With my soil trial concluded, i'll have the time to start collecting data on the several different clone machines i've acquired over the course of the last year.

We'll run each of the three different cloners using the same cloning solution brand and rate (Clonex, 20ml / Gallon, Aquashield 5ml / Gallon), and we'll be watching example cuttings from the strain Blue Dream.

Units are: EZ Cloner 30 Original, Botanicare Power Cloner 45, GH Rainforest 36.


Each clone machine will be equipped with a single airstone that will run perpetually, sprayers will run on a cycle of 1 minute On, 3 minutes Off.

Target Ph range is 5.5-6.3

All three machines are currently being cleaned with Bleach and Peroxide, this side by side will start in 1 week unless you fellows present ideas or corrections that require incorporation.

Originally Posted by Conclusions

The Power Cloner and EZ Cloner produced more roots, faster.

The EZ Cloner examples are just slightly healthier as of day 16, giving me the confidence to declare it the winner, with the Power Cloner as a very close 2nd, and the Rainforest bringing up the rear.

[ChemDgMillionre]

Cool.. I was about to purchase another ez cloner.... Maybe this thread will get me thinking about a different brand.

[dsd1]

I used both the ezcloner and turboklone for years. I had 2 of each both 120+ sites and they both worked well. I ran all 4 at the same time and I now use nothing but rockwool cubes in trays the old fashion way and love the simplicity. If you plan on only using a small cloner with under 30 sites then they are great, but the bigger ones are a waste of money lots of water lots of cleaning. Issues I had to figure out was controlling water temps in summer with frozen 2 liters. Also I had to figure out why my clones would die in the summer which was the result of bacteria from the summer heat. Using Ez Clone Clear Rez fixed that problem. Get a digital temp gauge to monitor the water anything over 80 cause bacteria and issues. In the winter when I first started to use them I would just set it and forget it and it would get cold in my house low 50's at night. The pump running 24/7 kept the water temp perfect, but in summer it heats up the water to much.

I ran the pumps on many different cycles but 24/7 worked best for me. I also ran all my T12 on 24/7 at different distance and it never made a difference. As far as rooting hormones botanicare power cloner LIQUID solution worked best for me after I tried everything out there on the market. I would just add a cloning solution nothing else sometimes nothing at all. If it is possible get a humidifier and keep the humidity as high as possible in your clone room at all times. My clones never ever wilted from the day I cut them because of all the humidity, but it did rust some stuff in my room lol. In the end the strain will depict root development I would have some clones pop a root in 5 days other 10 days. Hope this information helps you out good luck!

24/7 running of the water pump typically causes the high temps that bring about bacterial infections, in my experience.

Also, I actually like a low-humidity environment for machine clones, it helps them harden faster and makes for less shock when they're transplanted, so they stay in the larger veg area.

Because summer is coming, I anticipated problems with bacteria / algae, so I took the extra precaution of including AquaShield in the base nutrient rather than as a later correction for rot.

Thanks for the input and for stopping by, now let's compare some hardware!

Here are some shots of the EZ Cloner setup, the manifold features seventeen 360° sprayers set into the center of the reservoir.



The pump is sturdy and has adjustable flow but does not come with a sediment filter.

Next we have the Botanicare Power Cloner 45.

This unit features twelve 180° sprayers set along the perimeter of the reservoir, and a non adjustable pump which includes a sediment filter.

Here we see the Rainforest sprayer, its unique but effective design centers around a simple spinning disc with 4 slots that allow water to be thrown out along the disc, creating a fine spray.



It has a very low power draw, making it the most energy efficient of the three, I could easily run 6 or more of these units on a single 10A cycle timer.

The main disadvantage is the large reservoir, 15 gallons for 36 cuttings is a bit inefficient compared to the 5 gallon reservoir on both the other units.

And we're off! Each machine has its cuttings and is humming along.

Left to right we have the Power Cloner, Rainforest, and EZ Cloner Day 1 Root View images. Top views on the next post.

Note: In the EZ Cloner, we have 25 total Blue Dream cuttings, we'll be looking at those cuttings which are leftmost in the image, so that they correspond with their less numerous counterparts in the other machines.

We'll do images every 3 days, top and bottom, and extras for any developments that happen between updates.

Once again showing left to right, Power Cloner, Rainforest, EZ Cloner.

Power Cloner examples are showing just a bit of leftover leaf curl from a heavy Azamax spraying a couple days ago (60ml / gallon), wanted to wait for this curl to disappate before taking the new clones but we're behind as it is, and as long as I don't do something stupid like spray them again, they should be fine.

[gurnt]

Day 4 updates! Images below listed left to right: Power Cloner, Rainforest, EZ Cloner.

Top view of the three machines at day 4, EZ Cloner examples seem the most vigorous, reaching for the sky while the others lag slightly.

Bottom view of the three machines.

Once again shown left to right, Power Cloner, Rainforest, EZ Cloner.

No interesting developments as of yet, ph has been stable in all 3 units.