Watering system

[jsb787891]

Hope this is in right section..soz im a neewb here

Am starting a eight plant system abd while pondering water system i will use came across these.. http://cgi.ebay.com.au/Autopot-Genuine-Hydroponic-8-Pot-Extension-Kit-NEW-/160527884143?pt=AU_Seed_Starting_Hydroponics&hash=item2560351f6f

Seems like a good deal savin hassle to source all components myself..but has any1 had 1st hand experience with them?

Thanks in advance for any help

ps hope the link works..im def not great with my comp skills

[jsb787891]

1 of my concerns is pot spacing between the2 plants in each "module" and size of pots..

Which i assume I could swap for bigger if needed..just find some that will fit.

First run will prob be 4 BCN diesel auto's and 4 Jack herer fems, just as a trial

[Pleb Scrubber]

4mm sounds pretty skinny for water, but i guess they worked it out before hand...

 

I personally would custom build your own system, it will come out cheaper and you can customize it to suit your needs...

 

Also the link you gave looks like an extension to another kit, meaning it might not have everything you need.

 

It appears to be a one way feed with no return to the reservoir. I would think that you would want water circulating around so it stays fresh.

Edited January 15, 2011 by Pleb Scrubber

[jsb787891]

Hmmm thanks pleb..i will sus it proper..thought extension as such meant u cld keep adding to it..damn days off n too much homebrew (my other pastime..) must read it better..and shouldnt be lazy as such and build myself just time/effort as i work MEGA hours away from home and get a bit lazzzzy sumtimes

Was thinkin maybe just set up res/nute tank, run 12/13mm hose, to 6mm lines, make own feed rings in line, run 12/13mm line all way back to res tank with smaller (4mm?) lines at the end to airate res tank a bit? And just monitor and set up timer for on/off watering. Pots maybe 20ltr? with catch trays under, using perlite/ex clay at 70/30 approx mix. Pump type unsure of..dont want too big as to overflow catch trays but big enuf 4 job and just experiment with timer (15 or maybe 1min interval type) to optimise water control..?? Have looked at "float style" with 2 res etc just just hard to place my babies higher than nute res. All opinions and advice GREATLY appriciated!!!

[jsb787891]

Opinions on this pump..me thinks crap..but maybe ok as i dont want HUGE flow for that setup and apparently "variable flow control" so i can back it off and not "stress" it at full flow.. http://cgi.ebay.com.au/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=400168555366&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT

[Reverend]

Auto pots have been used with good results by a few members here, you don't need a pump with them.

The draw back is the line can get blocked, easy fixed by putting in a inline filter.

The link you put up is a complete set and can be added on to. There is a larger version in the same

scenario.

[jsb787891]

hmm so forgive me im a bit slow this evening haha

how does the auto pot system work..is it pure gravity feed? ie it has no pump?

What is ur opinion on the (basic) setup i wrote up vs autopot system?

[Reverend]

It works on a gravity feed, it is personal choice as to how you want to set up.

Best to have a look around the boards and a good read then decide.

[jsb787891]

Thanks Reverend!!! Have read and will continue reading more

Should have paid closer attention, thought it was a pump style system..I think I may aswell go with my idea posted above..self built from ideas here..and just monitor pump times and flow amounts and adjust to my needs..

Questions on my idea tho..can any1 forsee problems with that style? eg water in catch trays under plants? Bein perlite/ex clay mix shouldnt rot roots(water log etc) or go/be stale as such..? and does that mix suck up from catch tray underneath well enough? Apart from that I think just flush system in accordance with ppm/ph readings?

[Pleb Scrubber]

If you want to use perlite, you might want a basic filter/mesh to keep it out of your water pump.

 

A common setup is to have 2 buckets/pots, one inside the other. The inside/top bucket holds your medium (clayballs/perlite) and the bottom one is to catch water that drains thru. This double bucket is raised up a bit-(put it on a milk crate or bench) so it can drain back to the reservoir thats at ground/floor level.

 

When the pump actives via a timer, water is pumped from the reservoir to the pot to either flood it or drip feed it.

Water drains thru the pot to the underneath pot, then drains from that back to the reservoir via gravity.

 

Set the timer to water the plants 3-6 times a day, reducing stagnant water build up, and giving time for the roots to dry out between. Chuck a cheap airpump/air stone in your reservoir to airate and freshen up your water.

 

A few test runs to make sure the pump wont flood your pots faster than it can drain back to the res, plenty of silicon here and there and your done.

 

All you need is a cheap air pump, a water pump, some 13mm hose and joiners/fittings, your pots/buckets and a big plastic container for your reservoir.

 

Oh and the medium you want to grow in... oh and some neuts... and some testers... the last 2 will cost more than the actual setup itself!

 

Heaps cheaper than buying a prefab system imo.

 

 

oh and if you want 8 decent plants, 35L res is too small imo...

Edited January 15, 2011 by Pleb Scrubber