DIY Vertical Cooler System

[Guest]

Well, got everything together and the unit is working well. No leaks that i can see. The total unit measure's 24" x 18" x 50". This is just something i thought would help with those worried about unit being top heavy and correcting the weak 5 gallon bucket lid. This unit and table can be changed to about any size. I think this unit would work well with a large asort of rubbermaid containers for a rez tank. This would also allow you to reduce the height of the table. Here's a few pictures

 

[Guest]

Here you can see that you can rotate the grow sites to and directions. If you rotate every other one. You can grow larger cola's, so they aren't hitting each other.

 

[SouthernSmoker]

Out standing Info here Golddustwomen !
Good to see yo back up and running !
I Am going to love to see those systems in action .

 

[Guest]

Out standing Info here Golddustwomen !
Good to see yo back up and running !
I Am going to love to see those systems in action .

Thanks, but i'm just staying busy and out of trouble. I won't get to test these demo's for alittle bit. Thanks for the support.

Ok, member's where wondering what i was going to use for grow pots in the sites. Here are the net pots i'm using. These are 3.5" flex pots. They can be found just about any hydro stores. I'll most likely be using Ready-Gro. It's a great organic soilless mix.

 

[Guest]

Here's the Ready-Gro stuff i'm going to be using. I've used this stuff before when it first came out on the market. I really like this stuff. OH, something i forgot to mention. You will need to treat the wood with some protective coating or sealer. Please, do not use any PT wood. That stuff has chemicals in them and you don't want that shit getting into your rez and killing your plants. I'll get around to the larger table this week and give those the option of not using the cooler. Give everyone the option of using a rubbermaid container for the rez tank.
later,
BG

 

[Norcal Crypt]

Nice set up should be fun to watch. I don't know if you mentioned it but what strains will u be growing?

 

[T.doT.Toker]

I like how this is going should be a good show!

 

[ColoraDro]

good shit man inspire all the DIY growers like me man i love seeing cheap alternatives to these overpriced srtups will bookmark this thread that for sure

 

[Guest]

see now this is what i'm wanting to run.....that base setup is sweet...and you will be able to run alot of strains....sweet BG...thanks again for the inspiration..stay safe

 

[Father Time]

its all looking good mate,

cant wait to see it in action and them Big Flowers hanging out of it.
Kindest Regards,FT

 

[Guest]

its all looking good mate,

cant wait to see it in action and them Big Flowers hanging out of it.
Kindest Regards,FT

Thanks Father Time, I'm looking forward to that day. I'm thinking about running a bunch of the larger unit once i get all the bugs worked out. Sorry, i haven't gotten to the larger stand units. Been running three jobs sites and haven't had a day of in about a week or so. It's looking like another two weeks of going crazy. At least, one of the jobs is ending this week and i'll be down to two job sites. Everyone should like the larger stand unit with a rubbermaid contain below. No need for a cooler with this unit. I'm also going to mess around with a Aero setup, so stick around. It might be awhile till i get to it, but it will be fun. Thanks FT and everyone for the support and stopping by. I'll just back on this thread and build in about two weeks or less.
Thanks,
BG

 

[ethereal]

ethereal, I have to disagree with you, but i won't know for sure. Till i load a unit with clones. I don't think there is enough splash in there to get to the roots when they are young, but i could be wrong. I'll test a unit like you stated and see.

you took an entirely different approach to this, mi amigo.

the way i describe is filling the tubes with media (specifically clay balls)
no 'splash' required, as there is a complete saturation of media
every time the pump is triggered (you'll need to dial that in for your particular setup)

what you describe, and have engineered for, if im not mistaken here,
is empty tubes. that is with no media, and net cups with drip-lines at every plant-site.

both have their advantages and disadvantages.
one advantage of an aero/drip-hybrid type sytem, such as what youve constructed,
is that the user doesnt need to invest and fuss with loads of lava rock,
and the tubes themselves weigh much less when empty. this is big.
this allows, if the construction of the building permits, for actually hanging the pipes.
very big.

the below pic depicts the type of plant-site for use with my idea.
the H2O wicks upward just enough as it flows down the pipe.

note that a net cup is not needed if following this ideal.

excellent work, billygoat hope we see some glorious colas gracing them tubes shortly!

 

[Guest]

you took an entirely different approach to this, mi amigo.

the way i describe is filling the tubes with media (specifically clay balls)
no 'splash' required, as there is a complete saturation of media
every time the pump is triggered (you'll need to dial that in for your particular setup)

what you describe, and have engineered for, if im not mistaken here,
is empty tubes. that is with no media, and net cups with drip-lines at every plant-site.

both have their advantages and disadvantages.
one advantage of an aero/drip-hybrid type sytem, such as what youve constructed,
is that the user doesnt need to invest and fuss with loads of lava rock,
and the tubes themselves weigh much less when empty. this is big.
this allows, if the construction of the building permits, for actually hanging the pipes.
very big.

the below pic depicts the type of plant-site for use with my idea.
the H2O wicks upward just enough as it flows down the pipe.

note that a net cup is not needed if following this ideal.

excellent work, billygoat hope we see some glorious colas gracing them tubes shortly!

Hello, now i understand what your saying. Very good idea and i got what your saying now,lolol. Sometimes, i can be alittle slow. I like the idea your showing us. I personally don't want my unit holding that much rocks and weight. I think i would also get a higher O2 percent with my setup, but that is no means to say my idea is better. Like you said, each has it's good and bad points about the setup. I just don't want to load that much rocks and think the net cups would be easier and cheaper. Thanks again for sharing your idea with us. Very cool to see others posting idea's also. Thanks and take care. There will be large cola one day soon. You can bet on that.
Thanks again,
BG

 

[Legit_User]

Hey GDW.
So you plan on going without media?
Sounds alot like a verticle aeroflow.
Your going to want to buy a chiller or always have your room at or below 73 degrees.
I know you know this but I just wanted to point out the major PITA it is to watch temps all the time.
I ended up filling all my aeroflow tubes with hydroton and dumped the chiller, raised the temps, added the co2 and it outproduces the plain aeroflow.
Watering is far less as the hydroton retains alot of water.
Maybe you should try a side by side?
Stay peaceful

 

[Guest]

Hey Legit, I'm planning on a drip system. Pump will come on for a few minutes and feed each site by dripping, then turn off. I don't know the cycle times as of yet. Since i'm not growing now, but i'll know more once i'm back in the game. I plan on using net pots with either Ready-Gro or even some grow rocks in the net cups. Will see when the time comes, but i'd like to stick with ready-gro. It's some good stuff and i like it alot. I'm going to do a aero unit also. This unit i built in this thread. Can easily be converted over to aero pretty easier and i will do a side by side. Once i get bugs worked out of each system. This will let me see which is better in producing more healthier buds. Its should be fun for sure. Thanks for the info on the chilier and other details.
Take care,
BG

 

[Legit_User]

Just an FYI.
The aero's are not true aeroponics.
They use a thin 3/8ths line with small pin holes. Called laser line....
It's a glorified drip/nft system.
IMO your system is only different from a aeroponic setup by not having misters,so you need to treat it as such. You can fry roots in 15mins on a hot day if your pump craps out.
With no media you are going to have to drip 24/7 IMO. I ran 5 off 1 on in my aero and that was because there was a small amount of water left after it drains.
You better watch those water temps and you may want to think about an outside pump. It will take alot of heat away.
I want to urge you to take ether's advice....
But you wont because your probably alot like me in the sense that we will listen and take all advice into acct. but we do it "our" way in the end. hahaa
Be good my friend

 

[T.doT.Toker]

Any updates my little goat? We are eagerly awaiting!!

 

[Guest]

That's funny. I was looking at the unit the other and not to happy. Been working like a dog and won't have any time off for some time. I do have a couple of idea's plan and will get around to updating alot. Just got alot of work to get done in the next week and a half. I promiss to get back on point. One thing i will update and that's a new replacement pump. I'm thinking the larger unit is going to need a larger pump and i was searching for a cheap replacement. I think i found one that everyone can afford and order easy without any problems. I've got to pick it up and test it. Saw it at Harbor Freights and think it will work well. Well, all i can say is i'm sorry. Working on a new project at work and weather has played a major roll on it. Lost to get done and not enough time. I will get back to this thread and jump start it again. I promiss and thanks for reminding me.
Take care,
BG

 

[DJ_highst_]

That's funny. I was looking at the unit the other and not to happy. Been working like a dog and won't have any time off for some time. I do have a couple of idea's plan and will get around to updating alot. Just got alot of work to get done in the next week and a half. I promiss to get back on point. One thing i will update and that's a new replacement pump. I'm thinking the larger unit is going to need a larger pump and i was searching for a cheap replacement. I think i found one that everyone can afford and order easy without any problems. I've got to pick it up and test it. Saw it at Harbor Freights and think it will work well. Well, all i can say is i'm sorry. Working on a new project at work and weather has played a major roll on it. Lost to get done and not enough time. I will get back to this thread and jump start it again. I promiss and thanks for reminding me.
Take care,
BG

How have I missed this thread until now.

great thread and even if its not perfect, I think you have given enough people great ideas that I think we can make our own adjustments for each persons set-up and application and build off your foundation. What a great alternative to the coliseum type units. Peace_highst

 

[Guest]

Morning everyone, after talking in chatroom with King Ralph.. Going to get back on this project, since i got a long weekend. Stay tune for some updates, once i get everything together. Main change is going to be a stronger pump for better lift pressure. I'm going to read through my post and see what else i need to talk more about and what changes i'm going to make. So stay tune and you should see some changes. I'd also like to hear any questions that anyone might have. This thread was done for those not wanting to spend $1,500 plus on a verticle unit and to have the ability to change the unit as need be. Even if you didn't want to run a bunch of plants or wanted to fill the whole thing. Also, it was design so you could move it incase of problems. Meaning, you could take it down quick. Any ways, let me hear any questions. Thanks everyone for the support.
Take care,
BG