Jalisco Kid said:

Did you have a noticeable difference in your hp run over your past lp runs? JK

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PhatNuggz said:

Just in case this didn't get answered (haven't read through the thread) ...

when I started growing again (2.5 years ago) I decided to move away from soil. I bought a DWC system with drip heads. No doubt due to the nutes I was using the heads kept clogging. even though it was a 20G tote it was a RPA dealing with changing nutes. I found a thread on fog and tried it on the same grow MAJOR BUST! I then came across spray bars and flipped to that during the same grow, but the heads kept clogging (nutes)... I then came across Pod Racers TAG journal on IC and decided this solved a bunch of my issues. As the journal was started ~ 10 years old, I began researching and came across Reptile Basics. I bought their advanced system, but upgraded to a Aquatec 8800 pump. This pump has not failed and is quiet, though too, loud for sharing a sanctuary. The supplied timer does not cycle deep enough.

I did not have time to do more than incorporate the pump into my spray bar (EXL heads) and within 2 days very positive things were happening to the roots and to the buds. Where I thought I was days from harvest, I wound up going 2 more weeks as the buds kept packing it on- fox tails growing everywhere.

I have been tweaking this system over several grows and journals- posted elsewhere under UN: PetFlora. My system incorporates everything EXCEPT an accumulator. I am still dialing in the times. This grow I went with all DM Gold nutes and am very happy. The organics were clogging my mist heads.

In order to decide what size pod you need to know the plant genetics you will use. A 5 ft tree will grow 5 ft roots- a 55G rain barrel might not be deep enough. Also a 5 ft tree will need a minimum of 24" diameter chamber/pod. During flower a new set of roots begin to grow from the base of the plant. These will look like cheer leader pom poms. A 5 ft tree might develop volleyball size pom poms. The pom poms need sufficient space around for the fogged nutes to fill the pod and fall upon the pom poms. Hope this is clear.

So, like J.Kid, I do want to overly complicate my grow equipment (not that an accum is all that complicated, but still), so if I can get within 20% of the yield, I'm happy. But my rig is for personal use only- 4 plants max at a time. HPA is ideally suited to bushes, SOG and AFs, which I am experimenting with now.

Basically, the way I am doing it now is no more complicated than F&D, but saves a ton on nutes and time saved mixing same for much larger rezs.

hth

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foresakenlion said:

Tree Farmer, air assisted does look awesome from the Atomix videos, too bad those nozzles are so expensive, though in the future an upgrade might be in order. On that same note it acquires to me if you go air assisted which I think John Guest mentioned a few times, it would do well to do his hydrostatic pump set up as now you've got a number of extra solenoids and pumps. Honestly if I had the $300 to spend on that pump his route was the safest for peace of mind.

And perhaps the limiting factor with growing "Trees" w/ aeroponics is the lack of beneficial microbes, without them producing hormones and other compounds, I do not believe the plant can achieve the absorption ration needed to achieve peak growth.

This is certainly worthy of experimentation, and as for anyone wanting to build a system, the main issue seems to be sourcing pieces for the interconnections, but here is a basic run down

reservoir -> filter -> demand pump -> differental pressure switch w/ gauge for reading -> accumulator tank -> pressure relief valve w/ gauge for reading w/ hose redirected back to reservoir -> Y splitter for misting lines or solenoid(s) -> solenoid(s) or Y splitter then lines -> lines to elbows, tees, straights, w/ misters.

That's the basic rundown, I'm stuck with finding a pressure gauge inline for the pressure switch, and a pressure relief valve and gauge, other than that, my entire system is pretty much diagrammed, once completed if Tree doesn't mind, I'll post it somewhere and he can re-direct people asking questions at that point.

You had a great yield man, you probably used too much nutrient, they recommend using 1/4th your regular dosage. If it wasn't that then it's just playing with what the strain wants.

Thanks for that idea for a root scrog, maybe that would help them grow larger since they would have the equivalent of a canopy for the roots, then you could have sprayers under, and over, hmm interesting concept. Thanks for the read buddy keep up the good work.

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