Talk is cheap, life is short

grow nerd · Aug 3, 2014

Still waiting on the pump and power supply. Expecting to need a few pieces of mounting hardware.

Changed the tank setup from 5 gallon pail to a 6 gallon jug. Much tougher and has a "low rim" around the bottom which should help reduce waste. Going to try using a suction straw setup instead of a bulkhead fitting on the side/bottom. Heated the 1/2" ID PE tubing to uncurl it a little.

Got the 700# capacity hand truck at Harbor Freight for $21. It was advertised as $37 but somehow scanned at $25 or so and after 20% discount... I'm not sure I could build a shitty one from scrap metal for cheaper. Original setup before tank change:

In hindsight I shouldn't have cut the cap out like that, I forgot about having to tilt the hand truck when moving, which will cause a little spillage when full. Next jug I'll probably leave the cap on and use it to feed the straw.

Shcrews · Aug 3, 2014

you really are a grow nerd haha

grow nerd · Aug 3, 2014

The name came from my past life as a software geek. Former UNIX & C guru by trade prior to cannabis.

In case anyone's wondering, I'm powering the pump off a 120V extension cord and 12V DC transformer because I don't have an ATV to power off of, and prefer moving an extension cord over a car battery, not to mention having to recharge it every so often (plus cost of battery & charger vs extension cord & transformer). Initially it might seem slightly safer to go:

[120V outlet] -> [GFCI] -> [12V DC transformer] -> [extension cord] -> [pump]

However my 16/3 wire won't be able to handle 8-10A @ 12V for 100' distance as voltage will drop sharply after ~20' looking at the ampacity chart. So instead I'll go:

[120V outlet] -> [GFCI] -> [extension cord] -> [12V DC transformer] -> [pump]

All of the electrical connections and hardware will be placed in a bucket to protect against accidental spraying.

All Rubbermaid Brute line of trash cans feature a lower rim that will assist in more solution being fully drained and less gone to waste with minimal tipping of the container. If I find the 5-6 gallon capacity in buckets or jugs is just not enough, I'll try a 20 gallon Brute but I wouldn't mind doing 1 mix in a larger container and refilling the 5-6 gallons. We'll see.

grow nerd · Aug 7, 2014

Microbeman's ratios at ~25-30 hours in. I made some "pre-mixed" bags in brown paper lunch sacks for my convenience, and noticed the area where the PPD landed, it was gooey and wet, no more dry PPD powder. Seems the microbes got to work in that area extra fast, or something. Still can't get used to or stand the smell of PPD. Need to get an air-tight glove box for handling that stuff!

I'm going to experiment with some neem oil to reduce the foam in the brews. Will get karanja oil if necessary. Idea from Storch Oil, which seems really expensive. Hope neem/karanja oil are the active ingredients and not the minerals or whatever.

Transformer works, at least with a small load. Still waiting on pump and some braided hose. I'm giving up on this polyethylene tubing, it has too much "memory" (retails original coil shape too easily) and kinks way more easily than I imagined. I think the light strip is 12". It also has a adhesive strip on it, so I'll definitely have to put it to use. (I found them in storage from a previous project.)

Got tired of fiddling with the digital timer. Intermatic FF30MC.

grow nerd · Aug 9, 2014

LOL @ "Storch Oil" defoamer, $35 for 4oz. Put in about 5-6 drops of Dyna-Gro's neem oil, all the foaming went away within seconds. I'll try 2-3 drops next time.

Of interesting note is that in a few previous brews I tried varying amounts of neem cake, and got foam. I guess the cake contains very little to no oil after pressing.

Anyways here it is. Plan on making some minor adjustments but mostly satisfied with it.

Backyard Farmer · Aug 9, 2014

crab or fish hydrolysate will work the same and not burn your plants.

SG1 · Aug 9, 2014

Where da plants at ?? :bashhead:

grow nerd · Aug 9, 2014

SG1 said:
Where da plants at ??

In my album.

I posted some pics while I was on strike as well. I tried taking some pictures but it's getting dark.

For reasons I'd rather not go into at this moment, I've decided to post plant pictures in my album only and not linking them to my thread.

grow nerd · Aug 9, 2014

Backyard Farmer said:
crab or fish hydrolysate will work the same and not burn your plants.

Work the same as... neem oil in defoaming? I've tried adding PPD (up to 1 oz scoop per 4-4.5gal brew), it did not help with the foam. Tried a couple of wetting agents, made the foaming much worse.

So far seems like 1 drop of neem oil per gallon of brew seems to work wonders in defoaming. I'm sure it's more about amount per surface area of water vs. total volume of brew.

Backyard Farmer · Aug 9, 2014

Interesting , I can add hella surfactants and put PPD and Sea Shield in the tank and it cuts the foam out.

grow nerd · Aug 10, 2014

After about 24 hours of brewing, I got a little bit of foaming but not quite as much as without neem oil. I would attribute that more to some of the oil splashing out over the 24 hour period than anything else. 2 more drops and problem solved.

Made the couple of small changes I was talking about. 1/2" ID braided PVC with a bit of slack for easier tank maintenance (still using polyethylene for the "straw" inside the tank) and a 2" cam strap.