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Organic soil self watering system

Discussion in 'Growing Organic Marijuana' started by PotatoBry, Oct 9, 2020.

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  1. #1 PotatoBry, Oct 9, 2020
    Hey all i was looking at the possibility of setting up a self watering system

    I am looking at 2options right now

    Blumats
    And the aquavalve kit (from auto pot)

    I know the blumats have been supported by some highly respected members

    But im curious about the aquavalve

    Is there anythings that are to consider before choosing which setup is best

    I am hand watering and would like to try a new way

    Let me know what system is best with living soils

    Thanks


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  2. #2 Sc00byD00bie, Oct 9, 2020
    • Like Like x 1
  3. #3 PotatoBry, Oct 9, 2020
    Would A flood and drain setup in a large tray with my pots work in pair with the valve? Or am i missing sonething in the process of how it operates?


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  4. #4 picasso1850, Oct 9, 2020
    Sure, that would work. I just wrap the aquavalve capillary leads in trash bags until they reach the fabric pot.
     
  5. #5 Jörmungandr, Oct 10, 2020
    A slow drip method of dealing with my watering issues - takes several hours to empty and this allows the soil to become saturated forestalling cycles where I pour to fast and it all runs through or don't water often enough and they dry too much.
     
    • Informative Informative x 1
  6. #6 PotatoBry, Oct 10, 2020
    I have a flood tray that i want tobuse for this purpose

    Either for the bluemats or the aqua valve

    I just dont know too much about both
    Even with the research i did
    Most of the information is ambiguous as it tells how to setup but doesnt tell about the experience they have had with it

    This is mostly true for the aqua valve

    As the bluemat as been covered here from the threads iv read

    The aqua valve seems like the easiest setup
    But no one talk about what they have encountered while using it


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  7. #7 glueberry_crunch, Oct 10, 2020
    Blumats changed my life

    spiral out, keep going
     
  8. #8 PotatoBry, Oct 10, 2020
    How are they to setup?


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  9. #9 Sc00byD00bie, Oct 10, 2020
    Probably because no one uses them outside of an autopot system, though that doesn't mean they cant do the job.
     
    • Like Like x 1
  10. #10 PotatoBry, Oct 10, 2020
    I guess if i cant find some info
    Ill have to be the guinny pig

    For the price of the valve
    I might try this first before investing on the blunatt

    Ill keep on researching while im away for work...
    When i get back home ill probably order the kit for the aqua valve


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  11. #11 PotatoBry, Oct 10, 2020
    So from what i understand

    The aqua valve in the autopot sustem works as a sort of ebb and flow the only difference is it does not drain to wast

    Instead it floods to a specifique height
    Then the media used will wick the water into the media

    The aqua valve is capable of handling an area of 2square meter

    Now if the volume of water that is being flooded is over the capacity of what the soil can wick i can see an overwater problem ocuring

    So if I understand correctly
    I would have to either use a buffer in my tray to absorbe the extra water or use the maximum area of my tray with the biggest pots i can so that i have as much soil to absorbe as much water

    So i don't end up with a fully saturated pot standing in 1" of water

    Am i in the right track or am i way off?


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  12. #12 Green Dragging, Oct 10, 2020
    If your doing living soil, with a sip tray, I use this mini float valve with 32 gal res, $7 amazon, works great! Thnx Scoob!
    KIMG2305.JPG KIMG2306.JPG KIMG2598.JPG
     
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  13. #13 Green Dragging, Oct 10, 2020
  14. #14 picasso1850, Oct 10, 2020
    I have the Aquabox straight and spyder. My only other SIP experience was perlite based(super messy but great results). What I love about the aquabox is that it not only provides a continual source of water but I can still top water nutrients.....It doesn't over saturate the container (top inch or two stays dry). It takes literally two seconds to set up...what other feedback are you looking for?
     
  15. #15 glueberry_crunch, Oct 10, 2020
    Easy. Follow the instructions.

    spiral out, keep going
     
    • Like Like x 1
  16. #16 PotatoBry, Oct 10, 2020
    Well for first i was not aware of the spyder and straight system for the aquavalve

    I was looking at the easy2go kit

    The easy2go kit would seem beter suited for individual pots in a large tray

    As of what you showed me would seem bettter for a large bed

    Living soils would benefit from a large bed i assume...

    Now im more undecided lolll

    More options to evaluate now loll


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  17. #17 PotatoBry, Oct 10, 2020
    Im a bit scared of the blumatt as I read that if sensors are not setup properly they could flow continually


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  18. #18 picasso1850, Oct 10, 2020
    Take the spyder as an example...I had 6 fabric pots each sitting on one spider leg a piece...not in a bed..just on the ground
     
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  19. #19 PotatoBry, Oct 10, 2020
    Like on the ground with no tray?

    Im all ears now
    Tell me more lol


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  20. #20 picasso1850, Oct 10, 2020
    Cut the end off a trash bag, stick the capillary lead thru the trash bag(it's just acting as an insulator to avoid air evaporation , terminate at fabric pot. Done and done.
     
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