First Aeroponics Grow

Hey guys, this is my first aeroponics grow. I have my system all setup but I have been having trouble trying to find out what a good timing is for the misters to turn on and off. I have heard many different times from 5 sec on/2-3mins off or 1 min on/3 off or 15min on 5 hours/off.

I can do any interval between 1 sec to minutes or hours.

Does anyone with real aeroponics experience have any suggestions???

Any help or a point in the right direction would be appreciated!!! :)
 

orangecat

Member
I would try 3 on 15 off... 5 hours would dry out the roots in an aeroponic system, I would think.

I see no other responses, so I figured I would drop in. If someone with more experience wants to say something, feel free.
 

PetFlora

Well-Known Member
Need more information: High Pressure or Low Pressure? What mist heads. how large is the pod...?

Pod volume is an important consideration in setting feed cycles, as well as number of mist heads

Everyone's room, temperature, humidity, plant type/size is different.

Due to the many variables, which includes how many lumens the plant(s) are receiving, bottom line, There is no ONE way.

If you have a true HP system, and > 15G pod then 1/3:00 is a good starting point, BUT you need to monitor over 3-4 hours and begin dialing it in

FYI you need a minimum of 1.5 cubic feet of air space per plant. 3 cft much better
 
Hey PetFlora, my specs are below

High Pressure 125 PSI coming from an Aquatec 6800 pump for every 13 misters (26 total one for each site) for a total of 26 plants which are rated at 1 GPH. I also have a 9 head fogger that runs from the same reservoir as the aero solution. It's actually a Aero/Fogger/NFT style system. It's made by multiponics http://multiponics.com/grow-methods/

4L x 4W x 7H grow tent

low to mid 70's for air temp and similar temps for water

Humidity floats from %45 - %60 until I buy a humidifier/dehumidifier to keep the room stable

doing SOG

27 gallon reservoir

400 watt MH to Veg

1000 watt HPS for flower

400 CFM fan w/ carbon filter

Using full Aqua Canna nutrient line with all additives
 

Atomizer

Well-Known Member
The 6800 doesnt have enough flow to drive 13 x 1gph nozzles directly, an 8800 could manage upto about 100psi.
Tee off a pressure guage into the line to see what your minimum pressure is during misting, i think you`ll find its closer to 40psi than 125psi.

Update, did a quick test with my 6800 and with 4x 5LPH nozzles i get a steady pressure of 62psi. Your 13 nozzles take a lot more flow (49LPH) and the pressure drop will be even greater. If the manufacturer`s brochure states you`ll have 125psi, i`d demand at least a partial refund because its just not possible :)

our high pressure aero kits can produce an ideal 50 micron mist
Ask him for a copy of the lab report and see what he says :)
 
Damn that makes me sad :( but it's definitely good to know. I thought the spraying seemed a bit weak but not that low of a pressure rating. So you think I would be better off with the 8800 for every 13 sprayers?

The Multiponics guys that sold me the system said the 6800 was going to be good enough for up to 18 sprayers I guess that means they lied!

Thanks for the information I really appreciated it hopefully I can get some $$ back and get the proper equipment.
 

Atomizer

Well-Known Member
Sorry to be the bearer of bad news mate. The guy that designed the system is at fault, he`s not much of an engineer because its simple math. I guess they dont supply a pressure guage with the system so you cant tell what the pressure is ;)
Two 8800`s is one option but its not ideal and it`d be expensive...unless the other guy is willing to foot the bill.
Another alternative is to add an accumulator, pressure switch and solenoid. Then the 6800 will be enough to supply all your nozzles and the pump will run once every few hours instead of 20 times an hour.
I run 24 x 5lph nozzles with a combined flow of 120LPH on one 6800, equivalent to 31x 1gph nozzles but it`ll certainly handle more if needed.
 

Bob Smith

Well-Known Member
Atomizer, I want you to put out a plug and play HP system.........that'd be tits :)

Hope things are well.....
 
No they didn't supply a pressure gauge I was under the impression after inquiring about the system quite a bit that it was basically going to be a plug n play setup. I'm definitely going to grab a pressure gauge.

Can you suggest any accumulator pumps and a solenoid?

Thanks for the information Atomizer I really appreciate it. I was really lost and not able to find much info about HPA on-line.
 

Bob Smith

Well-Known Member
No they didn't supply a pressure gauge I was under the impression after inquiring about the system quite a bit that it was basically going to be a plug n play setup. I'm definitely going to grab a pressure gauge.

Can you suggest any accumulator pumps and a solenoid?

Thanks for the information Atomizer I really appreciate it. I was really lost and not able to find much info about HPA on-line.
After lots of looking, the Extol (or something like that) tanks were the only ones rated to 150psi that I could find on the American side of the Pond. As far as solenoids, Valves4You (again, or something to that effect) on eBay has all the solenoids that I've used (I've used lots, for standard plumbing apps and for some HP aero messing around).

If you're interested I'll find you some links...........as far as pressure gauge, Grainger has everything you could ever want.
 
After lots of looking, the Extol (or something like that) tanks were the only ones rated to 150psi that I could find on the American side of the Pond. As far as solenoids, Valves4You (again, or something to that effect) on eBay has all the solenoids that I've used (I've used lots, for standard plumbing apps and for some HP aero messing around).

If you're interested I'll find you some links...........as far as pressure gauge, Grainger has everything you could ever want.

Hey thanks for responding.
I think I have found everything I need. Not 100% sure I'm looking at the following

Solenoid Valve - http://www.ebay.com/itm/1-4-SS-12V-DC-Solenoid-Valve-STAINLESS-VITON-S20V-/290530101009?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item43a4f18711

Water Pressure Gauge - http://www.coralreefsupply.com/index.php?aquarium=detail&detail=1455

I guess my question now is how many 1 GPH misters can I run off a 150psi 10 gallon accumulator tank without issues and with how far of a run?
 

Bob Smith

Well-Known Member
You're gonna need to know (have a range, at least) how often those misters are going to be firing, and you're going to need Atomizer to do that math :)
 

Atomizer

Well-Known Member
With the tank pressure running 140psi down to 100psi, cycle timing of 1sec on 60sec off (worst case).
Using 52x 1gph nozzles the pump will run once every 3 hours. I cant imagine you`d need 52 nozzles (helluva chamber) but even if you do there`s still capacity to spare.
 
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