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Auto watering?

So, welcome to the forum. If I could give just a bit of advice.
Give more information than just 'these auto waters.' There are many types of self-watering systems.
Are you indoor or outdoor? What is your medium? What type of pots? How much space do you have? Stuff like that. Otherwise, I have to make smarmy comments like, 'do you mean radiator fluid' for auto water or I have to post good fun pictures like this...
Carnac_the_Magnificent.jpg
 
Sorry….F’ing newbie
so it’s Indoors and (2-3)5 gal fider pots. Particularly the ones from AC Infinity. wondering If anyone has ever used and results. They seem pricey but sometimes I work a lot and can’t water them every other day.
 
The best auto watering in my opinion is a Blumat system specifically the Tropf Blumat system. Can be set up to run indefinitely without supervision. I have mine connected to my house plumbing (or you can do a reservoir)and I love it and never water. I also have limited time around work. More importantly in living soil a constant moisture level with less dry back is important so the continuous watering is an advantage as the system is self regulating for moisture level.

It’s not without draw backs, any auto water system can fail and flood one connected to your plumbing can flood indefinitely so make sure you think of that. I have had that happen a couple times due to operator error, however it has always been confined in my tent.
Do your research there is quite a bit of info out there.

I have no connection to Blumat just a satisfied customer
if you are in the US check out Sustainable Village as they are the distributor and have a tonne of info and stuff
 
Smallgrow said:
The best auto watering in my opinion is a Blumat system specifically the Tropf Blumat system. Can be set up to run indefinitely without supervision. I have mine connected to my house plumbing (or you can do a reservoir)and I love it and never water. I also have limited time around work. More importantly in living soil a constant moisture level with less dry back is important so the continuous watering is an advantage as the system is self regulating for moisture level.

It’s not without draw backs, any auto water system can fail and flood one connected to your plumbing can flood indefinitely so make sure you think of that. I have had that happen a couple times due to operator error, however it has always been confined in my tent.
Do your research there is quite a bit of info out there.

I have no connection to Blumat just a satisfied customer
if you are in the US check out Sustainable Village as they are the distributor and have a tonne of info and stuff
Click to expand...
What size did you buy? I see there is a xl version, also do you have individual ones each going to water source or a line feed connecting all?

I have 2 tents and the plants all on the floor so i can’t really adjust the height of plant to reservoir
 
If you’re connecting to plumbing you need to start with their pressure regulator to keep pressure low for the system. You can read up on that in their directions. From there it goes to a single larger supply line that can supply quite a few pots. Each pot will get a branch line off the main then to a “carrot” in each pot that will control the drippers or drip tape in that pot. I’m using the regular size with success in 7gal pots. I will experiment with the longer ones but I’ve heard they are not necessary, or even beneficial in this size pot
Read up on the reservoir set up, my understanding is it would only need to be 4 or 5 feet above the soil level so it’s possible inside if your plants are on the floor
 
Have a look at this page and watch the video it will show you the basics of the res type set up. it’s just a random one I pulled up.
They also have a tonne of other designs to choose from and even preset carrots so you don’t even have to to that
If you’re in Canada we have other retailers to shop at but the info is the same either way. It’s a European company so if your across the pond you’ll find them there too.
 
That looks like AC Infinity's take on the autopot system. I searched for an auto watering system when I needed one. Now I use autopots because they are easy and I don't have to mix nutes or water everyday. I use a 12 gallon rez. Depending on the growth stage I can go about a week w/o having to add water or nutrients to the rez. The plants take what they want when they want. I tried a few store bought systems but nothing worked for me. I built a DIY system with a reservoir and a pump. That got me through the first lengthy absence from my plants. Then I discovered the autopot. Haven't looked back since.

https://autopot-usa.com/
 
Any suggestions on keeping fertilizers mixed when auto watering?

im using fox farms line up and soil. I have had my auto watering running about 3 weeks now and it’s awesome.

I mix the nutes and set the watering rate at 7 minutes per hour. I am using fabric pots so this rate is slow enough that the water doesn’t just leak out.

but, after all the water is out of my 5gal bottle there is a lot of settled fertilizer sediment at the bottom. Any ideas or suggestions on how to keep it mixed?

I am going to try and up the watering rate so that it doesn’t take so long and less settling but I know that won’t 100% resolve the issue
 
It shouldn't do that. How long does the 5 gal tank last? Are you thoroughly mixing? Mechanically or by hand?

I don't use fox farms so don't have 1st hand experience on it but tell me, are they liquid nutes designed to be used together and what does the manufacturer say about using them and any time frames after mixing?
 
Using soil, you might want to let it dry out a bit. Roots tend to need oxygen. Coco is a different story. Foxfarm Big Bloom is the one that gives you the sediment. Never tried to use it automated. Maybe someone here has a little experience with that.
 
Aerating it constantly may help with that but likely will raise pH too much and too quickly.
 
The 5 gal lasts depending on the watering schedule, I 5 gallon bottle but only water 3 1/2 gallons each time because I have five plants

I’ve been watering at a rate of about seven minutes per hour, and usually set to water day before so the solution will sit about 17 hours

fox farm mixing nutes is ok, today I will probably water and do at a faster rate and see how it turns out.

thinking about it, if I set to water night before that’s about 12 hrs before starting and that’s probably the issue.
 
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