Automated Grow Box that can self-sustain for 2 weeks?

I'm just starting out, never grown before. But I'm pretty much settled on getting an automated grow box. However, I want my setup to be one where I can be away for 2 weeks and have the plants still growing.


I know this may sound absurd and impossible to many, but here are a few options:
1] BC Northern Lights systems: these are highly sophisticated. But I just spoke to a rep from their company and they said you would have to do weekly maintenance of refilling the nutrients, water and testing pH; everything else is taken care of.


2] Cultivator Pro: So this seems even more advanced as it has systems that monitor and adjust pH and also systems that replenish water and nutrients. As far as I understand this takes care of everything, the only question is what is the holding capacity of these systems and how long can the system sustain itself.


First, how long can the Cultivator Pro sustain itself? Any experienced consumers?


Second, are there other small scale systems similar to cultivator pro that are a step ahead in terms of automation? My budget is around $2000 max, so the Cultivator pro is a little far fetched.

I would look into super soil and a basic plain water auto-watering system. Cheap, good results, and after you have it tuned in (ss to base soil ratio, how often to water, ect...) it would be maintanance free, other than training the plant, moving the light up perhaps, ect, but once your a few weeks in it may be maint. free for a couple weeks.

good luck

Wow, that is an excellent suggestion. Is there a ready-made product available that does this?

I would think that even if you found one leaving the plant for 2 weeks your plant would grow up into the light, burning the tops.

i believe it would be possible to make a device that would raise the lights, say 2"-4" a day.... or at whatever height you would require..... although, I feel that it would be foolish to leave any crop for any extended time. Its important to spend regular time with them, pruning, and simply observing things..... If you happen to have a deficiency, you need to address it right away, or, If you get bugs..... you NEED to spray, RIGHT away. Can you imagine leaving a crop for two weeks, and spider mites get hold in the first days you've left? you'd come back to WEBS!

spend regular time with your girls......