I posted this on the newbie forum, but I'm kind of not a newbie, and my questions are probably not newbie questions.

I'm trying to design my own aeroponics setup and have at least one question I can't find and answer for. I want to see what kinds of limits I can push in terms of a quick turn around and minimal space.

In an aeroponic setup, how long do the roots get and how much depth do I need for my reservoir? I assume I want to ensure the roots don't reach down into the growing solution.

Also, I've seen nothing regarding the use of low stress training (LST) and aeroponics. Is combining the two problematic?

Much Thanks

I guess in a true aeroponic setup, the roots are suspended in air, and misted with nute solution only. But I'd say most systems have the roots hanging in the solution. Actually, if the solution is in a reservoir, then it's like DWC, and if the solution is flowing by, then it's like NFT. Got that?

As for LST and aero, there would be no problem, LST is simply training the foliage, and aero is about what's under the soil line.

HTH

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LST is just training that can take place in any growing plant. Ive heard of areo roots getting up to six feet if they have the room but they will not grow that big if you dont give them that much space. All depends on the room you give them to expand there roots. Good luck

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My first grow:
http://www.rollitup.org/grow-journal...rst-heads.html

A shallow water crop saver is very common in aeroponic setups, because of the dedicated reliance on the power supply, pump function, etc. In pure aero, if the system fails to feed for any reason, the plants die. With a S.W. crop saver you can keep the harvest, although it'll be much smaller.

I grow aero with a 24 inch drop, into 6 inches of crop saver, under a 250. I l.s.t them and the difference is VERY noticeable. When you aggressively l.s.t. plants, not being shy about it but leaning the plants every time a side starts falling behind, the lower buds that would normally be airy and very lightweight, grow denser and contribute quite a bit of the final weight.

I don't know what the final length that can be reached is, but i'm sure if you dug up a 12 footer in the wild, with root system intact, you'd have quite a bit of root length there. The historical, general purpose formula for most plants, is that whatever you see above the ground, you've probably got about that, below the ground.

In mine, the roots grow very, very quicky in length until they hit the crop saver below. After they do, they tend to get about 6 to 10 inches longer, hanging in the water, and they bulk up in the aero section until they're about as big around as a 2 liter bottle.

My method is to stack two tubs: when i built mine, i didn't go to the store and buy a couple of nylon machine screws (fine thread bolts) and nuts, and fasten the bottom of the top tub, to the lid of the bottom one, like that: all i did, was silicone heavily, and so far, it's worked ok. After i siliconed i found some voids, and filled those with hot glue; it was a ghetto setup and actually, the thing works just great; although the next time i build one, i think i'll just go to the store and get a couple of nylon bolts and fasten the lid of the bottom one, to the floor of the top one, that way, because plastic is so notorious for not taking glue well.

When you use a fogger, the heat of that fogger contributes substantial heat to the interior of the root zone; and, you MUST buy teflon coated diaphrams to make the fog or they very quickly succumb to the acid environment.

There is another problem with using a fogger, and that is that the fog itself, quickly shucks heat and falls, as a cool, cloudlike formation to the lowest level it can. The offset to this is to drive the fog around, with a fan. My method, is to get a 'spinning disk' cool mist humidifier, and put the fogger in that: the water level in it is kept the same with a float, and fed from a bucket.

A tube feeds the mist(s) into the root zone and at the top of the upper tub, there is a mist filter made of scrubber pad and polyfill, inside a tupperware bowl. A computer fan provides a vacuum when the timer comes on that lifts the fog, and at the same time, keeps the pressurization from making the tubs leak.

A spinning disk humidifier uses vanes built onto it's misting disk. Alone, it doesn't produce all aeroponic fog: but it does provide a very good way to keep the heat of the ultrasonic fogger out of the root zone, and the spinning disk's vanes, designed to push it's own mist, also push the fog out at a pretty good clip. Using the computer fan to lift the mist helps keep it from settling too bad, although i really need a bigger fan.

shit, lol, u guys are pretty advanced growers aren't you? I'm just starting, and I don't get much of what you've said, but what i understand has helped immensly. I ordered seeds and they aren't arriving tho, kinda worried. Well, here's 2 hopin' Peace, all

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Foggers are nice I have a bunch and I do like them quite a bit. Anyways I recently built an aero hydro unit that is versatile and space efficient. I took some vinyl fenceposts cut a drain hole, a input hole for the feeder/mister line, and some net cup holes. I used vinyl tubing and a pretty strong pump along with a tote for a res. I built so I can add and take away and maintain the system easily. I use 1/2 inch PVC inside the fence post and I drill 1/8th inch holes down the length, and then hook that up to the pump manifold. I am getting awesome results with minimal space and I use it in a perpetual fashion. I know I didn't explain well but if you would like to know more let me know I can walk you or anyone else who would like it through the build. I will attach a pic of one rail, keep in mind I have the ability to hook up about 10 of these rails at anytime.

Attached Images

	S7300670.jpg (75.3 KB, 140 views)
	rail system.jpg (65.7 KB, 136 views)
	rail2.jpg (108.8 KB, 140 views)

Sounds great! I have several friends who have grown in that square fencepost system. I call it an enhanced NFT, (nutrient film technique) and that was made popular by GH's AeroFlo.

HTH

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Yep it's what I copied it even has misters in the water line, it a fun build and awesome with space. It is like an NFT, roots sit in mist and a fast moving stream, growth is lightning quick too...

This fence post is what I was building, same thing, but I was going to add a fogger. Any ideas?

I am building my system the same way, but was going to add a fogger. Any ideas?