Would you buy this vertical growing unit?

[atlashomeric]

Cabighed,
I mentioned that there will be a grow journal posted very soon for this unit. As far as adding two 600w's, that's totally possible but up to the grower. The idea for this system was based off of Heath's unit. We added a few other things to the mix including aero and a ballast. His unit came out to be about $1000 USD. Ours can't be made by us for less than $1000 USD at the moment, and that doesn't include labor. But, I'm guessing that if Heath was going to market his product it would go for somewhere around 2000 if he charged for his labor costs. So with a recent grow this has yielded well using almost the exact same situation as Heath. If the unit isn't impressive enough the way it is then there will inevitably be modifications.

Since the tentative price doesn't seem to be sitting well for most of the DIY crowd, I would suggest sourcing the parts, adding up the man hours, and doing a cost analysis to see if this could realistically can be had for much cheaper. If so, and you're interested, build a vertical unit.

atlashomeric Reviewed by atlashomeric on 11-05-2010. Would you buy this vertical growing unit? I have some friends working with a company who is designing an aeroponic vertical grow system.The system is around 5 square feet and 5 ft high. It utilizes 5 sets of circular rings that each have 20 plant sites similar to Ez-Clone's machine (neoprene puck with a plastic puck collar)- total of 100 plant sites. The system is meant to be used as in an Alpha/Omega style grow (from cuttings to harvest). With recent tests this system has yielded on average .5 oz/plant, totaling 50 oz utilizing one Rating: 5

[khyberkitsune]

My current parts sources and time-to-assembly calculations put the cost at around $600 USD, and that's using the specialized channels I have. Go with regular PVC piping, and the price drops to about 400.

Oh, and this would be re-rigged for NFT, not sprayers.

[atlashomeric]

Hey Khyber,
If you think the average Joe could build this unit for $400-600 and keep it aero, can I see the parts list and where you're sourcing them? Because if it's possible to save that much money on this project I'd like to know how. Thanks,

A

[khyberkitsune]

For one, cut your costs by using smaller pumps, one to control each level. That drastically drops pump cost.

Instead of individual sprayers, get a sprayer hose line, drill 1/64" holes in it. Clip it down. Less clog, pretty much the exact same spray.

Dunno where you're finding the PVC tubing (I know Home Depot doesn't carry 4" typically in any useful length for this kind of system,) but I am quite sure you can find it cheaper elsewhere, though you might have to wait on a lead time. Most global manufacturers can do direct for cheap if you can order by the container load.

4-way PVC joints and the two-sided end fittings for closing the end of the ring can be found at varying prices depending upon quantity ordered. Buying in large stock as if you were planning on selling these out will drop your prices and allow you to sell more.

Just sayin from experience, from helping to run a Chinese restaurant to running this business, when you want quantity sold, you need quantity bought, and then more.

[atlashomeric]

Thanks Khyber and everyone else for all the advice and insight. Hope this can all be translated into a solid final design. Somebody will soon be posting a journal of the unit very soon, might be me, might not.

A

[headshake]

Hey Khyber,
If you think the average Joe could build this unit for $400-600 and keep it aero, can I see the parts list and where you're sourcing them? Because if it's possible to save that much money on this project I'd like to know how. Thanks,

A

seriously?! WTF? hey Khyber, can you do all of my research for me too? ROTFLMAO! we are supposed to believe that this is a for real company and you are coming on a medicinal cannabis site trying to get "feedback", didn't like all you were hearing and once you were told how to improve/make cheaper the unit, you want specific parts and prices and places to acquire them? the shit that he is telling you is business 101.

WOW. don't think there is much else that can be said.



-shake

[atlashomeric]

I don't understand why someone is taking offense to anything I've written. What questions haven't I answered? Also, why is it so faux-pas to take advice on sourcing parts from someone who's tag is "I design grow lights for horticultural firms across the globe, and not just LED either, ask me anything!" When did it become a crime to come onto these sites and ask for advice on a project, or how to build it, whether it's being marketed or not? The the best place to grab info on a product is from the products users right? I know khyber has a good background in this industry, so I'm asking and he's giving me info. I've noted every criticism about this system, and intend on giving it to the company. What else do you want?

[GaGrown]

Sorry. I voted no as I don't go for all that fancy schmancy new fangled stuff. Back in my day we used to make things to set the plants on. We called them "shelves".
Doc Oc.

That was just straight-up funny!Rotflmao:thumbsup: