a ppk for a 6 plant limit

[delta9nxs]

Whew just read 31 pages. It's been about a year since I have been on here and went through the last PPK master-thread. I understand the concept, and was hoping I could get some suggestions to help me adjust it to my space/style. Right now I grow 6 plants in 2gal top-fed fabric pots with coco yielding about 5oz per plant. It's been working great for over a year but I want to a) try something new, b) possibly improve yields, c) get away from coco because everything is ALWAYS SO DIRTY, d) reduce possible points of failure and daily maintenance.

The PPK has always looked like the answer but I was previously too invested in the other setup to make the switch. My biggest challenge is reducing the footprint of each site as much as possible. That said, it looks like 3.5 gal inside a 5 gal would work perfect for me and allow me to maintain my 6 sites. My space is the size of a large-ish closet, roughly 8x4. I grow on the walls/trellis similar to Marlo or Ichabod with 1200W.

Questions:

1) Is 3.5g in a 5gal ideal for ~6oz plants? Can I get by with smaller even, 3.5 in a 3.5 - I don't think I really gain anything from going smaller since the bucket footprint is basically the same.

2) Will the tail-pipe design from this newest build work with those size containers or should I use the old tail pipe design?

3) When you showed you're old 3.5/5 setup you said it only leaves you with 3" of water in each module... Am I right in thinking I could just put each module up on cinder blocks and then modify the control res to get the proper air gap in the module?

4) Any other thoughts or issues with scaling this system down I should be aware of?

What really sold me was the no bulkhead/glue connections to the modules with the new design. I hate paying ridiculous prices for bulkheads and hate using goop/silicone everywhere. Looks like there is finally a cheap way to get everything rigged up clean with no leaks.

howdy!

i have grown a 22.5 oz plant in a 3.5 bucket with 2.5 gal of medium. if you use a 3.5 in a 5 you will have sufficient depth to operate with most pumps and your idea to raise them relative to the pump chamber will work fine. this will not work using a 3.5 in a 3.5 as it will not leave you much depth after the "air gap".

the tailpiece shown in a previous post is a 1.5" x 6" sink tailpiece available from any hardware store. i glue these in with amazing goop, plumbers edition.

1.5" hole saw fits perfectly.

but if you want to downsize slightly for space considerations i really like snooks set up using the 2 gal containers. i'm sure elbows can be grown in one.

and i strongly recommend the 5/8" neoprene hose to 13/16" hole connection. i know it looks stupidly flimsy and leak prone on camera but i swear they don't leak. hundreds of them now. once you install one you will realize how hard they would be to even kick loose.

i hope i have answered your questions and welcome aboard!

 

[Grow4Flow]

I noticed the first batch of 7 Gal Tuff Stuff Tubs (Large Sticker) that i purchased, were black in color, bottoms very sturdy even after cut. The latest batch (Small Sticker), were a dark brown, and bottoms have alot more "sagg" once cut, and loaded with turface.

Glad i loaded up on 2 dozen of them when i found them @$7 each for the original ones

 

[DrFever]

Yo D got any pics of 22.5 oz plant by chance

 

[delta9nxs]

Yo D got any pics of 22.5 oz plant by chance

here you go!

https://www.icmag.com/ic/showthread.php?p=6704870&posted=1#post6704870

 

[MrAwder]

What height did you flip at to turn out a plant like that?

 

[ayekay]

Hey d9 I was wondering what you would recommend to set up a reservoir to feed a four plant ppk. I plan on using my condensate from my AC/Dehuey and pumping it into a brute 44. Should I then route that to a separate control/float res or another brute 44 to mix nutes and then routed to a control res?

My PPKs are going to be in the 7 gallon tubs from tsc on top of 3.5 gallon buckets linked together with 2.5" cpvc. Each site will have a 3" wick about 6 inches long. I've been reading about the PPK for quite some time and I'm slowly putting it all together. Any other input would be great! Thanks again for creating this, sharing and helping so many people

 

[Miraculous Meds]

Hey d9 I was wondering what you would recommend to set up a reservoir to feed a four plant ppk. I plan on using my condensate from my AC/Dehuey and pumping it into a brute 44. Should I then route that to a separate control/float res or another brute 44 to mix nutes and then routed to a control res?

My PPKs are going to be in the 7 gallon tubs from tsc on top of 3.5 gallon buckets linked together with 2.5" cpvc. Each site will have a 3" wick about 6 inches long. I've been reading about the PPK for quite some time and I'm slowly putting it all together. Any other input would be great! Thanks again for creating this, sharing and helping so many people

Since ur condensate would be constantly reducing ur pre mixed nutrient, u would want to keep that on a separate brute to fill and have as clean water stock. Then when ur volume reservoir needs filled u can transfer that condensate water and mix ur nutes. Just follow his tech for the rest of it. Those 27 gallon totes are just fine for a 4 site with the pots ur using. Ur using 2.5" return lines huh? That's fine, but if u go with hose u can move the plants around if that's a benefit for u. I like it so I can train my plants easier. But everybodys situation is different.

 

[Miraculous Meds]

D9,

Just to confirm sir, do u know if the 5/8" neoprene hose will seat in the 3.5 gallon buckets, or is that hose tech only good for the much tubs?

And on getting the neoprene hose? Those are found at tsc's and farm stores right? Are they just labeled neoprene hose? Im not sure ive seen a neoprene one, but I haven't exactly looked for one yet either though.

 

[Mrrite008]

D9,

Just to confirm sir, do u know if the 5/8" neoprene hose will seat in the 3.5 gallon buckets, or is that hose tech only good for the much tubs?

And on getting the neoprene hose? Those are found at tsc's and farm stores right? Are they just labeled neoprene hose? Im not sure ive seen a neoprene one, but I haven't exactly looked for one yet either though.

Neoprene hose (Goodyear Premium) can be found at Home Depot...and will work fine in the 3.5's...the key to a tight seal is a quality "step bit"...i use a Milwaukee #4...like D9 has stated "It cuts a perfect hole everytime"...and a must have tool in any PPK build for me!

 

[Miraculous Meds]

Neoprene hose (Goodyear Premium) can be found at home depot...and will work fine in the 3.5's...the key to a tight seal is a quality "step bit"...i use a Milwaukee #4...like D9 has stated "It cuts a perfect hole everytime"...and a must have tool in any PPK build for me!

Thanks for the reply. I think I know what u mean about the step bit. Its got different sizes on each step that u can drill to, correct?

 

[av8or]

These are what you want (you don't need all three sizes)

 

[Mrrite008]

Thanks for the reply. I think I know what u mean about the step bit. Its got different sizes on each step that u can drill to, correct?

Correct...The Goodyear garden hose has a 7/8" OD. Make sure the step bit purchased, has a 13/16" step to it. As this is the size hole that is needed, to insure an incredibly tight seal.

 

[delta9nxs]

What height did you flip at to turn out a plant like that?

that had to be a least 36" but was topped.

500 watts (25% each from two 1k's)

this was taken right before the chop at about 10 weeks.

sweet tooth #4

 

[delta9nxs]

Hey d9 I was wondering what you would recommend to set up a reservoir to feed a four plant ppk. I plan on using my condensate from my AC/Dehuey and pumping it into a brute 44. Should I then route that to a separate control/float res or another brute 44 to mix nutes and then routed to a control res?

My PPKs are going to be in the 7 gallon tubs from tsc on top of 3.5 gallon buckets linked together with 2.5" cpvc. Each site will have a 3" wick about 6 inches long. I've been reading about the PPK for quite some time and I'm slowly putting it all together. Any other input would be great! Thanks again for creating this, sharing and helping so many people

welcome! using water from the ac and dehuey sounds a little scary to me! i would worry about metal toxicity. those things have a lot of copper, steel, or aluminum in them and those substances will give off molecules in water. how much would be unknown without testing. it could be safe but it might not be.

your build sounds good!

 

[Miraculous Meds]

welcome! using water from the ac and dehuey sounds a little scary to me! i would worry about metal toxicity. those things have a lot of copper, steel, or aluminum in them and those substances will give off molecules in water. how much would be unknown without testing. it could be safe but it might not be.

your build sounds good!

Good advice, I had a friend collect a window unit ac condensation and it worked fine. I collected dehuey water and swear it messed shit up. Id recommend not using it as well.

 

[Ichabod Crane]

When you use those step bits it is best to mark the size you want the hole to be with black marker. That way when it is spinning you know only to go to the black mark and you don't make the hole to big.

Also when you finish you can take the bit out of the drill and put it in from the back side by hand in the hole and spin it to clean any burrs off.

Makes a nice clean hole that is the correct size.

 

[Mister_D]

Been using water from my a/c's and dehumidifiers for years. Many cheap Chinese big box brands all the way up to the high-end pro equipment. Never had a problem for any of them YMMV.

 

[ayekay]

@MiraculousMeds good point on the hoses and site mobility. I think I'll go to Lowes/depot and grab some of that Goodyear hose. All this extra 2.5" PVC will be used one day I'm sure...

@Mister_D yeah the reason I started to use condensate was all these respectable folks on here saying they have been doing it for years. Added you to that list of respectable condensate recyclers lol.

@d9 ppm is 0 and I use h202 to kill any fungus/ bacteria in the water, brand new mini split and dehuey, not sure if that matters. My tap is about 180-200 ppm on the .5 scale so I thought since the condensate was 0 PPM it was ALMOST equivalent to RO. Guy at the hydro shop was saying the same thing though about the copper/aluminum. Also I've read that you can get legionnaires disease if using organic soil and reusing condensate. I'll let you guys know if I run into any problems... hopefully not the ladder.

No hose clamps needed for the goodyear hose? There will be no overflow if using the hose for the saturation lines and the return? Are the flow limiting plugs mandatory to prevent overflow? What size barbed fittings go into that hose? Sorry if any questions had already been answered.. read the whole thread twice now so forgive me if I missed something.

 

[Miraculous Meds]

@MiraculousMeds good point on the hoses and site mobility. I think I'll go to Lowes/depot and grab some of that Goodyear hose. All this extra 2.5" PVC will be used one day I'm sure...

@Mister_D yeah the reason I started to use condensate was all these respectable folks on here saying they have been doing it for years. Added you to that list of respectable condensate recyclers lol.

@d9 ppm is 0 and I use h202 to kill any fungus/ bacteria in the water, brand new mini split and dehuey, not sure if that matters. My tap is about 180-200 ppm on the .5 scale so I thought since the condensate was 0 PPM it was ALMOST equivalent to RO. Guy at the hydro shop was saying the same thing though about the copper/aluminum. Also I've read that you can get legionnaires disease if using organic soil and reusing condensate. I'll let you guys know if I run into any problems... hopefully not the ladder.

No hose clamps needed for the goodyear hose? There will be no overflow if using the hose for the saturation lines and the return? Are the flow limiting plugs mandatory to prevent overflow? What size barbed fittings go into that hose? Sorry if any questions had already been answered.. read the whole thread twice now so forgive me if I missed something.

Ill take a crack at answering these questions as best I can.

"No hose clamps needed for the goodyear hose?"

Not for the returns. U just use that step bit to 13/16" and the hose slides in snug.

"There will be no overflow if using the hose for the saturation lines and the return?"

Not sure what exactly ur asking here, but as u feed the pot it drains down into the bottom bucket, and returns via the hose to the control res. So a recirculating system. So no overflow as long as u don't get clogs in the drain.

"Are the flow limiting plugs mandatory to prevent overflow?"

The flow limiting plug ur referring to I think is the one that screws on the bottom of the drain/wick? If so that is for when the plant is new to the pot and hasn't filled in with roots. It helps to get a flood state in the pot, otherwise its hard to feed enough water to get a flood instead of just watering to a saturation. When enough roots fill the pot u take the limiting plug off because the roots slow the water flow down during a feed making it easier to flood the pot during a feed again. U might have to reduce the length of time ur watering at this point too so not to over fill the pot during the flood watering.

"What size barbed fittings go into that hose? "

5/8" barbed fitting for the hose. Although u wouldn't use it for the returns necessarily. If ur going to use it to build a feed system then 5/8" fittings and hose clamps are what I use.

 

[ayekay]

Thanks for the quick reply, you know your shit MM.

Another question, for the feed lines, would a 2 way hose splitter on the output of a water pump connected to two 4 way hose splitters, with 8 equal lengths of hose attached, be the way best to flood 8 sites at roughly the same amount of water (with minor adjustments to the valves). Or would it be better to use PVC to connect the hoses to?