Need advice on diy low pressure aero tote.

Hey guru’s, crafting up my first Lpa 50 gal tote and need some pointers and advice. Totally excited to get started.

I have the pump, air pump, and header installed. But would like pointers on the lid. Mainly what size of pot to go with, i currently am without net pots(I’m rural and don’t want to wait for an delivery) so was going to cut up and slot some planter pots, is 6 1/2” too big? Fill them with coco or leave them empty? How much res water should I be running for 2 sites in this tote? 2 1/2 gal per plant minimum I think I’ve read

Also, sterile or beneficial bacteria, currently I am hauling water(100-150 ppm tds) by the cubic meter in a blacked out container. My well water is around 600+ppm tds. If sterile, should I shock the full cubic m? Or just per batch of nutrient.

Was thinking of running grotek precision or GH flora series. What would you run for tds in a lpa system or just mix according to manufacturers recommendations.

For now I plan on running both pumps 24/7, until I can afford a pump timer. What timer do you all recommend? Thanks for reading

2" is a good size for net cups. Do you have a hole saw? You really should wait until you get your net pots so you can make sure they will be a snug fit. a tip, drill the holes in reverse...It will cut better with less burrs. Of course do a few practice drills in a plastic bottle or something.

The problem you may run into will be high water temps, especially with 2 pumps running 24/7. I have a 100 liter aero and it gets too warm running 24/7, and the less water you have the harder it is to control the temps. Any timer will work, and I would think 1 pump would be plenty. You could do 15 minutes on, 15 off, or something like that. You may need to get an external pump or an aquarium chiller.

I've only run mine a handful of times so I'm not an aero expert by any means...I have run AN and most recently GH Flora mixed as per directions, with great results. I'm more into soil but definitely like my nutriculture....My chiller bit the dust and it's too warm right now here, but come fall I'll be running it again.

Personally I'd think 12 sites is way too much for that size...2 -3 plants in there would easily fill a 4' x 4' scrog.

Good luck, and have fun with it!

Thank you both, the YouTube video is what lead me to trying this. Since I posted I decide to go with 2 6” coco filled pots and drippers to the center of the pots along with sprayers in the header. Ive picked up some pool shock to run sterile, it looks like it’s the cheaper route. I had my pumps running for 36 hours, being on concrete in the garage the temp of the water was 70’f, I’ve read on here 68’ is ideal? Will that be a problem later on? I only plan on running 8 gallons in the bottom of it. 5 1” aquarium air stones, one in each corner and 1 in front of the pond pump.

Thanks for reading and would appreciate any other tips