Dave Coulier
Thank you very much for providing a link to these folks. I ordered 3 sets for a friend who is getting set-up to grow medicine for his wife.
Much appreciated!
CC
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Blumat auto watering
- Thread starter sunnydog
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- blumat drippers irrigation watering
Thank you very much for providing a link to these folks. I ordered 3 sets for a friend who is getting set-up to grow medicine for his wife.
Much appreciated!
CC
nycjb
Member
Yeah dude I ordered Sunday night and it was here Wednesday morning, it doesnt get much better than that! I placed an order at Greners.com at the same time and it took them 3+ days before even shipping out
, Im sure they deal with a much larger volume of orders though so if thats the case then I understand. 
Dripline to Canaad?
Dripline to Canaad?
Has anyone found an affordable source for the 3mm dripline in Canada? Read the whole thread, tried all the links but only to find that the sites that have the dripline won't ship to canada, and the ones that do ship charge an arm and a leg(blumat-shop.de). I am looking to try and get the deck and patio kit and the 3mm dripline from the same source as to save on shipping. Sustainable village is not listing any 3mm dripline either by the foor or the roll, Greenaceshydro's site is f'd up and as far as i can tell they do not ship to Canada(please correct me if i am wrong), Homeharvest doesn't list the 3mm dripline in their stock items, nor does Phoenix Organics. At the moment it seems as if the Blumat.de site is the only way to go. If there is anyone out there who could lend a hand or who knows of a source in North America to find these things shippable to Canada please let me know.
Otherwise props to everyone in this thread who had put any positive information and experience about these things out to the masses. You all deserve a good pat on the back for giving so many of us out there our precious time back, all while seemingly making our plants happier too(can't wait for my ladies turns!!)
Dripline to Canaad?
Has anyone found an affordable source for the 3mm dripline in Canada? Read the whole thread, tried all the links but only to find that the sites that have the dripline won't ship to canada, and the ones that do ship charge an arm and a leg(blumat-shop.de). I am looking to try and get the deck and patio kit and the 3mm dripline from the same source as to save on shipping. Sustainable village is not listing any 3mm dripline either by the foor or the roll, Greenaceshydro's site is f'd up and as far as i can tell they do not ship to Canada(please correct me if i am wrong), Homeharvest doesn't list the 3mm dripline in their stock items, nor does Phoenix Organics. At the moment it seems as if the Blumat.de site is the only way to go. If there is anyone out there who could lend a hand or who knows of a source in North America to find these things shippable to Canada please let me know.
Otherwise props to everyone in this thread who had put any positive information and experience about these things out to the masses. You all deserve a good pat on the back for giving so many of us out there our precious time back, all while seemingly making our plants happier too(can't wait for my ladies turns!!)
Am in the process of emailing all the companies i listed to check that out. At first glance most of those sites were obviously not maintained or updated often which led me astray from further contacting them. Dealing with international shipping and customs these things can become a costly initial investment to small growers, but from what i've read through in this read gives me every reason to pursue these. Have tried many different drip setups with peat mixes with less than expected results so hoping this one is the "diamond in the rough".
Got Roots?
Got Roots?
Here is some root porn with Blumats. Growing in pure Canna Coco + Smart Pots + Canna A/B Nutes.
Look closely. At first glance it looks like maggots on the surface, but no... these are roots growing to the the Blumat dripper. Then, also notice, a root grows up and into the air and then back into the coco.
My plants are simply the healthiest, best growth, easy to manage grow I have EVER done. Simply a dream.
Got Roots?
Here is some root porn with Blumats. Growing in pure Canna Coco + Smart Pots + Canna A/B Nutes.
Look closely. At first glance it looks like maggots on the surface, but no... these are roots growing to the the Blumat dripper. Then, also notice, a root grows up and into the air and then back into the coco.
My plants are simply the healthiest, best growth, easy to manage grow I have EVER done. Simply a dream.
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WasntMe
Member
I totally understand. I felt the same way looking at all the dead links in this thread then at the their working half ass websites. Some businesses still don't understand the benefits of having well laid out, full functional and often updated web store. Stuck in the past in someways I guess.
Yeah the shipping costs can be ridiculous. I've sent a few emails to some of the shops I normally deal with containing working non cannabis related links to the proper information about these in hopes that one of my more local shops may choose to carry them. It never hurts to ask. That being said, the store I ordered from did take care of my order very quickly and communicated shipping order info very well. What they lacked in website management they made up for in personal communication. I have not found many places anymore that have both.
I was previously using an automated sub irrigation system and hand watering. Now I am trying to use my Patio set in my garden while using the Jrs for a few various house plants. My small house plants are dialed in on and loving the Jrs. The Patios I'm still setting up/testing/tweaking (I haven't had a lot of time this month) but see they have a lot potential for being a permanent fixture in my garden.
I'm going to try running FF liquids and Bushdoctor series. I still have a couple weeks but after an up transplant my system goes live.
Sick, I hope mine grow up to be root whores too
greenacres in ca. is out of 3mm tubing right now but im almost positive if you call and talk to them they will ship you some to canaad. (lmao thats better than canadia im switching over) the first place i tried to order some from was up there and they sent me to rambridge which in turn sent me to green acres. the people in canaad (still funny!) were green and clean hydroponics i think. give them a look see and dont let that lady and her funny way of pronouncing blumits talk you out of them. she tried to tell me how i was basically wasting my time and money by not just getting a drip system and a timer. i didnt take the time to explain to her what was really going on. good luck to you bud.
D
dubdi3mond
had my first flood from blumats last night, walked in and one or two of the drippers had ran off... good thing i put in that pond liner huh? lol
not sure why but the last week ive seem to have the worst problems with these blumats, guess i just need to get em dialed in better
not sure why but the last week ive seem to have the worst problems with these blumats, guess i just need to get em dialed in better
yeah i am scared of a flood as well. All i have are big saucers underneath...
2 questions for the experienced.
1. Can i have the micro tubing laying on top of the coco. Does not seem to be a problem, just want to make sure.
2. If i want to increase the moisture level a bit, how much should i turn it? half an arrow, quarter arrow, more or less?
Though i don't have them dialed in yet, i love em already...
2 questions for the experienced.
1. Can i have the micro tubing laying on top of the coco. Does not seem to be a problem, just want to make sure.
2. If i want to increase the moisture level a bit, how much should i turn it? half an arrow, quarter arrow, more or less?
Though i don't have them dialed in yet, i love em already...
Don't fret, spend more time @ the ICMAG'S OFFICIAL ~DIY~ LINK-O-RAMA thread!!
Just get some 10mil poly - pond liner - HD/lowes/osh - they all got it from what i can tell. this stuff is nice and firm, if you have a tent you can put under your catchtray that comes with it, string it up a bit, and fasten tightly with zipties and ducttape - personally i used it in my flowering room, at a 9" height, dumped 10-15gal water on top on accident, sure enough, PRIMO!! no wood damage on the floor, no spillage from one compartment to another, I just can't recommend it highly enough.
Ok I'll write this up, maybe it will help someone:
Dialing in BLUMATS!
1) Take the Blumat carrot and unscrew the bottom, fill with water, and soak in water for at least 1 hr.
2) Water the pot its going into heavily, should have a full saucer underneath when done.
3) Insert blumat valve into medium, close to one side of the pot
4) Pull 3mm dripline so it extends across to far side of pot
5) Open brown knob (counter-clockwise) until water runs through freely
6) Now close the valve until water just stops dripping.
This is the initial dial-in.
7) 2-3 days later, go and check all of the pots by hefting them or nudge with your toe.
8) If the pot is light, pull the end of the 3mm dripline through the Blumat a bit, to make sure it's not clogged. Often water will start to flow with this step alone. Don't adjust the valve until you do this! If you pull and nothing happens, open the valve until water flows freely, then close until a drop of water hangs on the end of the dripline. if a brown clog came out, then that was your problem. If not, the valve just needed adjustment. Check on it again in a few hours to make sure it's not flooding. Usually a 1/8" rotation of the knob makes a significant difference in the moisture in the pot.
9) If the pot is too heavy (or flooding) ALSO pull on the dripline a bit to clear any possible clogs. Sometimes the water will flow even faster! Now you can dial back the brown valve cap (clockwise) to close it until it stops dripping again. Check it again in a couple hours to make sure it's not flooding still.
That should about do it, most of the time I have a Blumat problem its
A: Too dry A small clog at the blumat, cleared by pulling the tubing
B: Too wet: A clog cleared or I opened the valve too much
Hope that helps someone!
Dialing in BLUMATS!
1) Take the Blumat carrot and unscrew the bottom, fill with water, and soak in water for at least 1 hr.
2) Water the pot its going into heavily, should have a full saucer underneath when done.
3) Insert blumat valve into medium, close to one side of the pot
4) Pull 3mm dripline so it extends across to far side of pot
5) Open brown knob (counter-clockwise) until water runs through freely
6) Now close the valve until water just stops dripping.
This is the initial dial-in.
7) 2-3 days later, go and check all of the pots by hefting them or nudge with your toe.
8) If the pot is light, pull the end of the 3mm dripline through the Blumat a bit, to make sure it's not clogged. Often water will start to flow with this step alone. Don't adjust the valve until you do this! If you pull and nothing happens, open the valve until water flows freely, then close until a drop of water hangs on the end of the dripline. if a brown clog came out, then that was your problem. If not, the valve just needed adjustment. Check on it again in a few hours to make sure it's not flooding. Usually a 1/8" rotation of the knob makes a significant difference in the moisture in the pot.
9) If the pot is too heavy (or flooding) ALSO pull on the dripline a bit to clear any possible clogs. Sometimes the water will flow even faster! Now you can dial back the brown valve cap (clockwise) to close it until it stops dripping again. Check it again in a couple hours to make sure it's not flooding still.
That should about do it, most of the time I have a Blumat problem its
A: Too dry A small clog at the blumat, cleared by pulling the tubing
B: Too wet: A clog cleared or I opened the valve too much
Hope that helps someone!
C
Cheeb
Good tips lazy.
I've only ever had a blumat "run-away" - never clog.
If I've got one opened up a hair too much it'll run excessively after a res fill-up.. due to the increased pressure.
I know the 3mm tubing is small stuff, but if clogs are that much of a problem you (not you lazy - just users in general) need to check your nutrient regimen. I'm not around enough to keep checking for clogs on every single blumat...if its prone to clogging that much you just might as well go to powered drippers via a high PSI pump and timer.
Because of that risk I only run clean base nutrients in my tank. Running anything thick or molasses is just not acceptable for reliable blumat gardens. I cannot risk clogging the 3m tubing so its straight base nutrients with dutch master zone for me. Clean as pure water.
I've only ever had a blumat "run-away" - never clog.
If I've got one opened up a hair too much it'll run excessively after a res fill-up.. due to the increased pressure.
I know the 3mm tubing is small stuff, but if clogs are that much of a problem you (not you lazy - just users in general) need to check your nutrient regimen. I'm not around enough to keep checking for clogs on every single blumat...if its prone to clogging that much you just might as well go to powered drippers via a high PSI pump and timer.
Because of that risk I only run clean base nutrients in my tank. Running anything thick or molasses is just not acceptable for reliable blumat gardens. I cannot risk clogging the 3m tubing so its straight base nutrients with dutch master zone for me. Clean as pure water.
lazy- good tips, but you didn't mention on the initial dial in, after you tighten it to a cling, they recommend tightening it two more arrows.
do you disagree with this suggestion?
i've had mine in for a couple weeks now and i'm still giving fine tune adjustments. for example. the other day i woke up and there was a little run off in one of my pots. i gave it a half arrow tightening. a few days later and it's still dialed in perfectly.
do you disagree with this suggestion?
i've had mine in for a couple weeks now and i'm still giving fine tune adjustments. for example. the other day i woke up and there was a little run off in one of my pots. i gave it a half arrow tightening. a few days later and it's still dialed in perfectly.
I follow this suggestion every time I hook up my blumats and have very little fiddling to do with them after the initial dial.
I was gonna say something, but I feel like I'm often saying something completely different than he is. Like molasses in the rez. I still haven't had a problem with clogs or anything else when putting molasses in my rez.
Just have a look at my plants. I get beauty like that on less than 5 minutes a day.
WasntMe
Member
Lapides-
Do you do anything different with your rez then he does?
do you bubble your rez to maintain the mix? maybe you drain and clean your rez more often? maybe you are using a different bulkhead pass through?
different mix concentration?
It would be good for all of us if we could figure out why you two have different experiences
Do you do anything different with your rez then he does?
do you bubble your rez to maintain the mix? maybe you drain and clean your rez more often? maybe you are using a different bulkhead pass through?
different mix concentration?
It would be good for all of us if we could figure out why you two have different experiences
I use a small pond pump in the rez to keep everything circulated.
For 20 gallons of water, I would use maybe 4 or 5 tablespoons of molasses. I add those tblsps to about a liter of water first, and shake the fuck out of it. Even at that point the consistency is so thin, that once it disperses into another 20 gallons of water, its all good. Never a clog with molasses. Or Sweet, or any of the Pure Blend Pro stuffs. Be careful of the Liquid Karma tho. That stuff will clog for sure. I also don't go through the trouble of a super thorough flush of my lines either. Most of the time I only have water running through them anyway, so I don't have buildups of stuff.
These days, my medium has mostly everything the plant needs food-wise for its whole cycle already in there. Whatever I throw into the rez is usually just for a little something extra, so it's mostly h2o.
Blumats are perfect for organics imo. It keeps the soil at the perfect moisture 100% of the time, keeping all that great bacteria alive and thriving and doing their thing.
For 20 gallons of water, I would use maybe 4 or 5 tablespoons of molasses. I add those tblsps to about a liter of water first, and shake the fuck out of it. Even at that point the consistency is so thin, that once it disperses into another 20 gallons of water, its all good. Never a clog with molasses. Or Sweet, or any of the Pure Blend Pro stuffs. Be careful of the Liquid Karma tho. That stuff will clog for sure. I also don't go through the trouble of a super thorough flush of my lines either. Most of the time I only have water running through them anyway, so I don't have buildups of stuff.
These days, my medium has mostly everything the plant needs food-wise for its whole cycle already in there. Whatever I throw into the rez is usually just for a little something extra, so it's mostly h2o.
Blumats are perfect for organics imo. It keeps the soil at the perfect moisture 100% of the time, keeping all that great bacteria alive and thriving and doing their thing.
laps you and lazy both definitely have your set ups dialed in.
my goal is to have a water only soil mix, occasionally watering with ACT. my bagged soil mix is already depleted. i'll be amending the shit outta it when i recycle for the next round. i probably should do some mixing now to let it mellow in the meantime. solved the current problem with a little top dressing. plants look happy!
question- so i stuck a little plant in a 1L pot in an empty space on my screen. i've been hand watering it two times a day which sucks especially now that everyone else is taken care of. my question is: can i use a blumat in a 1L pot or is it too small?
my goal is to have a water only soil mix, occasionally watering with ACT. my bagged soil mix is already depleted. i'll be amending the shit outta it when i recycle for the next round. i probably should do some mixing now to let it mellow in the meantime. solved the current problem with a little top dressing. plants look happy!
question- so i stuck a little plant in a 1L pot in an empty space on my screen. i've been hand watering it two times a day which sucks especially now that everyone else is taken care of. my question is: can i use a blumat in a 1L pot or is it too small?
dunkydunk
Member
I have a few dozen Blumats feeding plants in 1gal Smartpots. Here's what's worked for me--
When I set them up to start, I saturate the coco and turn the dial back until the drip clings, and leave it there. Often no more adjustment is necessary. When adjustments are needed, a tiny increase or decrease goes a long way.
I'll get overflows when I've topped off the rez after it gets too low (below 20%). I presume this happens because even if the blumats have been dripping, the gravity pressure was still too low to truly keep up. I think the carrot must dry out the tiniest bit and the calibration is thrown off. Readjustment is all that's necessary, if the carrot got really dried out, you'd probably have to start over.
I've found that the blumats do have mild dry/wet cycles, and a bit of a lag time. So if I'm constantly tweaking them, it takes me longer to get them right. I make sure the pot is consistently too dry before I tweak the valve, and then I wait a few hours to check the results. I judge the moisture level by weight because the blumats usually leave the top of the coco dry, so even though they look like they need more water, they really don't. It's a bit like steering a boat.
As for clogs, I use drip clean to inhibit salt crystals, and I rigged a screen filter into the feeder line to stop any particulates. I use Canna nutes with no funky amendments, but even so random dust and coco bits can wind up in the rez no matter how careful I try to be. As for using organics or molasses and such, I wouldn't be worried about clogs right away, but I would worry about sludge building up in the trunk line over time, and then spilling into the feeder tubes and clogging them, especially if the line got agitated.
I think Blumats probably work best in a low pressure/water only type scenario, and the gravity system will always some slight setbacks in comparison.
When I set them up to start, I saturate the coco and turn the dial back until the drip clings, and leave it there. Often no more adjustment is necessary. When adjustments are needed, a tiny increase or decrease goes a long way.
I'll get overflows when I've topped off the rez after it gets too low (below 20%). I presume this happens because even if the blumats have been dripping, the gravity pressure was still too low to truly keep up. I think the carrot must dry out the tiniest bit and the calibration is thrown off. Readjustment is all that's necessary, if the carrot got really dried out, you'd probably have to start over.
I've found that the blumats do have mild dry/wet cycles, and a bit of a lag time. So if I'm constantly tweaking them, it takes me longer to get them right. I make sure the pot is consistently too dry before I tweak the valve, and then I wait a few hours to check the results. I judge the moisture level by weight because the blumats usually leave the top of the coco dry, so even though they look like they need more water, they really don't. It's a bit like steering a boat.
As for clogs, I use drip clean to inhibit salt crystals, and I rigged a screen filter into the feeder line to stop any particulates. I use Canna nutes with no funky amendments, but even so random dust and coco bits can wind up in the rez no matter how careful I try to be. As for using organics or molasses and such, I wouldn't be worried about clogs right away, but I would worry about sludge building up in the trunk line over time, and then spilling into the feeder tubes and clogging them, especially if the line got agitated.
I think Blumats probably work best in a low pressure/water only type scenario, and the gravity system will always some slight setbacks in comparison.
