Fogoponics/NFT?

[whythef*not?]

If you own a vaporizer you might want to start letting it warm up...



After carefully reviewing all the text I could find on ultrasonic aeroponics, I've decided that I'd like to try my hand at it. Though I don't think it alone will support plant life the way I would like.
I'm new to -oponics, though I have had at 10 soil grows in the last four years since I've started. Most of which were total disasters. BUT, I've finally got it down pretty well the past three or four times and seeing that my next harvest is about two weeks away, I'd like to take it to the next level.
I'm converting a 10x10 room into my playhouse. I have funds of about $1500 for this project and I'm planning on using 3 1000w MH/HPS in addition to the 400w I already have, and maybe a few cfls or tube fluoros for ambience.
I would like one 4x8 table, for one side of the room, and two tables about half that size custom built for the other side to make a little room for the closet door to swing (mothers & clones). All the schematics are worked out, and I have found where to buy pretty much all of the supplies. And best of all the project is still well within budget.
I do have a few questions, though.

I understand that the ultrasonic foggers are a difficult endeavour. I plan to order a case (12 single units) of these devices ftom the ocean mist site and place them in separate DIY units throughout the room. On either end of the room they will each have 3 units and the middle one will hold 6. They will be piping fog evenly to the containers at a ratio of one 3" tube per 1.5 foggers. That's two tubes coming off the three-fogger units, and four coming off the middle unit, all going separate ways. The fogger res's will have a small comp case fan on a potentiometer to adjust fan speed. I might still cut this down to 2 diy fog units for simplicity, making it 4 total tubes piping 3 foggers' worth each, but I really want to ensure even coverage.

Fog on for 1 minute to off for 5 seems the optimal rate for root development, at least from reading forums. I'll have to feel my way through it.

Now my problem is I still don't think this is enough. I'd like to get the accelerated rates of the fog but I feel like I have to provide real water from time to time to keep my roots from drying out.
The plan I have is the put the tables on a lean and let the fogger reservoirs excessively overflow into my trays when they fill (from the main reservoir on the floor - everything will flow back here). Maybe (with two timers) turn the pump on for 7.5 min and off for the rest of 30? maybe 15/45? any help guys?

My question is: Is this the way for me to go? It seems the most inexpensive aeroponics system I can build, and I'm really trying to maximize my yield and minimize my time for consecutive harvests. BTW I'm SCROGing the whole room if that gives you an idea of the commitment I have to this project.

I didn't want to go E&F because of the simplicity of the NFT-style in combination with the fogger reservoirs, just letting them flood the trays.
DWC is nearly out of the question with trays this size.
Traditional aero seems expensive, and like I said I want the fine particle size for my upper roots, so more reckless sprayers are out of the question.
I'm not sure where else to turn. Maybe you guys have thought of this and can give me a little advice?

I'm just trying to maximize turnaround. Extra daily effort is not an issue, but my budget is cutting it pretty close as it is, so if I change my plans, it will have to be to make them cheaper.

Pretty long-winded, but I've got a lot riding on this and I need some informed advice to pull this off.

[Mycroft]

If I were going to try out a new system, I'd do it for just one plant. Then, once I got it figured out, then I'd scale it upwards. That way you put a lot less at risk for when you mess up.

Your project sounds interesting, but if you really do have a lot riding on it, then I'd do what needs to be done by tried and true methods, then the products of your experements are extra.

[mordgrow]

i cloned with a fogger setup for a while, works pretty good, but the ultra sonic disks get heavy build up on them and eventualy fail. Just FYI.

[whythef*not?]

Yes I have an extra closet and a few seeds I guess it would make sense to test it out. a little extra to make sure it works but that sort of thing ususally pays off in the end when you think about it ...

My reasoning was that if it didn't work I could always go nft full time and still use the extra foggers for cloning. They're only $130 a case or something close. 12 per

I did not want my system to be dependent on them tho. I just want the supplemental root growth


mordgrow... were they teflon-coated discs (like in the nutramist)?

[mordgrow]

Originally Posted by whythef*not?

mordgrow... were they teflon-coated discs (like in the nutramist)?

nope, these were from a fountain set up.

[whythef*not?]

Yes these are misters from a fountain set-up also, but I checked it out and the site I'm ordering from offers all of their misters with a teflon-coated head at no extra charge.

kinda makes you wonder why you would buy the non-coated ones...?

These heads supposedly make the difference in the life of your foggers. Plus you can buy a new pack of heads for next to nothing for when your old ones wear out.