Super-Charge Yor Growing with Aeroponics !!

[Pirate]

Pirate - I actualy started another thread today, before I found this thread... http://www.icmag.com/ic/showthread.php?t=126315

I am glad I found this thread as you are doing almost exactly what I am envisioning doing. Only I need something a little smaller that will fit into a cabinet.

I am looking at the Botanicare 2x2 tray, and was going to use a "tough box" rubbermaid like tub as the rez.

Have you seen any of the Botanicare lids for the Botanicare flood trays? Like this http://www.pchydro.com/grow-systems-trays-c-14_15/2x2-grow-tray-lid-white-p-1832

I was thinking of just using one of those, and drilling out holes for netpots.

I was wondering if they would be sturdy enough?

Sounds like a successful plan to me.

If I could get those lids for my trays I would do it in a heartbeat. But they don't make em like I would need em. They are either pre drilled where I don't want holes or have ridges built into them right were I would want to drill my own holes.

But yeah man. That lid looks good and yes it will support a lot more weight than the lids I use now. More ridged and the rise will give more room for roots.

Go for it !!
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[Pirate]

I'm Quitting Smoking Monday Morning !!!

Hold me accountable and wish me luck.

Dreading the impending deadline but I MUST do it.

I'm killing myself !!

 

[divenosa]

Right on Pirate if it's the cigs you're quitting!

 

[Pirate]

LOL. Yeah man. Its the cigs.

Can't quit the pot. It prevents my Migraines from occurring.
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[purpledomgoddes]

Sounds like a successful plan to me.

If I could get those lids for my trays I would do it in a heartbeat. But they don't make em like I would need em. They are either pre drilled where I don't want holes or have ridges built into them right were I would want to drill my own holes.

But yeah man. That lid looks good and yes it will support a lot more weight than the lids I use now. More ridged and the rise will give more room for roots.

Go for it !!
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could you use polywall sheets for lids?
secured to a pvc frame for stability?

readily available @ home improve. store, in 4x8' sheets...

good luck on the tobacco usage closure. just stopped after many moons. replace time/energy/coins w/ beneficial habits/projects.

enjoy your garden!

 

[fredflintstoned]

Good luck on quitting the tobacco. I quit four years ago after thirty years of almost two packs a day. I also had migraines. The operative word being HAD! They slowly went away, took about two years. It has alot to do with carbon monoxide reduction in the blood. You'll also find over time you'll sleep better too and that always helps migraine sufferers.
It was hard to quit, obviously. I tried the patch several times, as well as the gum(tasted like shit!) I had 2-3 patches on each arm and chewed the fckin gum at the same time.(What a head rush) I finally got Wellbutrin from my doctor. Took it for thirty days,quit and never looked back.
Good Luck!
Fred

 

[DjRightHooks]

Good luck on quitting the tobacco. I quit four years ago after thirty years of almost two packs a day. I also had migraines. The operative word being HAD! They slowly went away, took about two years. It has alot to do with carbon monoxide reduction in the blood. You'll also find over time you'll sleep better too and that always helps migraine sufferers.
It was hard to quit, obviously. I tried the patch several times, as well as the gum(tasted like shit!) I had 2-3 patches on each arm and chewed the fckin gum at the same time.(What a head rush) I finally got Wellbutrin from my doctor. Took it for thirty days,quit and never looked back.
Good Luck!
Fred

wellbutrin works huh thats good information

 

[One Love 731]

I never took you for a quitter Keep up the fine work matey. Karma, One Love

 

[4c4oToSyntheSiS]

Good stuff Pirate!

Good stuff Pirate!

STAY STRONG PIRATE! were here for you buddie! Deffinetly not an easy thing to do, we know you can do it tho! RrRrrrr matey! Time For The Nicotine to walk the plank!


We want you around for year's to come Pirate!

 

[4c4oToSyntheSiS]

ohYeah!Thanks for the DIY brother! I got myself a 4x4 pirate battleship in the works right now, got the top and table! i just need to get the plumbing Done, Got any tips on making the the rows for the net pot's straight? that's the most intimidating part, plastic isn't cheap around here, I payed 80 bucks for this 46x46 lid, so i'm pretty nervous about making the first hole, lol.

 

[Pirate]

Hey thatnks for the support and good wrords everyone.

I am into day 3# without a smoke !!

I'll will win this war.......

could you use polywall sheets for lids?
secured to a pvc frame for stability?

readily available @ home improve. store, in 4x8' sheets...

good luck on the tobacco usage closure. just stopped after many moons. replace time/energy/coins w/ beneficial habits/projects.

enjoy your garden!

I don't know what poly-wall is. BUT........you can use ANYTHING. Just use your creative and inventive self and build what works for you.

What is Poly-wall anyway. Is it that thin 1/8 inch or so thick plastic type sheets? But very flexible?

I will say this though:
After trying MANY different materials and shortcuts...........I finally figured out that using the ideal top structure like the 1/4 inch ABS ends up being cheaper in the long run. Trying to save money ended up costing me more. BUT.........I was building 12 of em so if your only building 1 or 2 then the budget route might workout for you. Just some thoughts for ya to consider.
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[purpledomgoddes]

Hey thatnks for the support and good wrords everyone.

I am into day 3# without a smoke !!

I'll will win this war.......

What is Poly-wall anyway. Is it that thin 1/8 inch or so thick plastic type sheets? But very flexible?

one day @ a time. you know you dont want tobacco anymore when you (1) see people smoking outside of establishments, and dont want to be one of them; and (2) detest the odor on a person that has just smoked a tailor made.

yes, those thin 4x8 sheets they use for showers, etc. just trying to throw out ideas for variations. could make frame to stabilize flex and make rigid, but probably not as good as the abs you use.

when ran aero 9 yrs ago, did it like this:

- 5 gallon buckets

- 1 rio 600 inside of bucket (smallest pump in hydro store)
more than enough water pressure for 1 bkt; enough press. for 4 bkts.

- 1 6" air stone per bkt., attached to dual outlet air pump.
1 pump easily provided air to 6 aero bkts, w/ valve and t's.
used 1/2" soaker hose for aeration, then 1/8" soaker hose.
air stones, soaker hoses, bubble wands all work. if were to do aero
again though, would simply affix open end of 1/8" flex tubing, from air
pump, to bottom of bucket, w/out any additional device to diffuse air

- 5" net pots. cut hole in lids w/ utility knife. insert net pot filled w/ silica
stone.

- 2 sprayers per bucket (unknown cheap type @ hydro store, like .25
pieces of gold @ hydro store; sprays in 1 direction). they were zip-tied
to top part of bucket, so can spray bottom 1/2" of net pot.
could really only use 1 sprayer, of any sort. as long as vessel has
100% humidity.

used 4" piece of 1/2" vinyl tube on pump, closed off end in bucket. then
hole-punched 2 holes to insert 1/8" sprayer tubes.

- external clear vinyl tube running from bottom to top, to see how much
water is in bucket + check ph/tds/ec. adjust accordingly, using same
external hose/tube.

- pour in water/nutes (using external hose, or into top of net pot, or
cut latch in lid of bkt.).
turn on air/water pump. refill (top-off) directly into
bucket. run 24/7. end.

if was to do now, would probaly make these adjustment:

- make diy bench to elevate buckets 6-12"

- make trough on top of bench w/ 1 hole in it, for drainage of buckets back to
external rez (do not care for bunch of hoses in garden; whether
feed or return).

- only 1 sprayer per bucket was really necessesary. could even top-feed,
let water run down over roots, into bucket. same ultimate end: 100%
humidity is container.

considering aero/aero variation for next run. enjoy simplicity of coco run-to-waste (w/out dumping any run-off from bottom bucket throughout season). but, dont really care for the amount of medium that have to deal w/. do re-use coco/hempy/lava, but recall when had 5 gal bucket of root mass instead of medium to deal w/.

have also considered using thermo-electric coolers instead of buckets to maintain lower water temps, w/ out a centralized chiller. acquired a plug in cooler, and they seem effective @ keeping temps down to 68-75*f; depending on what temp want roots @.

just sharing simple variations. good luck on the tobacco cessation!

 

[Ganglere]

hi, pirate

I've just finished reading all of this thread, + a couple of detours into the not-so dark depths of your cave, and I just have to say WOW!!

Thanks alot for creating this wonderful system out of parts available even in the more hydroponically challenged parts of the world.

k+

Peace, your new fan, G

Ps, when I grow up, I wanna be like you

edit: Pirate you mentioned pond liner as an alternative to the treys, would this be the film they put on the bottom of garden ponds? sry stupid question, but foreign languages can be bloody tricky in the middle of the night and you're stoned. If you were forced to make boxes lined with this stuff, would you have a similar depth of the 'trey'? I'm thinking if you do the aero/dwc hybrid that I believe was discussed briefly some time ago, then you'd have a little more survivability(?) in case of pump failure, wouldn't you? Obviously, only after roots reach dwc-part...
Does anybody think this would be detrimental to the effectiveness of Pirate's original system?
Ideal deapth etc...

Thanks for rekindling my faith in human beings

 

[Aerohead]

Nice read Pirate!! Thanks....

 

[Haunt]

whats your average yield on your 3x3 unit?

 

[DjRightHooks]

Pirate says depending on the strain about 1 lb....he posted it a bunch of times read the thread its great and worth it

 

[Haunt]

thought it was a pound on the skunk plant not the table; guess its both thanks.

 

[Pirate]

edit: Pirate you mentioned pond liner as an alternative to the treys, would this be the film they put on the bottom of garden ponds? sry stupid question, but foreign languages can be bloody tricky in the middle of the night and you're stoned. If you were forced to make boxes lined with this stuff, would you have a similar depth of the 'trey'? I'm thinking if you do the aero/dwc hybrid that I believe was discussed briefly some time ago, then you'd have a little more survivability(?) in case of pump failure, wouldn't you? Obviously, only after roots reach dwc-part...
Does anybody think this would be detrimental to the effectiveness of Pirate's original system?
Ideal deapth etc...

Thanks for rekindling my faith in human beings

Hey thanks man. Appreciated as always.

IF I had to build a tray and use liner I would do at least an 8 inch deep tray. The deeper the better IMO. you could do 10 inches deep and use the tray as the rez as well as a root zone. This works well. (see the Aquamist on page 1 for the concept)

The "Liner" I am talking about is either Pond Liner or Shower Liner. And yes. That is the rubber sheeting layed on the bottom of a home made pond or shower stall. I used some of this for my flood and drain mothers table. I believe it is 60 mils thick and has stood up for a couple years now with zero problems.

"Pond Liner or Shower Liner. Do a google search and you'll find it. If you get some of that liner amke sure you pick up a can of the glue that works with it. It will fix any leaks or create seems if ya need to.

Thanks and good luck with any build ya got going !!
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[stonedm]

so pirate i have a few questions about this system was wondering if you would be so kind as to help me out.after reading this wonderful book of knowledge i've decided to build 2 4x4 trays. I was planning on 15 gallon res. under each system, do u think that size res is big enough or should i go 20 or 25 gallons? Im also debating whether to use 16 5in net cups, or use the 3.75in net cups and i would be able to put 62 sites per tray. i was wondering what ur average yield per plant was with ur "lollipops". i'll have 2000 watts over each tray ambient room temp no higher than 80( usually around 77)with co2 injection. in your opinon do u think 1 ounce per plant is possible if i trim them up like ur lollipops? otherwise i'll have to go with the less but bigger plants. Thanks so much for any help you can give me. this is a kick ass thread my brotha and a great way to make a $500+ dollar system for around $250. As a matter of fact i'm building 2 sytems for the price of one.


quick side note i remember you saying something about the aquamist and not being able to find those caps with the screen that go over the sprinkler heads. i got some pvc end caps that are just a little bigger than the sprinkler heads and some very fine screen(cant recall the micron size at the moment) and super glued the screen arond the inside of the cap and then connected the cap to the top of the sprinkler head with just a dab of glue so you can pull it off easy it works just as well as the aquamist.

 

[Pirate]

so pirate i have a few questions about this system was wondering if you would be so kind as to help me out.after reading this wonderful book of knowledge i've decided to build 2 4x4 trays. I was planning on 15 gallon res. under each system, do u think that size res is big enough or should i go 20 or 25 gallons? Im also debating whether to use 16 5in net cups, or use the 3.75in net cups and i would be able to put 62 sites per tray. i was wondering what ur average yield per plant was with ur "lollipops". i'll have 2000 watts over each tray ambient room temp no higher than 80( usually around 77)with co2 injection. in your opinon do u think 1 ounce per plant is possible if i trim them up like ur lollipops? otherwise i'll have to go with the less but bigger plants. Thanks so much for any help you can give me. this is a kick ass thread my brotha and a great way to make a $500+ dollar system for around $250. As a matter of fact i'm building 2 sytems for the price of one.

quick side note i remember you saying something about the aquamist and not being able to find those caps with the screen that go over the sprinkler heads. i got some pvc end caps that are just a little bigger than the sprinkler heads and some very fine screen(cant recall the micron size at the moment) and super glued the screen around the inside of the cap and then connected the cap to the top of the sprinkler head with just a dab of glue so you can pull it off easy it works just as well as the aquamist.

Thanks man !!

1) Go with 25 gallons Minimum on a 4 x4 tray. I use 15 gallons on 3x3 and as the plant get bigger they really suck up the water. The biggest rez you can fit and afford is best. Less maintenance as well. In this situation.......Bigger is better.

2) I would not use a pot larger than 3 inch. UNLESS you have deeper trays. The larger the pot......the deeper it sits into the tray and eats up root space. There should be no reason that you can't use 2 inch cups. You can grow a MONSTER in 2 inch cups man. Larger cups sit pretty close to the tray floor and the roots will actually push the cup "Up and out" as the plant grows.

3) I average between 10 to 14 grams per plant. But as you've seen.......I lollipop and trim off all crapola. Its 90% cola. getting 1 oz per plant is easily achievable IF you veg slightly longer / space them out a bit more than me / and have all other environmental conditions in order. If you did 16 to 24 plants on a 4x4 tray with 2000 watts and run a good yielding strain then 1 oz or more is very doable.

You should be able to "REACH or TOP" 1 pound per table. Just remember......EVERYTHING must be in order for a successful grow using any method. Especially indoors where we must imitate nature.

4) Thanks for the sprinkler idea. It was the actual sprayer / sprinkler that I could not find. Not the top that's glued on. But I did find the sprinklers by accident recently. Of course........I didn't need them anymore.

Hope this helps man.
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