MGD420's Second Grow Journal

MGD420 said:
Thanks for the reply Rexer.

When you mention Smart power bar, is it something similar to these ?

1624127688817.png


Can you post a link to the water sensor or explain how it works.

Thanks again
Click to expand...

I did a write up and a how to, talked about ups/downs
Thread 'How to setup a smart power strip for a grow' How to setup a smart power strip for a grow

The sensor I got was off the 'Zon
1624127805764.png


If you go that route and decide to use it let me know and I'll show you the programming for the sensor.
 
Rexer said:
I did a write up and a how to, talked about ups/downs
Thread 'How to setup a smart power strip for a grow' How to setup a smart power strip for a grow

The sensor I got was off the 'Zon
1624127858029.png

If you go that route and decide to use it let me know and I'll show you the programming for the sensor.
Click to expand...
Thanks Rexer. It's much appreciated.

I'll have a look at the link on amazon and have a read at your thread as well.
I may go this route or do something similar to what bluter was suggesting. Only turning the pump on when I need to feed the plants then turn off when not needed as apposed to going fully automated.
 
MGD420 said:
I'm online just now having a good look. I've managed to find an 8 port rainbird drip manifold, I can see what you mean by being pricey compared to some other brands. Cheapest I've seen them are around £28 UK

There's another brand "Orbit" that offer an 8 port adjustable flow manifold would this be any good and how would I go about attaching that to the pump. They do 4 port and 8 port from what I've gathered.

Drip Manifold
1624128159004.png

thanks again for all the help and advice
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really any manifold will do. you're only looking for one that supplies equal pressure to all lines.

when we had the big med grow we built a manifold and used valves on the feed t lines to control pressure ensuring equal distribution. much more complicated, but achievable even with the mini-drip line stuff.


easiest thing to do is a hard line straight up from the pump direct to the manifold. there are pre-tapped hard lines you buy at different lengths, or you can just get the plastic pipe and tap it yourself cut to custom. i did the latter..

pump sits in the res. res in the middle of the set up.


full



full



manifold threads on top..

this is the same thing used in a drip ring system type rdwc set up.
i wouldn't set up rdwc this way again though. however would work for hempy. either injection or drip ring.


full



Rexer said:
I did a write up and a how to, talked about ups/downs
Thread 'How to setup a smart power strip for a grow' How to setup a smart power strip for a grow

The sensor I got was off the 'Zon
1624127924151.png

If you go that route and decide to use it let me know and I'll show you the programming for the sensor.
Click to expand...


nice @Rexer



 
should be fine.
 
Most of the stuff has arrived so can get the rest of the grow room finished and a start on building the automated feeding system.

I liked the idea that @Rexer had mentioned about using a powerbar that would allow me to program, check and manually override timer settings wherever I am by using a mobile device so bought some WiFi smart plugs.
Although not a powerbar they serve the same purpose but can be used independently and accessed using either my mobile, tablet or PC.
Maybe in the future depending on how things go I might try setting up a fully automated system for the entire grow room using something like raspberry pi.

Ordered some more fittings and hose as I want to have a setup that is more similar to a dutch bucket style system where run off can be redirected back into the main reservoir and recirculated.
 
MGD420 said:
Maybe in the future depending on how things go I might try setting up a fully automated system for the entire grow room using something like raspberry pi.
Click to expand...


there are piles of aftermarket systems. you might be able to adapt one cheaper. most are sold as part of a total hydro package though, but there has to be a few stand alone types.
 
bluter said:
there are piles of aftermarket systems. you might be able to adapt one cheaper. most are sold as part of a total hydro package though, but there has to be a few stand alone types.
Click to expand...
Do they control everything ? I know with the raspberry pi it's possible to control everything, fans, dehumidifiers, lights, feeding schedules etc it just needs to be set up and programmed properly. I haven't looked much into it though or what other hardware would be needed to run alongside the pi, I just know it's possible. It's a pretty interesting concept though to have everything fully automated.
 
yeah they do. some are automated right down to mixing. you'll find more of it in connection to flat out hydro, but there are systems for all type of media. most are made for larger grows though.

a computer tech i know wanted to put one together and found there were several already developed when he did the research. the main issue was scale.


edit : it also winds up being a fair bit of gear.
 
bluter said:
yeah they do. some are automated right down to mixing. you'll find more of it in connection to flat out hydro, but there are systems for all type of media. most are made for larger grows though.

a computer tech i know wanted to put one together and found there were several already developed when he did the research. the main issue was scale.


edit : it also winds up being a fair bit of gear.
Click to expand...

I had a look earlier and did see some of the systems your talking about and like you mentioned they were for large scale commercial style grows. Automated units for everything from nutrients down to the ec/pH levels in the water.
I think something like that would cost a fair bit to make everything fully automated.
 
MGD420 said:
I had a look earlier and did see some of the systems your talking about and like you mentioned they were for large scale commercial style grows. Automated units for everything from nutrients down to the ec/pH levels in the water.
I think something like that would cost a fair bit to make everything fully automated.
Click to expand...


you can get them or piece them together for smaller systems. there are several for straight rdwc hydro home size grows. just check out some of the rdwc set ups on the board. there are some pretty advanced systems.
 
bluter said:
you can get them or piece them together for smaller systems. there are several for straight rdwc hydro home size grows. just check out some of the rdwc set ups on the board. there are some pretty advanced systems.
Click to expand...
Thanks for the reply bluter.
I think I'll maybe skip the fully automated setup for the foreseeable future. After looking around it seems like it would get quite expensive. The one thing I would consider buying though is an ec/pH monitor and nutrient doser for a future grow but I suppose everything else could be used in the same way this set up will be done using the equipment I already have.
 
MGD420 said:
Thanks for the reply bluter.
I think I'll maybe skip the fully automated setup for the foreseeable future. After looking around it seems like it would get quite expensive. The one thing I would consider buying though is an ec/pH monitor and nutrient doser for a future grow but I suppose everything else could be used in the same way this set up will be done using the equipment I already have.
Click to expand...


most set-ups i've seen have been a mix of prebuilt and diy.
there's so much available now from home gardening that is applicable.
 
Haven't updated in a week or two. Between ordering the wrong stuff and having to wait on other things being delivered and other commitments in between I wasn't able to get the grow room set up as quick as I hoped or wanted to.

So far this is what's been done. I still have the buckets, hoses, pump and wiring, fans/intake and exhaust to set up and a few other little bits and pieces here and there.

Hopefully I should be able to get most of it done by the end of the second week in july as will be busy next week "family commitments" so probably won't be anymore updates as I won't be able to do anymore until then.

20210626_222621.jpg


20210626_222328.jpg
 
it's looking pretty good.
 
@bluter

Since the plants will be growing in 100% perlite and the bucket setup will recirculate the nutrient water back into the main reservoir.
When feeding the plants, would it be better to keep the water flowing continuously or only have the pump come on 3 or 4 times per day for maybe 10 - 15 minutes at a time ?

I will be using canna aqua vega and flores nutes as they're designed specifically for setups that recirculate the nutes.
 
MGD420 said:
@bluter

Since the plants will be growing in 100% perlite and the bucket setup will recirculate the nutrient water back into the main reservoir.
When feeding the plants, would it be better to keep the water flowing continuously or only have the pump come on 3 or 4 times per day for maybe 10 - 15 minutes at a time ?

I will be using canna aqua vega and flores nutes as they're designed specifically for setups that recirculate the nutes.
Click to expand...


go have a look at the system @013 runs.

strictly speaking, hempy is drain to waste. you don't recirculate. avoids miles of problems.
i'd run a rdwc setup if you want to recirc.
 
bluter said:
go have a look at the system @013 runs.

strictly speaking, hempy is drain to waste. you don't recirculate. avoids miles of problems.
i'd run a rdwc setup if you want to recirc.
Click to expand...
Thanks for the reply bluter.
I'll have a look at 013 setup.

Yea I understand a hempy is run to waste and wouldn't normally have the water recirculated. If I was growing anywhere other than the loft then I would feed the plants as normal and just run to waste like I did last time. Not sure if the method I'm going with now is more of a bato / dutch bucket style setup as apposed to an actual hempy.
 
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