. If just using a desk or computer fan even a thin charcoal filter will really hurt air flow. Also, 1/2" is not much for filtration. Most people are using a exhaust fan and a large canister filter. When my plants get stinky even a new, large canister filter still lets some smell through.
Here is one site with a ventilation diagram and reviews of fans and filters. I use AC Infinity Cloudline fans and several different brands of charcoal filters. While expensive, the AC Infinity is a incredible fan. When you get it with the programmable controller it makes it very easy to maintain temperature and humidity inside your tent. I get about the same result from all the charcoal filters I have tried so I tend to shop based on price.