Blumat auto watering

[NachoConQueso]

If the gunk was in your reservoir it is most likely still in your supply tubing. You probably won't be able to get it completely clean by just opening up the Blumats all the way because there will be a bottleneck from the 8 mm to 3 mm tubing. If you have a way to bleed the supply line at the end of the line that would be your best bet. Even if you have to do a partial disassembly it will probably be worth it to clear the line.

Between runs I like to run a weak bleach solution through all the tubing and then rinse with a bunch of water. I also use Drip Clean which is supposed to keep salts from building up in the lines but I don't think it would help with the gunk. Good luck.

I highly recommend using an on/off at the end of your supply line. You can open up the valve into a little container and you'd be surprised what comes out. I do it every res cleaning and my lines are always clean for the full run.

 

[LeeROI]

these guys just started carrying the patio kit plus some extras (like the garden hose pressure reducer): planet earth hydroponics

Note that the JR. model has the wrong picture--we do NOT want the junior model for most cannabis applications.

 

[sunnydog]

Note that the JR. model has the wrong picture--we do NOT want the junior model for most cannabis applications.

SD

 

[sunnydog]

Update:

Update:

Since covering the supply lines with foil, AFOM reports FAR LESS "bubbles and troubles" in the lines.

SD

 

[gardenbug]

Seems like everyone is going from hand watering to blumats, which seems like an obvious upgrade. Anyone have experience comparing a pump/timer drip setup to the blumats? Setting up some coco and trying to decide which way to go.

This was an insanely long thread to read in one day, that took awhile.

 

[Lapides]

Seems like everyone is going from hand watering to blumats, which seems like an obvious upgrade. Anyone have experience comparing a pump/timer drip setup to the blumats? Setting up some coco and trying to decide which way to go.

This was an insanely long thread to read in one day, that took awhile.

Blumats water the plants WHEN THE PLANTS WANT TO BE WATERED.

AFAIK, Pump/timer/drip setup waters the plants WHEN YOU SET THE TIMER FOR THE PLANTS TO BE WATERED.

If it were me, I would leave it up to the plants to decide when to get watered.

 

[Pompey_Monkey]

What size did you all drill out your reservoirs for the bulkhead fitting that comes with the blumats? The instructions list it as 12mm, which has no exact counterpart in standard drill bit sizes, would it leak if drilled to 1/2"?

Surely you can buy a 12mm drill bit? I'm guessing that you're in the States where many things are in imperial units, but surely there must still be a demand for metric tools and components? I'm curious...

 

[Lapides]

I'm pretty sure I used a 1/2" drill bit. It was really close in size. No leaks ever.

 

[B. Self Reliant]

Just wondering, maybe Maxi's would be better for C-C, as they would sample from the bottom,where it would be wettest.
I do not grow in C-C, other than a bit in my mix, so this is just a thought.
Maybe someone has some input here?

I just ordered (4) Maxi's for my next coco grow. I'm not going to incorporate them into my current grow because I want to see how they work throughout a whole grow cycle. I'll let you know how they turn out. My next run will probably be in 10" circular pots or 5 gallon buckets, so the Maxi's should be perfect. I'll keep ya posted.

 

[pinecone]

Anyone having any thoughts about using blumats on outdoor raised beds with a rain barrel for a res?

Pine

 

[sunnydog]

Anyone having any thoughts about using blumats on outdoor raised beds with a rain barrel for a res?

Pine

They are meant to work outdoors.

SD

 

[OneTokeOver]

Seems like everyone is going from hand watering to blumats, which seems like an obvious upgrade. Anyone have experience comparing a pump/timer drip setup to the blumats? Setting up some coco and trying to decide which way to go.

This was an insanely long thread to read in one day, that took awhile.

I was in the same situation. For me the deciding factors were no drains required for the Blumats and no run off required.

Maybe it's just me, but I have a problem with paying for nutes and then pouring them down the drain.

2 runs now with the Blumats and I couldn't be happier. I takes me 2 days to get them set right and then it's just a matter of filling the res.

I am now setting up a run of plants in a green house with soil and the Blumats hooked up to a rain barrel. Talk about lazy, I won't even have to fill the rez. LOL.

 

[gardenbug]

The only part that needs the 3mm tubing is the little section in the blumat right? Anyone find a common tubing that will connect to the 3mm yet? That way you could run all commonly available tubing and fittings until you got to the actual blumat itself. Something like what people are doing with the 8mm tubing?

 

[compost]

these guys just started carrying the patio kit plus some extras (like the garden hose pressure reducer): planet earth hydroponics

Very nice link they have discreet shipping there.

 

[heady blunts]

The only part that needs the 3mm tubing is the little section in the blumat right? Anyone find a common tubing that will connect to the 3mm yet? That way you could run all commonly available tubing and fittings until you got to the actual blumat itself. Something like what people are doing with the 8mm tubing?

i haven't seen it attempted but it should work...hmmmm

 

[Kreamy]

Wounding If anyone knows if these systems found on amazon are blumats. They look and sound very similar.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0002VAHXC/ref=mp_s_a_3?qid=1302195451&sr=8-3
Thanks

 

[Lapides]

Wounding If anyone knows if these systems found on amazon are blumats. They look and sound very similar.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0002VAHXC/ref=mp_s_a_3?qid=1302195451&sr=8-3
Thanks

Those are the houseplant ones. Not what you're looking for.

 

[sunnydog]

The only part that needs the 3mm tubing is the little section in the blumat right? Anyone find a common tubing that will connect to the 3mm yet? That way you could run all commonly available tubing and fittings until you got to the actual blumat itself. Something like what people are doing with the 8mm tubing?

I just buy a roll of 3mm, it is not very expensive.

 

[Kreamy]

Lapids thanks for the information. I've done a bunch of reading here and understand that the juniors are said to be for house plants and are not useful for our application. Do you know the reason for why that is. Is it just a difference in capacity? Thanks

 

[WasntMe]

Kreamy - The ones you linked too are either Blumat Jr's or knockoffs of Jr's. Do NOT waste money on knockoffs. From my understanding in conversations and reading that their cones are typically made from an inferior clay which causes under/overwatering issues.

I use Jr's for my houseplants, and they work great for them. Spider, golden prothos, orchids etc ... but these plant have much lower water requirements. Jr's provide water to the plant by osmosis through the clay cone.
-Soil dries and water transfers through the cone into the soil. There by causes a very small vacuum pressure inside the cone which causes water to get sucked up the small hose and refills the water inside the cone.

Here is an animated example of Jr's:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9y8vimXnYO8

Now the Patio set works slightly differently but provides much better watering and control for plants with higher water needs like ours. A res (or water supply line) provides a slightly pressured water supply in the 8mm and thereby the 3mm feed lines.
-Soil dries and a small amount of water transfers through the cone into the soil. This causes a small vacuum pressure inside the cone which releases a valve blocking the 3mm line. With the 3mm line valve now open the 3mm line is now free to drip water directly on the soil. When the soil is moist water travels back into the cone and releaves the small vacuum. When the small vacuum inside the cone goes away the valve closes onto the 3mm hose and the drip stops.

Here is an example of a patio kit with accessories attached but same principles of valve functionality is expressed:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FVeaOJh_DFY&feature=related



The Patio kit has better control, can handle higher water need plants and allows you to add nutrients to the water because the water going to the plant comes directly from a drip hose, not through the clay cone.


I hope this helps clear it up for you. If not ask for further clarification.