Self watering bases and nuits

[1way]

Yes true I'm using ffhf right now on them they are great if you don't keep the base clean root will grow in to the wicks coco next grow tho

 

[Magnumsmydog]

Mine are full of roots

 

[1way]

I will upload pic tomorrow

 

[Magnumsmydog]

Check out my 8 plant grow if you haven't yet. I went a little different route with my setup but its working okay

 

[1way]

That's nice

 

[Bobcat.Branch]

I haven't put wicks in mine yet.

 

[Kindon67]

What’s the best way to feed plants nutrients on self watering bases?

I used self watering bases on my last grow. I fed nutrients in the bases and I too had issues with nutrient/calcium buildup. This grow I will be top feeding. Also it is important to remove fabric pots, clean bases and replace string at least once a month but more frequently would be better. AC Infinity recommends every two weeks.

 

[RoadKillSkunkHunt]

I'm trying the ACI self-watering bases in my smaller tent. I just did my last top watering and going to start using bases tomorrow.
I'm using GH Flora series, I'm going to mix them in and see what happens.
Do you think adding an aerator or something to agitate the water/nutes would help with anything?

If I see build up, I might just use the bases as runoff trays.
I want to setup Netafim Netbows in my 8x4 next grow so could run them to the 55"x28" tent as well and won't have to worry about something for runoff and I'll use the water meter to know when to drain them.

I use AC Infinity self--watering bases in my greenhouse. They work great, although I did use salts based nutrients and top watered a couple of times to run-off during the grow. I use them for growing low maintenance auto-flowers and I have been happy with the results.

One trick with the self watering bases is to install float valves and plumb it to a rain barrel or similar water source.

 

[1way]

So I decided to grow with coco to give it a try using dr earth dry amendments two 5 gal with 10 tablespoons 5 veg 2 all purpose and 3 flower girl 1 cup worn castings for the 3 gal 7 tablespoons 4 veg 1all purpose 2 flower girl 1cup worm castings mixed to start.
I watered maybe twice from the top I'm using spider farmer wicking bases with reservoir really don't see the need to keep watering from the top as u can see the coco stays moist they are 9 days old now. From now on I'm gone go with coco real simple real easy

 

[1way]

Next run i might use synthetic notes I just don't like checking run-off or ph, ec etc.. last couple runs with spider farmer res and base been real sweet as long as you stay up on microbes added cal mag or whatever your adding it just set and for get I'm not checking nothing just lst

 

[1way]

Also I use the ro buddies my water comes out at 6.2 sweet one more thing I use uncultured honey 1 teaspoon to a gal water

 

[1way]

For people who say that you can't top dress dry amendment on a self watering base

 

[puffo1979]

I ended up switching to AC Infinity self--watering bases and will use the Spider Farmer gravity fed for something else. The rez takes up too much room in my area, thats the only reason. The smaller pic thats rectangular is a pic from my camera in the tent
So, I am in fact top feeding and filling the bases with PH-ed water, Cal-Mag, and FloraKleen. Deep reds flipped on now. Working out great! I topped an auto if you see it in the pics, not a good response as you can see but it's making buds! But it was an experimental sacrificed plant. Also have a couple outdoor ladies.

 

[zack991]

Maybe between the 2 of us, we can find a way to saturate higher!

There was another member here that was using the Vivosun bases and we spoke some about this, I'll see if I can find the thread and tag you in it so you can check it out.

I am using them and They work really well, I don't add nutes in the base though, I will still add my liquid recharge on top. I am amazed the roots go into the wicks like mad. I am adding additional wicks for the next run, Played around with the only base I am not using. I got 100 ft of wick rope for 10 bucks. I didn't like it only had small wicks in just the very center. The vivo sun has places to drill additional holes. I used my hvac step bit and made the hole larger to accept 1/4 wicks instead of vivosuns thin

 

[puffo1979]

My second time bottom feeding, I ran the wicks within an inch of the top soil. Works well! I forgot to take pics of the wicks but will on my next run. This was my Blue Dream by Multiverse