Aero enclosure?

I stopped by the local hydro center and picked up some supplies. I was looking at the aeroponics systems they had. I already had the idea to use big 2' x 4' rubbermaid boxes. I just cut holes in the lid and run pvc through them for the sprayers. If you saw my grow guide I have a picture of how I did it before. Now at the store they have long square (looked like 6" x 6" x 8') pipes that they use. It looked kinda cool but I am worried that the little amount of space will get clogged up with roots. I had 8' roots last time. So do you experianced guys think the big boxes would be better or the square pipes? I am prolly going to start with a 8' x 8' area. Then gradually build it to 8' x 16'. So far I am still leaning towards the boxes. Any suggestions?

go with the box
its what im gonna do my aero in
Amazon - Grow with us

look at the roots on them fings


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I've seen several guys who made an NFT with the plastic fence posts. They are the size you said. It's really thick plastic that will hold up to any weight. That's the biggest problem, making sure that the weight of the plants is supported. The long roots can be cut shorter, if needed. They used a dremel rotary tool to make the holes.

With a bigger box, you'll need more nutes to flow over those piles of roots. With a narrow channel, they will be more bunched up, but will require much less nutes to keep them wet.

potroast said:

I've seen several guys who made an NFT with the plastic fence posts. They are the size you said. It's really thick plastic that will hold up to any weight. That's the biggest problem, making sure that the weight of the plants is supported. The long roots can be cut shorter, if needed. They used a dremel rotary tool to make the holes.

With a bigger box, you'll need more nutes to flow over those piles of roots. With a narrow channel, they will be more bunched up, but will require much less nutes to keep them wet.

Click to expand...

Thanks PR, I was waiting for you to get around to this thread

Yes, thats exacty what im talking about. I wasnt sure about cutting the roots. I was worried I would shock them. So with the NFT would I use a few sprayers threw out or one at the top end? That would be easier if I can get away with just one at the end, less piping.

Can you explain more about the inside of your buddies system? Ie; pvc, type of sprayers, pump, amount of plants each post will hold? Is that what you would recomend for best growth? If not what would you recomend? Money isnt really an object but if I can make something custom for cheaper then im all about it.

HYH

Thanks

That was an NFT system, not aero. They didn't use any sprayers, just a flow of nutes thru the tube.
If you see a GH AeroFlow system working, that's the one that I call an enhanced NFT. The nute supply tube runs along the inside top of the square channel, with the sprayers pointed downward, to roil the nutes flowing by in the bottom. Supposed to be super oxygenation, even tho I'm sure the water constantly flowing, and dropping and splashing into the res is plenty.
So if you are going for straight aeroponics, with sprayers constantly spraying the roots, then you can use any sturdy-enough container.
The guys who made the fence posts used 4 or 5 plants in the 8 ft length. Big plants, with base stems as big as your wrist.
I understand that you will grow more plants in less space, which these systems are better suited for.

I built my own aero system. Mine uses pvc fence posts. I have 4 posts which are like 4x4 8 feet. Each post has 7 misters and uses 3 inch net pots. Some pics in my gallery and you can see it in use at my journel on this site. It grows fast as hell. I borrowed the idea from an $800 unit I saw online. I figured out most of it after seeing just an outside picture and built this 28 site version for under $140.Heres the link to the journel.
https://www.rollitup.org/grow-journals/9363-ok-first-aero-grow-journel.html