Looking for blumat users

[Ez Rider]

I've been looking at converting my system to blumats, and was hoping to get some input from experienced users.

I've got 4 main questions:

1) In 3.5gal pots, should I use the regular blumats, or the maxi's.

2) Will the blumat itself distribute the water evenly, or should I add a few of the dripper buttons to each pot?

3)What's an optimal planting mix(not coco) for the blumats?

4) Anybody using PBP/Botanicare with their blumats?


I'm working my way through a VERY long blumat thread, and haven't come up with any clear answers yet.

 

[stoned40yrs]

I've just been using them for 3 weeks now. I did read that entire thread though. Most people will tell you that you don't need maxis in 3.5 gal. Can't hurt if you do go maxi though, your choice. Don't use dripper buttons most will say. Read more on them, they sound like too many problems and not needed in 3.5 gal pot.
You need 2 rez. Lower and upper. Upper feed from lower by pump a few times a day to keep the upper pressure the same so the blumats work correctly. DON'T buy a kit. Don't use that crappy, stiff 8mm line. Buy hydro 1/2" or 3/4 black line and run a loop (2 bulkhead fitting in upper rez). Buy the 3mm barbs to connect the 3mm hose to the main feed line. Keep in mind that whatever nute line you use you ONLY feed them between 1.0-1.2ec with blumats. Sustainablevillage is the place to buy your blumat parts in USA.
All you need from them is:
1) blumat carrots
2) 3mm hose
3) 3mm barbs
My setup works great so far, I can tell you more about mine if you want.

 

[Ez Rider]

I've just been using them for 3 weeks now. I did read that entire thread though. Most people will tell you that you don't need maxis in 3.5 gal. Can't hurt if you do go maxi though, your choice. Don't use dripper buttons most will say. Read more on them, they sound like too many problems and not needed in 3.5 gal pot.
You need 2 rez. Lower and upper. Upper feed from lower by pump a few times a day to keep the upper pressure the same so the blumats work correctly. DON'T buy a kit. Don't use that crappy, stiff 8mm line. Buy hydro 1/2" or 3/4 black line and run a loop (2 bulkhead fitting in upper rez). Buy the 3mm barbs to connect the 3mm hose to the main feed line. Keep in mind that whatever nute line you use you ONLY feed them between 1.0-1.2ec with blumats. Sustainablevillage is the place to buy your blumat parts in USA.
All you need from them is:
1) blumat carrots
2) 3mm hose
3) 3mm barbs
My setup works great so far, I can tell you more about mine if you want.

Thanks, I was getting lonely.

What are you using for medium? Nutes?

I don't really understand the need for 2 res's. Why not just make the upper one bigger, or fill it more often? I'm hoping to run a 5gal res for each of my 4x4 trays. I may have to fill it every day or so, but no big deal. I've got a rain barrel I can set up if I need to leave them alone for several days.

Thanks for the tips, most everyone agrees the dripper buttons are more problematic than they're worth. I really like the idea of using the bigger lines too. A blockage/kink in the line is my biggest worry.

FYI, I'm finding the best prices on e-bay.

 

[stoned40yrs]

I grew in soil for 10 years and made the jump to coco now. I would have switched years ago had I known how great coco really is. As far as nutes my plan is to feed the plants one food both in veg and bloom from the same rez. Maxibloom it is at between 1.0-1.2 ec. The only thing I add to it is protekt for silica and dripclean for salt buildup. I also wanted to go with just the one rez but the more I read the more it seemed the possible problems were something I didn't want to deal with. The blumats need a steady pressure or you will have problems like runaway floods. In a 5 gal bucket you would have to never let the water level vary more than about 4 inches. I sure am liking these blumats so far.

 

[Ez Rider]

I grew in soil for 10 years and made the jump to coco now. I would have switched years ago had I known how great coco really is. As far as nutes my plan is to feed the plants one food both in veg and bloom from the same rez. Maxibloom it is at between 1.0-1.2 ec. The only thing I add to it is protekt for silica and dripclean for salt buildup. I also wanted to go with just the one rez but the more I read the more it seemed the possible problems were something I didn't want to deal with. The blumats need a steady pressure or you will have problems like runaway floods. In a 5 gal bucket you would have to never let the water level vary more than about 4 inches. I sure am liking these blumats so far.

I'd tried coco for a few runs...too finicky for me. I'm using pro-mix 2:1 with chunky perlite now. It wicks really well, and should be perfect for the blumats. I started adding by 15% perlite to the pro-mix, but it didn't drain fast enough. I'm also experimenting with a 3:1 ratio of pro-mix and perlite, Not dissing the coco, but it ain't for me.

As for a res, the more I read, the more an elevated, 30gal barrel seems to be the answer. Also, I'm going to run the new 8mm superflex tube from sustainablevilliage. I think the pressure will be way more stable with the smaller line. All that big line, branching to much smaller line creates too much pressure/suction IMHO. My understanding is that the blumat opens/closes in response to soil pressure. If the water flows a LITTLE faster/slower what's the difference? When the soil is wet enough, it "closes" the blumat, correct? Minor variations in water pressure(+/- 2gal in a 5gal bucket) should have little effect on working psi. I'm only going to run 9 sensors per loop anyways.

I realize you're using the blumats and I'm not. Just putting my thoughts out there. I'm happy to be corrected when I'm wrong.

I'm running PBP with a few other Botanicare additives, none of which are any thicker than water, so I'm not really worried about particle clogs. I'll keep a small pump in the res to keep it mixed.