Real world Hi-Pressure Aeroponics

Can't help but being amused by all the assumptions spouted and armchair QB'ing when it comes to high pressure aeroponics.

Reading the TAG thread makes for interesting read - a good amount of chuckles included.(Focusing on one part (H.P. nutrient supply) and ignoring all else -light....!?- does not make for a healthy grow.)

And then there are some who do seem to know but are not too forthcoming with info.

In this thread I would like to focus on H.P nutrient delivery - the crux of the system.

See Images.

As the questions roll in we shall delve into the specifics, and discover that, once the initial intimidation factor has worn off, and the veil of misconceptions has been lifted, HP Aeroponics is a beautiful and relatively low maintenance method.
Enjoy!

What kind of pressures does that accumulator maintain. BTW I didnt see a relief valve. Looks like a cool setup.

The accumulator tank is rated up to 100 psi, but my system is maintained at ~45 psi by the on-demand pump.

Yaaaaaah..... relief valve........ figured w. that kinda pressure dont really need one. But that's just me. Or maybe I forgot, and I am just talking out of my ass.....
If you want to be up to code (hahahaha) one should put it in.

LOL. Its up to you. I wont call the inspectors. I would want one just to protect my pump. What kind of air pump do you have and how much did it $, if you dont mind me asking?

Please ask - that's what this is for.
I am using shurflo 2088 594 144 diaphragm pumps. Available on ebay - item #320547297109. This pumps is designed for agriculture irrigation.
Paid $80 for it, they go list for about 140 or so. (These guys on Ebay have the best deal. Their service is amazing, one of my pumps broke, they sent me a new one immediately, before they even got the busted one in)

Hell yeah. Ill have to keep that in mind.

Was going to continue in Aerogarden, but we'll keep it right here.

FYI I think the AeroGardeners section is for the actual AeroGarden unit.

Ok - got it - we'll see where it continues. Was wondering.
I'll just reply wherever it hits.
Thanks.

That's a really cool aero setup. How have the growth and yield held up with it? Must say I'm working hard at mastering the aero art. Having tons of fun with it. I've found the GH rainforest working better than my lp custom tube style aero tables. Fairly new to it all. Learning the co2 generator and watercooling as well. Very cool shit. Thinking HP aero the way. Not that vie done that. Was thinking about a unit just like yours. Have you grown with many aero styles?

This is my first aero set-up, designed by myself from scratch, and after losing my mind a few times and refusing to quit, finally getting it running like clockwork.
Through trial and error I derived to a 4 (vertical) posts x 2 rows per "rack"-system, and run them in what I call 9/3 cycle (9 racks / 3 racks start flower /3 racks full bloom, 3 racks finishing)
Some strains flower a little shorter, some longer, so we're just averaging it out.

The girls are rewarding me BIG-time.... - one adjustment I had to make was in the veg-time. Used to have them in veg for 2-3 wks, now, once they have fully developed roots, off they go. Aero really gets their height up in flowering.

Started out with the "StinkBud" system - for those not in the know check this out www.stinkbuddies.com - absolutely fantastic.
I still run the cloner and veg-units in "StinkBud".
I can honestly say i have a 100% success rate with my clones, so it alway surprises me when i read about people's problems, or the complicated methods being used. Remember, kiss.
My main motivation for switching to aero was root-health. Somehow I kept getting root rot. No matter what I did. When that happens, no amount of nutrients, or anything else you do, will make a difference. After a few grows with that system (stinkbud) I realized that getting more a more oxygenated nutrient supply, in combination with roots being able to breathe, would result in healthier plants.

Which is what's happening right now. A little nutrient goes a long, long way.
The tweaking and dialing in of the system took a few weeks, but was worth the effort. It actually turns out to be fairly low-maintenance. If you keep certain basic things in order.

I found that pretty much any problem involving this "crop" most of the time can be directly traced to healthy roots, or the lack thereof. When you have (and maintain!!!) a healthy root-system, this plant is pretty much indestructible. Once this basic need is met, you can focus on all the other issues, which only then will pay off.

Anyone thinking about switching to HP aero, PLEASE do not be discouraged by all the horror stories - it usually means people are talking out of their ass, or they simply went about it the wrong way. There is a lot of misinformation, or worse, talk of how "complicated" and "vulnerable", everything is, when really, it's not.
Please ask away.

I really like the PVC tube set up... How do you place the sprayers and what type you got? drain to waste???

Interesting setup, hoping to see some pics of those roots! I Run a 3600gph sump pump not sure what kinda Psi that creates but I use 10 gallons for 40 plants and it last 4 days.

once you drill the correct hole in the pvc you twist the sprayer in there with your fingers cause the pvc is soft enough for the sprayers threads to comfortably twist in. hurts ur fingers after a while though

Medjack said:

I really like the PVC tube set up... How do you place the sprayers and what type you got? drain to waste???

Click to expand...

i wanna see some more pics of the setup, like inside of the chambers and the rest of the plumbing. that looks like a really cool and freash way of administering nutrients. I like it.

what kind of pump do i need for aero if i do not use an accumulator tank ?

Please keep in mind - we are talking MISTING hi-pressure aeroponics, 40-5- psi.
The system I am presenting you with is what I found to work best, for me. I highly recommend doing whatever it takes to make improvements, however some things you don't want to deviate from, it cost me considerable $$$ and time to find this out.
Vendors and products i recommend also are the result of plenty of R&D.
The pump (see earlier post)-and accumulator tank (Lowe's or Home Depot) combo being one of them.
You NEED an accumulator tank - small effort, relatively little cost, it is the only way.
Or your pump keeps running almost non-stop. Which makes noise, and eventually will prematurely wear out your pump.

Again, speaking hardware, don't be intimidated. Once you see how it all fits together, it is easy.
HOWEVER - some basic plummer-experience and general "handiman" knowledge will go a long way. I would consider this system for the advanced beginner, or those willing to make a few mistakes and learn as they stay with it.

I am using misting nozzles (black, www.cloudtops.com), 2 per tube, placed slightly staggered, opposite from each other. This is the essence of the system.

Important thing I do is pre-filter the intake nutes with a 100 micron filter. This virtually eliminates the dreaded nozzle clog.

Nutes are being recycled using submersible aquarium pumps. Before depletion or balance becomes an issue, usually the fluid level will be so low fresh nute batches have to be made. Typically I do a thorough flush&clean every 2 nute batches.

high dee,

Why do you think the air tank is "the only way to go"?

I've run tandem 3/4 hp high head pressure pumps 15 seconds on and 15 minutes off-----more is not necessary.

I like the idea of having more vertical volume for the root zone----my biggest gripe with tubes.

A~~

Depending on the size of your system you obviously can run w.out a tank.
However, it will reduce wear, and it will maintain that working pressure in your line at all times, without any lag time. Considering the goal is to provide a fine mist, I find that crucial. When one has to push a bunch of nozzles at 40-50 psi, this will be a hard order to fill, for any pump.
Having an accumulator tank allows you to do a lot, with a lot less pump, and without wearing it out.
How many nozzles ary you pushing?
And I'm with you on those roots - now they have oodles of room, and when they get a little too enthusiastic, simply pull them out for a hair cut, without having to untangle some god-awful mess...
ps - here's where I get my pump(s) - these guys are AWESOME!: http://myworld.ebay.com/juststumbledin/

deeweromekoms said:

it will maintain that working pressure in your line at all times

Click to expand...

Imho, it would be more accurate to say the working pressure is maintained between the tank and solenoid at all times.