Net pots....

[Shockeclipse]

So many to choose from, what should be the determining factor when I am picking size? I will try and explain what I am trying to accomplish. I want to have have 8 plant setup in an aeroponic unit consisting of two side-by-side (well an undetermined distance apart) PVC pipes. Now I would have T's on the pipes in certain intervals. These T's will hold the net pots. I am thinking that I will probably need to cut them lower so that more pot stick into the pipe where I will have a 180 at each end with 360 spayers in between. Now I am unsure as to the pro's and con's concerning the size pots and while were at it, the size PVC I should use, I was thinking 6-8" but I am not sure about that. I am going to be growing under a switchable 400w light and I am hoping that this will do the trick. Now onto air, is there such a thing as too much air? In one of my first sketches I put air right under where the net pots would be an airstone in the res. Is this a good thing or bad thing? or should I go with one or the other? That is all I can think to ask right now. Thanks

 

[BuddyLuv]

No need for an air stone, the fine mist from the nozzles will oxygenate the water. What are you growing in, a rail or a tub? If you are doing a rail you need about 6 inch pvc with 3.5" net pots should be fine. Also if you are doing rails you do not need 360's. you will need 2 180's for ea. net pot. You will have to build a manifold that fits tight into the rail with 3/4 pvc pipe, elbows, and "t" fittings.

 

[Shockeclipse]

No need for an air stone, the fine mist from the nozzles will oxygenate the water. What are you growing in, a rail or a tub? If you are doing a rail you need about 6 inch pvc with 3.5" net pots should be fine. Also if you are doing rails you do not need 360's. you will need 2 180's for ea. net pot. You will have to build a manifold that fits tight into the rail with 3/4 pvc pipe, elbows, and "t" fittings.

Wouldn't a 360 in between take the place of 2 180's? Either way the pots will be surrounded. Or is it a pressure issue? The way that I am trying to design this is for the rail to run down the sides (on the outside) of the pipe. This way I can connect/disconnect from the outside. I was thinking about doing this mainly for maintenance and cleaning. thoughts?

 

[BuddyLuv]

How do you plan to seal it it and you should really post up a diagram of your idea. I can help you more that way, my imagination only goes so far and I lost my psychic powers when I was a kid.

 

[BuddyLuv]

here is a link to a DYI

http://www.marijuanapassion.com/forum/showthread.php?t=24621&highlight=diy+aerorails

 

[Shockeclipse]

How do you plan to seal it it and you should really post up a diagram of your idea. I can help you more that way, my imagination only goes so far and I lost my psychic powers when I was a kid.

I am going to try to take a pic of my plans and post em up. Unfortunatley I do not have a scanner

 

[BuddyLuv]

Do whatever you need to. just remember no photobucket pics.

 

[Shockeclipse]

Do whatever you need to. just remember no photobucket pics.

any suggestions then? That was what I was going to use

 

[Shockeclipse]

any suggestions then? That was what I was going to use

In the meantime with the size pots you recomended what size rockwool cubes do you think I should go with? Or do you have another medium to suggest?

 

[BuddyLuv]

I germinate into 1" cubes then I put them in the cup and fill it with hydroton.

 

[The Hemp Goddess]

You might want to price 6" PVC pipe and fittings before you get too into this. I think that it will make for a fairly expensive setup. You will need thick walled PVC that blocks light for any kind of hydro system, IMO. I looked into building a vertical system using either PVC or ABS--even with 4" pipe and fittings, it would have cost far more to put together than other systems. PVC fence posts are cheaper, but there are no tee fittings like with plumbing PVC.

 

[KADE]

So many to choose from, what should be the determining factor when I am picking size? I will try and explain what I am trying to accomplish. I want to have have 8 plant setup in an aeroponic unit consisting of two side-by-side (well an undetermined distance apart) PVC pipes. Now I would have T's on the pipes in certain intervals. These T's will hold the net pots. I am thinking that I will probably need to cut them lower so that more pot stick into the pipe where I will have a 180 at each end with 360 spayers in between. Now I am unsure as to the pro's and con's concerning the size pots and while were at it, the size PVC I should use, I was thinking 6-8" but I am not sure about that. I am going to be growing under a switchable 400w light and I am hoping that this will do the trick. Now onto air, is there such a thing as too much air? In one of my first sketches I put air right under where the net pots would be an airstone in the res. Is this a good thing or bad thing? or should I go with one or the other? That is all I can think to ask right now. Thanks

Here is a pvc setup i've done before. Let me see if i can remember how to post pics...
Darn! It won't let me because I already posted them in other threads... check those out quickly if you wanna see the pics.

http://www.marijuanapassion.com/forum/showthread.php?t=11612
http://www.marijuanapassion.com/forum/showthread.php?t=13812

 

[Shockeclipse]

You might want to price 6" PVC pipe and fittings before you get too into this. I think that it will make for a fairly expensive setup. You will need thick walled PVC that blocks light for any kind of hydro system, IMO. I looked into building a vertical system using either PVC or ABS--even with 4" pipe and fittings, it would have cost far more to put together than other systems. PVC fence posts are cheaper, but there are no tee fittings like with plumbing PVC.

After that DIY link that BuddyLuv posted for me I think I might actually switch to the fence rails and just cut the holes into the top, saving me the cost of all those T's. I will have to price it all out though. I need to go up and talk to the local Irrigation store around here because I worked Landscape construction for 5 years and they used to let me buy at wholesale for my side jobs so hopefully they still will. This would save me a TON of money. But we shall see. I am also thinking that I was putting to much design into my design and I might want to make it a little simpler.

 

[BuddyLuv]

You can grow 4-5 footers in 3 1/2" net pots, I have done it. Let me know if you need any more help.

 

[The Hemp Goddess]

After that DIY link that BuddyLuv posted for me I think I might actually switch to the fence rails and just cut the holes into the top, saving me the cost of all those T's. I will have to price it all out though. I need to go up and talk to the local Irrigation store around here because I worked Landscape construction for 5 years and they used to let me buy at wholesale for my side jobs so hopefully they still will. This would save me a TON of money. But we shall see. I am also thinking that I was putting to much design into my design and I might want to make it a little simpler.

This is different kinds of PVC with different wall thicknesses. You want PVC that is thick enough walled that it doesn't let any light through. That is why we use black buckets for DWC. Algae will grow in the presence of light and will really play havoc with your roots.

 

[CasualGrower]

Kade... that is ALMOST EXACTLY like a system i was thinking of building at one time.

 

[KADE]

Kade... that is ALMOST EXACTLY like a system i was thinking of building at one time.

Well it worked! I'll tell you that! even with that big of pipe the roots would try to clog it up... never a drainage problem tho... and I'd grow mine up to 5' tall.

 

[Shockeclipse]

Well it worked! I'll tell you that! even with that big of pipe the roots would try to clog it up... never a drainage problem tho... and I'd grow mine up to 5' tall.

Hmm maybe I will just go with my original idea to avoid drainage problems. The price differenve between the fence rails and the pvc shouldn't make me lose any sleep.....there is a lot to consider here and i appreciate all of your help.