passive plant killer

[ImaginaryFriend]

So if that is true would a 15 inch high container with a 5 inch media wick function the same as a 20 inch container?

Any uniform media will have a Perched Water Table that is specific to itself.

If you had a media with such small constituents that it naturally maintained a five inch PWT, a fifteen inch high container with a 5 inch wick would move the PWT outside your primary root zone.

This would leave an equivalent non-saturated root zone size as a twenty inch pot without a wick.

The moisture content of the media above the PWT progressively decreases. It is not like it goes from PWT to uniform moisture content to suddenly dry top surface. Additionally, I have casually observed that the moisture profile does 'mound' at the top of the wick, be it media or some other material. So a wider wick will effectively increase the size of the mound. By all of this, I mean to tell you that I expect that a 20 inch pot with the internal PWT will effectively be the 'widest' wick, and will have a identifiably higher moisture content within the media.

That probably just complicated things.

Honestly, I'm not sure what you're asking. I just kinda like to post in the PPK thread.

latest ideal mods are for the ultimate ppk?

Depends on what you want to tweak it towards... but ultimately it's just a bucket and a tube and another bucketish thing under it. And it is pretty damn sick.

I keep moving towards my feed-solution-isolation agenda, although this seems more problematic then a connected system with a common control bucket and a pulse bucket attached to that. So I'd say my mods make PPKs more sucky and less ultimate.

 

[DevilWeed]

I'm in the middle of building out my PPK's. This is a bit of consolidated info that's helped me along:

Delta's newest bucket style (I think)
https://www.icmag.com/ic/showthread.php?t=138004&page=96

Tire Valves
I googled around and ended up going with an ebay seller. TR414 (1.5") Valves 50ct for $16 shipped.

Silicone tubing
I grabbed some of the opaque stuff from Lowes and was going to use that. The black stuff can be found on the web no prob but I was lazy and hadn't gotten around to ordering it. By chance I was cleaning the basement and found an exercise/rehab band made out of 3/16" black silicone tubing. So, in a bind you may be able to score some tubing at a sporting goods store.

 

[jjfoo]

My setup consists of 5 gallon buckets with T connectors in the side that are connected with a loop. Also in the loop are the buckets that have the float valve and pump. I drop in 5 gallon buckets or 3 gallon buckets with wicks. The pump keeps everything moving. I use a cut off tail piece from a sink for my wick. Just stuffing it in keeps it from coming out so I don't use a screen. REally simply, cheap, and quick to set up and move if need be (like from veg to flower room).

I was undecided on using ppk or DWC. I built a DWC with the same config of buckets all connected in a loop. I didn't use any airstones but had good water flow and a venturi adapter to suck in air. It had similar growth as the ppk, but was hard to move.

I've gone to ppk on all my plants now. My system is a bit different because I don't care if water from my top lines gets into the bottom.

 

[sarnocs]

Honestly, I'm not sure what you're asking. I just kinda like to post in the PPK thread.

Basically I'm wondering if I can simplify construction by just using a taller container.

 

[ImaginaryFriend]

Basically I'm wondering if I can simplify construction by just using a taller container.

There are two purposes of the media wick: feeding the plant and managing the moisture profile of the media by way of modifying the air gap.

I cannot see any way to have a wick, without having a wick, unless you simply want to drop a really tall bucket into a rubbermaid with a float valve and let the plant sort itself out. I guess that could simplify construction.

Kinda takes the fun out of it though.

My first thought is that you would use an element of control, but my second thought says, "that's wrong."

My third thought suggests that in generating such a direct contact between your feed solution and your media, you'll increase concerns of cross contamination and instability. That is, root exudates might make it into your feed solution, and sketchy things might happen. In my mind sugars+microbes=sketchy-things.

I've gone to ppk on all my plants now.

Neat.

 

[delta9nxs]

made it back home. sore as hell but healing. they ended up having to remove several large sections.

i don't have time to answer any questions yet but in view of the request i have received, i'm just going to put up a photo series taken at different times. altogether i think they are complete enough to build a system.

so, in the next three posts i will put up 24 pictures real fast. please do not post until they are done.

thanks, d9

 

[delta9nxs]

...The first photo is a complete “grow module”. It is shown with everything except the pulse feed line. Materials are 2 3.5 gal buckets, 1 lid, 2 tire valves, a 6” sink tailpiece, and a piece of 3/16” ID black latex tubing about 3” long.

The next photo shows a complete bottom or reservoir section. This one was just cleaned for a second run. It shows the 2.5” center hole to receive the tailpiece from the upper or grow container and the 7/16” access hole for checking nutrient solution.

Just a quick shot of the bottom bucket showing the only fitting that has to be installed on it. A tire valve again. Then the latex tubing, then the black vinyl drip line. The black vinyl drip line from lowes or wherever, the black 3/16” latex from fishing and tackle and scuba suppliers

four is the 7/16” hole in the lid for checking solution. This just barely works. In fact it is so snug with a tire valve in it that you cannot rotate the plant.

Five is just a freshly glued in tailpiece. AMAZING GOOP, plumbers edition.

Six is the same showing the manila folder template I used to get 12 equidistant points.

In seven I used the 12 marks I made in 6 to draw 12 lines on the sidewalls to 3.25”. this is the point you will use to drill the first set of holes. If using a twist bit use a 1/8” pilot bit first for accuracy. A regular wood spade bit works well too.

Pic number eight shows the new method of retaining coco. Just eight 1/8” holes and 8 wire ties.

Nine shows a completed upper unit from the inside.

Ten is a partially finished one showing the “root pruning” holes. Looking at the bucket there are 60 holes in twelve columns of 5. Center the top hole at the 3.25” point and then drill the bottom most hole as close to the bottom as possible. Then one centered between those and two more centered between those. An easily repeated pattern that achieves 2-3% aerated sidewall in a beneficial area of the container.

 

[delta9nxs]

@@@

 

[delta9nxs]

***

 

[mugenbao]

made it back home. sore as hell but healing. they ended up having to remove several large sections

WOW! Well, we're very glad you're back home, and hope the healing process is smooth and speedy. Best wishes!

 

[DevilWeed]

Hey D9, geat to hear you're back! Speedy recovery!!!

Nice series of pics there. I see a few things I didn't notice before. Looks like you're using an adhesive to lock in the "drain". Whatcha using? Also looks like you changed the wick cover a bit. I'm using felt stretched over the end and zip tied. Why'd ya go with the one in the pics?

 

[mugenbao]

That's a pretty sweet idea. I don't remember that being mentioned before, did I just miss it?

 

[huntingbb]

That's a pretty sweet idea. I don't remember that being mentioned before, did I just miss it?

i remember something about screen being used... don't remember the crosswise whatevers

 

[ImaginaryFriend]

Glad you made it out of there.

Best wishes towards a speedy recovery.

 

[mugenbao]

i remember something about screen being used... don't remember the crosswise whatevers

Looks like zip ties to me. I really like that idea, easy to do, won't come off, seems like it might work well.

Hope you're doing well, delta9nxs!

 

[jjfoo]

keep in mind that at least one person (me) doesn't use any thing on the bottom of my wick tube... The tube is packed with coco and the fibers hold it in. I've had a complete grow done this way and the wick was full and functional at the end on all my buckets.

It seemed like the natural thing to do after seeing large drain holes being essentially block by coco fibers...

 

[SCROG McDuck]

Hope you're feeling better, D9..

What ever happened to the "thread on standpipe" (Pg13)?
Not remembering its' removal.

I use it to visually see water level/air gap and to take nute sample for PPM/Ph in there.

Are samples taken from the hole in the res' top?

 

[delta9nxs]

Hey D9, geat to hear you're back! Speedy recovery!!!

Nice series of pics there. I see a few things I didn't notice before. Looks like you're using an adhesive to lock in the "drain". Whatcha using? Also looks like you changed the wick cover a bit. I'm using felt stretched over the end and zip tied. Why'd ya go with the one in the pics?

hey, DW, there's a pic of the glue further back in the thread but it's just AMAZING GOOP, plumbers edition. it's very important for it to be the plumbers edition as it is the best glue for dissimilar plastics i have ever used. i used it on all my biobucket connections with no leaks.

wal-mart stocks the plumbers in the plumbing section and not with the other glues for some reason.

the treatment of the tailpiece end with the wire ties just requires 8 1/8" holes and 8 of the small wire ties. it won't slip off and we won't have to rely on JJ's divine intervention method.

 

[delta9nxs]

Hope you're feeling better, D9..

What ever happened to the "thread on standpipe" (Pg13)?
Not remembering its' removal.

I use it to visually see water level/air gap and to take nute sample for PPM/Ph in there.

Are samples taken from the hole in the res' top?

hey, scrog! i found i could replace the "standpipe" with a simple 7/16" hole in the lid. this lets me check individual plants res's with the battery acid tool from auto zone. also easy to plug up with a tire valve.

 

[DevilWeed]

Holy crap...they say you can't OD on THC...but I'll tell you this...you can get dam close with a Volcano, 5ft bags and some super dank! Weeeeeee....

So D9... Thanks for the tip on the goop. Sounds good/easier/cheaper/better than those universal fittings I'm using. Now about them 3.5g buckets...how long ago did you go to those? Any yield reports?

Take it easy and rest up! Hope it's bearable.