Commercial HPA

Hello friends,
Even though I just joined here, this website helped me learn to grow hydroponically about 8 years ago now. Once I got the hang of things, I ducked from the site (being illegal and all). I deleted the account and haven't been back since. There was always great advice. Even though I ducked from the forums, I kept nerding tf out on hydroponics and cannabis science and I was lucky enough to stumble upon a cannabis analyst role as a chemist for part of the MN medical program a few years ago. I'm now taking my hobby and my career and combining them and launching my own company in the MN market after partnering with a team of business professionals. We are getting funded by a VC for 5M to build a 15,000 sqft canopy operation, and we have priority status for license applications due to MN's social equity program. This was originally going to be a 2,000 sq ft cheap micro operation and has evolved since. I'm a hobby HPA grower myself and would love to run a portion of the operation (2,000 sq ft) as a high pressure aeroponic setup, and I'm aware how technically difficult this can be. I'd be starting small to run it through a test phase and gauge results.

We are working with consultants (Cannacribs) who I'm sure have great design plans that I intend to follow, but I really want our premium brand be able to boast such a unique and effective growing method, and they aren't too keen on aeroponics for a nascent market.
Is there anybody in here who has first hand knowledge of commercial HPA set ups? I know there are some out there in other states, but their designs all seem a mystery to my research. It sounds too crazy to me even at 2000 sqfeet to scale an at home setup, but at the same time with how simple the design of HPA totes are (5 mins to zip tie the nozzles in each tote) I don't see why it can't be done with the help of an electrician for wiring solenoids and an array of relay timers in a matter up to code. Buying a setup like this costs thousands of dollars premade and diy'ing it (not counting any grow lights) costs like 250 bucks for an 8800 pump, pressure tanks, lines, nozzles, quick connect adapters, and totes. Especially if bought in bulk. It doesn't sound like more than 2 weeks of work for 3 guys, an electrician, and a plumber, to set up 80 4- tote 32 sq foot aero systems in the same space we would otherwise put basic coconut coir pots. That's only 20,000 dollars total in materials for 2000 sq ft.


By using 3/8 inch tubing from the aquatec to the accumulator tank that splits to 4 (one line for each tote) and then using an adapter to 1/4 inch quick connect just after the solenoid on each tote, this will help keep pressure on each line down even though it splits into 4. Also, utilizing 4 relay timers (12V, 5 bucks a piece) for each tote means you can stagger misting intervals so only one tote is misting at any given time (the same thing I do at home). 40 gallon resevoirs underneath each 4 tote system can be filled from a bulk made solution pumped from the fertigation room just as irrigation pumps might pump to coco pots. It's a more complicated setup and obviously labor intensive, but we are very early to this and have time for it as founders. Do the payouts not permit the rewards of this growth method?

Am I crazy? I'm probably crazy. I'll listen to the consultants. Anyways hi guys good to be back.
 

Lou66

Well-Known Member
If I had 5 M to spend (and be accountable if it goes wrong) I wouldnt buy the cheapest relays available. If they fail for 2 hours your crop dies.
So you want something more reliable but then its not much more expensive. A monitoring system that detects failures and alerts you to it. Then you need an engineer to install and maintain that system.
It's easy to spend tens of thousands of dollars on critical infrastructure (and then you still have failures). Going with something simplistic like drain to waste is just the sane approach at scale.
 

compassionateExotic

Well-Known Member
Are u crazy? hope its ur money cause I would be super cautious of using that method and even simple growing a good profitable clean flower is hard.

Dtw coco or even rockwool system or even notill beds I could see doable and profitable. Kiss exp for commerical cause complex and many issues isn’t a good thing. Exp when perfection and consistency is key

its easy to say I’ll do under current or aero but even at small scale 2k sqft. Yeah the cost and possibility of failure is a good luck and so much chances of failures. Even one round can crash ur business
 

ttystikk

Well-Known Member
Hi! I bet I'd remember you.

If you're spending $5 million of someone else's money, the ONLY thing you should be focused on is getting guaranteed returns. You wanna get fancy? Use your own money or it will end in tears.

I'm building systems that reduce crop failure risks by building in fault tolerance and robust systems architecture from end to end.

If be happy to talk to you about your plans but for heaven's sake, if you value your career in cannabis, do not try anything risky until you're well established and have a cushion. This is not that time.
 
Hi! I bet I'd remember you.

If you're spending $5 million of someone else's money, the ONLY thing you should be focused on is getting guaranteed returns. You wanna get fancy? Use your own money or it will end in tears.

I'm building systems that reduce crop failure risks by building in fault tolerance and robust systems architecture from end to end.

If be happy to talk to you about your plans but for heaven's sake, if you value your career in cannabis, do not try anything risky until you're well established and have a cushion. This is not that time.
I'll just come out and say I was under the name HoneyOilRiotSquad at the time. I remember I was all over this forum.
You're right, I am thinking I will just go coco to start out. It grows premium buds and it's stupid easy to hook up drip irrigation. Anyone on here claiming coco grows equivalent to aero though... I don't if they've actually done true HPA lol...

There are commercial grows out there that are 100% aeroponic. It exists. Perhaps a slow upgrade over time off of revenue and not the initial 5 million to start.

Plus I'm heading setting up the lab... I can't wear both of those hats as it is. Too much.
 

nxsov180db

Well-Known Member
Anyone on here claiming coco grows equivalent to aero though... I don't if they've actually done true HPA lol...
My response to that would be maybe that you've never been successful in DTW coco..., or rock... You'll get a week quicker veg in HPA, that's about it. HPA can be fun as a small grow/home grow, but at scale it's just foolish. My first couple grows was HPA.
 

F_Dupp

Well-Known Member
Im also in MN. I ran a diy hpa system for a couple of years (my uncle who designed radar systems for nuclear submarines built it, so it was overly high tech). I got amazing results, when things went well. When things didn't go well, rooms got flooded. So I took it down a notch and now I run low pressure aero, and have been for over a decade.

I have been looking into these systems, as they look very efficient. And they probably don't flood the room like my old hpa system - https://www.aessensefresh.com/

You can build out a pretty cool facility for $5m. Where are you looking to build?
 

ttystikk

Well-Known Member
I'll just come out and say I was under the name HoneyOilRiotSquad at the time. I remember I was all over this forum.
You're right, I am thinking I will just go coco to start out. It grows premium buds and it's stupid easy to hook up drip irrigation. Anyone on here claiming coco grows equivalent to aero though... I don't if they've actually done true HPA lol...

There are commercial grows out there that are 100% aeroponic. It exists. Perhaps a slow upgrade over time off of revenue and not the initial 5 million to start.

Plus I'm heading setting up the lab... I can't wear both of those hats as it is. Too much.
That name doesn't ring any bells but I'm old and my memory isn't what it used to be lol

I am offering the advice I am because I want to see you kick ass right out of the gate.
 
Top