stinky
(stranger
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4/6/01 10:09 PM
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Aeroponics
[Post#: 113625
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Anyone using a small aeroponic system?
Let's Rock
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SanFranGrower
(enthusiast)
4/8/01 06:47 AM
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Re: Aeroponics
[Post#: 113936
/ re: 113625
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I've ceratinly been tempted.. Seen a number of small relatively cheep ($500.00 range) aeroponic systems. I've done a bit of reading on them... well quite a bit actually and although root oxidation, growth, etc is said to be as much as 2 to 3 x's quicker then hydro (General Hydroponics Magazine March/April Edition) it also mentioned that they are not good choices but for only the very experienced grower. It went on to say that lots of vegetables such as lettuce were grown in aeroponic systems for the speed in which it could be grown. However... a misfunctioning sprayer or the slightest of imbalances and you can ruin an entire crop in hours.
I'm still interested and have been strongly considering it for down the line. However I decided to go with bubblers for the next grow... perhaps after that I will try 1/2 soil or bubblers and 1/2 aero that way I dont lose everything if I mess up.
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stinky
(stranger
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4/8/01 09:03 AM
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Re: Aeroponics
[Post#: 113974
/ re: 113936
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I have found complete systems for less than $400 for a 4 and 6 plant system, light, nutrients, etc...
This will be my first attempt at seriously growing my own. Haven't seen any warnings about the system failing or crops being lost. In fact everything I've read has said that the aeroponic system is easier to maintain. If anyone has experience to the contrary, please share.
Let's Rock
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stinky
(stranger
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4/9/01 08:12 PM
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Re: Aeroponics
[Post#: 114611
/ re: 113974
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Well, since no one seems to be doing aeroponics, I thought I would try my hand at making a system myself. It is similar to the Aero 6 from GrowKing or the Aquamist III. It uses a standard plastic planter (25in x 12in x 10in), with a 350gph magnetic drive pump, 4 to 6 micro-sprinklers. It has about 6 or 7 gal reservoir. I am going to use 3in netpots. The hard part so far is finding some sheet plastic to cover the top and have the net pots rest on. I will figure it out over the next couples of days and post what I came up with. Going to start with basil or something similar, just to see if things will actually live. Hopefully have something in it by the beginning of next week.
Let's Rock
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kloset_king
(superposter)
4/10/01 11:32 AM
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Re: Aeroponics
[Post#: 114832
/ re: 114611
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Hey stinky!
Glad to hear you got a project lined up for yourself! Should be fun, but better yet is the feeling when you see it working like a champ, and you built it! As for your plant support lid, use a piece of 1/4" plywood and paint the top half white. You could put cheap drawer knobs for handles, in all four corners like you see in the aquamist ad. All you need to do is cut the holes for your net pots and you are set Keep me posted...K_K
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stinky
(stranger
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4/10/01 01:02 PM
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Re: Aeroponics
[Post#: 114862
/ re: 114832
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Hey K_K,
I took a different approach. Bought a Rubbermaid roughneck (24 x 16 X 16) $3.75, and it came with a lid. It seems to be strong enough to support the netpots and the plants. We'll see what time does to it. It is blue, not clear so should have too much problem with algae, I will have to keep an eye on it though.
Let's Rock
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stinky
(stranger
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4/10/01 03:32 PM
Attachment
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Pic
[Post#: 114917
/ re: 114862
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maybe this helps
Let's Rock
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stinky
(stranger
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4/10/01 03:33 PM
Attachment
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another pic
[Post#: 114920
/ re: 114917
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in action, a little blurry
Let's Rock
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SanFranGrower
(enthusiast)
4/10/01 05:01 PM
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Re: another pic
[Post#: 114953
/ re: 114920
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Nice I'll be interested to see how well it works. I've been awnting to go aeroponics after everything I"ver ead for sometime. However, being as it would likely be difficult to find support for such a system here as their is no forumn for it I've decided to wait awhile and try the bubblers next. Let me know how it goes though I'll be watching closely. I may invest in a unit if you find its not overly simply to kill your plants in a matter of hours.
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Devices
(member)
4/11/01 10:51 AM
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Re: another pic
[Post#: 115240
/ re: 114953
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Hey Stinky just out of curiousity where did you pic up those micro sprinklers, and the pump to drive the water??
Looks like it could be a very good system!!hmmmm
Life puts obstacles infront of ordinary people to make them extra-ordinary!
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stinky
(stranger
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4/11/01 12:38 PM
Attachment
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Sprinklers
[Post#: 115276
/ re: 115240
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Materials List
Home Depot
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1 Beckett Fountain Pump, 340gph, mag-drive $45
1 Package Moisture Master 1/4 tubing $3.35 Comes in 50ft used about 4
2 Moisture Master Micro Sprinkler kits $3.75 (Kit comes with 2 sprinklers, 2 90deg stakes, 2 risers, and 2 male connectorsThese sprinklers didn't seem to work to well, not enough pressure, but used the riser tubes and 90deg stakes
1 ft 5/8 tubing for pump output $.46 / ft
Lowes
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1 Package Rain Bird Misters 3-in-1 $2.58 These work great
1 Rain Bird 6-outlet manifold $1.90 1/2 pvc - 1/4 tubing
1 1/2 Pvc to 1/2 hose fitting $2.50
Wal-Mart
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1 RubberMaid Roughneck 24 x 16 x 16 $3.75 Don't forget the lid LOL
Need 4 8in cable ties (zip ties)
Silicone Sealant
I attached the sprinkler riser to the side of the Rubbermaid by punching 4 holes in plastic and using the cable tie in a criss-cross fashion, sealed with silicone.See Photo
I woundn't use a hole next time thought, would just use a knife and make a slit and push cable-tie through, probably wouldn't even need silicone
Used about 2in of 5/8 tubing from the pump
Attach hose to 1/2 pvc fitting
Screw manifold on the pvc fitting
Snip tips of the desired number of outputs on the manifold
Cut 4 equal pieces of 1/4in tubing about 10 - 12in
Screw sprinkler on the top of riser
Screw 90deg stake to bottom of riser
Connect 1/4 tubing to 90deg stake
Placing it on a bathmat will reduce vibration to the floor if it's not on carpet.
That's it
Let's Rock
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SanFranGrower
(enthusiast)
4/11/01 01:05 PM
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Re: Sprinklers
[Post#: 115295
/ re: 115276
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Damn... hurry and get something growing in that!!! I wanna see how well it works.. my interest is deffinately peaked now!
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hooka66
(enthusiast)
4/15/01 10:17 PM
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Re: Sprinklers
[Post#: 117004
/ re: 115276
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you need to get low pressure sprinklers from a hydro store, I use the tuffbin with a 1200gph pump and those low pressure 360 mister/sprayers and the growth is insane, also make sure you paint or use some spray tool coat to cover it, light penetration causes severe algae probs in aero, also insure you have a in-line filter, available in home depot etc plumbing depart.
Growth in these is insane, 400whps above it and the growth is UNBELIEVEABLE.
Hooka66
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hooka66
(enthusiast)
4/15/01 10:22 PM
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Re: Sprinklers
[Post#: 117006
/ re: 117004
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Try here for low press sprayers www.futuregarden.com
You really need the in-line filter
Hooka66
any questions feel free to ask
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hooka66
(enthusiast)
4/15/01 10:27 PM
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Re: Sprinklers
[Post#: 117009
/ re: 117006
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sorry guys, Im baked, imagine that!
you also should put a airstone and pump on that tank, try keeping you res with at least 10-12 gallons in it as the ph wont fluctuate as rapidly in the larger volume of fluid.
I Beta-tested this unit with tomatoes and basil and it was insane, really
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stinky
(newbie)
4/15/01 10:38 PM
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Re: Sprinklers
[Post#: 117015
/ re: 117006
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Finally someone using Aeroponics :)
I will check out the sprayers and filters, I wrapped the pump intake with fish floss and a couple of zip ties. Already took black 100mph tape and darkened the reservoir. Was going to use spray adhesive and foil, then tape, but tape blocked the light just fine.
Have a few questions for you.
How many sprayers are you powering with the 1200gph pump? Are you using tubes or box?
Are you mixing nutes by the label? GH is what I have.
How often do you change & clean res?
Let's Rock
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stinky
(newbie)
4/15/01 10:42 PM
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Re: Sprinklers
[Post#: 117016
/ re: 117015
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Holy shit dude, I have basil seeds germinating right now. Oh and I caught the tuffbin, when I read the post a second time. Disregard that question.
Let's Rock
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hooka66
(enthusiast)
4/17/01 08:57 AM
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Re: Sprinklers
[Post#: 117705
/ re: 117015
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6 sprayers.33 gallon tuff-bin
gh 3part 2/3 strengh(for testing, will test out full strengh)
I keep my resivor at 10-12 gallons and top off with water and nutes for about 3 weeks, then I purge and refill.
Hooka66
You have a airstone and fish pump yet? or a powerhead works well too.
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stinky
(newbie)
4/17/01 12:03 PM
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Re: Sprinklers
[Post#: 117795
/ re: 117705
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Yup, good to go with the pump and airstone. I am using a RubberMaid Roughneck 28gal. I will get the 3in netpots tomorrow. Got a few 5in to play with as well. Going to be putting the germinated seeds in rockwool tonight, if I can find a pH kit. I will look at an aquarium store, no hydroponic resources where I am.
Are your sprayers mounted to the lid or the sides? Any pictures would be great.
Let's Rock
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MrOms
(member)
4/18/01 04:05 AM
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Re: Sprinklers
[Post#: 118161
/ re: 117795
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Keeping the sprayers clean is a chore I hear.
How do you overcome that!?
If you don't like my fire,
Then don't come around,
'cause I'm gonna burn one down!
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hooka66
(enthusiast)
4/21/01 04:13 PM
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Re: Sprinklers
[Post#: 119547
/ re: 118161
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My sprayers are mounted in between the net cups on a "T" riser(1/2" tubing.
If you place a in line filter(home depot plumbing dept, sprinklers$3)between the pump and sprayers you have very few problems with clogging.
I use 16oz solo disposable picnic cups, and soldering iron it into a net cup.
this is handy as I can germinate or clone into the cup and just move it into the big system when roots are a hangin', works great with aerocloner etc... but first you must learn to crawl, before you fly, keep in touch.
Hooka66
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