Blumat auto watering

[farmari]

When using an elevated res, does it matter how much volume it holds, as long as it is always topped up? The pressure is simply influenced by the water level height rather than amount of water in the container, right?

I can't mount shelving to a wall so I'm thinking of using a 2 gallon bucket on the top tier of a shelving unit, which would hold 1 gallon of nute solution. Am hoping to have the water level 5ft above the blumats, for approx 20ft of feedline. That's over twice as high as the minimum level according to the manual... I'm hoping it's enough pressure to avoid runaways.

I'm anxiously waiting for the extra 3mm line to arrive for my Deck and Patio Kit

 

[rives]

Correct. The volume is irrelevant - it is the height of the column of water that gives you the pressure.

 

[sunnydog]

Sunny, I have a question. I am running organic nutrients which means thick poopy water mixes every other day. How well would it work to run Blumats, and then give small quantity of poopy mixes hand watered on top, with much higher poop:water ratios? Eg, if I give them 4gal of nutrient every 4 days (2 watering cycles), maybe I would give them each a pint of nutrient (3/4 gal total) with the nutrients that 4gal should contain... Its just an idea, but I'd love to get rolling with blumats before my amended soil run starts.

Should be fine. I might give an additional watering or two afterward just wash it in deeper.

 

[farmari]

Correct. The volume is irrelevant - it is the height of the column of water that gives you the pressure.

Thank you Rives!
I have another dumb question if you all don't mind:
How long are the 3mm lines that you all are running? I mean from the larger tubing to the blumat. I'd like to be able to move the plants around conveniently but don't want to make the 3mm line too long and cause clogs or low pressure or anything.

 

[sunnydog]

Thank you Rives!
I have another dumb question if you all don't mind:
How long are the 3mm lines that you all are running? I mean from the larger tubing to the blumat. I'd like to be able to move the plants around conveniently but don't want to make the 3mm line too long and cause clogs or low pressure or anything.

Long as you need, but short as possible if you are not using pressure. as I think this is where bubble lock-ups occur most. Narrow tubing= more friction.

 

[ClackamasCootz]

Agreed......

 

[CasioCalculator]

Just got through the entire thread. Got the patio kit a bit ago and have yet to set it up for my moms (will soon though). Early on in the thread someone mentioned panda mulch seems like a good idea and would possibly help prevent runaways. Is there any practical reason why it seems like not many people use panda mulch or any mulch for that matter in combination with blumats? Also, this seems like it would be useful for some peoples who find sediment in their lines. Big ups to all of you patient pioneers who are willing to put up with all the people who clearly won't just sit down and read the thread .

 

[ak-51]

Also, this seems like it would be useful for some peoples who find sediment in their lines.

I think a filter that thin would get clogged up too quickly. You would just be exacerbating the problem.

I just finished my first run that included Drip Clean and the difference is clear. Usually when I clean the lines out manually at the end of each run there is a bunch of junk that come out of the drip lines. I cleaned them out just like I have been doing, but this time barely anything came out.

 

[moodster]

when i was using airstones to airate the water i would get sediment i now use a submersible pump and get no build up what so ever

 

[CasioCalculator]

AK, Yeah you're most likely right. You are actually who I had in mind in regards to the filter with your yardstick smackin' ways. I am glad the Drip clean is working for you. I know bobble swears by the stuff so I had been planning on using it in my res.

 

[Budwhyser]

I think a filter that thin would get clogged up too quickly. You would just be exacerbating the problem.

I just finished my first run that included Drip Clean and the difference is clear. Usually when I clean the lines out manually at the end of each run there is a bunch of junk that come out of the drip lines. I cleaned them out just like I have been doing, but this time barely anything came out.

AK
Are you using the drip clean in your res regularly, or is this what you use at the end of your run to clear out the lines?

 

[ak-51]

I was using it at the recommended dose every res change.

My usual hydro shop started carrying it about week 1 or 2 of flower so it wasn't exactly the whole run I was using it, but most of it.

I'm sure there is a good way to make a filter that wouldn't get clogged so easily, I'm just not sure what the best way to go about making it would be.

 

[Budwhyser]

Yeah a filter would be nice. I'm running mainly clear water through mine, but because I don't have a lid on the res I'm getting a slight build up of algae on the bottom and sides and am finding it nec to empty and clean out the res more than I want. I'm assuming some of it has to end up in the lines, although I haven't really had any clogging or runaways yet...

Just finished the 1st week of my autofill res. I have a 20 gal brute garbage can on the bottom with a connection to the elevated 5 gal pail. I have a small aquarium pump thats on a timer and comes on for 1 min everyday to refill the 5 gal pail from the lower 20 gal res. I have a couple of larger hull adapters on the top of the pail as overfill protection in case the pump sticks on for any reason. Everything sits in a 4x4 tray for extra apocalyptic protection! This gives me 5-7 days between res fills. Lovin it!

 

[icdog]

Has anybody tried a drip irrigation ring connected to the blumat drip line to get a more even spread of the water? A guy asked about it earlier in the thread but there doesn't seem to be a follow up.

 

[Peacefrog]

Has anybody tried a drip irrigation ring connected to the blumat drip line to get a more even spread of the water? A guy asked about it earlier in the thread but there doesn't seem to be a follow up.

That's the idea behind the distributor drippers. You can use up to 5 of these with one sensor. They worked quite well for me on the one run I tried them. I plan on using them again when I use 3 gallon or larger pots. I believe others have had good luck with them as well.

A drip ring could conceivably be hooked up to the blumat line with the right adapter but I think drip rings need more pressure than you will get from the blumat line. The distributor drippers would be way easier if you are using blumats and have access to them. If you go that route be sure to get the support stakes for ease of use.

 

[rrog]

I have 3 distributors per 7 gallon GeoPot. One Maxi Carrot

 

[Canniwhatsis]

Just dropped the hammer on a 12pack of blumats.


Looking forward to getting them setup and running.

 

[sunnydog]

Just dropped the hammer on a 12pack of blumats.


Looking forward to getting them setup and running.

 

[Bobbo4200]

Heyyy SunnyDog!,
It seems that my nutes are not fully dissolving or whatever, I am afraid that the cones would get clogged. What should I do? Are they going to clog lol?

 

[rives]

The "real" Blumats don't water thru the cone - only the "Jr's" do that. The regular Blumats use a pinch valve at the top of the carrot controlling a 3mm line. However, if you have chunks of anything in the water, I think that you could be headed for trouble. I'd change nutrients to something that dissolves completely, or figure out how to get your current stuff fully dissolved.