PetFlora
Well-Known Member
I thought I had started a thread here as several peeps answered it. Turns out it was merely a Suggestion Box type thread where I 'suggested' HPA is different enough to deserve its' own sub forum.
If I get enough interest I will start a journal here as I have 5 seedlings (1.5-2.5" tall) in my DIY bubbler.
As a personal use grower, I am looking for the benefits of HPA without adding an Accumulator. How close can I get?
Smart Products is one thing I tried to resolve the problem of pressure drop in between feed cycles, which is what an accumulator resolves. How big a difference will that make when my feed cycles are 3 seconds, (where the first <1second is not full pressure), none of the accumulator growers has answered that for me. Smart Products was kind enough to send me several sets of samples, but each time the quick ramp up of pressure blew them apart. But that was over a year ago; since then they have introduced a lot of new items.
In the mean time my basic system utilizes Reptile Basics advanced mist kit and upgraded to the Aquatec 8800 but WITHOUT their timer. I use a Sentinel, which is not 100% accurate at one second, which is not that necessary unless you are using an accumulator. I find the single or double mist heads is all I need in an 18G Rubbermaid tote. I am using 2 single head misters at opposite ends and opposite sides to help swirl the mist. I am still playing with on/pause times. Right now I am 3 seconds on- 2:45- 2:30 seconds pause. I watch for wilt and adjust in 15 second increments until it stops.
I am on my fourth HPA grow, the first with all hardware in place from the beginning. It is my first using DM nutes (Gold: Zone, Ad.27, Silica, Grow/Flower A & B). I find DMs nute calculator 25% more concentrated than my Hanna TDS meter says. So far I am happy with DM nutes, but find DM not too helpful (will consider H &G when I run out as peeps here are impressed with their customer service. I tried to push past HPAs recommended flower ppms (~1000) only to get some leaf tip burn, so I dialed back at least until I get some pistil clusters and bud development. If I understood Fatmans' comment on another thread, having them too hot may have actually held bud development back. Made sense once I thought about it.
Plant size is important to know, as the roots will be as long as the plant is tall. Ample depth is required to prevent tap roots from pooling on the bottom of your root pod; a 3 ft plant has 3 ft roots= 6ft, PLUS you need room under for drainage and over for lights. Also, of great importance is realizing that when roots are provided with lot of air space the nutrients can swirl and cover them better. Logic tells me, the more roots that can get misted, the faster, bigger, and greater the bud development. I am now experimenting with AF's to resolve height and depth issues, and to harvest from seed < 75 days. Alas, the seeds I bought privately are not stable. I am over 3 months with barely any signs of pistils.
Hope you will join the adventure. Haters please move on.
If I get enough interest I will start a journal here as I have 5 seedlings (1.5-2.5" tall) in my DIY bubbler.
As a personal use grower, I am looking for the benefits of HPA without adding an Accumulator. How close can I get?
Smart Products is one thing I tried to resolve the problem of pressure drop in between feed cycles, which is what an accumulator resolves. How big a difference will that make when my feed cycles are 3 seconds, (where the first <1second is not full pressure), none of the accumulator growers has answered that for me. Smart Products was kind enough to send me several sets of samples, but each time the quick ramp up of pressure blew them apart. But that was over a year ago; since then they have introduced a lot of new items.
In the mean time my basic system utilizes Reptile Basics advanced mist kit and upgraded to the Aquatec 8800 but WITHOUT their timer. I use a Sentinel, which is not 100% accurate at one second, which is not that necessary unless you are using an accumulator. I find the single or double mist heads is all I need in an 18G Rubbermaid tote. I am using 2 single head misters at opposite ends and opposite sides to help swirl the mist. I am still playing with on/pause times. Right now I am 3 seconds on- 2:45- 2:30 seconds pause. I watch for wilt and adjust in 15 second increments until it stops.
I am on my fourth HPA grow, the first with all hardware in place from the beginning. It is my first using DM nutes (Gold: Zone, Ad.27, Silica, Grow/Flower A & B). I find DMs nute calculator 25% more concentrated than my Hanna TDS meter says. So far I am happy with DM nutes, but find DM not too helpful (will consider H &G when I run out as peeps here are impressed with their customer service. I tried to push past HPAs recommended flower ppms (~1000) only to get some leaf tip burn, so I dialed back at least until I get some pistil clusters and bud development. If I understood Fatmans' comment on another thread, having them too hot may have actually held bud development back. Made sense once I thought about it.
Plant size is important to know, as the roots will be as long as the plant is tall. Ample depth is required to prevent tap roots from pooling on the bottom of your root pod; a 3 ft plant has 3 ft roots= 6ft, PLUS you need room under for drainage and over for lights. Also, of great importance is realizing that when roots are provided with lot of air space the nutrients can swirl and cover them better. Logic tells me, the more roots that can get misted, the faster, bigger, and greater the bud development. I am now experimenting with AF's to resolve height and depth issues, and to harvest from seed < 75 days. Alas, the seeds I bought privately are not stable. I am over 3 months with barely any signs of pistils.
Hope you will join the adventure. Haters please move on.
