TAG aeroponics attempt, is this all I need??

[moonmaynestrain]

This is my first attempt out of soil and in the wide world of aeroponics, and hopefully TAG. thanks and major props to to @petflora, @bohbo, and POD racers journals, and PM's for giving me a lot of good advice and answering my questions. So here is my rough draft of supplies, I think it is everything but if ANYONE sees ANYTHING iam missing feel free to let me know, as I dont want to miss out/mess up anything this first time around.
Thanks everyone for the input.

p.s. this is for a 3' x 3' x 6' semi stealth/walk in closet grow

SUPPLIES:

-30 gallon Rubbermaid tote (net pots/rockwool/pvc couplings)
-4.5+ gallon Rez
-Aquatec 8800 Booster Pump
-4 50 micron atomizing spray jets(10' PVC pipe, elbow/T fittings)
-Sentinel DRT-1 digital timer
- 600w adj down to 400w closed vented HPS/MH lighting
-ScrOG netting
-nutes
misc parts: ph monitor
temp/humidity monitor
mylar
carbon diy exhaust *hopefuly*

thanks again to all you TAGers out there.

 

[PetFlora]

Welcome to the club!

I can't emphasize enough the importance of keeping the various temps within normal range

PVC tubing is not the best choice. Keep in mind the line pressure falls after each wet cycle. The larger the diameter of the tubing the greater the amount of pressure needed to bring it up to the pressure you want and you need to create pressure ASAP as your wet cycles will be < 2 seconds. Flex tubing (Reptile Basics) is stiff and used for misting systems. You will need to get sufficient elbows for any sharp turns. The mist heads from Reptile Basics articulate and swivel which allows for fast repositioning (this is huge)

John Guest makes an inline filter with pressure fittings. Insert one before and after the pump

Sentinel is having a difficult time keeping up with the demand for timers. Hopefully you can get one in reasonable time. Do not start your grow without it as young roots grow fast and long when wet cycles are > 5 seconds

Get a small fan to gently shake the plants- helps them grow strong main stems.

During grow you want warmer temps (think spring planting weather): during flower, cooler temps and slightly higher pH.

And above all, no organic nutes!

hth

 

[moonmaynestrain]

Thanks a lot petflora, appreciate it, I never would of thought about the PVC not holding up.
And I was looking @reptile basics and saw the complete mister package with all nonPVC tubes and fittings (just a little smaller pump than planned) for $125 for everything, look like a good deal/set up to you?

http://www.reptilebasics.com/intermediate-misting-system

Anyone else had any experience with this system? I hear good things about reptile basicsm just nopersonal use, yet.

 

[Oldmac]

Hello moonmayanestrain,

For a pump I would check out the Aquatec pump made for Durakleen, that has a 200psi internal limit switch. More pressure then the basic 8800, for true aero. Also check mister nozzles from Aeroponics International, they have impingement nozzels in .025 and .016 sizes made of nylon and only cost $9.95 per pair.

Good luck with your project.

OM

 

[moonmaynestrain]

Thanks oldmac appreciate the input, so are you saying that the linked aquatec pump above would not work, or just that the one you mentioned would work better?

And I can't find those misters you mentioned, searched aero intl on google and no siite/no luck? Got a link or site address?

 

[runningriot]

the original pump should work fine. I used a 100psi pump for my TAG grow and it worked fine. Just make sure you have a large enough container for the roots to grow. I used 5 gal buckets and when I finally opened them up after harvest th eroots had grown into my .50 micron fogger nozzles. Root growth is explosive to say the least....

all the other equip looked fine. Just make sure you have towels handy incase you blow hose line getting it dialed in the first few days. I ended up using half inch poly tubing, not sure baout the PVC but sounds fine.

Here is a link to my TAG grow.. https://www.icmag.com/ic/showthread.php?t=202976

Congrads on doing TAG, its flippin awesome way to grow once everything is dialed in.

 

[Ursus]

I'd be careful when adding nutrients. I would keep them few and simple. Just make sure to regularly clean the filters and you will have no problems. and DONT go below 50microns, its somewhat wasteful.

 

[Stress_test]

I'd be careful when adding nutrients. I would keep them few and simple. Just make sure to regularly clean the filters and you will have no problems. and DONT go below 50microns, its somewhat wasteful.

I won't argue, but I do disagree.

I use .25 and lower all the time in aero-cloners with great results. They do clog easier if you don't use filters and sometimes if you do. But the finer the mist = better atomization and oxygenation.

 

[moonmaynestrain]

thanks @runningriot, good to know that should still work, and your TAG looks awesome, I want want one!
And what kind of nutes do you guys use, I've been looking at dm gold.

 

[Oldmac]

The pump you are looking at will work, but 200psi will work alot better. The more pressure you can bring to the party the better.

You want all the sub 50 micron mist you can make, actually you want 5 micron or less so that it is directly available to the fine hair or air roots. Speaking of roots, if your root chamber is 1 ft deep the water or tap roots will go to the bottom and grow around. If your root chamber is 4 ft deep the tap roots will grow to the bottom and run around. Even if the root chamber was 6 ft deep same thing happens. Plus understand that the real fine hair or air roots will only grow 4-6 inches from "ground" level in all cases. While longer roots will garner more laterals, fish bones and ladder roots they all use larger droplets or condensation to feed. It's those fine roots we want to encourage and use.

For parts check Agri-House, same owner as AI, R.Stoner, father of aeroponics. Pump is avaiablr from Steam-Rite, links are below.
www.aeroponics.com go to parts and accesaries, scroll to misters...
www.steam-brite.com go to parts press pumps, go to durakleen/aquatec logo...

Hope this helps you out.
OM

 

[Oldmac]

Sorry, double posted got indication first did not go thru.

 

[moonmaynestrain]

Yes it definitely helps, and thanks for the link.

 

[moonmaynestrain]

mist system

mist system

So oldmac *and other TAGers*, got a question about propper mister set up/would this set up work.


**sorry for the rudimentary picture, stuck @ work and had to do this from my phone**

KEY: #1-5= plants
Red= 1/4" hi-psi tubing
Green "x"= desired mister location. Is this the best arrangment for them??

My other question. Based on the link you gave me I believe toh below linked misters would work for the 2 side "x"s and the 1 rear "x", BUT I'm confused on which mister/parts to use on the first "x" directly off the pum??
Any input is appreciated thanks again

 

[moonmaynestrain]

Forgot the link to the misters from AI I thought would work for the above question

http://www.biocontrols.com/secure/shop/item.aspx?itemid=124

 

[Oldmac]

Hey moonmaynestrain , crude diagram but very helpfull.

That first mister (from the pump) can and should be on a tee just like all the misters. After the last mister don't close the loop, run that tube back to your rez with an inline valve, you can then dial in the pressure (option of another tee w/gauge). With valve closed you will get max pressure, crack it open to start to lower pressure. You can peek and see or just by sound you can hit a sweet spot for pressure that works with the size and number of mister's used.

The .025 mister is great, less likely to clog then the .016 but with a 5 micron sentiment filter on the inlet side of pump it should stop anything from going thru system.

Looks like you are going to put your plumbing inside the tub, I would probably run it oustside and use a bulkhead fitting at each mister, and I'm very partial to using JohnGuest fittings every where. Makes for a neat job. Check out the album I have of the making of "fogfognugen", I used JG fittings except at bulheads. Newer versions now use those also.

OM

 

[moonmaynestrain]

thanks for the look over, helps a lot, and makes more sense now to put it outside.
so it seems based on your input, the only other things i need would be

1/4'' T fitting to run off the pump till it meets with that first nozzle

1/4'' bulkhead fitting before each mister/at POD entrance
would these work:
http://compare.ebay.com/like/250772754818var=lv&ltyp=AllFixedPriceItemTypes&var=sbar&_lwgsi=y

and finally the pressure valve/gauge, definitely get why its needed, just dont get excatly which part to get, is the one linked below what your talking about? if not do you have a link to the JG one you were talking about, all i could find were inline JG shut off valves but nothing for pressure management.


http://www.zorotools.com/g/00061691/k-G2398006?gclid=CN6-2JG7-KgCFcO8KgodnVnGVQ

Thanks again.

 

[Oldmac]

The ebay link did not show me anything, but the valve you showed is not necessary, a simple in line ball valve does the job.

I need to remind myself that most TAG users here are hobbyists and that things like "fogfognugen" that I've built are really more of a commerical deal. That's the reason they use 2 types of mist, both aero and ultrasonic fog, either will run those trays but together there is redundancy to protect "high value crops". Plus the fog is sterile and kills all pathogens in the root zone, no root rot can spread.

Looking at the set-up you propose, and checking prices at Reptile basics (PetFlora's fav place) I realized that the Druakleen/Aquatec 200psi pump is twice the price of an Aquatec regular 8800 pump. That's a decision between you, God and your banker. Plus they have "knock off" quick connect parts that are cheaper then JG parts. You would be better served using the less expensive stuff, tho I would definitely use the AI impingement misters. They are only 50 cents more each and will atomize much better; there's a reason why R.Stoner went that route with the Genisis systems, and continued using them with his later products.

Here's a parts list, from there:
4- 1/4" bulkhead fittings
*4- female connectors 1/4 tube/female 1/8 NPTF
*4- union tee 3/8x3/8x1/4
4- plug in elbows (1/4)
1- inlineball valve
1- particle filter (3/8 fittings)
1ft- 1/4" tubing
?ft- 3/8" tubing
*if you want to add pressure gauge you'll need 1 more of each. (make sure you get a guage with 1/8 male NPT)

Place filter inline between your rez and pump. From pump run 3/8 line to first tee located at mister location. Continue 3/8 tube to next mister location, etc. Some where between last mister positon and return line to rez place the optional tee/gauge and then inline ball valve. At each mister location starting at inside POD you want mister 1/8 male NPT connected to female adaptor, short pce of 1/4 tube and inserted to bulkhead connector. On outside put 1/4 stem elbow, short pce of 1/4 tube and insert to tee (1/4 side obviously). The optional tee/pressure gauge could also be placed at the output of the pump if that is more convenient. I think that describes the plumbing ckt, at least I hope it does. Oh btw, the reason for the elbows at the bulkhead is to place all your tubing and fittings below the height of the misters so water/nutes don't dribble out, this let's the system get pressurized quicker.

Any questions you have just ask. Here or on my home page.

OM

 

[Me2]

From pump run 3/8 line to first tee located at mister location.

Oh btw, the reason for the elbows at the bulkhead is to place all your tubing and fittings below the height of the misters so water/nutes don't dribble out, this let's the system get pressurized quicker.

Any questions you have just ask. Here or on my home page.

OM

I would use 1/4" tube for 4 nozzles. The system will pressurize / depressurize a lot faster as 1/4" has ~4x less volume per foot than 3/8". The more water you have in the tubing, the longer the mist continues after the pump shuts down (aka mist run-on)

 

[moonmaynestrain]

thanks for the input me2, makes sense, ill take that into consideration.

P.s. great to see you post on my thread! I've read all your posts on pefloras TAG journal, and you always had some great info. Having you oldmac and peflora all on here is like the holy TAG-trinity! This should be good. Thanks all you guys!

 

[moonmaynestrain]

thanks for the input me2, makes sense, ill take that into consideration.

P.s. great to see you post on my thread! I've read all your posts on pefloras TAG journal, and you always had some great info. Having you oldmac and peflora all on here is like the holy TAG-trinity! This should be good. Thanks all you guys!