Aeroponic Timing

[GreenphoeniX]

Hey all,

I have a quick question in regard to aeroponics, I've built a basic 4 x 10L bucket aero system and have had great success with it, however due to timers available in my region I can only set on/off pump times in 15 minute increments.

So far I've been using 15 minutes on, 30 minutes off to mist the roots of the plants. I know in 'TAG' growing it's something like 15 seconds on, 2 minutes off. Rinse, repeat. My question is, given that I can only set my timers in 15 minute increments, is this a suitable set up? Would anyone recommend, or even have experience with, using different set ups in this manner? I.e. 15 mins on, 15 mins off, 30 mins on, 15 mins off etc.

Any information would be appreciated, obviously 'TAG' growing would be ideal, but short of that can anyone offer me some friendly, helpful advice?

Thanks,
GX

 

[PetFlora]

Aeroponics covers too many different methods. The more sophisticated, the more sophisticated the timers need to be.

The simplest aero method is bubbleponics. No timer required, just LOTS of bubbles 24/7.

Unless you have > 4" of hydroton, or lava rock (my fav), 15 minute pause risks drying out the roots too much

Get 2 @ ~ 15L/minute air pumps + large Oxystones (these are the best I know of) and put 2 in each 10G tote

The only things you need to monitor is replenishing due to evaporation and pH which will go crazy during mid flower - harvest.

hth

Here's a couple pics of my bubbleponics girl (> 3ft/1m tall), and some clones. Note the root shot: water is bubbling like crazy with 3 air stones in a 2g tote

View attachment 193841 View attachment 193842

View attachment 193843 View attachment 193844

 

[St3ve]

IMO you will not get the benefit of the aero system if you can't water more often.

At the very MINIMUM with your current setup, I would just go on/off every 15min. If it was me? I would probably opt to try and leave it on 24/7 instead of having it off for 15.. thats way too long IMO to go without mist.

My advice? Go online and find an adjustable cycle timer you can order. There is no sense to going with a system like aero if you can't do it right. No offense meant, I'm just sayin....

 

[GreenphoeniX]

Nice plants there PetFlora. Thanks for the input guys! So far I've had no problems with roots drying out as they're in sealed units so the relative humidity is usually 100% around the root zone, I will try to find a better timer though. Hoping that the frequent on/off thing isn't going to be too harsh on the pump itself; don't want it breaking!

I have airstones in my rez, one in the header tank and one in 'the brain,' to help keep the water aerated and circulating. I use bubbleponics to start off my clones, works great! Love it.

Again, thanks for the input. Here's some pics of my aero girls at week 6 for ya!

 

[KING_JOHN_C]

nice roots

 

[Dark Helmet]

green would love to get more details on ur setup like wat kind of pump sprayer etc are u using even more photos would be helpfull ty looking at sumthing like this myself.

 

[socialist]

I did 15 on 15 off for years. I switched to 1on 4 off and seen no difference what so ever.