ExHale, The Original CO2 Bag

The ExHale Original CO₂ Bag is a passive, maintenance-free carbon dioxide source for small to medium grow spaces. A living mycelial mass inside the vented bag continuously produces CO₂, which escapes through a microporous breather patch 24 hours a day for at least 6 months — no tanks, no regulators, and no electricity required. Designed to cover a 4×4 ft (128 cubic ft) canopy, it raises ambient CO₂ levels by approximately 500 ppm above baseline.

ExHale Original CO2 Bag Specifications

The following specifications are drawn from manufacturer documentation and confirmed by distributor listings for SKU EX50001.

Specification	Value
Brand	ExHale CO2
SKU	EX50001
CO2 Output Method	Passive mycelial fermentation through microporous breather patch
Coverage Area	4×4 ft footprint / 128 cubic feet
Service Life	6 months (guaranteed)
CO2 Enrichment Level	Approximately +500 ppm above ambient
Power Required	None — fully passive operation
Heat Generated	None
Weight	4.5 lb (approx.)
Organic Certification Suitability	Suitable for organic production
Country of Origin	Made in the USA
Hanging / Mounting	Freshness seal doubles as integrated hanger

Why Choose the ExHale Original CO2 Bag

For growers who want a reliable CO₂ boost without the cost, complexity, or safety considerations of pressurized tank systems, the ExHale Original provides a straightforward answer. Here is what sets it apart:

• No infrastructure required. The ExHale bag runs without electricity, tanks, regulators, timers, or CO₂ sensors. You hang it once and it works continuously. This makes it well-suited to hobbyists, new growers, or any setup where running a dedicated CO₂ system would be impractical or cost-prohibitive.
• Consistent 6-month output. The mycelial mass inside the bag is an active biological culture that metabolizes substrate and releases CO₂ as a byproduct. This process is steady by nature — rather than delivering burst doses that require a controller to regulate, the ExHale bag produces a constant low-rate output all day and night.
• Raises ambient CO₂ by approximately 500 ppm. Outdoor ambient CO₂ sits around 400–450 ppm. The ExHale Original is documented to add roughly 500 ppm above that level within its rated coverage volume, putting plants into an enriched range that supports photosynthesis during the light cycle.
• No heat addition to the grow space. Pressurized CO₂ burners generate combustion heat as a side-effect. The ExHale bag is a cold biological process — it adds no heat load to your environment, which simplifies climate management, especially in summer or in tightly insulated tents.
• Suitable for certified organic production. The CO₂ is produced by fungal metabolism of a natural substrate — no combustion byproducts and no synthetic chemicals are involved. Growers pursuing organic certifications can use the ExHale bag without raising input compliance concerns.
• Made in the USA. ExHale CO2 produces the bag domestically, with patent-pending genetics for the mycelial culture.

Best Uses for the ExHale Original CO2 Bag

The ExHale Original is designed specifically for small to medium enclosed grow spaces. Below are the scenarios where it performs best and how growers typically deploy it.

• Grow tents up to 4×4 ft. The bag’s rated coverage volume is 128 cubic feet, which maps directly to a standard 4×4×8 ft tent. A single unit placed at canopy height or slightly above will saturate that volume with enriched CO₂ throughout both veg and flower stages. For a sealed or near-sealed environment using an air box pre-filter, the enrichment effect is most pronounced because CO₂ has less opportunity to escape before the plants absorb it.
• Vegetative and flowering stages. CO₂ supplementation supports plant growth across both phases. During veg, elevated CO₂ accelerates photosynthesis, which can shorten inter-node spacing and increase biomass. During flower, it sustains metabolic activity under high-intensity lighting. The ExHale bag delivers continuously through both periods without any adjustment from the grower.
• Closet grows and micro-spaces. Spaces smaller than 128 cubic feet — a converted closet, a 2×4 tent, or a single-shelf propagation unit — will see effective enrichment from a single bag. In tighter spaces, the bag may maintain higher average CO₂ concentrations than its rated average, as there is less volume to fill.
• Setups where electrical or gas infrastructure is unavailable. Not every growing space has easy access to a 120V outlet near the canopy, or a safe place to mount a CO₂ cylinder. The ExHale bag eliminates both constraints. It is a practical option for off-grid or minimalist builds.
• Organic and clean-room grows. Because no combustion is involved and no chemicals are introduced, the bag integrates naturally into environments where cleanliness or certification standards limit what can be added to the air.

ExHale Original CO2 Bag vs Similar CO2 Supplement Products

The ExHale Original occupies a specific niche: passive biological CO₂ generation for small enclosed spaces. It is worth understanding how it compares to the other main approaches growers use to enrich CO₂ in their tents.

vs Pressurized CO₂ tanks and regulators: A tank-and-regulator system can deliver precise, high-volume CO₂ enrichment — targeting 1,200–1,500 ppm or higher — and is used professionally in large grow rooms where light intensity is high enough to take advantage of elevated CO₂. However, pressurized systems require a cylinder, a regulator, a solenoid valve, a CO₂ monitor/controller, and regular tank refills. The ExHale bag requires none of these. The trade-off is output range: the ExHale will add around 500 ppm to a small sealed space, while a tank system can maintain 3× that level. For growers using LED or HPS lighting at 400–600W or less in a 4×4 tent, the ExHale’s output range aligns well with what the plants can actually use.

vs CO₂ burners: Propane and natural gas CO₂ generators produce large volumes of CO₂ but also generate combustion heat, water vapor, and require ventilation planning to prevent oxygen depletion in the space. They are sized for rooms, not tents. For any grow space under roughly 1,000 cubic feet, a burner is typically oversized and introduces unnecessary complexity. The ExHale bag generates no heat and no combustion gases.

vs other mycelial or yeast-based CO₂ bags: Several similar products exist in the market at comparable price points. Growers comparing options should look at rated coverage volume, service life, and whether the product ships active (ready to use on arrival) or requires an activation step. The ExHale Original ships ready to use — the mycelial mass is already active when you open the outer packaging and remove the freshness seal.

Compatibility

The ExHale Original CO₂ Bag is compatible with any enclosed or semi-enclosed grow space up to its rated 128 cubic foot volume. Key compatibility considerations:

• Sealed vs vented tents: In a tent with active inline fan ventilation running continuously, the CO₂ the bag produces will be exchanged out of the space along with stale air. The bag still provides benefit, particularly when placed near the fresh air intake so CO₂-enriched air is drawn through the canopy before being exhausted. If your oscillating fan or inline fan runs on a cycle timer, the bag will enrich the space during off-periods. Growers seeking maximum CO₂ retention typically reduce intake fan cycles or use a sealed-room setup with CO₂ recirculation.
• Grow mediums: The bag is compatible with all grow mediums — soil, coco, rockwool, DWC, or any hydroponic system. CO₂ enrichment acts at the leaf surface regardless of how the root zone is managed.
• Lighting systems: CO₂ enrichment is most effective when photosynthesis is occurring — i.e., during the light period. The ExHale bag runs around the clock, so some CO₂ will be produced during dark periods as well. This is normal and harmless; plants do not absorb CO₂ in the dark but will benefit when the lights come back on.
• Temperature and humidity: The mycelial culture inside the bag is a living organism. It performs best within typical indoor grow room conditions (approximately 65–85°F). Extremely cold environments (below ~55°F) may slow the culture’s metabolic rate and reduce CO₂ output. Very high humidity does not affect the bag directly since the culture is sealed inside the bag; only the breather patch is exposed.

Usage Guidelines

Using the ExHale Original effectively comes down to three decisions: where to position it, how to handle ventilation, and when to replace it. The bag itself requires no ongoing attention beyond these initial choices.

Positioning: CO₂ is denser than air and tends to settle downward. Place the ExHale bag at the level of the plant canopy or slightly above it. The bag releases CO₂ through a breather patch, so it should face open air — not pressed against a tent wall or blocked by dense foliage. A position near the center of the canopy or on a structural support above the plants works well.

Ventilation timing: If you run a continuous active exhaust fan, expect the CO₂ enrichment effect to be reduced — the bag will still contribute, but air exchange will lower the peak concentration in the space. Placing the bag near the fresh air intake point, as stated in the manufacturer’s instructions, allows CO₂-enriched air to be drawn across the plants before being exhausted. Cycle timers on exhaust fans increase the time CO₂ dwells in the space.

Both veg and flower: The ExHale bag can remain in place through the full grow cycle. No adjustment is needed when transitioning from vegetative growth to flowering. The bag continues producing CO₂ at a consistent rate regardless of photoperiod.

Service life: The ExHale Original is guaranteed for 6 months from activation. After 6 months, the substrate will be depleted and CO₂ output will decline. The bag should be replaced at or before that point. Growers running back-to-back cycles should note the activation date (when the freshness seal is removed) and schedule replacement accordingly.

How to Set Up the ExHale Original CO2 Bag

1. Inspect the bag on arrival. The ExHale Original ships with a freshness seal that keeps the mycelial culture dormant during transit and storage. Confirm the seal is intact before opening. If the seal has been compromised, the bag may have already begun producing CO₂ and part of its service life may have elapsed.
2. Remove the freshness seal. Peel or cut the freshness seal from the breather patch area. This exposes the microporous membrane and activates the bag. Once the seal is removed, CO₂ production is underway — there is no off switch and no way to pause the culture.
3. Note your activation date. Write the date on the bag or on a piece of tape attached to it. This gives you a clear reference for when the 6-month service period ends, so you can plan your next bag purchase without a gap in coverage.
4. Hang or position the bag in your grow space. Use the integrated hanger (the freshness seal attachment point) to hang the bag above or at canopy height. The breather patch should face outward into open air, not toward a wall or surface. Center it over the canopy for the most even distribution of CO₂.
5. Adjust ventilation if needed. If you run a continuous inline exhaust fan, consider placing the bag near the fresh air intake so CO₂-enriched air passes through the canopy before being drawn out. If your fan is on a cycle timer, the bag will build CO₂ concentration during fan-off periods — this is the most effective configuration for small tents.
6. Leave it alone. The bag requires no refilling, no monitoring equipment, and no adjustments. Check it visually every few weeks to confirm it is still in position and the breather patch is unobstructed. Replace after 6 months.

Sources & Further Reading