4x8 Setup Questions

LilT211

Well-Known Member
RIU,

Finally upgrading to a 4x8 for my organic grow. Having a hard time at the present with my automated system. Here’s my dilemma.

I’m using 2x 25 gallon trash cans as reservoirs that are outside of the tents. Sump pump hooked up to a 8 port head connected to 1/4 inch lines to the plants. The lines are constantly dripping excess water/nutrients. I’ve added lines back to the reservoirs with no relief. I’ve toyed with the outlets and either get too much or not enough to the plants. Having to wet vac after every feed is not cool.
With that stated, I don’t want to go up without some guidance for you guys. Im looking to feed 18 plants in the 4x8. Would want to split the space into two cycles so I’m inquiring how to water 9 at one rate and the other 9 at another according to their progress in flower.
There’s so much advertising about big name brands but not much about how systems are to go together. Is DAB necessary?, I wouldn’t want to cheat on harbor freight. How does filters factor in and are they necessary for straight R/O water and the occasional compost tea? Is the stuff from HD or Lowe’s really pressure compensating? Netafim and flowmaster are becoming attractive but need to know they’ll work.
I appreciate any help in advance.
 

gr865

Well-Known Member
RIU,

Finally upgrading to a 4x8 for my organic grow. Having a hard time at the present with my automated system. Here’s my dilemma.

I’m using 2x 25 gallon trash cans as reservoirs that are outside of the tents. Sump pump hooked up to a 8 port head connected to 1/4 inch lines to the plants. The lines are constantly dripping excess water/nutrients. I’ve added lines back to the reservoirs with no relief. I’ve toyed with the outlets and either get too much or not enough to the plants. Having to wet vac after every feed is not cool.
With that stated, I don’t want to go up without some guidance for you guys. Im looking to feed 18 plants in the 4x8. Would want to split the space into two cycles so I’m inquiring how to water 9 at one rate and the other 9 at another according to their progress in flower.
There’s so much advertising about big name brands but not much about how systems are to go together. Is DAB necessary?, I wouldn’t want to cheat on harbor freight. How does filters factor in and are they necessary for straight R/O water and the occasional compost tea? Is the stuff from HD or Lowe’s really pressure compensating? Netafim and flowmaster are becoming attractive but need to know they’ll work.
I appreciate any help in advance.
Are you saying your getting a syphoning effect from your rez?

As far as setting up a automated irrigation system for up too 20 plants, I built this for a 20 plant coco/perlite Sea of Green.
I still use it today for all my grows, but I no longer grow in coco, I use an Active Aqua Flo and Gro, ebb and flow system.
Here are the pics of my auto system for coco/perlite
20221005_105552 2.jpg 20181005_095126 (3).jpg 20181005_095114_LI (2).jpg

As far as setting this up for two separate 9 plant zones (this one will do 8 plants), it is cheap enough to have two systems.
Pump and converter, $160, valves, fittings and pipe $15, filter and pressure reducer $30.
Orbit 8 port manifold $8 and the emitter was about $1 each.
This system worked well for me during my years growing in coco. Still using the pump, manifold, filter and pressure reducer on my ebb and flow system.

Hope this helps.
 
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budolskie

Well-Known Member
I have all the stuff to build mine except my 240ltr wheelie bin for a res, im now waiting till narrowing down to 1 pheno, was ment to be building it over a year ago and stuff still sitting... been slacking i have
 
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