thejokertoker2011
Member
Interesting. When I was running 5sec on/3 min off if I didn't use a fogger in conjunction with the pumps the roots would start to look dried out and I would see the plants wilting.
True HP Aero For 2011
- Thread starter Trichy Bastard
- Start date
Looks like he's using 35 gallon trash cans. When running the nozzles from the top do you hang them below the net pot or same level?
Yea your off time might be to long try the same on time with 1-2 min off. The idea is to let them dry out a lil bit before firing again( somone correct me if I'm wrong)
Trichy Bastard
Well-Known Member
Every setup is different, but something to figure into the idea is that the roots slowly adapt to less mist if the conditions are good otherwise. If they start to develop fuzz they will be alot more efficient and able to handle less misting. So less mist makes root hairs and root hairs allow the plant to need less mist. You sort of have to slowly dial back the timings and allow the roots to adapt, if you dial back too quickly the roots brown and then you're really set back though. It helps if the netpots are filled with tiny rockwool cubes as a medium and you handwater the netpots each day. That way the plant gets some moisture in the netpot while the outer roothairs can start growing fuzz.
DoktorD1313
Member
Yeah, I don't know why I left it at the .2 second interval to shoot the video, I guess I wasn't thinking... haha.. Anyway, I'll listen to you guys, but I haveta say I just can't shake the feeling in my gut that with all the steps and measures taken to control the pressure, flow, droplet size, and placement of the nozzles that this won't be more of an issue. It just seems to me that the nozzle output is what all that builds up to and these nozzles are just dropping the ball where it matters most. In my mind I shouldn't be able to just "bend the impingement pin slightly" to adjust for the specific droplet size we're striving for.
All that being said, I'm no expert by any means so I'm going to give these a whirl since they've proven themselves with the veterans
However, while I'm running the setup, I'll definitely be searching for a better grade nozzle with a much more consistent performance.First off, thanks for the advice!
Through the lid, huh? I'll haveta experiment with that and see what I come up with. You're right about a good amount of the mist hitting the sides of the container/downward/upward. I'm definitely going to fool around with nozzle placement to see if I can't find a better solution.
As for the solenoids and pressure, I'm running at 100psi to the nozzles and each nozzle is threaded directly into the solenoid via reducing bushings (the wall of the trash can is sandwiched between the solenoid and the bushing. works perfectly as this supports and secures the solenoids in place).
Dickhead is right about the chamber, I'm using a 35 gallon trash can. I'd like to put 4 nozzles in there, but 4 seems like it would make it more tricky to achieve the 1ml/100L mark. Like I said, I'll haveta play around with the top shooting nozzle idea, as it make prove difficult to find suitable placement so that too the spray isn't hitting the netpot. (I plan on using a 3" netpot).
thejokertoker2011
Member
Thanks for your reply Dickhead
I just switched to 5 sec on and 2 min off. I also have a 9 head fogger in the system. I'm not that familiar with foggers either do you have any timing recommendations for that? I was running 15min on and 15 mins off but I feel like it might have been depriving the roots of oxygen because the on time is too long?? So, I decided to shut it off for the time being.
NP! Idk about the fogger but its def adding more variables so eliminating will help IMO.
thejokertoker2011
Member
Yeah, that is what I had figured as well. I'm going to leave the fogger off for now and dial in the aero pumps and then mess around with the fogger a bit.
Trichy Bastard
Well-Known Member
Not to burst your bubble, but rom30 found those ages ago and he reports they work well in his setup.
Doktor, the epiphany I had was that I really didn't know what the correct mist looked like, so how can we judge it really? I know it's easy to tell the stream isn't perfect, but it seems to still work nonetheless. Some of the nozzles are beyond usable, so those should be sorted out and you can send them in for replacements they already told me. Give them a try and in no time you'll forget you ever worried about them.
Part of my problem is I used the mist Cavadge got to make the mental picture of what I was looking for, but in the end his roots never looked like what I wanted, so.....
Trichy Bastard
Well-Known Member
They're only 15 bucks cheaper than the ones I used, but mine have a nice polished finish- lol... There is a chance these solenoids might even have a slightly faster response time too... Let us know when you put them in.
Nice I'm psyched I found them! Now to build my chamber?... Ill keep you posted on that
DoktorD1313
Member
Yeah, from everything you and others have been telling me, they should be sufficient. None the less, I did spend a little money today on some other misting nozzles that claim to fall within the 50-80 micron range so I'll see how they compare to the biocontrols. I'll use the biocontrols on the first run regardless, but it never hurts to experiment a little later on
Trichy Bastard
Well-Known Member
Yes, it's good to keep testing new stuff, but in the beginning, it's best to follow the known recipe for success, so at least you have a benchmark from which to test against like you plan to do. I believe tf has tested many many nozzles, expensive ones too, and still advocates the bios, so that's a good reason to give em a good shot.Yeah, from everything you and others have been telling me, they should be sufficient. None the less, I did spend a little money today on some other misting nozzles that claim to fall within the 50-80 micron range so I'll see how they compare to the biocontrols. I'll use the biocontrols on the first run regardless, but it never hurts to experiment a little later on
thejokertoker2011
Member
Hey TB,
When you say the roots slowly adapt to less mist how much time are we talking like hours or days?
I have my timer running 5 sec on / 4 min off and I can't seem to get past there without wilting. It's been about 24 hours since I started making the off time longer. Unfortunately, 5 sec on is the lowest my timer will go
professorkush
Member
thanks for the replyHere's my opinion and honest answer. If you're trying to beat some record or need results quick, don't bother with HP. If you enjoy the fun of doing some different sort of project then go for it. There are some advantages for sure. The fact we can go drain to waste is a huge benefit imo. Also the energy savings and automation/low maintenance is great. When built properly an dialed in (which will take a long time if ever at all) it is probably the best way to grow in terms of plant performance, but getting there is not anything easy or quick. I expect to see growth nearly 30-40 % faster in perfectly dialed in aero vs soil, but perhaps I am being optomistic. I can't repeat enough you probably will not be hitting those kind of numbers for at least a year after starting your build...
how much water is actually wasted?
how do you have the drain to waste setup is there a pump @ the bottom of the root chamber pumping it out?
The idea is to use a steady cycle to maintain the right level of mist. If you run 5sec/4min you have a very defined wet/dry situation compared to using say 1.25sec/ 1minute which delivers the same amount of liquid but evenly spread over the same time frame. That gives you a more constant level in the chamber compared to the wet/dry situation.Hey TB,
When you say the roots slowly adapt to less mist how much time are we talking like hours or days?
I have my timer running 5 sec on / 4 min off and I can't seem to get past there without wilting. It's been about 24 hours since I started making the off time longer. Unfortunately, 5 sec on is the lowest my timer will go
If the roots have to adapt the environment isnt right, ideally you want the roots to exit the netpot complete with root hairs
BflexNJshore
Well-Known Member
Thought I would finally share an image of my set-up in progress. Ive waiting a while to post a pic and boy am I proud my first one is real areo!
A little imagination has to be used as some tubing is not there. The control box sits below the pump and I will be using plug in soleniods so the sites can be moved where ever and when ever. Chamber porn soon to follow.
P.S. NO BRASS!
A little imagination has to be used as some tubing is not there. The control box sits below the pump and I will be using plug in soleniods so the sites can be moved where ever and when ever. Chamber porn soon to follow.
P.S. NO BRASS!