Planning out coco advice.

Aqua Man · Jun 12, 2020

Ok planning out my transition to coco. I have a 4'x6'x6" drip tray on order. Plan to just shop vac that out daily and looking to setup an autofeed system.

Looking for recommendations on equipment. I have a 210gph inline pump that is mag driven by impeller so I'm not worried if it's to big as it won't damage the pump. About 3.5gpm.

I would like to add 2 feed lines to each pot incase I get a clog. I'm thinking 6-8 sites in 1gal nursery pots.

I would like opinions on problem free equipment I'm not looking to do this on a budget and would much rather spend the money to have quality in this area. Once I have recommendations on feed lines/drippers etc. I can make sure the pump is adequate or purchase a larger on if needed. Head pressure won't be an issue as I will be putting the res on a stand to eliminate it.

Tagging a few ppl I think can help me but please feel free to chime in if I missed you.

@cemchris @Dirtbag @Enforcer @Burned Haze

Thanks in advance.

BurnzYzBudZz · Jun 12, 2020

I’ll stick around for this,
Looking to do the same. Good luck brotha.
Burnz

Dirtbag · Jun 12, 2020

I followed cemchris' advice and couldnt be happier with it.

1/2" line from the pump, siphon break over the res. Then used rainbird 6 port manifolds in the room and ran naked ended 1/4" feed tubes to each pot. A ball valve on the feed side is used for controlling flowrate.
Super simple setup and has worked flawlessly.

The other thing I'd do is drain the table uf you can, you dont really want the coco pots sitting in runoff if you can avoid it, but I realize height is an issue for you.
Would a very shallow drain pan work? Could put an AC condensate pump in there to automatically pump out the runoff for you so you arent a slave to it. Just a thought.

ChaoticNeal · Jun 12, 2020

I used to run the same setup shock Vac and all last year before I went pure organic u can put a good size piece of cloth, not thick almost like a dryer sheet over the intake an snap the piece of plastic back over it ur line won’t ever clog up again you will have to change out the sheet tho bc solid material will accumulate on it and for even distribution of water/nutes I’d recommend a manifold I got mine off amazon it was called rain bird or something and only has 8 spots for drip lines but I’d say u could get a better one if u pay for it.

Aqua Man · Jun 12, 2020

Dirtbag said:
I followed cemchris' advice and couldnt be happier with it.

1/2" line from the pump, siphon break over the res. Then used rainbird 6 port manifolds in the room and ran naked ended 1/4" feed tubes to each pot. A ball valve on the feed side is used for controlling flowrate.
Super simple setup and has worked flawlessly.

The other thing I'd do is drain the table uf you can, you dont really want the coco pots sitting in runoff if you can avoid it, but I realize height is an issue for you.
Would a very shallow drain pan work? Could put an AC condensate pump in there to automatically pump out the runoff for you so you arent a slave to it. Just a thought.

Awesome... Yeah I could put a pump in the drip tray but it does have raised ridges to allow for runoff.

Kinda like this.

Flood Table/Grow Tray - Hydroponic Components - Hydroponics

GrowGreenMI.com - The World's Largest Hydro Store! Thousands of items in stock and DANK DEALS on the best brands

growgreenmi.com

Dirtbag · Jun 12, 2020

A standard Y filter inline between the pump and manifolds is highly recommended too. Easy to clean.

cemchris · Jun 12, 2020

I like the Rainbird free flow manifolds

We use the 6 port free flow ones (1/2in threaded)
Alt Part# MANIFRE6S (sell them on amazon)

Here are some of the other

You will want a timer that will go down to seconds. One's Ive been using are (also amazon special)

Other setup is just simple cheap PVC elbows, T's, and 90's. You can choose to go tubing but honestly its more expensive. I like soaking all of it in bleach after a run so why I like the pvc.

For 6-8 plants I would go pvc square with 2 - 4 ports unless you ever want to run more. Then I would go to the 6's or how many you will need for 2 drippers a plant.

Your basic parts list is:

1 - 1/2 schedule 40 pvc
5 - 1/2 90's slip
1 - 1/2 T slip
1 - 1/2 in slip to 3/4 threaded female (see below)
1 - 3/4 barb to 3/4 thread (you can go 1/2 here I run 3/4 to the pump since im running 17 plants off 1 loop)
2 - 1/2 T slip to threaded female on top (or however many manifolds you running)
2 - 1/2 threaded sprinker risers (sprinkler isle at hardware store. a little taller then your pot or how many manifolds you running)
1- roll of 1/4 drip line
choice of drip stakes (no thx) or 1/4 drip line supports

Glue, primer, and pvc cutter

Just a side note If running 2 drippers per plants and running 8 plants i would use the ecoplus 710 gph bottom draws. It might be overkill for this but that will secure even watering to all the sites. What I use for my 17 single drippers.

That is the setup I use for 4x4's

edit: parts a little different in this list since I used a 90 elbow to barb and used a strait male adapter in that pic

cemchris · Jun 12, 2020

lol get ready for the piles

I will say depending on nute choice I have never had a clog in a line. No filter. 1 line a plant for 1 gals. More of a concern if recircing or using organic stuff.

Aqua Man · Jun 12, 2020

cemchris said:
lol get ready for the piles
View attachment 985295

I will say depending on nute choice I have never had a clog in a line. 1 line a plant for 1 gals. More of a concern if recircing or using organic stuff.

Thank you sir you just made this very easy for me and I appreciate the time and advice.

Will be mega crop (crap) depending who ya talk to lol. If I needed to change then I will but I had no problems in my RDWC with it.

cemchris · Jun 12, 2020

This is accurate for the parts list for the inlet to the loop. I like it this way better.

Aqua Man · Jun 12, 2020

cemchris said:
This is accurate for the parts list for the inlet to the loop. I like it this way better.
View attachment 985296

Full loop or U shaped PVC?

Aqua Man · Jun 12, 2020

Oops it's in the other pic... Full loop got it

cemchris · Jun 12, 2020

Aqua Man said:
Oops it's in the other pic... Full loop got it

You got it. Without going full loop you might get a pressure differential or air pockets the will mess with the flow sometimes unless you are running big money pumps with variable pressure or insane head pressure. Other reason I like bigger pumps behind it to push the even flow across all of them and then use time to adjust.

Aqua Man · Jun 12, 2020

cemchris said:
You got it. Without going full loop you might get a pressure differential or air pockets the will mess with the flow sometimes unless you are running big money pumps with variable pressure or insane head pressure. Other reason I like bigger pumps behind it to push the even flow across all of them and then use time to adjust.

Yup why I asked. Awesome bro I appreciate it

BurnzYzBudZz · Jun 12, 2020

Aqua Man said:
Yup why I asked. Awesome bro I appreciate it

Can us newbies get some pics of the build when you decide to pull the trigger on the auto feed? Would be much appreciated.
Burnz

Aqua Man · Jun 12, 2020

BurnzYzBudZz said:
Can us newbies get some pics of the build when you decide to pull the trigger on the auto feed? Would be much appreciated.
Burnz

Absolutely.

needshelpguy · Jun 13, 2020

Yeah I would definitely go with some sort of self dumping system for run off bro, since switching to coco it has been my biggest problem, been using a 20L shop vac but it just filled too quickly and ended up being quite some labour, had to adapt it to self dump even then its not the solution ive been looking for

One drop · Jun 13, 2020

Oh he’s coming to the dark side ..... .

MIMedGrower · Jun 13, 2020

I got some advice @Aqua Man

Focus on the grow in progress. :-)

Ya dirty bastard!

Aqua Man · Jun 13, 2020

MIMedGrower said:
I got some advice @Aqua Man

Focus on the grow in progress. :-)

Ya dirty bastard!

Always making to much sense... Good looking out bro

Planning out coco advice.

Planning out coco advice.

Aqua Man

BurnzYzBudZz

HOWCan.i.helPYOU?

Dirtbag

ChaoticNeal

Aqua Man

Flood Table/Grow Tray - Hydroponic Components - Hydroponics

Dirtbag

cemchris

cemchris

Aqua Man

cemchris

Aqua Man

Aqua Man

cemchris

Aqua Man

BurnzYzBudZz

HOWCan.i.helPYOU?

Aqua Man

needshelpguy

One drop

Bush Doctor

MIMedGrower

Aqua Man

Planning out coco advice.

Planning out coco advice.

Aqua Man

BurnzYzBudZz

HOWCan.i.helPYOU?

Dirtbag

ChaoticNeal

Aqua Man

Flood Table/Grow Tray - Hydroponic Components - Hydroponics

Dirtbag

cemchris

cemchris

Aqua Man

cemchris

Aqua Man

Aqua Man

cemchris

Aqua Man

BurnzYzBudZz

HOWCan.i.helPYOU?

Aqua Man

needshelpguy

One drop

Bush Doctor

MIMedGrower

Aqua Man

Privacy & Transparency

Privacy & Transparency