TOM Run to waste?

[RobbieGanjaSeed]

G'day Tom, I was wondering if you could post a pic of your old system of RUN TO WASTE. I've found myself in a position whereby I need to run a "passive" system for a crop or two.

 

I don't think I'll have any worries to hurdle, but seeing as you've run with it for so long, you'd know of any traps I might fall into.

 

What I plan to do is to fill some pots within 2 or 3 inches of the rim with expanded clay balls, and then top them off with loose flock. I have a 20 litre drinking water drum here, the kind with the moulded handle in top, with a tap screwed in the bottom.

 

I'll rig something up to fit into the tap thread at the bottom, and set it up high, to gravity feed. Then simply run 13 ml around the 5x5 foot flowering chamber i will use, with 6 mm droppers coming off that to each pot.

 

 

Have I missed anything? Is it possible to adjust the run, to a virtual no waste pace? The pots will be set in a trough, to collect the run off, but I'm hoping that I can adjust it to be just enough, with a virtual zero waste. Is that possible? Have I missed anything?

 

It's just a temporary set up, but I think it has real potential just the same. Any tips you can throw at me mate will be greatfully recieved.

 

rob

[Tom]

No worries Robbie.

 

My previous watering system:

 

I used a 60/40 perlite/vermiculite mixture in waterwell plant pots with a home made drip system. It uses one standard dripper per plant, the dripper is connected via 3mm (1/8") flexible tube to a 12mm (1/2") main feeder pipe which in turn connects to a 2 litre (3 pint?) reservoir, a plastic drink bottle with the bottom cut out. The main feeder pipe is fitted and sealed into the neck of the bottle which is hung upside down by a piece of wire from the tap of a 25 litre plastic drum. I mixed my nutrients in the drum and twice a day opened the tap on the drum to fill the bottle and feed the plants. A simple and cheap (under $10) run-to-waste hydro system that worked so well I stuck with it for over 20 years.

 

This system could also be used for plants grown in soil.

[Tom]

This end hasn't really changed, I do recommend using the waterwell plant pots though. You will need drill a small hole at the top of the "well" to let any excess liquid escape, a 3mm hole is all you need, run the drill in reverse so you don't split the plastic.

[Tom]

Some of the waterwell pots don't have that black plastic filler tube, they are the best as they also have an overflow moulded into them. You can also see and improvement in the flooring that I made during the last shut down, the earlier pictures are from a few grows ago.

[RobbieGanjaSeed]

Thanks Tom. I was wondering how u stopped the air lock problem with such a basic set up. The 2 litre bottle is the secret huh.

 

I wanted to set up a dripper system in my 5x5 flowering room. But I've changed my mind. again.

 

I'm going to trellace some pipes, and make a backyard nft/dripper system. 3 pipes high, around the room, should be able to flower 30 odd plannts at once in there, rather than the 10 I can just using the floor space.

 

So in the meanwhile, as I try to figure what I need to buy and how to arrange it all, Ill try something like yours. I was hoping to get the drips just right, so I didnt have an overflow problem.

 

I'm home pretty much all day every day with my back, so I can spend a fair amount of time friggin around with it.

 

Anyways, thanks again mate.

 

rob

 

ps. u must have been taken with that sativa from last grow huh? I see you've stuck with her. If it's that good, i'm going to have to hassle you to mail me a cutting. The problem would be the mail though. Bloody hell, you'd think Tasmania was another world away, the mail is so slow from here.

 

I just got my hands on some spc sativa, so I'll try that out and compare notes with ya soon.

 

cheers

[AzZa-]

Thanks Tom....

 

Well I've now picked up all of my stuff that i need, the total was $300 I think i was ripped off a little.

 

- Son T 400watt

- Control Unit

- Bat Wing Reflector

- 9 Litre Coco Peat Brick

- Canna CoCo Nutrients A & B

 

In the pick below you will see all of my gear aswell as a idea for my veg box, Is this big enough? If so i'm defiently going to have to install a big ass exhuast fan cos thoose Son T's really heat up..

 

Any Comments so far guys?

[Guest Urbanhog]

yes I do have a comment, maybe next time you might as well take a pic of your house and car and show the world what the red car and house and neighours look like!

 

Next time, maybe try to block the views at the background, I have no problem with pictures, I am just worried about your own secuirty/pre-cautions, just for your own sake.

 

Because I was able to zoom in the background with one of my photo-editing programs, and have a closer inspection.

 

Just thought let you know.

 

Goodluck

 

Cheers!

 

Urbanhog http://www.gamers-forums.com/smilies/contrib/sp/chefico.gif

[psychoresin]

he he that makes me imagine how many people are growing so close to me hahahaha like picture all these litlle plantis lurking in peoples growrooms it makes me happy. everone does it