lab_rat_x

how could i best utilize a 14 step programmable timer, to contol the misting of an aerospring style setup? Best spread that come to mind is a 2 hour cycle. Does anybody know, or recommend running the pump 24/7? On a 2 hour cycle, what is minimum "on" time, and a safe "off", i.e. 10 minutes "on" with 1hr 50min "off"?
Also, is it possible to harvest plants using only 3 inch netted baskets? Are these baskets tough enough to handle 4 months of rapid growth?

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lab_rat_x

not one bit'o data from anybody? just need some basic guidelines, personal experience ect......

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adderpuff

Yo LR
i would run 24/7 virtually every other hydro does thats were best results r achieved
baskets should hold ok aslong as u support the tops cos the roots r lovely a fine in such equipment but they can b troublesome like calcifiyin an the like make sure u can get to them easy.
Adder

lab_rat_x

thanks adderpuff for the info, just trying to get everything squared away before I germinate my seeds. better to ask now, then later with wilting plants!
Peace!

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bong_hit

hey.......I've been growing aeroponicly in the "rainforest" by general hydro with beans and such for quite a while now......but this is my first grow of mj(plants are about 3 weeks old).....I have found that having the sprayer on for 15 min and off for 45 is working really well for me. One thing that helps root growth ALOT is to add some airstones in the resavior...after the roots poke through the net pots..... guesse that makes it an ABC (aeroponic bubbling chamber) right? and as for the size of the pot.....how big are you planning on letting them get before you flower? If you switch the light when they are still kinda small (10'-12') then I think that the 3in. pots will work.
hope everything goes well

lab_rat_x

thanks for the great input, i will have to check my programmable time to see if i have that option of just a one hour cycle, but if not, i will just get a second timing device(same model), and make a "Y" power cord adapter for the pump, so that each timing device triggers the pump alternately! somehow i forsee a trip to the emergency room if i connect this up while i'm stoned.........

somewhat detailed description......
my setup consists of a 25gl aquarium, rio 2100 pump, 8 3inch net pots set in 1/4inch plastic top that i made, 2 airwands powered by 2 dual airpumps. the tank and the top, will have a layer of black film on it to prevent light from damaging the roots. i also built a small tray that supports a net/grate that prevents, i hope, the roots from clogging up the pump. the spray set up i made out of 3/4in pvc, drilled/tapped for micro-jet sprayers. i serpentined about 7.5ft. of 3/4 inch pvc pipe into 3 rows, upper left , upper right, bottom center that runs upand out to a drain valve. i utilze the tray to seperate the growth chamber from resivour(sp.?) at 15 gallons. table top area, it only offers 2 sq. ft., but i will have an additional lid covers, once made, to cover holes not needed. I'll have to train these plants for sure, but i'll start with 8, and hopefully have 3 or 4 worth growing! 400wt mh to start with in a 5X5 closet.

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bong_hit

sounds like your on top of your stuff man......let us know how it goes....good luck

scrub

I got the Natural Wave mutli-cycle timer at eBay for $53. You can do a Google search to find other sources. I have it set for 4 minutes on/4minutes off. I don't know if that is optimim or not. Here is some info (and hype).

"The cycle time can be adjusted from 3 minutes down to 20 seconds and each outlet will handle up to a 100 watt load. The third outlet is on-for-two-cyles, off-for-two-cycles, and so it varies from 6 minutes down to 40 seconds."

"Natural Wave™ has 3 standard power outlets (more outlets than other brands) – so that accessories like lights, filters, or heaters may be plugged into the same outlet strip."

I just noticed that 100 watt load max. I wonder what my light's load is?

lab_rat_x

great deal on the timer! 100watt max, wow, damm stout! from what i've read, the optimum water on/off cycle is 1 min. on, followed by 4 min. off. but some will say to leave it on all the time. imo, only if you have the right pump to supply the required pressure, and the right type of fogging or micron misters, to generate the micro-water dropplets, then you can leave it on nonstop. and i would recommend an external pump, in this case, to prevent heating up your nute solution, which stress the plant. but as far the home built systems, where your dealing with general use home/garden products, you want to cycle it, 1/4 min. aquarium pumps can supply flow rates, but not pressure. and pressure is a key factor in aeroponic abc setups.
sorry for ramblin' on....
-=00=-
lrx
150w hps uses about 1.3amps, so your pump motor consumption would have to be rated 1 amp or less. i think....

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scrub

The non-timed sockets on the Natureal Wave cycle timer may still be of some use.

But, can you plug your HID lights into the non-timed sockets? It looks like you cannot IF the output wattage of the light--150Watts, 250Watts, etc--is the wattage used for the power equation.

What can you plug into the non-timed sockets? Anything with a current draw less than .83 amps.

---------------------

Power = Current X Voltage (P=IE)

The non-timed sockets can take up to 100 Watts of power.
Household current is 120 Volts. So, . . .

100 = Current X 120
100/120 = Current (maximum for non-timed socket)

.83 amps = the maximum current draw that the non-timed socket can take.