DIY Aero Cloner the EZ-Cloner Replica in 10 Easy Steps!

[ijustdontcare]

This is not my design im just posting for others... credit goes to kingralph

 

here is a simple step-by-step guide to building what is known as an Aero Cloner and been popularized as the expensive EZ-Cloner.

 

Parts List:

350GPH Danner Supreme Mag-Drive Utility Pump Model 3 (Model 5 500GPH for larger units)

35x 2inch Neoprene Insert Collars (only 50cents a pop in the 35x bag

12x Aeroponic Misters (EZ-Cloner replacement sprayers, Mister 320 etc)

1x Rubbermaid Roughneck 31gal Tub or equivalent

 

Schedule 40 PVC

1x 1/2" Pipe in length

1x 1/2" Female Connector

4x 1/2" Elbows

3x 1/2" Tees

http://i37.tinypic.com/2nv8brk.jpg

 

TOOLS

 

Drill

2" Holesaw

11/32 Drill Bit (or 10/32 tap)

Glue Gun + Glue (or 2" netpots)

Composite Hacksaw (something to cut PVC)

 

1. Screw the 1/2" Female PVC onto the pump output...

http://i34.tinypic.com/2nhi51v.jpg

 

2. Cut PVC pipe for a length that ends up at least 6" below the top of the tub. Remember, you can always cut more off later, so don't cut too short. Clean all ends of plastic, and stick the pipe in the pump's fitting.

http://i38.tinypic.com/168v3wn.jpg

 

3. Stick 1/2" Tee on the pipe...

http://i37.tinypic.com/o89nhw.jpg

 

4. Cut 2 equal lengths to go the long distance of the tub...

http://www.icmag.com/gallery/data/500/3890PVCsetup3-thumb.jpg

 

5. Put the 2 last Tees on the ends...

http://www.icmag.com/gallery/data/500/3890PVCsetup4-thumb.jpg

 

6. Cut 4 equal length short pieces and stick in Tees after cleaned...

http://www.icmag.com/gallery/data/500/3890PVCsetup5-thumb.jpg

 

7. Attach the 4 elbows...

http://www.icmag.com/gallery/data/500/3890PVCsetup6-thumb.jpg

 

8. Measure and Cut 2 more equal length pieces to fit your rectangle, clean, and check to see how your barebones fits together...

http://www.icmag.com/gallery/data/500/3890PVCsetup7-thumb.jpg

 

9. Now take apart the PVC and with an 11/32 drill bit (or 10/32 tap) drill holes for the sprayers in the pipes, and screw in the misters. sealing these isn't really necessary, also your pvc should fit together tightly enough not to need sealing either.

http://www.icmag.com/gallery/data/500/3890Aero-mister-thumb.jpg

http://www.icmag.com/gallery/data/500/3890PVCsetup8done1-thumb.jpg

As you can see that 18gal tub was a bit small, so i got the 31gal with plenty of space. Longer PVC, more misters, and a bigger pump and tub will allow you a bigger cloner, simple as that, design remains the same...

 

10. The Lid... drill the 2" holes you need. Clean the stray plastic off the holes without enlarging them, do no cut the plastic further yknow. Here you can either drop in 2" netpots, or what i had to do on some is to hot glue around the outside of the hole so the neoprene collars stuck in nicely, no netpot to fall in or for roots to get tangled in, or to buy note: experience has shown users to cut the bottom half of netpots off so roots are not damaged on removal...

http://www.icmag.com/gallery/data/500/3890AeroStems-thumb.jpg

keep an eye on temps, they should be 68-78, 75F optimal. the pump keeps my temps perfect, but i suppose if it gets cold an aquarium heater would just be needed..

i truly hope this saves folks the money that ez-cloners would steal from them, or makes roots possible, or both, just know that you can always do it yourself. peace n green thumbs all.

Edited September 4, 2008 by ijustdontcare

[67Special]

I reckon it'd be easier to cut slightly under-size holes and squeeze the neoprene plugs in, rather than gluing em.

 

Thanks for sharing

 

..you obviously do care

[Stoney]

hey hey

 

i must say for someone that dont care you put together a good tute (even if they are off others designs)

 

keep up the good work and keep the designs coming

 

cheerz

[Bud101]

Question, Where do i get those neoprene plugs? Or is there a alternative?

 

 

 

Thanks

[Ozzy420]

U can use those pool noodle things, just cut to size thickness u need...

[Bud101]

So i guess my question after getting the pool noodle and cut it to thickness, do i make a slit in the collar? how do i slide my clone out w/o damaging my roots?

 

 

 

Thanks

[ijustdontcare]

normally the noodle is soft enough u just push it apart with your fingers and pull it out when your ready the roots grow down not out so just make sure u put the slits in noodle pieces and all should be well normally u just sit the noodle cuts in the hole u made then u just pop the noodle pieces out, then pull the plant out should be no damage at all

 

heres some more pics of the top just if u need more of a look...

http://i38.tinypic.com/2uy13th.jpg

http://i35.tinypic.com/kd4iuv.jpg

Edited October 4, 2008 by ijustdontcare

[Bud101]

What is your take on drilling the holes small enough to just put rapid rooters in there?

[ijustdontcare]

i would never suggest just dropping the plug in there by itself, well if your going to use rapid rooters i would suggest drilling the holes and using 2 inch net pots and putting the rapid rooter plugs in the net pot and filling it up with a bit of medium in with it just u hold it up and just sit level with the top of the rooter plug. I have heard of it working but just got to remember not to over water the rooter plugs because they hold alot of moisture. I have also heard of people having terrible results with it aswell where they never rooted at all. I still myself preffer using a heat mat with a prop dome or a bubble cloner... but u can try if you want remember its all trial and error...

[calaman]

Good tutorial, if only the pictures still worked