I just mean manual in that I had no clue as to how often or how long to water using the ebb and flow on a timer in this scenario, especially with rooting in the thing, so I was just going to manually turn the pump on when I think they need it. I have all the ebb and flow parts already except the tray I have isn't the size I want for this.
I was talking about doing this so cheap so I could test thiese things, but screw it, I'm going to go ahead and just build it right with steel from day one. I'm looking around locally for a source of steel hoops that won't cost too much. I picked up some unistrut for my frame and other bits to hold my support wheels and stuff so it's coming together already.
The bbq motor will just have a small wheel on it which will friction drive against the steel hoops of the drum.. Should get me close just playing with the drive wheel size and if that's not enough I will wire a speed control on the motor, that's really easy ( if it doesn't make the motor burn up.)
And since I'm going steel the plan changed again as far as how the trays will connect to the drum, they'll be lower than the hoops so no metal ever gets dumked in water, that would ruin it pretty quick.
Good luck with this one, I hope you follow through with it.
