SIP thread -- (Sub-Irrigated Planter)

Update! decided against the bucket in the middle, opted to put in a dark tote instead, i figured this would make it easier to apply drenches since its raised up more and water will have issues saturating. the tote has no bottom and is only burried an inch or two with plent of holes at the bottom. this way its not in the way of any roots below, i can feed the worms pretty easily this way without cover crop in the way. AND it solves a big problem i had, you guys were using bokashi with earthboxes since those mulch covers/ plastic container created anaerobic conditions for the kashi to work in, this box allows me to do the same thing atleast in that area(more bio-diversity i think is good?). i will be putting a plant in each corner and the scrog net about a foot above the box, the box also gives me space to put my temp/humidity gauge and possibly a fan or even a bug repelling crop in a container. Im going to use a dehumidifer with a hose to constantly feed the reservoir
 

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I dont think my container is completely air tight tho, should I paint it black and try to seal it somehow? Or does it not matter that much since the soil would be getting oxygen either way from the bottom?
 

sudshead

Well-Known Member
Exactly like I made mine. On the bottom I alternated the inputs to get a slight vortex. I am going to do a 4x4 tent. I am thinking one growbox/earthbox and one bucket sip and then one bucket sip without airholes as I am going to try and pump air into the water around wick area to force oxygen and water up through the soil (someone posted that a company is doing this. So will be 3 different test sites in the tent

So after about 36 hours... my thoughts on this brewer.... 1. It needs some kind of cover... 2. For the love of God put this in a water tight bottomed tote when running unless you want really good smelling compost tea all over...3. This thing is LOUD, make sure you have it somewhere that, that won't matter... and finally...wow does this thing seem to make foam!!! I think this is a great sign that this is much much better then ans air stone alone and it is very very easy to construct with the main cost being the air pump. Top dressed all the ladies with this beautiful tea today! Everyone looking great!
 

weedstoner420

Well-Known Member
Way cool, awesome looking plants, I am gearing up for my next grow in my growbox , I will get some clones right after Christmas, just waiting on my new fan speed controller to arrive
Right on, can't wait to see it! I was considering going organic about a year ago and a photo of the water roots in your GrowBox is what convinced me to give them a try. It's truly a great way to grow plants.
 

Tim Fox

Well-Known Member
Right on, can't wait to see it! I was considering going organic about a year ago and a photo of the water roots in your GrowBox is what convinced me to give them a try. It's truly a great way to grow plants.
Oh heck yeah, those water roots give it hydro like growth with the ease of soil just love it
 

sudshead

Well-Known Member
Nope no co2 but I do struggle with gnats even though I mixed Karanja cake with the soil. Now I’m looking at trying mosquito dunks with fingers crossed.
I see the top is yellow but gnats strips also yellow - so you think the gnat strips would work better if the lids werent yellow?
 

Tim Fox

Well-Known Member
So the next thing I need to do is make a tray so I can carry my sip loaded with soil and plants from outside into my bedroom without making a big mess like the last few grows
 

meangreengrowinmachine

Well-Known Member
So... I think I might be going over board here ans want some input. I want to flower about 11 plants. I suck shit at cloning and am using non feminized seeds. My idea is to start with 2 packs of bodhi seeds they come in packs of 11. Start them in 4 inch pots for a couple weeks. Then up pot them to 3 gallon SIPs to veg them. Then I would flip them for 1 week to see them. Cull the males, and up pot them to 5 gallon SIPs for flowering.... so my issue is this would seem to be roughly 121 gallons of soil ( if I got half females to up pot to 5 gallon SIPs). Then if I want to do this perpetually I would want at least twice that and re amend the last batch as I'm using the current batch... so I think I would get away with ..26 totes roughly with 13ish cooking at once... am I losing it over here? Hahaha
 

raggyb

Well-Known Member
So... I think I might be going over board here ans want some input. I want to flower about 11 plants. I suck shit at cloning and am using non feminized seeds. My idea is to start with 2 packs of bodhi seeds they come in packs of 11. Start them in 4 inch pots for a couple weeks. Then up pot them to 3 gallon SIPs to veg them. Then I would flip them for 1 week to see them. Cull the males, and up pot them to 5 gallon SIPs for flowering.... so my issue is this would seem to be roughly 121 gallons of soil ( if I got half females to up pot to 5 gallon SIPs). Then if I want to do this perpetually I would want at least twice that and re amend the last batch as I'm using the current batch... so I think I would get away with ..26 totes roughly with 13ish cooking at once... am I losing it over here? Hahaha
i figured once it's in a SIP it stays in the SIP like Vegas, but you're making me rethink this. You're going to have to chop off any water roots that went through the wick in order to repot it but I guess it could be ok to do that? I'm sexing regs before they go in the sip which i don't know if it's the best either plus they're looking abused up to that point which is another story.
 

meangreengrowinmachine

Well-Known Member
i figured once it's in a SIP it stays in the SIP like Vegas, but you're making me rethink this. You're going to have to chop off any water roots that went through the wick in order to repot it but I guess it could be ok to do that? I'm sexing regs before they go in the sip which i don't know if it's the best either plus they're looking abused up to that point which is another story.
Yeah, this last run I used 1 gallon fabric pots and getting them to the point of sexing them.. yes the abuse is real lol. Trying to avoid that this next run, hence the 3 gallon SIPs for veg. I have never tried transplanting from a SIP but I think its worth a shot to keep the plants healthy... since I admittedly am somewhat lazy and have a lot going on besides my grow lol
 

raggyb

Well-Known Member
Just made up this as a template to make 22, 3 gallon SIPs for vegging 2 full packs of bodhi regs at once per run. Do we think a 3 inch net pot would be sufficient for these and keep in mind these will be JUST for veg.
in my opinion 3 inch looks good ratio on that size, as long as it will reach the water with the 1" gap. I wove felt strips into some net pots to extend down further in case my water level got low. idk you might find that worth a try. it would depend on what you got happening there. seemed to me i should top water the first day or two and once the soil is wet through the capilary action would keep the wick going. but i'm no expert. i haven't tried it with a cap yet. i mulched instead. might try a cap on one sooner or later.
 
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