Bioponixag growing containers

Grain Bill

Member
Hey growers!

Until recently I was growing 3 - 4 plants in organic soil, 2 gal containers. Then I started using 2 of those Bioponix containers (bio-hydroponics?) and i'll tell ya about it.

Setup:
SF 2000 light + 2 small led spots
4X2 tent
ScrOG type LST (head is attached low and side shoots are maintained at height of a horizontal net, 10" above top of pots)
Aerated compost based tea
FoxFarm HappyFrog / perlite / composted earthworm castings mix for the soil part
Ok HVAC

With a few grows in 2 gal round fabric pots I found out it would probably be good to increase the amount of soil directly under the light. It would have meant more gal. of soil per plant and using square pots instead of round ones (maybe a single, rectangular one for 3 plants).

But then I've been told of those Bioponix growing containers. The point of the system is to combine advantages of soil organics and regular hydroponics. It's different from other similar products by the fact that there is a layer of rockwool or other inert substrate between the nutrient solution (low) and organic soil (top). That's capillarity watering, top is filled with organic potting soil :

1bac.jpg

2bac.jpg

I asked how to buy them containers and been answered they were not sold at the present time but been offered to borrow 2 of 'em used, to try. So I got 2 of those 28" X 9" containers + bottles of soil conditioner + grow and bloom liquid fertilizers. I was kindly asked to talk it around if I wished and liked, so here I am!

Supplied ferts worked without a doubt but I switched to RAW NPK nutrients for diverse reasons, they work fine as I expected. Then here is the part where I wonder if I'm in the right forum : Is the RAW NPK Grow All-In-One And Bloom All-In-One Feed Chart really organic? That's ok if you tell me what you think! Not 100% organic from my understanding but they definetely consider living soil microorganisms and intend to innoculate, feed and sustain them so that's the way I swing right now. To me, keywords here with RAW NPK products and Bioponix containers are biostimulants, bio-hydroponics, microbes, "feed the soil so it feeds the plant", ...

So yes I am pleased indeed, for diverse reasons - chores management and visible results included-. I will send pics of previous and present Bioponix grows in a next post :
-Durban Poison, 5.7 oz dry / 4 plants (can improve I think)
-Autoflowering Cheese + Glue gelato (harvest soon)
 

Grain Bill

Member
The claim is it's different from other similar products by the fact that there is a layer of rockwool or other inert substrate between the nutrient solution (low) and organic soil (top). I'd say rockwool makes up for 30% of total substrate volume. This would allow to match regular hydroponics yields and speed but with increased flavor/smell. Also, reduced volume of substrate used for claimed similar / bigger yields vs regular pots and potting soil.

I like it at first because it fits perfect into the setup I use, the space directly under the light is rightly used. Drainage possibilities make it real easy to drain the solution then adjust by adding water, ppm / pH it and put it back in through a hole on top (see pic). And I'm happy to use capillary watering by default. The nutes solution reserve is stretched in a long and shallow way so it's well oxyenated I guess, I don't intent to aerate it.
 

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xtsho

Well-Known Member
So how much are you selling them for?
I was thinking the same thing. Overpriced SIP.

Is the RAW NPK Grow All-In-One And Bloom All-In-One Feed Chart really organic? That's ok if you tell me what you think! Not 100% organic from my understanding but they definetely consider living soil microorganisms and intend to innoculate, feed and sustain them so that's the way I swing right now. To me, keywords here with RAW NPK products and Bioponix containers are biostimulants, bio-hydroponics, microbes, "feed the soil so it feeds the plant", ...

So yes I am pleased indeed, for diverse reasons - chores management and visible results included-. I will send pics of previous and present Bioponix grows in a next post :
-Durban Poison, 5.7 oz dry / 4 plants (can improve I think)
-Autoflowering Cheese + Glue gelato (harvest soon)
Those RAW products are just overpriced salts. They are not organic. There may be some humics in some of them but that's about it. Everything else is just repackaged salts that cost 10 time more than the same stuff anyone can buy.

If you only got 5.7 oz from 4 plants then I'd switch to something else because those Fancy SIP containers and overpriced RAW nutrients are not getting it done.
 

Grain Bill

Member
So how much are you selling them for?
Not selling them, not getting paid to talk about it either. Real experience sharing and last time I checked, it was actually not buyable anyways. It's a convenient way to grow as of now and don't know what a retail price would be.

About claimed yield gains, quality and all vs other SIPs, I leave it to tried and true side by side testings, blind tasting tests, etc. wich I can't supply but I do enjoy my smoke!
 

Grain Bill

Member
lants then I'd switch to something else because those Fancy
Yeah the $ for nutes is a matter to adress and I am at a point where I wanted to apply a base feedchart, wishing for predictability - exploring right now, barely tuned-. IMO moneywise, if one wishes to go on with Raw products, he must consider buying no smaller than 2 lbs Grow all in One Bloom containers. I'll keep watching for ways to maximise those containers and keeping biostimulant / organic (?) approach, cost efficiently.

Challenge taken, I intend to raise the yields with next grow Candy Kush!

Before trying this container, I was going more toward supersoil, fabric pots.
 

xtsho

Well-Known Member
Yeah the $ for nutes is a matter to adress and I am at a point where I wanted to apply a base feedchart, wishing for predictability - exploring right now, barely tuned-. IMO moneywise, if one wishes to go on with Raw products, he must consider buying no smaller than 2 lbs Grow all in One Bloom containers. I'll keep watching for ways to maximise those containers and keeping biostimulant / organic (?) approach, cost efficiently.

Challenge taken, I intend to raise the yields with next grow Candy Kush!

Before trying this container, I was going more toward supersoil, fabric pots.
Do a search for Sips. There are numerous threads. Many showing great results using just a DIY and an inexpensive tote.

 

speedwell68

Well-Known Member
Not selling them, not getting paid to talk about it either. Real experience sharing and last time I checked, it was actually not buyable anyways. It's a convenient way to grow as of now and don't know what a retail price would be.

About claimed yield gains, quality and all vs other SIPs, I leave it to tried and true side by side testings, blind tasting tests, etc. wich I can't supply but I do enjoy my smoke!
Sorry for being skeptical and all, but a new member extolling the virtues of a new piece of kit, there has to be a motive.
 

Grain Bill

Member
That's legitimate / necessary skepticism. My enthusiasm is really turned towards that growing method (SIP), wich I had not considered before going to fabric pots at first. As to the actual benefits of adding a layer of rockwool between the solution and the soil, I could not tell. The approach could probably be tested in many other DIY SIP kits indeed but my guess is that some calibration could be required.

Talking it around was really something I wanted to do after being given this opportunity to test the system and reflect on my grow...
 

JimmyJackCorn

Well-Known Member
That's legitimate / necessary skepticism. My enthusiasm is really turned towards that growing method (SIP), wich I had not considered before going to fabric pots at first. As to the actual benefits of adding a layer of rockwool between the solution and the soil, I could not tell. The approach could probably be tested in many other DIY SIP kits indeed but my guess is that some calibration could be required.

Talking it around was really something I wanted to do after being given this opportunity to test the system and reflect on my grow...
You will find most SIP users here to be very enthusiastic about them. Glad to see other enthusiasts gather!

There is a main SIP thread in the Indoor section as well.

I bet we would all love to know how this goes for you. Keep us posted!
 
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