Waterfarms
- Thread starter kck
- Start date
Puff
Well-Known Member
I use the waterfarm 8 pack myself. Your right about the stem rot from the pumps running continuously. I had to invest in a recycling timer. Runs for 9 min on 18 mins off. I used to only run the pump when the lights were on but it was still too much. The cheapest solution is to get a cheap timer with 15 min intervals. The recycler timers are pricey.
ThunderLips
Well-Known Member
Ive used them as well.. they work great, but you can make them for cheaper just by purchasing the drip ring assemply for $15.99 and easily think of a way to duplicate their system using buckets or w/e.
What I have done is taken a black 5 gallon bucket with lid, 1 net pot slightly larger than the drip ring. Cut a hole in the lid so the net pot can fit without falling through. Punch a 1in hole in the bottom of the net pot closest to the the side, slip the drip ring assemply through, fill with hydroton, plant your little buddy, fill with water and turn on the fish pump.
GH Drip ring - $15.99
5Gallon Bucket w/lid - $5.00
Small bag of hydroton - $5.00
8-10" net pot - $2.50
Fish pump(Single) - $10.00 (Fish pump(4 outputs) - $30.00)
Nutrients - well it depends on the size of the bottle.
The single bucket setups are $59.99 they come with everything including a little bit of nutrient.. but not enough. You can find the 8 bucket packs for $250 - $350 which is a better buy of course.
My only complaint is how to flush these buckets, it can become a pain if you have a lot of them and theyre not connected. GH doesnt put a release valve on the controller or the res on the 8 pack bucket system either so you usually have to make one or spend the time dumping everything with a friend.... All in all its an easy beginner system for hydro. Cheap and effective... oh ya.. I think they use way too much hydroton than needed, I think the net pot is a perfect size and uses half the amount of hydroton.
If you can post a pic of the stem rot I can tell you if it has happened to me. I have never seen it, or at least I dont think I have.
What I have done is taken a black 5 gallon bucket with lid, 1 net pot slightly larger than the drip ring. Cut a hole in the lid so the net pot can fit without falling through. Punch a 1in hole in the bottom of the net pot closest to the the side, slip the drip ring assemply through, fill with hydroton, plant your little buddy, fill with water and turn on the fish pump.
GH Drip ring - $15.99
5Gallon Bucket w/lid - $5.00
Small bag of hydroton - $5.00
8-10" net pot - $2.50
Fish pump(Single) - $10.00 (Fish pump(4 outputs) - $30.00)
Nutrients - well it depends on the size of the bottle.
The single bucket setups are $59.99 they come with everything including a little bit of nutrient.. but not enough. You can find the 8 bucket packs for $250 - $350 which is a better buy of course.
My only complaint is how to flush these buckets, it can become a pain if you have a lot of them and theyre not connected. GH doesnt put a release valve on the controller or the res on the 8 pack bucket system either so you usually have to make one or spend the time dumping everything with a friend.... All in all its an easy beginner system for hydro. Cheap and effective... oh ya.. I think they use way too much hydroton than needed, I think the net pot is a perfect size and uses half the amount of hydroton.
If you can post a pic of the stem rot I can tell you if it has happened to me. I have never seen it, or at least I dont think I have.
Puff
Well-Known Member
When draining these things I have come up with a good system. I use shut off valves so I can disconect the reservoir without making a mess. I then hook up an inline water pump to the fittings and open the valve. I use the inline water pump ($30) to drain with, the setup is at ground level so draining it can be a pain. With the pump you can fill or drain into whatever you want. You can flush the whole system and refill it in an hour. Sorry I have no pics to show.
Thanks for the replies. I'm gonna try em out and see what kind of results I get. I have access to plenty clones, but I dont wanna waste too much time. Hopefully I'll have a progress report and some pics soon. Too bad I already bought em cuz it sounds pretty simple to make one.
thagrimreefa
Active Member
how much water do you got in all your units?? i just got the 8pk and i am havin problems with the water drippin outta the drip rings.
ThunderLips
Well-Known Member
well on your res there should be a fill line on the hose that sticks up off the back... over all you want the water about half full and if youre having problems with the drip rings make sure you have them assembled correctly...
The clear tube that goes down into the bottom of the bucket has to be facing a certain direction in the Y fitting since its cut at an angle in order to create a vacuum.
The clear tube that goes down into the bottom of the bucket has to be facing a certain direction in the Y fitting since its cut at an angle in order to create a vacuum.
thagrimreefa
Active Member
which way do they gotta face?