high pressure aero & arduino project part 1/2 - Conception and Design

Hi !


As i planned to run an HPA grow in few months i am currently working on the roots chamber.


I took a few pics of the 1/5 model. The basic foodstuff model provides a pretty good visual mark.


The roots chamber is supposed to be made of 30 mm (1.18 inche) extruded polystyren panels


it would measure :


on the outside : 58 x 58 x 60 centimeters ( 23x23x24 inches).
on the inside : 40 x 40 x 45 centimeters ( 15.75 x 15.75 x 17.72 inches).
inside volume : 72 litres (19 gal).


The inside temperature has to be 20°C(68°F) day and night.


global view









Outside view of the roots chamber/heating cable / the bleu thing...represents the DTW





the reflective surface and the double wall is supposed to insulate the chamber. The empty space between the 2 walls can be heated by the cable when a sensor placed in the chamber activates it.
It can also be cooled when needed. Actually i still don' know how...


outside and inside room chamberview





I had the idea to fill in the corners with cornice polystyren in order to "break the angle",ovoid the spay to be directly hitting the walls and, thanks to the inclinasion of the 2 noozles, create a sort of "turning mist".
Sure you noticed at the bottom of thepicture the stylized wheels ...hu-hum.


view from another angle"





the brown carton represents a (grid?wire netting?) covered with geotextile





to prevent the plant from touching the bottom of the root chamber (and loose their efficient and fluffy aspect roots).


lid/ inspection panels / stainlesssteel mesh





The weird drawing is representing a mesh/grill. Actually, following the idea of root scroging, i thought that helping the roots to develop on a cross (instead of a ball shape) could increase the roots surface.


another angle





inspection panels / tubing andnozzles ( in blue)





i had the idea to make the nozzles spay with an "angle" . (I mean not to spray staight to the bottom of the chamber)




another angle







Here are a few questions :


- What about the ratio/volume/plant an how long do you think would be the ideal veg time with a classical 8-9 weeksflowering strain.

- Would grow more than one plant in this pod ?

- Is the number of noozle correct,their location ?

- How can i cool the chamber during daylight ( in a non expensive and reliable way). A box with a fan and celdek evaporating panels...several "Peltier devices"...)

Thanks for your remarks, critics and advices, about this model. ( You can go on ! I have no problem withbeing wrong )

Alot of it is. I've since moved to a single chamber as even those 40 gallon leaf bags proved too small for what I want. Perhaps with an AA nozzle you can get away with a slightly smaller root chamber, as the distribution is better. I veg for at least a month. Due to some nute issues (changed over to DG yesterday, as I'm tired of keeping up with the H&G line) I've probably had to veg longer than if I wasn't battling defs. Look forward to seeing what you come up with.