Blumat auto watering

[Bwanabud]

I hope not. I read you stick it midway between the stem and container wall.

That's what I do, 1/2 way to pot edge. I bought the "Blumat" planting tool which works good...but a tulip bulb plater would work perfect also, cuts a perfect circle right thru the roots...carrots go in perfect every time.

BTW: I'm running 2 drippers per 2 gal. pot,,,how many drippers are you guys running in 2 gallon pots ?

 

[Cesaro]

Well I've lurked long enough. Anyone know how long in feet the Shurflo revolution pump can pressurizer lines? I know the system can run 500 blumats (more like couple hundrednice sized plants) but I'm unsure of how long the runs can be with 100 blumats on it.

Any ideas?

 

[Boss Cocky]

Hey all,

What is the minimum container size (in terms of diameter) you can use blumats with?

 

[brown_thumb]

RE Blumat gravity-feed setups: How do you keep insects and debris out of the reservoir tank? Maybe a fine netting stretched over the top... like ladies pantyhose or just a piece of cloth? Is there any worry about accumulation of dust in the system clogging the sensors or lines? What about algae problems?

 

[LostInEthereal]

@LostInEthereal
Would be much appreaciated mate

Here ya go bud. Just a repost from earlier in the thread, I have mine disassembled because it had leaks. I don't know what all the stuff connecting it together is called. I only recently found out the white thing is called a slip-union. I believe the grey pieces are called nipples but I have no idea what dimensions. I need to order replacements so perhaps some pump system users with knowledge can share?

I need to replace this piece and a couple others but I don't know what it is specifically called, dimensions and all that.



I also need the 1/2" male to 1/2" male threaded close nipple that goes inside this, again unsure what it's exact dimensions were though.

 

[LostInEthereal]

RE Blumat gravity-feed setups: How do you keep insects and debris out of the reservoir tank? Maybe a fine netting stretched over the top... like ladies pantyhose or just a piece of cloth? Is there any worry about accumulation of dust in the system clogging the sensors or lines? What about algae problems?

I thought about using an air-lock for home brewing on my reservoir. The container I got is meant for pet food and is air-tight with the screw on lid, I think an air-lock would work great.

 

[brown_thumb]

I thought about using an air-lock for home brewing on my reservoir. The container I got is meant for pet food and is air-tight with the screw on lid, I think an air-lock would work great.

I hadn't thought of that (I'm a total newb to this stuff). Maybe one could add a fine mesh filter to the feed line?

 

[brown_thumb]

Would it be beneficial to add a timed shut-off valve to the main feed line to allow for a few hours of non-watering time so the soil will dry a bit thereby allowing more air to the roots? Or could that cause the sensors to dry out and malfunction?

 

[stoned40yrs]

Would it be beneficial to add a timed shut-off valve to the main feed line to allow for a few hours of non-watering time so the soil will dry a bit thereby allowing more air to the roots? Or could that cause the sensors to dry out and malfunction?

What made you think these blumats drip all the time? Hook up a timed shut off valve and as soon as the valve opened back up everyone of your blumats would turn into runaways and drain your rez.

 

[brown_thumb]

What made you think these blumats drip all the time? Hook up a timed shut off valve and as soon as the valve opened back up everyone of your blumats would turn into runaways and drain your rez.

Okay... I won't do that then.

 

[Archiesmillard0]

That's what I do, 1/2 way to pot edge. I bought the "Blumat" planting tool which works good...but a tulip bulb plater would work perfect also, cuts a perfect circle right thru the roots...carrots go in perfect every time.

BTW: I'm running 2 drippers per 2 gal. pot,,,how many drippers are you guys running in 2 gallon pots ?

I use two in that size fabric pot. At first, I didn't adjust the carrot to have just that one drip coming off the end and I over watered.

 

[Archiesmillard0]

I thought about using an air-lock for home brewing on my reservoir. The container I got is meant for pet food and is air-tight with the screw on lid, I think an air-lock would work great.

This may seem weird, but I hear putting some goldfish in a reservoir can help with mosquitos. Of course you'll have algae, which is super natural nutes, but you'll have to clean you're line.

 

[Archiesmillard0]

Howdy folks,

not wanting to be too demanding here but I am close to setting up my Blumats and pump system...

Is there a simple step by step guide (possibly with pics? ) on how to set up the pump, accumulator, filter combo with your tank and Blumat line somewhere in this thread?
I couldn't find it if there is.

Think that would be very helpful (for me certainly) as the thread seems to have arrived at a consensus:
Pressurized Blumat systems (with accumulator, pump and filter combo) are the way to go.

Information on possible parts (and even pictures) for the pump system are abundant in the thread.

I feel that a step-by-step guide on setting up the system would be very neat.

Cheers and thanks for all the help so far!

This probably isn't too immediately useful, but I know this FB page is starting a instructional video series on setting up blumats and blumat systems if you want to like and see that stuff when it posts

https://www.facebook.com/BlumatSystems

 

[Jhhnn]

What made you think these blumats drip all the time? Hook up a timed shut off valve and as soon as the valve opened back up everyone of your blumats would turn into runaways and drain your rez.

Yep. I unknowingly pinched a 3mm line, didn't notice it until the plant drooped from being too dry. The carrot lost water, too, so when I cleared the line it overwatered. When I soaked the soil & refilled the carrot, went thru the initial setup it worked fine again.

I find that some fiddling to get the flow rate just so after the initial setup is helpful. I like to get them overwatering just a little bit, so that water builds up slowly in the saucers, dial 'em down until that just quits for best results. If they don't deliver enough water to keep most of the soil moist then the plants don't grow as well.

 

[Archiesmillard0]

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Pump-System...349751?hash=item4d4c1b7577:g:OL0AAOSw8w1X8o26

This is a pump system that claims to be good for 400+ plants. I know they're used with Blumats!

 

[Archiesmillard0]

Alright so:

- Shurflo 37810 is rated at 11.3 liters per minute, should be fine?
- Shurflo 25777 is the only accumulator I could find available from shurflo but I guess it fits the bill?
- Shurflo 25774 and 25775 are the only filters I could find and you said they are too small :-/

This will cost me close to 200 bucks all in all. Bit of a bummer, considering I got the "oversized" thing I mentioned a few pages back for just 130. But hey, what don't we do for our hobby

A quick confirm that these 3 parts will do the trick would be nice. I also think I still need some connectors but am unsure as to which..
Do have the pressure reduction nozzle from Blumat though.

Cheers and sorry if I am being such a noob.

https://www.sustainablevillage.com/index.php?route=product/product&product_id=413&search=pump+system

I mean this accumulator is pretty big!

 

[gr866]

Anyone notice excess salt buildup in there coco with Blumats?
GR

 

[dr-dank]

Anyone notice excess salt buildup in there coco with Blumats?
GR

Yes. Some say drip clean works, I still get build up. I flush weekly to keep it down....I run at 500ppm (.5 scale) in res to help minimize.

I posted me theory earlier in this thread. The summary is, what goes in has to equal what comes out, or there has to be a buildup over time. A mother plants is worst case, but even with use in flow only you have 8 weeks in which growth and environment varies, and I feel its would be a real miracle to wind up with the same ppm you water at. Much more likely is a bit low, or a bit high. I think rate of transpiration and growth rate of plants are the two biggest factors. If its hot, and you are low humidity, then I think you have to go lower ppm else build up....But I don't want so low a ppm they start out starving only tio end well-fed.

I flush 1 x week. At 500 ppm I tend to get runoff at flush around 1200... This is with multiple plants in a perp setup at different stages, btw.

Some have stated that with adequate water, and dripclean, the excess salts are locked away and cause no harm, so they don't flush. I don't quite buy into that.

HTHs

 

[stoned40yrs]

Yes. Some say drip clean works, I still get build up. I flush weekly to keep it down....I run at 500ppm (.5 scale) in res to help minimize.

I posted me theory earlier in this thread. The summary is, what goes in has to equal what comes out, or there has to be a buildup over time. A mother plants is worst case, but even with use in flow only you have 8 weeks in which growth and environment varies, and I feel its would be a real miracle to wind up with the same ppm you water at. Much more likely is a bit low, or a bit high. I think rate of transpiration and growth rate of plants are the two biggest factors. If its hot, and you are low humidity, then I think you have to go lower ppm else build up....But I don't want so low a ppm they start out starving only tio end well-fed.

I flush 1 x week. At 500 ppm I tend to get runoff at flush around 1200... This is with multiple plants in a perp setup at different stages, btw.

Some have stated that with adequate water, and dripclean, the excess salts are locked away and cause no harm, so they don't flush. I don't quite buy into that.

HTHs

So you are feeding at 1.0ec, doing a weekly flush, use dripclean and still worry about salt buildup? You only have 1 problem and it's that you even bother to check the ec of your runoff. Excess salts aren't locked away, as long as they are in suspension withen the liquid inside your coco they tend not to cause problems. Let the coco get dry and you'll have problems at any ec. You are way more likely to get problems from that straight water flush in coco. I veg a long time- 3 months, then 2 months plus in bloom. no runoff for 5 months till I flush last 2 weeks. 1.0 ec in veg and 1.3ec in bloom. No salt buildup I can see, I know what it looks like when you use fabric bags. White buildup on outside of bags. Mine stay black.

 

[spaceboy]

Anyone know what to do if you dont have enough plants for all the sensors? Im only running half my room this round so dont know what do do with all these unused sensors. Thought about disconnecting them and pinching off the line, but seems like there would be a better way.