Cabinet Build w/ Aeroponics - Need Some Advise

[WattSaver]

I'm building a new cabinet, and I want to use an aeroponic system because it seems to be a system that will have the minimum height.

The box is roughly 4'W x 2'D x 8' tall. It will have 2 separate flower areas 2x2x4 with a scrog screen and a separate veg/clone area 2x2x2. A separate area for the res, pumps, & nute storage. And a final area for ballast, fans timers etc. Flower areas 250w CMH, veg T5

Background done here's the ??? Please feel free to correct me on any mis-conceptions I may have.

I plan on using a 4" pvc pipe, with 2" net pots. Is the 2" pot to big for a 4" pipe??
The aprox 24" long pipe will have 3 sites, so I have the option to grow either 1 or 2 plants, and plan on using 4 spray nozzles all 360 degree. Now is it better to use a set of "T"s to split pump flow to 4 nozzles, or to use a manifold? Pic

For the veg area I plan on using the same system but with the net pots a little closer together. But for a 4 to 5 wk veg would I need a larger dia pipe ie; 6" to help keep the roots separate, or are the roots at 4 to 5 wks too short to tangle in a 4" pipe?

 

[Atomizer]

Put the 4 nozzles on a single line and feed the line from both ends using a tee on the pump. The modded layout gives you an even pressure across the nozzles and minimises loss from excessive tee fittings (original top layout) or excessive tube lengths (bottom pic layout).

 

[WattSaver]

Put the 4 nozzles on a single line and feed the line from both ends using a tee on the pump. The modded layout gives you an even pressure across the nozzles and minimises loss from excessive tee fittings (original top layout) or excessive tube lengths (bottom pic layout). View attachment 1692297

I'm not sure I understand what you mean. I comprehend taking the 1st T and making a loop but I'll still have to place a T off this loop at every nozzle. This makes 5 T's compared to 3 T's I've shown

 

[Atomizer]

With the original top pic layout the nutes have to travel through two tees before it can reach any nozzle. The ring layout will equalise the pressure to all 4 nozzles on the main line as its fed from both sides.

 

[pazuzu420]

I'm not sure I understand what you mean. I comprehend taking the 1st T and making a loop but I'll still have to place a T off this loop at every nozzle. This makes 5 T's compared to 3 T's I've shown

I'm way confused because the suggestion that Atomizer gave is excellent as it actually has 1 T and 4 90's. vs. not quite sure the way you have it drawn with the curves it look like a bunch of 90's up to the T. I"m taking it from the simple sketch that it will be low pressure aeroponics as I do not see a pressure tank, solenoid, ect. You can do a continious loop and you will have adequate pressure at each nozzle providing the pump is hefty enough.

Planning on having the rez inside the cabinet? I placed mine outside and gravity feed back into it. Place snuggly against the cabinet and you can't hardly tell with alittle black pipe insulation and you hardly see it in my semi dark enviorment. Advantages of having it outside the cabinet would be: cooler rez temps, easier rez changes, ph readings are easy, you should never add PH up and Down to a rez full of roots, easier to clean at rez changes.

I've done something very similar and learned quite a few things along the ways. If you use and external pump propup the rez and come out of the bottom this allows you to completely drain the rez. I installted a T shortly after the pump and put in two valves, this allows me to shut it off going to the growing chamber and out the T to which I've attached a 5/8 tubing and I can pump it up and outside or into buckets or just about anywhere if you have a decent pump. I then put this line back into my rez and make a nozzle out of PVC to put on the end which aerates the water along with moves it around in large volumes when the pump is on, that is if you leave the valve open just alittle bit. If your spray is too strong this can also allow you to relieve alittle pressure.

Hmm..good luck and I like you idead . Seems to work for me so far, but it is not as near as productive as High Pressure Aeroponics as the spray patterns don't get anywhere near 60 microns ( I think) can't remember the exact number without looking it up but one of the HPA guys can throw it out there.

Feel free to browse my threads mostly included in my sig as I use a similar system that I came up with after looking at LOTS of different systems out there.

 

[WattSaver]

The system will be a low pressure setup. Not even going to consider going HP in this cabinet. Was planning on using standard flexible irrigation drip lines. Starting out 1/2" off the pump and 1/4" off the last T to the nozzles. I'll post a rough drawing of the cab later.

 

[Atomizer]

Loss increases with flow rate, it`d be best to use 1/2" tube throughout if you can.
1gpm flow through 3ft of 1/4" tube will cost you 1.54psi. (42" head). The same 1gpm through 3ft of 1/2" tube will cost you 0.05psi. (1.35" head)
You`d need a pump capable of at least a 7ft head to drive 2 nozzles with 1/4" tubing. The same pump with 1/2" tubing could handle 62 nozzles

 

[WattSaver]

Loss increases with flow rate, it`d be best to use 1/2" tube throughout if you can.
1gpm flow through 3ft of 1/4" tube will cost you 1.54psi. (42" head). The same 1gpm through 3ft of 1/2" tube will cost you 0.05psi. (1.35" head)
You`d need a pump capable of at least a 7ft head to drive 2 nozzles with 1/4" tubing. The same pump with 1/2" tubing could handle 62 nozzles

Great info thanks

 

[pazuzu420]

So you can put the nozzle right into the PVC, not sure the spray heads you are using but the red EZ-clone nozzles worked for me.