Can I build recirculating system; w/parts from hardware store? Need DIY Info!

[latewood]

:D YES:D

I might do a detailed build thread on this project...If anyone's interested. It is an adaptation from my old aero unit.(Sticky)...I replaced original 1/2hp centifugal pump with a 110gph submersible Little Giant!:thumbsup: I also removed the sprinkler system and added angled hydro drip stakes:thumbsup: I'd like to incorporate this thread where it should be...In my sticky. But, that has been so boogered up,:( that Zandor and I would have to edit and redo it...So, I don't know.:confused:

Alot of new member's have been asking about info on a DIY system like this...It is pretty simple to build.

All the tools you need are: Hacksaw, channel locks, heavy snips. 3.5" holesaw (optional) almost all pieces push together, except the adapters. All the drains are hand tight. I use aquarium sealant and pipe tape wherever necessary. hope you all enjoy lw:smokin:

[misk]

very nice :D

[latewood]

http://www.howsitgoineh.com/forums/index.php/topic,7550.0.html

I took plumbing(drains and manifold) from mad aero unit
and retro fitted them for a submersible pump and drip stakes. Hope you like it...It is especially for all you DIY'ers

I included excerpt of aero-build so that you may more easily keep up with the modifications,:thumbsup:

lw:smokin:

[latewood]

don't panic guy's...I wanted to work on this for a member, and update it, so it won't direct members offsite...peace
p.s. If this bothers anyone, please let me know. latewood

[Blackrock]

I dont mind :) I'm intrested as well. latewood, where did you get the fittings to go from the 3/4" PVC down to your drippers and what are they? I'm trying to put a system together from local suppliers instead of ordering. Any help would be greatly appreciated ;)

edit - nevermind I see your link now to the other forum. ty

[latewood]

Did you see what you needed Blackrock?

If not I will be happy to direct you...As a matter of fact I may update this with a lsit of amterials/parts and where to get them...peace

[Blackrock]

Yes I did thanks latewood. I was hoping it was something you got at the Depot. I have already checked two depots and a lowes for some kind of drip irrigation but no luck :( Nearest hydro store is a little under a an hour and a half away so i guess i'll be picking it up there. Thanks man.

One question I have is, i'll be using two 200 watt HPS lights for this. They are both mounted in a hood thats 4' long by 2' wide. Do you think the 400 watts would be enough for three of those bins just like you have in the image there, with 2 plants in each bin? So would 400watts cover 6 plants if I had those bins nice and close together? I will be growing from seed, so SCROG is out for this one. Thanks again.

[latewood]

Yes I did thanks latewood. I was hoping it was something you got at the Depot. I have already checked two depots and a lowes for some kind of drip irrigation but no luck :( Nearest hydro store is a little under a an hour and a half away so i guess i'll be picking it up there. Thanks man.

One question I have is, i'll be using two 200 watt HPS lights for this. They are both mounted in a hood thats 4' long by 2' wide. Do you think the 400 watts would be enough for three of those bins just like you have in the image there, with 2 plants in each bin? So would 400watts cover 6 plants if I had those bins nice and close together? I will be growing from seed, so SCROG is out for this one. Thanks again.

You don't need anything from the hydro store to make this unit...I used some drip stakes I found at the hydro store, but all you need for drippers...Is the 3/4" to 1/4' adapter, that fits into 3/4" threaded female to 1" pvc T.
the dripline is also at hopot...then add 1/4-90's for your drippers,...Bam drip system

Yes the 400 watt will be fine to start with, and will probably be fine...Others will say get bigger light, but that will do the job, until you are ready for bigger light.

remember with bigger lights, come bigger heat problems

[latewood]

Yes I did thanks latewood. I was hoping it was something you got at the Depot. I have already checked two depots and a lowes for some kind of drip irrigation but no luck :( Nearest hydro store is a little under a an hour and a half away so i guess i'll be picking it up there. Thanks man.

One question I have is, i'll be using two 200 watt HPS lights for this. They are both mounted in a hood thats 4' long by 2' wide. Do you think the 400 watts would be enough for three of those bins just like you have in the image there, with 2 plants in each bin? So would 400watts cover 6 plants if I had those bins nice and close together? I will be growing from seed, so SCROG is out for this one. Thanks again.

go to this other thread:
http://boards.cannabis.com/showthread.php?p=380697

Look at post 15-19 or 20 and that shows you exactly what you are asking...once you get the 1/4" driplines attached(and instead of attaching to aero-sprinkler heads)...You use 1/4" 90's for your omitters...(wide Open) peace

[Blackrock]

Thanks for the help latewood. I have some pumps I use for AC installs that collect condensation from AC equipment that i'd like to try using. In this diagram you'll see what i'm looking to do. The view of the diagram would be from the side of the garden.

The nute solution would start in the holding tank above the garden on a shelf, gravity down to the plants through the same 1/4" tubing/elbow like you said. Then it would drain out of the bottom of each plants container (5gal buckets) into the pump below. The pump has a reservoir built in as well as a float switch, so whenever the nutes drain all the way to the pump, once the reservoir is filled (1 gallon) it will pump it back up to the holding tank. The pump is made of PVC and made to run ALOT, and I would expect it to be running at least every 10-20 minutes, but like I said, thats what they do under thier normal load in thier normal settings.
http://img225.imageshack.us/my.php?image=gravity6oh.png
Heres a diagram of what i'm looking to do. My only real question is, that I plan to put an airstone/bubbler with an air pump in the top reservoir, but wouldnt that just hold all the oxygen at the top of the system since air wants to float to the top? Or would the mixture of oxygen be fine enough to flow down together? What do ya think?

[latewood]

I think your collection Rez is way too small...A gallon would fill up that little 1 gallon rez in less than 5 minutes...

If you are going to elevate buckets...Why not put big rez on floor and pump straight to buckets...draining right back to 15-18 gallon Rez on floor?

I believe in having airstones everywhere you can...
peace

[Blackrock]

I guess i've been picturing less of a flow in the whole thing, and more of a dripping trickle lol. I've got most of what I need now from the depot, minus an aqua pump. I've been trying to stray away from ordering hydro products online, but i'm tempted to just order the pump and nutrients I would need anyway. The nearest hydro store is pretty far from me. But, I want to do it right the first time and not have to work out any major kinks later on.

How many gallons per hour would 4-6 plants use would you say? In clay pellets/netpots

[latewood]

look here...all you need is a 256gph fountain style submersible powerhead, and it will supply several drip sites, adequately...I use 110gph little giants for up to 4 drippers and 256 gph for manifolds bigger than that.
I also, run 2 big plants on one 110gph powerhead with 2 drippers and a 10 gallon rez...then I just drain back down to rez and pump it back to drippers...around and around...I always put a 12-14" bubble stone in each rez, or 2 .88 bubble stones on a T...the more oxygenation, the better.

wally's hopot, tru-Value...all carry submersible powerheads and irrigation supplies to adapt to your pvc. peace

[BlueBear]

Bump for the newbs.
PS LW, did you stick with the 15/9 veg schedule for higher female success with seeds???
Adieu

[latewood]

Yes I do Like to use a shorter veg photoperiod...There is an article I have posted 2-3 times...I believe it was written by "Henk" from Dutch Passion.
In the article which is an article on testing feminized seeds. He founf that experimentation on his feminized seeds yield higher % of fem's using a shorter photoperiod. I figured if it works for feminized seeds, then it should work for all seeds...jmho peace

[BlueBear]

I just went back to the link that you had directed people to for this DIY and it's not there any more???
Well, guess that's all folks.
Adieu

[latewood]

I just went back to the link that you had directed people to for this DIY and it's not there any more???
Well, guess that's all folks.
Adieu
the link worked for me...check it again...anywya...It is the sticky at top of page...Madman goes aero

[MisterE]

I would never worry about ordering any parts online from a decent store. There's hundreds of online shops with everything that you and every other tomato, lettuce, parsley etc. hydro grower could ever need :)

[latewood]

the link worked for me...check it again...anyway...It is the sticky at top of page...Madman goes aerohttp://www.howsitgoineh.com/forums/index.php?topic=7550.0

try this one.

[Weedhound]

That looks COMPLICATED!! I don't even understand half of what you guys are saying much less how to put it together!