What’s the premier auto watering setup?

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heykevo

Member
Is there a Cadillac of auto watering for coco? Four plants.

I’m hand watering right now and trying to upgrade for my next round. I see a lot of different suggestions, but money aside, is there a system that comes highly recommended? Looking for something that is extremely reliable, all in one, little to no DIY modifications, large reservoir, won’t clog, set and forget mostly.
 
driver77

driver77

Well-Known Member
heykevo said:
Is there a Cadillac of auto watering for coco? Four plants.

I’m hand watering right now and trying to upgrade for my next round. I see a lot of different suggestions, but money aside, is there a system that comes highly recommended? Looking for something that is extremely reliable, all in one, little to no DIY modifications, large reservoir, won’t clog, set and forget mostly.
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Aircube system from Growace works great.
 
curious2garden

curious2garden

Well-Known Mod
Staff member
heykevo said:
I'll have to do a little more research, looks great, just doesn't seem like they have a bundle for a 3x3 tent. Looking at their site it seems like they sell everything separate and it's just a flood table, so shouldn't be an issue. Thanks for the info.
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Look at their bundles:

Choose something that will fit in your 3x3 and your style of growing.
 
Laughing Grass

Laughing Grass

Well-Known Member
heykevo said:
I'll have to do a little more research, looks great, just doesn't seem like they have a bundle for a 3x3 tent. Looking at their site it seems like they sell everything separate and it's just a flood table, so shouldn't be an issue. Thanks for the info.
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I started in a 3x3 with four plants. It's a hard footprint to grow in, and four was way too many. Two plants with a little LST was the sweet spot for me.
 
medidedicated

medidedicated

Well-Known Member
I have a mixture of diy orbit and general sprinkler riser parts from home improvement store and floraflex. In fact everything you could need to setup a floraflex setup is there too in pvc department.

Im not handy but was able to do it with the help of members here. It was so simple I went ahead and made a couple more setups by my self.

The floraflex flows better with the typical psi pumps one would use. The orbit for some reason half the time using a stronger pump fixed any issues.

My orbit setup that would expect issues doesnt have issues but the ones youd think would work, dont. Stronger pump fixed it.

Floraflex I can use 100gph per plant with any pump rated for said use. Couple of these runoff systems can be better, it was my first time.

I use flexitank reservoirs one feeds all and one collects runoff. Little giant condensate pumps. Vivosun pumps. Pool shock keeps water sterile.
 

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medidedicated

medidedicated

Well-Known Member
Idk how youd clean ut out if it needed too the floraflex. The orbits no question, plumbers tape and unscrew. I thought floraflex had threads but mine came without them. I pvc cemented them but the head pops off.

Was gonna say I like how you can fine tune the orbit flows but just load the pots less and let it puddle. Dial it in so it doesnt overflow. The riser has a ball valve. I flower with the orbits so idk. but imagine wouldnt be too bad.
 
Laughing Grass

Laughing Grass

Well-Known Member
medidedicated said:
I have a mixture of diy orbit and general sprinkler riser parts from home improvement store and floraflex. In fact everything you could need to setup a floraflex setup is there too in pvc department.

Im not handy but was able to do it with the help of members here. It was so simple I went ahead and made a couple more setups by my self.

The floraflex flows better with the typical psi pumps one would use. The orbit for some reason half the time using a stronger pump fixed any issues.

My orbit setup that would expect issues doesnt have issues but the ones youd think would work, dont. Stronger pump fixed it.

Floraflex I can use 100gph per plant with any pump rated for said use. Couple of these runoff systems can be better, it was my first time.

I use flexitank reservoirs one feeds all and one collects runoff. Little giant condensate pumps. Vivosun pumps. Pool shock keeps water sterile.
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Orbit makes great stuff. My first foray into drip was an orbit DIY system

IMG_4473 (2) (2).JPG

You have the quick disconnect. here's a video for taking them apart for cleaning.

 
H

heykevo

Member
Laughing Grass said:
I started in a 3x3 with four plants. It's a hard footprint to grow in, and four was way too many. Two plants with a little LST was the sweet spot for me.
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I plan on switching over to 2 plants next grow. VA only allows 4 plants and my wife wants me to stay in the law, so I'm going to just do a second veg tent and keep them coming. Four plants was definitely a little large for the tent.
 
medidedicated

medidedicated

Well-Known Member
heykevo said:
I'm afraid of my DIY skills with a potential 30 gallon leak on my floor, but I am still looking at some DIY stuff.
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I didnt even realize the threat of flood until like almost a year into my setup lol. Its pretty good. All to worry is the timer getting stuck on but if your reservoir is as big as your runoff reservoir, no problem.

The worse is a condensate pump may die and a small leak will happen. Small enough that the tent flood tray it comes with typically will contain it.

Thats why need to keep monitoring even though uts very hands off. Heres a thumbnail of something thatll help with leaks if that paranoid.

I use little giant condensate pumps any brand known for durability. People had theirs 5 years and counting.

The collaspable reservoir took time getting used to being like fabric but its build to hold water. Built to last, I spent hours talking to the manufacture making sure this thing is good in my home.

They have models that hold 360 gallons same deseign. I worry trash bins can fold in on them selves theyre not really meant to hold water but people do.
 

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medidedicated

medidedicated

Well-Known Member
Oooh before I forget another important thing is siphoning, preventing it. All I do is drill a hole in the tubing on the inside of the bend just below the lid of reservoir. It shoots water right back into the reservoir.

It breaks the siphon you can hear it when it shuts off. Air forces out the anti siphon hole breaking the siphon. I wouldnt trust anything else mechanical that can fail. Lose a wee bit pressure but floraflex setup works with low psi.
 
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