Acinifinity self watering plates

[Keto]

Hi, has anyone had any experience using ac infinity self watering plates using cloth pots. Thanks in advance for your help!

[Gingerbeard]

AAAARRRRGGGHHHHHHHH!!!! etc.

[Gingerbeard]

That's my way of saying, "Two threads started, two product questions." Smells like an advertiser, to me.
Maybe I'm sensitive.

[Farmbuck]

Sorry for being slow young Ginger, I got a lot on my mind lately !!

[Gingerbeard]

All is good, mon amigo... Sometimes I speak frustrated.

[Keto]

Maybe you’re just a butthead. Do you just sit on this site smoking weed and wait for me? Are you the official keyboard ranger for the group?

[Gingerbeard]

Yes. Yes. Yes. And I'm sensitive.

[Rootsruler]

I know some that have used them. They like them but there are some cons to it. I think something about the wicking system but don't remember if it was serious or just a small issue.

[bboyfromwayback]

Go with AutoPots if you want something ‘self watering’

[Rootsruler]

This guy is running auto pots in a 3 x 3

(4) Pipecarver with a Spiderfarmer G3000 over Auto Pots in a 3x3 | Bud Builders - Making Friends, Growing Cannabis

[grouchyoldman]

There are far better options than the AC Infinity auto pots. These systems are of two types, Bottom Watering wicks, and true Octopots and their micro cousins. The difference is large, Wicks just keep a plant watered, Octopots create two entire root systems by design; one in the reservoir, one in the soil above, usually in a fabric or air pot.

If there is interest here I'd be glad to offer a deeper dive,
-Grouchy

[Rootsruler]

Always open to new ideas!!

[StickyNugsAZ]

So you keep a reservoir full for veg, then switch it over to flower nutes? Is watering pretty much hands off on your Octopots?

[kingfish]

I'm not too hip on self watering systems. I prefer to water by hand. That's when I check out the girls and do the necessary adjusting.

[grouchyoldman]

Rootsruler, StickyNugsAZ,

I'm reluctant to steer loyal GWE members to another website for info, but the links below offer a deep dive into the world of Octopots.

If anyone on GWE wants to try an inexpensive system that grows large plants in small pots using a relatively hands-off method, I'll be glad to spend some time here offering what I've learned.

https://overgrow.com/t/micro-octopot-grow/55869

I have developed an autowatering system for Octopot that allows me to leave them unattended for a couple of weeks if that need arises. No pumps, no electricity. This optimizes the advantages of the basic systems.

https://overgrow.com/t/do-it-yourself-microoctopot-auto-fill-system/86041

Cheers,
-Grouchy

[SoOrbudgal]

Very interesting do the fabric pots allow all the roots to suspend in the fluid? Or is it similar to wicking up? They sit on those plates, water flows through then after a hr or so it all gets sucked/wicked up ?

[Rootsruler]

Yer fine. I frequent other sites and have posted links. It's about the info. If they want to join there too there's no reason not to as info is the reason we're all here.

[StickyNugsAZ]

Thanks a lot for the info grouchy. This type of hybrid system really interests me. Especially if I could be gone for 2 weeks.
Wouldn't air in the bottom be advantageous?

[grouchyoldman]

SoOrbudgal: "Very interesting do the fabric pots allow all the roots to suspend in the fluid? Or is it similar to wicking up? They sit on those plates, water flows through then after a hr or so it all gets sucked/wicked up ?"

The secret sauce of Octopots is that they create a double root system, one in the bottom reservoir where the roots are partially submerged like a hydro setup, and a separate root system that nearly fills the fabric pot on top. This allows for incredible aeration and some very large yields.

The net cup sits in a hole in the bottom of the fabric pot so the roots have direct access to the lower reservoir. We vary the water level in the bottom rez to control whether roots are being formed above or below.

This is also the easiest system I've ever used because it takes watering schedules out of the equation. There is always at least some water in the bottom and the plant takes what it needs. I have had large flowering plants drink a gallon a day during stretch. The plants seem to love having the air gap in the lower rez vary. They don't even seem to mind the rez going almost dry! Surprising.

We vary the nutrient mix to suit the growth stage then just periodically top off the lower pot as needed. With an autofiller setup I mix five gallons at a time, fill the separate large reservoir then fill a pipe and watch the show. Honestly it's almost boring. LoL.

-Grouchy
PS, no disrespect to the many other SIP (Self Irrigating Systems), I know many get great results with them too.

[SoOrbudgal]

Thank you for this information

[StickyNugsAZ]

Do you treat it like living soil regarding nutrients and ph?
Cool system you made there!

[grouchyoldman]

"Do you treat it like living soil regarding nutrients and ph?"

Great question Sticky, the strangest part of all is that the best soil for the air-pot up top is basically coco, nute-free ProMix plus lots of perlite??? The Dry Side upper root system up top is all about AIR, unfettered oxygen to help roots do what roots do. (super soil mixes just get muddy and wrong in octos)

It just works.

[Edit, oh yeah, pH is a big deal and wants to be 5.5 to 6.0 for feed water. If you are serious, you want to monitor pH, EC (or PPM), and the rate your plants are drinkng. If you know that you can adjust as needed for each strain's preferences.]