Autopot-DWC???

[MeltingPOT]

So...I love growing DWC, but I grow in a confined space. Taking plants out for water changes is somewhat of a joke...I've been thinking of a way to make things easy and here's what I've come up with...If I'm over looking something simple-stupid, PLEASE speak up!
I want to take AutoPot valves and have them raised about 3" in the bottom (corner) of my DWC tubs (usually 10 gallons)...This way, I can have a 20 gallon reservoir outside of the space and simply gravity feed the DWC tubs...This way, my nutrient level never drops (which is another reason handfeeding DWC sucks) which will keep my plant roots optimally aerated....I will obviously still be running major bubblestones as usual...
I think I'll be able to control the nutrient temperature better this way also...As I won't have to ever mess around with my nutrient being under a cramped 600watter...
I think this'll give me the chance to FINALLY maximize my space without having to move the plants throughout the flowering stage...My only worry is salt build up in the buckets...any thoughts?
Thanks.

 

[armedoldhippy]

going to watch this myself, going to be some good answers/advice here.

 

[Aerohead]

A quick simple solution is to get a small fountain pump with the suction cups and stick it to the bottom of the res. Run a 3/8 hose through the lid and cap it off, when you need a water change, un cap it and plug the pump in. Multiple buckets might be a pain this way though.

I like your idea for the 20 gal remote res, I don't think salt build up will be too much of an issue, most of us have to wait until harvest to give the buckets a good scrubbing anyway.

 

[stoney917]

im very interested in this to daily maitnence is a huge pain im likin ur gravity drip idea but salt build up issue will have to be addressed as i get it in my 5 gal buckets
cant wait for freezerboy to add his 2 cents he seems to always point ppl in the right direction.

 

[bendoslendo]

If the auto pot valve is only 3" from the bottom of your tub, you will only be keeping about 4-5" of solution in your tub. I'm also trying to imagine how you would mount one of these valves, and how you will prevent the roots from interfering with their operation. You would have to build a platform level with the ground inside you tub.

 

[MeltingPOT]

Exactly Bendo! That 4-5 inches of nutrient is all I want, so my roots are mostly in air...Mounting the valve will take some creativity, but the roots entangling doesn't worry me....Thanks for the response!

Aero! Thanks bro! If you saw how restrained my space is, it's really laughable....I only have a tiny entry, and that is the issue...If not, pumps or drain valves would work fine...thanks again!

So it seems that Salt will be the issue....We'll wait to see who else chimes in...

 

[bendoslendo]

About 10 years ago I had salt build-up jam the smartvalve on my auto-pot system, flooding my closet. Luckily I had a very small res, only a couple gallons. Needless to say this has soured my opinion on these little black plastic bastards hehe

Craven_au uses them and he says the newer makes of the smartvalve don't jam up like the old ones.

Is this the salt build-up you are concerned about? Or are you talking about salt concentrations in your solution becoming toxic due to small size? The small effective size of your shortened res may also become an issue. Small reservoirs generally require daily maintenance for pH.

I'm really intrigued by this idea. I'd love to see a mark-up or picture of your tub when you get it. Who knows, you might be on the verge of something big here, ShallowWater Culture tubs FTW!

 

[MeltingPOT]

I appreciate your enthusiasm! Without sounding arrogant, I think I'm onto something too!!! I have spent a good amount of time growing in DIY DWC tubs in the past few years. I notice that the plants thrive in setups that have more air than water in the tub...obviously plant roots LOVE air...When I've had the chance to be REAL hands-on, or only run one tub, I've had great success. It is definately Shallow Water Culture, except it's REAL shallow...I actually call it Puddleponics.

I never even thought about the valve clogging! that could be horrible! I know that my friends have had great success with them, so hopefully any problems from the past have been fixed.
Yeah, the salt buildup I was worrying about was from the solution, in the tubs....

Any daily maintenance to the res is a non-issue...It is only the size and shape of my grow space that hinders maintenance...
Keeping PH on point is actually something I look forward to on a daily basis, as I live a pretty boring life LOL

 

[bendoslendo]

Any updates? Pics? Diagrams?

Curious here

 

[MeltingPOT]

Bendo! This system will be put together in the next few days and probably put to use in about 2 weeks....I have 9 PinkBazookas in DWC that will soon show sex...the transplant and project will begin then!
I promise detailed pics and updates.

 

[5FingrdSloth]

I promise detailed pics and updates.

promises promises!
Do you think this would scale down to a cab easily? I am a soil kinda guy now but really want to get my feet wet so to speak.

 

[MeltingPOT]

Ya got me there Sloth...shit!
I am going to Autopot Valves but it won't be in DWC, it'll be in a 4x4 floodtray...

I think the Autopot valves are MORE than useful in any setup...the only problem in a cab, if it were "stealth", you need a reservoir to run an Autopot....so it'd take a good sized cab...

 

[Scrogerman]

Id just use Totes/Rubbermaids, sounds like you might as well go RDWC(using 2-4 plant tote), with one tote outside the cab & one inside with the plants in, a simple pump dropped in the tote to drain it, theres tons of ways to do that. But i cant see why your idea wouldnt work anyway! just too much hassle, totes would simplify the whole operation!
G'Luck!

 

[5FingrdSloth]

Thanks for the super fast reply MeltingPOT
There's a link in my sig if you wanna take a peek at that cab I'm using see what you think?