ello


I'm after a cheap, low maintenance way of keeping my plants watered, effectively if I can only water once a week I'll be a happy chappy.

After two failed automatic watering systems for my compost grow (one DIY, one purchased) I'm getting a little frustrated and spent more time calibrating, fixing and cleaning up pools of water than I would had I just watered normally!

So I'm now thinking of how I can simplify the whole thing. My plants all sit in a water-tight tub, if I put enough water for a week in there, along with a few airstones and some make shift plastic sheet lid over the lot, what's the worst that could happen? Anyone been daft enough to try such a thing?


peace

Then grow hydro with a decent sized res

Thats the only way as automated systems for compost are next to useless

Owd

Hi KF what was the purchased system? . Have been looking at an autopot myself for an indoor palm tree.e2a Owd, are these autopots useless then?

I tried the exactish from what you describe thing, my design based loosely on an 'earthbox', don't waste your time mate, after a good initial growth it just led to problems with them having constantly wet compost

No mate not useless but not made for compost, auto pots are an hydro system

Owd

but dont they work on a wet dry cycle ?

So far the best thing I've seen for the most hands off/automated is the Autopot system, but even then it needs pH balancing every few days.

Coco + drippers (recirc, or to waste) could be the ticket for you?

GN

I'm coming round to the idea of building myself a bubbler, I've a few logistical issues with the pro kits in my setup. Was just getting used to compo growing and now I've got to learn it all over again!




this: http://www.uk420.com/boards/index.php?showtopic=190282 it started out all good but now I've sprung a (very slow) leak and lost pressure at the pump. Might be worth stripping down, cleaning out, unblocking, improving, sealing up etc. but I'm buggered if I have to do that every few weeks



yeah I guess mold or unfriendly bacteria could quickly become a problem or the soil could just turn to soup

not familiar with that system but gives me something to reasearch

um, what about a wick watering system??? super simple, super cheap and it works

why go high tech when you can go low

Kidfix, here's a link to my system's I bodged together, first one worked quite well but was only a 1 on 1 plant comparison so results could be doubtful to some people. 2nd system was too big and got out of hand,major fungal/overwatering issues followed.
1st design
2nd design

always the hempy bucket/krusty bucket try doing a search

that's not an autopot though? get yaself an autopot and some coco, i literally go to my grow room once a week and fill the res up with nute solution........... that's it.