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4" Pvc Fencepost Aero/NFT

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DonkDBZ

Don't have the time to be hand watering Coco anymore. (My girl is gonna kill me if I don't help out with housework more since my baby is a crackhead who doesnt sleep like me) but anyways.

So after reading Stinkbuds design at RIU and the high times article gonna build it. My question for those who have aero exp. I am gonna mod the flower units to fit my needs. I am gonna do 3 rails with six sites each vs 2 rails of 7 sites. Which means I need 18 ezclone sprayers vs 14.

Which brings me to my question What size pump would I need? The orginal design calls for 396 eco-plus pump which I use in my veg unit. Would that be good enough for a 3 rail 18 sprayer unit or what size?



I had some white abs left over from another project so I cut and made a better top that does not let light threw. Those cindy clones were in Coco a few days earlier. I rinsed em down to just roots and they survived.
 

mikeross

Member
I think you will be ok with 18 sprayers with the 396gph pump. I am planning a similar setup but was going with 7 sites on the outside rails and 6 site on the inside for a total of 20 sites. I read on the original thread on RIU that each sprayers needs 15/25 GPH to spray effectively. If you plan to run 18 sprays of the 396 eco pump that give you 22gph for each sprayer which in my opinion is more than enough.
 

fatigues

Active member
Veteran
Negative on the 396gph. Go for the Ecoplus 633. It's marginally more expensive to get it now (like $20-$25 more) - it will be a lot more to buy one afterwards when you find the 396 does not work. You are not only adding a few more sprayers - but you adding a whole new section of rail and that's the big difference in terms of pressure. Higher pressure will result in less chance of clogging in your sprayers, too.

Please note: there was a design change in Stinkbud's veg system since his original RIU design and since the blueprint/parts list in the High Times. The new design is on Stinkbud's website here. He now specifies a double tote system: with a root box on top of the rez.

There is no need for a separate veg system and you can, of course, just use the 4x4 fence or round 6" PVC post pipe for both applications. Hell, imo, you don't even need a separate cloner unless your object is perpetual harvest.

Depending on the cost of PVC in your area, you may find that a 6" PVC pipe is somewhat cheaper than the 4x4 fence post. Either works just as well and does not call for any other significant changes in the basic Aero/NFT system's design. Substitute one pipe for the other as you deem fit.

I think an unglued end cap for a 6" PVC pipe will be more water tight than it is on the fence post, which is suggested by Stinkbud to be sealed with silicone in his design. YMMV.
 

ItsGrowTime

gets some
Veteran
Go with 6" posts instead of 4". They're stronger, hold more water and root mass, and you'll be surprised how much a post full of water and plants weighs. Also go with the 633gph pump and filter bag.

Capping the ends is easy. Just use PVC cement to seal the cap on as much as possible then seal the "gap" between the cap and the post with aquarium silicone. Great Stuff works too but I prefer silicone since it's replaceable and guaranteed non-toxic. Ive been growing in fence posts in various configurations for the last 3 years so don't hesitate to ask any questions you may have.
 
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