Tent smell problems

Try using Zipper Ease on the Zippers. It's basically a wax that lubricates the zippers. It also fills in the small gaps in the Zipper. I know this helped for mine. That and I used Zip Ties to seal off the Openings.

Oh, make sure you didn't accidentally get one that can't handle the CFM. Usually they are pretty standard based on size, but maybe it was the same size with different CFM rating? If running too much air through it relative to rating, they'll be less effective. Solution in meantime, if context allows... turn down the airflow a bit.. usually the recommendations are overkill anyway. As long as the plants aren't using the co2 faster than it gets replenished, all is fine in that regard... rh control is another consideration often linked to exhaust/intake rate.

not all air filters are created the same. Some use more activated carbon than others. It's difficult to get this information without directly asking each brand to supply that information on your own. Then, which ones are liars? LOL, such is life. There are some you can manually refill and that way you can ensure proper amount of activated carbon that will be effective and last a length of time you can predict. This is also likely cheaper if you buy the activated carbon in bulk. If it's not removing the smell while previous filter worked fine, it simply has less or 'used' (could just be normal exposure or age) activated carbon in it. If it's the same brand as before, that's a red flag in regard to quality control of their products. MAybe, it is a 1-off, or maybe they are just sloppy. Maybe, they sent you a returned item etc etc...

Yes it will go bad after a few years. The Zippers are the biggest oroblem, followed by the tentmaterial itself which get small holes from usage. Use glass & aluminium when you plan a new tent and dont need to change the location often. (nut6 or Nut8 profile + securityglass is not so expensive....when you compare with a good tent. And instead of zippers you can use a window - like in my grow ) . You can check it with fog and overpressure - than you see where the holes are.

What are the smells you are having?? Weed plant smells? or more like plastic/chemical smells?? Or maybe rotten sour smells? I would check the ducting for holes/leaks running from the tent to w/e it vents to. outdoors or whatnot. Not all carbon filters are made the same and some just suck. You can reprime them by baking them in a oven but it will release all the trapped smells and only some filters can do this that are all metal. Refilling the filter can be a real bitch and almost easier to get a new one. Other note on carbon filters. Once RH gets into the 60'd they become less effective, so if your RH is high. smells are going to leak though but they should smell weed/plant like. The tent its self could have holes but the negative pressure should take care of that. And to confirm negative pressure means the sides are bowing inwards. Neg pressure only works when the fan is always on. If its on a schedule or turns off for any reason, then the smells can leak out. First have to identify the smell. then work back from there and check all hardware and confirm it is indeed doing what it should be. then check the items you have replaced for quality and check all the seals and joints and tubes.

The soil can if you are usingg the same soil, co2 accumulates and gets trapped over time, eventually levels get so high it will start to get "toxic" so to speak for microorganisms. Tents themselves don't generally go bad. Negative pressure replicates barometic pumping. Where it pushes oxygen into the soul and co2 and nitrogen out. In-between grows I have extreme negative pressure, drying lit soul till its bone dry then repeat the process giving it time to oxidize the carbon dioxide and nitrogen back into the atmosphere. a medium that acts as a carbon sink can become toxic to life due to high carbon dioxide levels or related chemical changes, especially without adequate gas exchange (which "barometric pumping" facilitates). The primary mechanisms are asphyxiation (due to reduced oxygen) and acidification. More carbon = more moisture retention, which also leads to eventual hypoxia or anoxia. Nothing good will ever happen in a environment short of oxygen. It is the catalyzer, the oxidizer? The "fire". Soon as a medium goes from aerobic fermentation (oxygenated) to anerobic fermentation (no oxygen). The foul odors are a common characteristic of anaerobic processes. Stanly! Gluck.

hey 👋 unless you have a completely open tentlock, you shouldn’t get any smell if the pressure is negative. The most likely issue is the quality of the carbon filter, even if it’s new. Is the air coming out of it really odor-free? Is the duct connecting it to the extractor fully airtight? Is it large enough to handle the airflow of the extractor?