After a restless night I accidently ordered a 3-head "nutramist replacement" ultrasonic fogger. I was going to make a custom res for the fogger and pump the air via an inline fan through the root chamber. Im working on a rotating lid idea... just need to find a suitable low-power high-torque motor. I thought it would be cool if the plant was constantly rotating, then the misting/fogging only needs to be applied from one side of the root chamber, and the root ball rotates with the plant. This obviously has the added benefit of changing the shadow pattern for the foilage above.
I learned after this of the problems with the root mass blocking the inside from getting mist, and with atomized fog the problem is intensified. So now I'm trying to learn about HPA. But its very confusing... people using air compressors and pressurised "accumulator" tanks. I already knew about the ultrasonics heating up the nutes but admittedly haven't given much thought to it.
I read a little bit about roots and how they form. It seems that the size of developing roots is directly related to the micron size of the mist, with <5 microns causing the very small "fuzz" hairs. So doesn't it make sense to grow thick roots first (with DWC), then secondary roots with larger-micron mist 20-50 microns, and finally with ultrasonic fog <5 microns to finish it off with fuzz? That would help stop the very fine hairs forming first, which block the larger micron sizes. Thoughts on the discrepencies required in terms of different EC strength required for the 3 methods(DWC, HPA, Ultrasonic)?
So at this point I wonder why you don't just use fog, and drip feed into the centre of the root mass? I was hoping to do a bit better than drip feeding though, I figured misting would have the same effect as drip feeding when applied to above after a large root mass has been attained, and in the mean time help to grow the "intermediate" sized roots commonly achieved with HPA.
I thought naively that I could just use an aquarium pump with some kind of nozzle to create at least a large micron mist. But now I see to create any misting using a pump you need alot more pressure than an aquarium pump can provide. This makes me wonder what the difference is between LPA and HPA.. I could spend hours "researching" but this field is full of people who have asked the same questions and not many answers, so I was hoping an expert could chime in.
Obviously its a difference in pressure, but is there an obvious distinction? Can misting be achieved via LPA without needing a 100PSI pump?
Having said that I found a "motor home" pump with these specs:
12Volt 3 Amp Automatic Pressure pump used on boats, motor homes and pressure sprayers.Switchs on and off automaticly when the tap is turned on.
Features:
1. Max Flow rate: 8.3lpm (2.2gpm) can be adjusted from 5.0- 8.3lpm (1.3-2.2gpm) as required.
2. Max Pressure: 100psi (6.9bar) can be adjusted from 10psi (0.6bar) to 180psi (12.5bar) as required.
3. Pressure switch protection: pressure-off or circumfluences switch protection. For the powered control,
you can choose pump without pressure protection.
4. Duty Cycle: Intermittent (Under different pressure, the continuously working time will also be different)
5. Built-in check valve & Corrosion resistant
6. Self-priming & can endure Max.70°C
7 Silent running & smooth operation
8. Run dry without damage
9. Santorprene diaphragm
This sounds like I can start small and work my way up if need be. How many nozzles can I run with the pump at max (100 PSI), and how much PSI do I need for say 3 nozzles? Obviously this depends on the nozzle and I need some educating with that also.
Any help/feedback is appreciated from those who dare venture into this field. I feel a bit overwhelmed with it all but still cant resist the drive to find the best most efficient way of growing. Also working on my own dosing system which uses the change in nutrient strength to determine the optimum EC level throughout the grow - so Im a tweaker just like you guys
I learned after this of the problems with the root mass blocking the inside from getting mist, and with atomized fog the problem is intensified. So now I'm trying to learn about HPA. But its very confusing... people using air compressors and pressurised "accumulator" tanks. I already knew about the ultrasonics heating up the nutes but admittedly haven't given much thought to it.
I read a little bit about roots and how they form. It seems that the size of developing roots is directly related to the micron size of the mist, with <5 microns causing the very small "fuzz" hairs. So doesn't it make sense to grow thick roots first (with DWC), then secondary roots with larger-micron mist 20-50 microns, and finally with ultrasonic fog <5 microns to finish it off with fuzz? That would help stop the very fine hairs forming first, which block the larger micron sizes. Thoughts on the discrepencies required in terms of different EC strength required for the 3 methods(DWC, HPA, Ultrasonic)?
So at this point I wonder why you don't just use fog, and drip feed into the centre of the root mass? I was hoping to do a bit better than drip feeding though, I figured misting would have the same effect as drip feeding when applied to above after a large root mass has been attained, and in the mean time help to grow the "intermediate" sized roots commonly achieved with HPA.
I thought naively that I could just use an aquarium pump with some kind of nozzle to create at least a large micron mist. But now I see to create any misting using a pump you need alot more pressure than an aquarium pump can provide. This makes me wonder what the difference is between LPA and HPA.. I could spend hours "researching" but this field is full of people who have asked the same questions and not many answers, so I was hoping an expert could chime in.
Obviously its a difference in pressure, but is there an obvious distinction? Can misting be achieved via LPA without needing a 100PSI pump?
Having said that I found a "motor home" pump with these specs:
12Volt 3 Amp Automatic Pressure pump used on boats, motor homes and pressure sprayers.Switchs on and off automaticly when the tap is turned on.
Features:
1. Max Flow rate: 8.3lpm (2.2gpm) can be adjusted from 5.0- 8.3lpm (1.3-2.2gpm) as required.
2. Max Pressure: 100psi (6.9bar) can be adjusted from 10psi (0.6bar) to 180psi (12.5bar) as required.
3. Pressure switch protection: pressure-off or circumfluences switch protection. For the powered control,
you can choose pump without pressure protection.
4. Duty Cycle: Intermittent (Under different pressure, the continuously working time will also be different)
5. Built-in check valve & Corrosion resistant
6. Self-priming & can endure Max.70°C
7 Silent running & smooth operation
8. Run dry without damage
9. Santorprene diaphragm
This sounds like I can start small and work my way up if need be. How many nozzles can I run with the pump at max (100 PSI), and how much PSI do I need for say 3 nozzles? Obviously this depends on the nozzle and I need some educating with that also.
Any help/feedback is appreciated from those who dare venture into this field. I feel a bit overwhelmed with it all but still cant resist the drive to find the best most efficient way of growing. Also working on my own dosing system which uses the change in nutrient strength to determine the optimum EC level throughout the grow - so Im a tweaker just like you guys
