Timers for Drain to waste automated system

[sheik_yerbouti]

Hey all, Setting up an automated watering system for my 10gal smart pots. I have the system figured basically but I'm having problems finding a timer that can be put on to water every 2nd or 3rd day for 10min or whatever time I need to water properly. I found a timer that will do days of the week and such but I can only do either everyday or a Mon, Wed, Friday sort of thing which leaves me with a 2 day gap every week. I'm handwatering right now and the plants are bone dry after 2 days so I don't want to have any 2 day gaps without watering.

Any suggestions? Just need a timer that can be set for every 48 hours or 72 hours to come on for a specified time. I could just water a little less everyday rather than every 2nd day, actually can anyone with experience with drain to waste in a pro-mix in smart pots setup tell me if it is better to water everyday vs every 2nd day. I've never done any automated watering so I'm wondering if I water everyday it would keep the soil evenly moist creating less dry pockets are better root health vs the wet/dry cycle of watering every 2nd or 3rd day. Just thinking out loud now, hopefully someone who's done this can provide some insight.

 

[hazydreams]

I can't speak to the benefit of watering promix setups. But as far as a timer: the sentinel drt-1will do all your asking and more. Im using one for a small drain to waste coco operation and it works like gang busters.

 

[sheik_yerbouti]

I can't speak to the benefit of watering promix setups. But as far as a timer: the sentinel drt-1will do all your asking and more. Im using one for a small drain to waste coco operation and it works like gang busters.

Thank for the tip...Looks like it has a maximum of a 24 hour cycle though. Am I mistaken?

I would like my pumps to run for 15 min every 48 hours. Seems simple but I'm having a hell of a time finding a timer that does this

 

[hazydreams]

the sentinel will do that. you can set it to 99 hours off. and on in 1 second increments if you need that. ive run it at 35 or so off. 4 or so minutes on. you can also set a few different modes as well. right now mine is operating only when the light is on. it immediately feeds at lights on and is set for 6 hours off. this gives two feeding when the light is on. its a pretty pimp little set up.

 

[sheik_yerbouti]

the sentinel will do that. you can set it to 99 hours off. and on in 1 second increments if you need that. ive run it at 35 or so off. 4 or so minutes on. you can also set a few different modes as well. right now mine is operating only when the light is on. it immediately feeds at lights on and is set for 6 hours off. this gives two feeding when the light is on. its a pretty pimp little set up.


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Sweet...That's perfect, wasn't really wanting to spend $200 on a timer but it looks like I'll need more than a $20 time from Home Crapo to do what I need.

Thanks for the info

 

[MegaHermie]

Switch to coco for a drip system and never look back. Water 2-3 times a day

 

[PetFlora]

I have the Sentinel MDT-1, which has 2 different setting options, this allows me to run lights AND pump separately off one timer

Using Air Pots + Lava Rock (fast draining) I can feed every 15 minutes for ~10 seconds. You want fast growth? Increased feeding frequency is the answer

 

[sheik_yerbouti]

Switch to coco for a drip system and never look back. Water 2-3 times a day

Tried coco....Didn't keep up with my pro-mix plus added perlite combo. Not sure why but it was blatent on many occations, kept getting cal/mag def. Too much science and effort involved to get the right ions/cations yadda yadda. Works great for some people but I couldn't get it to work for me. Also I don't like having waste water out of my pots, I don't have the set up for recycling water and don't have a proper drain in the floor.

I have the Sentinel MDT-1, which has 2 different setting options, this allows me to run lights AND pump separately off one timer

Using Air Pots + Lava Rock (fast draining) I can feed every 15 minutes for ~10 seconds. You want fast growth? Increased feeding frequency is the answer

Ya I'm on my way there to increased feeding frequency, I'm starting with a heavier ratio of perlite to pro-mix to ease my way in to a fast draining high oxygenated root zone. Need to get my new auto-watering system dialed first before I risk having a soil medium that will dry out within a day and potentially kill a plant. Having 60 plants under 18 lights makes the need for a simple dependable setup important as I work full time as well.

The sentinal timer looks boss and exactly what I need

 

[BigGreen]

Titan makes a nice little cheap timer that does exactly what you need,,,, hasnt failed me in 6 months so knock on wood