Where too start.

District

Active Member
Hey bro's

So I've been growing for about 13 months now and I haven't done anything spectacular though I have really applied myself.

Im currently doing a small joint grow and at the end should have enough funds to start a proper true HPA.

I want to do 20 plants and make it perpetual. I have read threads by Trichy Bastard, Tree Farmer and Atomizer but I have really understood all of the technical stuff possibly because ive only done soil. And in not that practical (though intelligent).

I want to know what I should read up on. Should I read up on things like basic plumbing, basic maths, fluid dynamics, basic electronics im really wanna learn but I feel reading these threads wont teach me more frustrate me.

Any pointers are GREATLY appreciated.

District
 

FrozenChozen

Well-Known Member
Hey bro's

So I've been growing for about 13 months now and I haven't done anything spectacular though I have really applied myself.

Im currently doing a small joint grow and at the end should have enough funds to start a proper true HPA.

I want to do 20 plants and make it perpetual. I have read threads by Trichy Bastard, Tree Farmer and Atomizer but I have really understood all of the technical stuff possibly because ive only done soil. And in not that practical (though intelligent).

I want to know what I should read up on. Should I read up on things like basic plumbing, basic maths, fluid dynamics, basic electronics im really wanna learn but I feel reading these threads wont teach me more frustrate me.

Any pointers are GREATLY appreciated.

District
GOOGLE is your friend! pick a subject and start reading! Good Luck!
 

vostok

Well-Known Member
20 perping plants, you are gonna want to learn shitloads, ...of anything,

I'd start with Horticulture, Botany, just about anything, spend an hour on here every day, just too start ...lol,

biggest understated subjects has to be soils, root behavior and bugs and killing them without hurting yourself ....lol

But the best grows are always of growers who have a family history in growing any plants my aunts back in the old country were ropemakers, I learned from them, like it grows with you as you grow, ...........................like millionaires in Hollywood ...LOL
 

District

Active Member
FC I was reading for 2-3 hrs a day. On Trichy Bastards thread Cavadge and Tree Farmers thread. I was readingoso much i stopped taking in the relevant info ( there so much other stiff in those threads) . Pretty much know the components and theory.

Im no engineer though and ive gotten to a point now where I feel a little input would help (shout out to) Mike Young.

Im in the process of pricing everything up ive got chamber design 90%. I haven't read up on anything but aero so far. Vostok im gonna have to try buck that trend no growers in my family. My mums veg gardens amazing but thats my stepdads work.

I will put up a list of components in the next 24. Any links for anything greatly appreciated.
 

District

Active Member
Thanks for the info Vos.

OK.
So ive been searching for parts and theres plenty. I have yet too add John Guest piping as im not sure which variant to get but almost everything else is accounted for.

So first is the

ACCUMULATOR TANK Ive gone for a 10.1 gal Well-X-Trol WZ-104 priced at around £80. It has a draw down of 3.5 gal at 60 PSI which is the ideal pressure for the Netafim nozzles ill be getting. Ill probably be running s little higher though.

PUMP will be the Aquatec 8800 diaphragm pump. Everything ive heard is good quiet, reliable. Will be using an external pressure switch though. Pump priced around £90

NOZZLES will be as mentioned Netafims 4 way nozzles with a combined flow of 8.1GPH priced at $5.04 and a foggers assembly which is some tubing with what appears to be a weight for hanging at $2.05 I will be geiing 4 of each
http://www.dripirrigation.com/drip_irrigation_families/501

SOLENOIDS Im not sure of the brand they're from this site
http://www.stcvalve.com/Process_Valves.htm they're item 2A on the list item code is 2P025 1/4S and ill be be buying the 1/4 NPT 220V version I assume this compatible with UK mains power. There is also a 110V version any input on which to get very appreciated price is $23.43 per solenoid.

PRESSURE GUAGE are stainless steel liquid filled at around $23 Not gonna put the link Cavadge did that and lets just say he only did it once.

PRESSURE REGULATOR/PRESSURE REDUCING VALVE acetal plastic stainless steel wetted parts 0-125 PSI £25.27

RO SYSTEM Not sure if this is essential though I know it helps with being able to have a better baseoto start with before adding nutes to ur water ive opted for the PUROTWIST 4000. No I do not have an endless budget so if anyone has used any cheaper reliable RO systems please let me know. Price $306.12 + $9.99

To be cont'd
 

District

Active Member
PRESSURE RELIEF VALVE Is brass im not sure this is a problem I dont forsee it coming into prolonged contact with the solution. £22.92
http://m.ebay.co.uk/itm/251266514241?nav=SEARCH im assuming there has to be a bleed line connected to this going back to the rez

NOZZLES UPDATED The link I put up for the nozzles is for the PURPLE pins with a cracking pressure of 28 PSI I will be ordering the 4 BAR ADV ORANGE nozzles with a cracking pressure of 58 PSI.


JOHN GUEST FITTINGS. I haven't actually calculated how much of each fitting ill need just guessimated. Its good to have spares and delivery is free with orders over £50 I will leave a link up to the site after listing parts. Again any helpful tips greatfully received.

JG SpeedFit Elbow 15mm (10) price £1 inc VAT
JG SpeedFit Elbow 10mm (10) price £1.52 inc VAT
JG SpeedFit Eqaul T's 10mm (10) price £1.76 inc VAT
JG SpeedFit Eqaual T's 15mm (5) price £1.58 inc VAT
JG SpeedFit Straight Connector 10mm (10) price £1.25 inc VAT
JG SpeedFit Straight Connector 15mm (10) price £0.92 inc VAT
JG BulkHead Elbow (1) price £2.98 inc VAT
JG SpeedFit Reducing Connector 15×10 (10) price £2.16 inc VAT
JG SpeedFit Straight Connector 10mm (5) price inc VAT £1.25
JG SpeedFit Straight Connector 15mm (5) price inc VAT £0.92
JG Tank Connector (1) pride inc VAT £1.55
JG SpeedFit Reducing Elbow 15mm-10mm (5) price inc VAT 2.59
JG SpeedFit Conversion Connector 15mm - 1/2 (5) price inc VAT £1.86
JG SpeedFit Conversion Connector 22mm - 3/4 (5) price inc VAT £2.24
JG SpeedFit Cutter price inc VAT 16.03
http://www.jtmplumbing.co.uk/john-guest-speedfit-fittings-167.html
Anyone who's read the parts list will notice I have included pipe. Still unsure which to get.

TIMER I will be going for the 422AR Flip Flop timer I understand the design has changed since some of the threads I've read if anyone has any info on the new design please let me know. im actually have trouble locating one as of now. Will update when I can.
 

Mike Young

Well-Known Member
The 422 AR is the perfect choice. I'm using one right now, as my diy timer had some issues. Tubing: Some like to go 3/8" all the way up to the solenoids, and 1/4" to the nozzles. I can attest the you're fine 1/4" from pump to nozzle. Atomizer convinced me of that one, but I was only running a few nozzles. I think you're ok thought. Everything else looks good. The brass in the PRV is fine. It should be avoided in large quantities, but a small amount of brass isn't going to effect anything. The best thing you can do is slap it together and begin the process of tweaking it to work. Go heavy on the mist timing at first, and very slowly back off. It's easy to get blinded by root fuzz, but fuzz doesn't always pay off, trust me. Penetration in the later stage is crucial.
 

District

Active Member
Yeah thanks Mike. Atomizer a very knowledgeable guy (kudos too you sir) Im gonna build the chamber at some point this week. Like I said im know engineer (telecoms engineering isn't engineering) ive never built anything we'll see what happens. Thanks Mike bye the way where can I get the octal bases from and also do I need 2 or can I use a cheaper time and plug the 422AR into that for night cycles mistings.
 

District

Active Member
Got the PEX piping and now JG screw connectors reserved for collection tomorrow. A pressure regulator recommended by Atomizer on order and I ordered that book you suggested Vox.
 

District

Active Member
Managed to get a few bits and bobs. The thing I like about forums is there's always someone whos done it. Everything purchased thus far has been suggested by a very reliable source so thanks very much to him.

Caleffi 533841 Pressure Reducing Valve for £22.00 on Ebay free P+P

PEX Pipe 15mm 3m length X5 £3.99 each £19.95 for 5

JG 15 × 1/2'' Tap Connectors X4 £2.49 each £9.96 for 4

7 CoolNetPro Netafim Misters 7.5 l/h £2.75 each £19.25 with a 25% discount £14.44

7 (4 Bar) ADV's £1.57 each £10.99 with 25% discount £8.24

And finally a Docpac at £8.00 not sure what that is no discount.

Ive decided my chamber will be made of plastic tubing wrapped in light block poly. The top and bottom will be polystyrene foam board painted with Z poxy and wrapped individually in light block poly.
 

District

Active Member
Ok dudes. First things first. I decidedito simplify my firat experience out of soil. Im about to take clones for the first time.20140818_195841.jpg
 

District

Active Member
I just set up the RO system seemed a good place to put it. Plus I couldn't push the washing back because the lino was snagged underneath. I took about 13 clones. Im crossing my fingers but as you can see I done my due diligence. Had to use ph up and down because my tap water is 7.1 got to it 5.6. Ill take pics tomorrow.
 

District

Active Member
Thanks man. Still anxious but ive definitely seen worst looking clones. Plus they were more wilted when I woke up this morning.
 

vostok

Well-Known Member
Thanks man. Still anxious but ive definitely seen worst looking clones. Plus they were more wilted when I woke up this morning.
Wilted ..? then keep up the misting they really should be in a dome for the first 24-48 hours, then removing off progressively more, and more 2-3 hours at a time, should this clone set fail, look to a DIY bubble cloner fun cheap, great return ...did I say fun? ...lol
 

District

Active Member
Any thoughts on mixing different nutes from different manufacturers. My grow, bloom and micro are GH. I also want to get GH Diamond Nectar Fulvic/Humic Acid and AN Rhino Skin Potassium Silicate.
 
Top