Recycling System

[holyreality]

Hello everybody,

I've just set up a recycling system using a pond pump to pump nutrients through polytubing with drippers. As this is not on a timer it will be on all the time, will this mean that the roots may get flooded or will it be alright as the water will drain through?

All advice much appreciated

Cheers

Holyreality

[Tom]

Check out the "my hydro set-up" link in my signature, I run that for 1/2 an hour three times a "day", keep in mind that it is technically a run to waste system.

 

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[holyreality]

Cheers Tom,

My system is a closed loop. I've got two long pots that sit over the reservoir, so the nutrients come out of the bottom of the pots straight back into the reservoir. The nutrient solution gets filtered twice, once using an in-line filter to stop the drippers clogging up and when the water runs out of the bottom of the pots so no residue goes into the pump. Therefore as the nutrient is recycled would there be any harm in having it being pumped through 24/7. Or alternatively where can a timer be purchased so that the drippers go for say 15mins every hour?

Cheers

Holyreality

[Tom]

You can buy programmable electronic timers starting at around $40, make sure that you get one that can handle 24 programs. Alternatively HPM have brought out a mechanical one that has enough settings for around $25, you can usually buy these timers at the hardware or Kmart.

 

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[wassily]

Hey Holy one

It kinda depends on what your growing in - and how quickly that drains. If you're growing in rockwool slabs,

then you can get away with continuous drips, but you have to reduce the flow rate to match. As Tom says, it's a lot simpler to have it on a timer. Something like 15min

every 2.5 - 3 hours when the lights are on. If you run the lights 24 hours in grow mode, then you will need a timer that has more than 6 on off periods. Most of the digital timers around 40 bucks only have six per day.

The click in tab type ones are cheaper and have 15min segments for the whole day, they just don't last as long as some others. In flower, don't overwater or you will get wispy buds, rather than dense ones. The only other suggestion is if you have room, move your resevoir

away a bit or better yet, just outside the grow area and drain back to it via polytube. This would avoid a lot of temperature issues with your nute tank, and make it a lot easier to flush and clean. If you can't, don't sweat it, but make sure you stop any light getting to the water or you'll be having pea soup for dinner guvner. (algae)

Grow man Grow

Vazbilly