DIY Hydro question
- Thread starter jimmernmi
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TruenoAE86coupe
Moderator
extremely common at this point, can make either a NFT or a aero/nft system out of them.
TruenoAE86coupe
Moderator
Not ness in those tubes as far as i know, have read about the matting before too, but from my knowledge it should work just as well if not better without, esp if you do the aero type system. Issue with all aero systems is clogging.
http://www.growlightsupply.com/general-hydroponics-aeroflo-aeroponic-system-site-p-131.html
That is the general idea, but I may wait to make it fully aeroponic. If the lengths of vinyl tube are 4ft, I think I will cut them in half putting either 1 or two baskets in each. That system in the link is $900, I am thinking I can do this for less than $200.
That is the general idea, but I may wait to make it fully aeroponic. If the lengths of vinyl tube are 4ft, I think I will cut them in half putting either 1 or two baskets in each. That system in the link is $900, I am thinking I can do this for less than $200.
disposition84
Well-Known Member
The pump in the aero system is gonna cost you 40 alone, not to mention the various other connectors and bits and that's assuming you're not doing 60 sites. The pump that comes with the aeroflo is also about a 150$ because you need a nice pump with a good amount of sprayer heads. The flo also has 6 of the 20 dollar fenceposts found at home depot which is another 120 alone. Don't underestimate the cost of all the small things. Not saying it can't be done cheaper than the cost of premade but for a system supporting 60 plants you're looking well over 200.
Timer?
Well the best is to get a cycle timer where you can adjust it down to the minuite Like this one:
http://www.amazon.com/IGS-11-Cycle-Timer-w-Photocell/dp/B001JL5TKK
Or, a cheap way to go is a simple light timer with 15 min intervals. like this one:
http://homeharvest.com/lampaccessoriestimers.htm
I have used both and haven't seen any difference.
For pumps I wouldn't go lower then a 250 gph with about a foot head height. (going up)
Well the best is to get a cycle timer where you can adjust it down to the minuite Like this one:
http://www.amazon.com/IGS-11-Cycle-Timer-w-Photocell/dp/B001JL5TKK
Or, a cheap way to go is a simple light timer with 15 min intervals. like this one:
http://homeharvest.com/lampaccessoriestimers.htm
I have used both and haven't seen any difference.
For pumps I wouldn't go lower then a 250 gph with about a foot head height. (going up)
Turns out my pump isn't called a Model 5 for no reason, it's 500gph. Duh, hehehe. Looking at some of the other DIYs on here has been great, I wish I could plus rep everybody. I think I may shift to an 8 position tote as a veg/clone area and shift to 8 positions in the 4" pvc with a reservoir separate. I also have a stack of black 3gal buckets so if $$ allows that may be my final stage container. It just makes more sense to me. I have been taking pictures all along, hopefully when I am 100% rolling I can do a journal. But nobody likes a story without a happy ending. LOL
Well that's true but a journal is an ongoing thing. You can start a build journal and get ideas from other members then once its done start a grow journal and leave a link.
You can run about 15 or 20 sprayers and get good coverage with a 500. That's what I ended up using.
You can run about 15 or 20 sprayers and get good coverage with a 500. That's what I ended up using.
jimmygreenfingers
Well-Known Member
Never really understood the craze for using sprayers in a 4x4 vinyl post or tubes as it effectivley runs as an NFT system and not an aero. The spray created cant go anywhere but hit the sides of the tubes and then run along the bottom of the posts/tubes exactly like an NFT system having sprayers in this type of system has no benifit as far as i can see. Far better having one supply line at one end and running as NFT this cuts down on all the supply lines needed for sprayers and the large pump needed to run them. You get excellent results in tubes/posts run as NFT and its alot less hassle to build and maintain not to mention cheaper. Heres one i made earlier lol, im doing a grow in tubes run as NFT and the plants are loving it.
Yea, I agree, the end result is similar. The difference is the sprayers hit the upper portion of the roots. When the watering cycle is over the upper portion dries out faster then the lower and it just seems to work better. Hell you could make those tubes a fill and drain if you wanted to.
jimmygreenfingers
Well-Known Member
The tubes i use are 110mm soil pipe with the drain end set about two inches up, creates a trough like nft with air stones in the tubes as well under the net pots its kinda like a recirculating SWC NFT system lol, works well. Runs continuously so no dry roots, i take your point about sprayers hitting the upper part of the roots and if the pump is on a timer then it might be the way to go but i doubt there's much to be gained by adding sprayers in such an inclosed system if you run the pump all the time. I did try the sprayers in the tubes once but the pump i had was just far to loud. This system is quite delivers plenty of O2 to the roots and gives easy access to the res for PH/EC checks. Just depends on what route you wanna go down i suppose timed intervals aero or NFT, like you said theres not much in it.
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