Starting Aeroponics, what do you think?

[cheesypeace]

Ok so I've been talking alot with the guy at the hydro store about building me an aeroponics setup I can use in my 4x4 foot table.

He is going to build me a top insert that will hold 16 plants in the table in 4 rows of 4 with 3 spray bars between the rows. Each spray bar will have 3 sprayers for a total of 9 sprayers below.

So all spray bars and plumbing runs on top of the table.

Just the top aeroponics part of the table and the water pump will cost 300$ with a filter too, I already have the rez and table.

But I am wondering if this sounds like a good idea? I want to build a 5x5 scrog to use overtop the table under a 1000 watt hps.

That would produce ALOT of yield I am guessing but can anyone share their opinions about running an aeroponics setup THANKS!!

cheesypeace Reviewed by cheesypeace on 02-28-2008. Starting Aeroponics, what do you think? Ok so I've been talking alot with the guy at the hydro store about building me an aeroponics setup I can use in my 4x4 foot table. He is going to build me a top insert that will hold 16 plants in the table in 4 rows of 4 with 3 spray bars between the rows. Each spray bar will have 3 sprayers for a total of 9 sprayers below. So all spray bars and plumbing runs on top of the table. Just the top aeroponics part of the table and the water pump will cost 300$ with a filter too, I already Rating: 5

[stinkyattic]

Take this for what it's worth because I've never run one, although I'm familiar with their basic principles of operation.

First off, I am assuming that you intend to start with identical female clones.
Next, I'm wondering why you would add a SCROG to what is already a perfectly serviceable SOG (assuming, again, female clones). With an aero system, you will definitely want to make sure that you have access to the nozzles in case of clogs. So I would be a bit wary of adding a net. A good solid canopy is attainable just with healthy plants spaced appropriately.
Now when you say the spray bars are atop the table, I assume that the plumbing is primarily on top but the nozzles stick into the chamber? I'm trying to envision this.

And finally, what sort of grow background do you already have? Aero is like the Porsche of grow styles- rewarding and fast, but difficult to drive! Be ready for an adventure!

[bongerstonerd00d]

Ahhh, and what a ride aero is:thumbsup:


b0nger

[cheesypeace]

Ya I got 3 White widow clones and I am going to germinate 15 island sweet skunk seeds, and 10 mango seeds. so 25 seeds and 3 clones.

So I am planning on putting 13 females out of the seed crop into the aero table and 3 ww clones so thats 16 females.

The only thing is, what medium am i supposed to grow them in up until the point when I can sex them?? I think I will probably just grow them in 4 inch rockwool cubes under a bank of 4 foot T5's for veg but thats alot of plants to take care of so how can I sex them early and remove as many males as possible and determine females??

[stinkyattic]

I'm gonna have to say that I don't recommend getting into aero until you do in fact have a nice source of rooted female clones.

What you will probably want to do is grow your from-seed plants in standard compost or hydro, take cuttings early to sex, save the most vigorous female of each strain for a mother, and then build or buy a bubble or aero type cloner that does not use a medium at all. The industry standard aero-cloner is the EZ-Clone, which uses no rooting medium, and the plants are suspended in midair secured by a re-usable neoprene collar that gently grips the stem and leaves the cut part hanging in reach of the sprayers. That way, you can put your cutting in ANY medium without fear of stem-rot from a bulky, wet plug.

[cheesypeace]

FFFFFFFFFOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOAAAAAAAAAA

[cheesypeace]

No but seriously I have 3 rooted female clones and 10 more that have been in a bubbler for 16 days and still have no root though so i dont know if they'll root, plus theyre getting yellow.

But do you think it is possible to grow 25 seeds in rockwool cubes and then induce 12/12 early to sex and remove males??

[Illusion]

Don't listen to people that work at hydro shops man. Like who knows- they could be one of us, and actually know their stuff.. but it just seems like they like to talk a lot and be full of shit, and they love people that walk in with huge wallets and high ambitions.

Dont hate me, but unless you have a couple years growing experience under your belt (and even then) i wouldn't recommend trying an aero grow...


*edit*I
I dont think inducing flower early will really do much. they will show their sex when they are sexually mature, i have had 6 plants all show within a week of eachother under 18/6 lighting

[stinkyattic]

Illusion is right... I've seen the whole spectrum. From the unassuming guy with a MS in horticulture and a rusty farm truck, to the young kid with clean fingernails driving a BMW with dubs (*cough* retired dealer *cough*)... One of these dudes is gonna try to sell you on an aero system. The other is going to ask you what your goals are and how much grow experience you have, and fit you to a style that will work, even if it's cheap and he's not making a grand on the deal. After all, there's plenty of time to come back and buy a fancier setup later when you have your procedure locked down tight. If you feel like you are walking into a shop and talking to a sales rep from American Agritech... that might be a clue!

[PlantHeadJ]

Hey there, don't take advice from someone who has never run an aero system. They are usually intimidated by areo, often a soil grower, and will resent you suceeding with areo. It's a simple system and a great one. I have used aero systems extensivly over the last ten years and would not go any other way.
The biggest thing people will try to scare you about will be a nozzle clogging or power failure yadayadayada. Pure drivel. A clogged sprayer is one of many. Sprayers aren't supposed to be aimed directly at the roots anyway so there will still be sufficient mist from the other sprayers. What happens if the power goes out with a flood system and rockwool? Exactly, the rockwool drys up and plants die. With Aero same thing except the bottom half of the roots are in WATER, therefore no death.
Get yourself a system and experiment. How else will we progress? Listening to someone say "oh I wouldn't do that" even though it's because they are afraid of failure and afraid you will suceed. Lame. That's why we love hydro right? If something goes wrong it takes a couple days to fix. Big deal. Trail and error are a way of life, you will greatly benefit from an Areo system, and that's gonna be your best yeild!! Good Luck!!
Sorry Stinky, can't sit by and watch someone stifle someone else looking to advance knowledge.
Yes I have 15 years horticulture experience AND work at a Hydro shop and my customer's love me and come back for solid advice to make educated decisions before they buy.