Aeroflow type system

Sensay · Oct 1, 2008

Hello all. I'm new to this site. I have been reading alot of threads, what a great pool of info and knowledge! Almost to big. I'm sure there are posts on here I'd like to see but will never come across, questions that have already been answered that I'll ask.

I have made a couple aeroflow style systems and clone machines with fairly good success. I started out with a GH aeroflow 36 and took off from there. This type of system can be made to fit in all spaces and sizes IMO. Would like to here of others who use this, and get/give tips to improve yield.

Also
Have not seen anything on auto water level in here. I think this is a great thing.
Later.

growinman · Oct 1, 2008

Hi there Sensay!! I just got a used AF20 from an old guy and have completely taken it appart and put it back together all like new. I am completely new to hydro so this will be an adventure trying this. I currently grow in soil(have for years) and have a harvest every month. On this next harvest (I do half the 12/12 room every other month) I plan to move the AF into half of the room and then a month later(last soil harvest) I hope to build a flood/drain or drip table in that half to play around with.
I could load you up with questions!! :cuss:

but wont

But tell me this........ Do you have problems with the 'laser-cut' holes in the lines?? Do they clog? And what would you think of drilling them out and putting in some sort of misters/sprayers and upgrading pump if more power needed?
Do you run your whole plants cycle in the AFs?
Are you going to post any pics??

Well, welcome and thanks for starting such a thread!! Hopefully it'll get some action! :bigjoint:

growinman

growinman · Oct 1, 2008

"Also
Have not seen anything on auto water level in here. I think this is a great thing."

do you mean like a float that would switch a valve open/closed??

Sensay · Oct 1, 2008

growinman said:
But tell me this........ Do you have problems with the 'laser-cut' holes in the lines?? Do they clog? And what would you think of drilling them out and putting in some sort of misters/sprayers and upgrading pump if more power needed?
Do you run your whole plants cycle in the AFs?
Are you going to post any pics??

Well, welcome and thanks for starting such a thread!! Hopefully it'll get some action!

growinman

Hey growinman, great to see a post in my thread!

] I didn't have any problems with the 'laser-cut' holes and can't see any "laser-ing" evidence. They appear to be regular ol' holes to me. I've never had a hole I drilled in other systems clog either.

] The sprayers that I'm thinking of, that I use in cloners, have smaller holes through them and clog pretty easy. I don't see a need for them, but they wouldn't hurt anything. They would actually reduce flow so you could use the same pump.

] I let the clones settle in for a few days and drop some good roots down. Then bud them out.

] Never have taken many pics but am going to start. My signature pic is from a few years ago and is DP Blueberry in an aero 36 under a 1000w hps. Taking a fresh batch of clones in a small gr after a month break tomorrow. May take some pics. Later

Sensay · Oct 1, 2008

growinman said:
"Also
Have not seen anything on auto water level in here. I think this is a great thing."

do you mean like a float that would switch a valve open/closed??

]Yep. I use different toilet tank float valves in all reservoirs.

growinman · Oct 1, 2008

........no, I read somewhere that the holes are 'laser-cut' in the aeroflo lines........the misters were just an idea.

I got a flood/draintable about finished today and a bunch of clones going in my dwc cloner--then planning to veg them in the table in the little baskets w/hydroton then go to the AF.....think that'll work?<---forsee any problems??

rep 4 u!! I love your float valve idea!! You gonna post a DIY!!!

Sensay · Oct 2, 2008

I was joking, I know they say, "and no more clogs with our new laser cut spray lines", was just expecting something a little more dramatic than a round hole.lol How come the laser does not shoot through the other side of the tube? Does GH have a mini lightsaber they poke the holes out with?

] I found the plants grew so much faster than with flood and drain that I vegged them for too long the first grow, and they got crowded.

}That will work great. You can also do your clones in the af.

potroast · Oct 3, 2008

I've grown a couple of crops in the AeroFlow. The laser holes are actually not meant to spray really, just squirt downward and roil the nutrient flow.

The growth is extremely fast, so overcrowding is common. Because of the spacing, shorter plants are desired, but shorter also means bushier, so some aggressive pruning is necessary.

HTH :mrgreen:

growinman · Oct 3, 2008

Sensay said:
I was joking, I know they say, "and no more clogs with our new laser cut spray lines", was just expecting something a little more dramatic than a round hole.lol How come the laser does not shoot through the other side of the tube? Does GH have a mini lightsaber they poke the holes out with?

] I found the plants grew so much faster than with flood and drain that I vegged them for too long the first grow, and they got crowded.

}That will work great. You can also do your clones in the af.

hahaha! Yeah, I read that too, thinking similar conclusion as you. So, it is a 'mini lightsaber', huh.... I 'll have to do a search on that one... :lol:

I think with from what potroast is saying the holes perform, the same could be acheived with just drilling a slightly bigger hole---if clogging even is an issue.......
I 'd love to be able to clone right in the Af but it is going in a flower only room; is why I need to veg in the other room.........

potroast said:
I've grown a couple of crops in the AeroFlow. The laser holes are actually not meant to spray really, just squirt downward and roil the nutrient flow.

The growth is extremely fast, so overcrowding is common. Because of the spacing, shorter plants are desired, but shorter also means bushier, so some aggressive pruning is necessary.

HTH

potroast Hey, Sir! Thanks for your explanation on the 'squirt'---so kind of 'aireates' as well I 'd figure........ and you say 'flow'---shit, it hits :wall:

me NOW(hence, areoflo......duh: feeling dunce, answering the question I was going to ask next.....) okay, it flows through the channel----how deep on the roots do you want to keep it?<----the overflows go up and down. And one more, please: if I want to keep the girls managable do you think it's be best to do as Al B. does and take large clones, but go straight to the AF in 12/12 once there are established roots 2-4 days from the dwc cloner?

Thanks very much you guys!

Sensay · Oct 3, 2008

Hey growinman, do you feel that. Kinda tingly feelin. Were in the presence potroast the great and wise! Yess

Sensay · Oct 3, 2008

potroast said:
I've grown a couple of crops in the AeroFlow. The laser holes are actually not meant to spray really, just squirt downward and roil the nutrient flow.

The growth is extremely fast, so overcrowding is common. Because of the spacing, shorter plants are desired, but shorter also means bushier, so some aggressive pruning is necessary.

HTH

Exactly
] I had an aeroflow 36 and I had crowding probs with it. If I'm not mistaken the 36 is the most compact one. I spaced the holes farther apart on the ones that I have since built. Even now, I put the clones in as soon as they have decent roots, have 12/12 light right from the start, and I still have crowding. I'm thinking of using Al Bs Pruning method and going with the two week cycle, with more intense light over the older plants. What do you think, potroast? or anyone else out there. Along with the crowding was the spindly pain in the ass lower branches. From what I've been reading it seems like a no-brainer. My system is three tubes wide(about 4') on each side of a walkway with 60 sites on each side, 6 tube, 120 sites total and 20' long. I have White Russian, Bubblegum, and Cronic seeds on the way. Endless Sky going in, in the meantime. Any other suggestions? later

Sensay · Oct 3, 2008

growinman said:
hahaha! Yeah, I read that too, thinking similar conclusion as you. So, it is a 'mini lightsaber', huh.... I 'll have to do a search on that one...
I think with from what potroast is saying the holes perform, the same could be acheived with just drilling a slightly bigger hole---if clogging even is an issue.......
I 'd love to be able to clone right in the Af but it is going in a flower only room; is why I need to veg in the other room.........

potroast Hey, Sir! Thanks for your explanation on the 'squirt'---so kind of 'aireates' as well I 'd figure........ and you say 'flow'---shit, it hits me NOW(hence, areoflo......duh: feeling dunce, answering the question I was going to ask next.....) okay, it flows through the channel----how deep on the roots do you want to keep it?<----the overflows go up and down. And one more, please: if I want to keep the girls managable do you think it's be best to do as Al B. does and take large clones, but go straight to the AF in 12/12 once there are established roots 2-4 days from the dwc cloner?

Thanks very much you guys!

You've got it!

]Can't remember if I said this, but I also aerate the reservoir with a couple stones, which can only do good stuff IMO.

]I keep the overflows as low as possible. With fresh clones were the roots may not hang low yet I keep it touching the grow rocks, as soon as all plants have roots long enough to touch the bottom, down goes the overflows to their lowest point. Again in my thinking, more available oxygen, less "stagnant" nute solution in the tubes.

]whats the + rep all about? I mean whats it do? later

growinman · Oct 3, 2008

Sensay said:
Hey growinman, do you feel that. Kinda tingly feelin. Were in the presence potroast the great and wise! Yess

-----dont you know, Sensay...... :-P

! My hat will always be off to him :hump:

Sensay said:
You've got it!

]Can't remember if I said this, but I also aerate the reservoir with a couple stones, which can only do good stuff IMO.

]I keep the overflows as low as possible. With fresh clones were the roots may not hang low yet I keep it touching the grow rocks, as soon as all plants have roots long enough to touch the bottom, down goes the overflows to their lowest point. Again in my thinking, more available oxygen, less "stagnant" nute solution in the tubes.

]whats the + rep all about? I mean whats it do? later

Thanks for the info, Sensay! It's starting to make sense, too.... I am sure glad I wasn't able to set that system up and jump right intoo it before I learned(and am learning!!) more about it....
Your system sounds real cool! Do you have a pic of the set-up??

the rep goes towards your reputation; what that does, I really dont know--changes the 'road your on?' it's good, I think that! :bigjoint:

growinman · Oct 3, 2008

Does this look to be original to you?? This thing came with two pumps(the big one's in the res) and there's like a 265 also.........like to just flood drain??? What's your guess?

growinman-25190-albums-aeroflo20-picture800203-original.jpg

....from the top

growinman-25190-albums-aeroflo20-picture800204-down-look.jpg

And the whole thing.......

growinman-25190-albums-aeroflo20-picture800202-just-put-back-together.jpg

I set it up and cleaned it with H2O/bleach and ran it out side here on my lower property in a makeshift shop(it's raining now..).

First time I posted any pics ....haha---sorry......and I have 1000's!

Sensay · Oct 3, 2008

growinman said:
Does this look to be original to you?? This thing came with two pumps(the big one's in the res) and there's like a 265 also.........like to just flood drain??? What's your guess?

] My guess would be that the flood n drain is an add on.

]Are those plastic clamps on the vertical f & d hoses? If they are not, you would most likely need something to block it off from draining down through the flood pump when or if you raised your overflows. Id rather have the drain-back going through the overflows anyway, again the aeration. Broken record aint i.

] The pre owner might have had problems in the beginning and said "the hell with aero crap, dosn't work, i'll flood and drain er.

]or maybe he just f & dd his clones. Hard tellin not knowin. By the way, does your cloner have collars holding the stems? later

growinman · Oct 3, 2008

yeah, from what I 've seen I think he added it on as well. Yes there are collars on the overflow tubes/stems and there are also zip ties that go through the top 1/8" for...? The stems go up and down and there are no leaks in that part. It does leak a bit right where the black 90 connects with the pvc---thinking it just needs new washers where they screw together..... There is also a clamp to fold that black hose to shut that part down.

I got a flood/drain table all set up today(a temp. one as it's only 2' x 3') and hopefully tomorrow I can get some SuperSkunk clones that I have rooted in coco set up in it in hydroton in the net pots to veg for the AF. I took one of the clones today and cut the netting off of it and the coco inside is like dust(except damp) and rinsed right out: the only damaged roots were the ones that went through the net, so I might have to leave that on...any ideas? Think I can flood and drain it often?

potroast · Oct 4, 2008

The zip ties were probably for holding the feed tube that runs along the top of the tube and squirts downward. The nutrient flow can be shallow, the roots will still be in a very moist area.

I don't think that those tubes will be good for flooding, certainly not as good as an NFT. The flooding would have to be quick and often.

A main design flaw that I see is the posts are too close together. Even with staggered plant sites in each post, there's still not enough room to grow. Easy to fix with some adjustments.

HTH :mrgreen:

growinman · Oct 4, 2008

potroast said:
The zip ties were probably for holding the feed tube that runs along the top of the tube and squirts downward. The nutrient flow can be shallow, the roots will still be in a very moist area.

I don't think that those tubes will be good for flooding, certainly not as good as an NFT. The flooding would have to be quick and often.

A main design flaw that I see is the posts are too close together. Even with staggered plant sites in each post, there's still not enough room to grow. Easy to fix with some adjustments.

HTH

Thank you again for your very welcome insight, potroast! I was thinking(and hearing) about how close these site are too. I am going to look into spreading the channels appart another 6" or so and stagger, which may help some. The problem I see in doing that is keeping the drain tube lined up as it is, so something will have to be devised. As for 'flooding' ,etc, do you figure it to be best to just keep the flow going....and as low as 1/4 - 1/2" once the roots are in there good? It'll take some playing around but I will try to make the best of it.......by then I 'll be ready to build my own design or something.

Hey there Sensay! I 'd love to see a pic of your design!! :-P

Think I can do this with 20" single cola SuperSkunk--they stay short and I dont have to do much pruning....what about roots??-->will they clog this up? Your 36 was similar, right?

back to work...........
:leaf:

Thanks you guys!! :leaf:

Sensay · Oct 4, 2008

growinman said:
:
Hey there Sensay! I 'd love to see a pic of your design!! Think I can do this with 20" single cola SuperSkunk--they stay short and I dont have to do much pruning....what about roots??-->will they clog this up? Your 36 was similar, right?

back to work...........
Thanks you guys!!

] growinman sorry, I don't know about your single cola thing man. Maybe if potroast would answer my questions also, see-ins how I started this thread, I'd be able to answer that, lol, (I posed almost the same question) Maybe he doesn't like me cause I'm a F.N.G. I kissed his ass too, jeez. Could you do me a favor and quote me on this and my questions to him, he seems to like you and read your posts. Thanks buddy. over

potroast · Oct 6, 2008

Well, Man, I can't read every thread, and I just try to answer a question or two where I can. Looking back now, I don't see any questions that I didn't answer, except maybe "any suggestions?"

The tube-type system is designed to be an NFT, with a constant flow of nutrient through the tubes. In the AeroFlo, it also has a feed line that runs along the inside top of the tubes, and squirts downward into the nutrient flow. I've called that an enhanced NFT.

HTH :mrgreen:

Aeroflow type system

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