Wanted automatic watering system

[QuestionPoint]

If you're looking for an automatic watering system I can propose this one: www.aliexpress.us/item/3256804117976598.html?spm=a2g0o.order_list.order_list_main.4.490579d2Ek9z30&gatewayAdapt=glo2usa4itemAdapt&_randl_shipto=US

 

[simonkay]

Have you been using this, how well does it function? Looking for a system for about 6 pots

 

[QuestionPoint]

Have you been using this, how well does it function? Looking for a system for about 6 pots

I’ve been using it now for about 2 months in 2 different grow tents and all I can do is tell you that it’s awesome. I had to figure some stuff (like how much water comes out each end) out but within a day two we were up and running. Don’t go and spend big money when you can have this for only $20,-.

 

[simonkay]

Honestly thinking of getting this as it comes with a water pump for $43 and timer controller plus this company seems more legit for growing products but it's always nice to have options especially more cost effective ones. Blu mats have a great rep but more expensive than this so not sure yet.

 

[QuestionPoint]

Go with AliExpress!

 

[PahPahCee]

Cheap Aquarium water pump or sump pump + orbit 8 manifold + tubing. Throw it on a smart plug. Ditch the emitters unless if you have a powerful pump.

edit: also don’t forget about siphoning. You need your reservoir below your plants or else you will flood your room.

 

[simonkay]

Cheap Aquarium water pump or sump pump + orbit 8 manifold + tubing. Throw it on a smart plug. Ditch the emitters unless if you have a powerful pump.

edit: also don’t forget about siphoning. You need your reservoir below your plants or else you will flood your room.

When you say emitters do you mean the drip stakes? If so, why

 

[PahPahCee]

When you say emitters do you mean the drip stakes? If so, why

the stakes are probably fine assuming they don’t have narrow water pathways that can clog. The ones to avoid are flag emitters, bubblers, sprayers, misters..etc

They can clog if you use anything but water.

At the end of the day: just 1/8 or 1/4 tubing open ended with even tubing is going to be the most fool proof.



I’m a bit of a hypocrite; I do personally run emitters but I am running a large pump with pressure compensated drippers. I don’t really run much fertilizers through my system so I hopefully won’t get clogged up.

It’s a do as I say, not as I do kind of situation. My grow is silly and chaotic.

 

[TomH]

Do you use this with your nutrients?

How do you keep it from getting plugged up?
I’ve gone through a few similar units during my recent grow and they always get gunked up and stop pumping.

 

[simonkay]

Im using dry amendments, if i add sugar or microbial tea ill just hand feed, i prefer keeping the drippers with just water as it can be annoying to clean out nute build ups and just extra time cleaning

 

[Troglog]

Cheap Aquarium water pump or sump pump + orbit 8 manifold + tubing. Throw it on a smart plug. Ditch the emitters unless if you have a powerful pump.

edit: also don’t forget about siphoning. You need your reservoir below your plants or else you will flood your room.

Ha! Learned this lesson the hard way as doing my first auto water and couldnt figure out why reservoir wasn’t filling, but room was flooding! Poked a hole at top of tube coming out of res and solved that problem. Now Im trying to perfect water time cycle, week two flower in three gallon coco/perlite. One min 45sec 2x a day (lights on) isnt doing much run-off wise, so just bumped up to two mins 2x/day (lights on)…

 

[PahPahCee]

Ha! Learned this lesson the hard way as doing my first auto water and couldnt figure out why reservoir wasn’t filling, but room was flooding! Poked a hole at top of tube coming out of res and solved that problem. Now Im trying to perfect water time cycle, week two flower in three gallon coco/perlite. One min 45sec 2x a day (lights on) isnt doing much run-off wise, so just bumped up to two mins 2x/day (lights on)…

I’m in the same boat. Took me a few weeks to get the watering right. Im in soil in 5 gallon pots. So I have to water for around 11 mins to get a few drips coming out the bottom. I like to water for 2 mins and wait 10 minutes, until I get to 11 mins. Should be roughly around .45gallons per each pot every 3 days.

 

[simonkay]

Small update: im looking at these AC infinity pot bases. I feel extra tubing and a res always carry a flood risk and i have so many plugs in use i dont want to add an extra if possible. Plus i worry about tubes getting algae or bacteria in the res etc, these are real easy to clean and.dry.
2nd option would be Blumats because they dont need a plug but i still have to deal with tubing but they top feed which i like with dry amendments although you can still top feed with infinity bases.
Only problem is i got air pots so would have to buy fabric or use blumats. Any one with experience with either i would appreciate some feedback 🙏