scrub

I found a Cycle Timer Kit available on the web for under $30. I'm considering using it for the 1 min on / 4 min off pump cycle for a Aerospring.

I mention this for two reasons. First, I'm looking for opinions on whether the kit provides a continuous on/off cycle. And, second, in the event someone else out there wants to try the kit as well.

http://www.cpcares.com/CK157X.html

bgetting

If you are using any legitimate type of aeroponics system, you want the water to be circulating all the time. Any break in the sprayers means that they aren't getting what they could. There is plenty of available oxygen to the roots in an aero system, which is the purpose of turning off the water pumps in some hydro setups. I would say that you could buy the timer, seems cheap enough, but you will be taking away from the whole point fo aeroponics.

scrub

Continuous spraying seems to conflict with the instructions for the Aerospring which calls for a 20% on, 80% off cycle. Obstensibly this is to let the roots breath a bit.

bgetting

Is that aerospring one that has suspended roots that hang into water, or suspended roots that don't hang in to water. The aeroponics that i have used are the latter, where the roots are suspended in a tube, and the spray of water is the only source of water. Those systems are left on all the time. I may be talking about a different setup, but if you describe your system, i have a feeling that 20/80% sounds a little strange for a true aeroponics system. Let me know, maybe it can be optimized.

scrub

Roots grow toward the water and eventually into it. You can see the system in use under "Images" the Insane K9 thread page 2. Below are plans to make the unit.

I know zip about these systems. It's nice to hear a balancing view. Thanks.

http://www.geocities.com/canine420/doc/aerospring.zip

The password is... 420

bgetting

so these systems are hybrid aero/hydro systems. The original and true aeroponics systems are those that only have sprayers to spray aerated nutrient solution to the roots. These systems have the roots in a chamber where the water continuously sprays over them and then drains back into a reservoir. They are the ones that have shown outrageous crops and growth. The other ones that I believe most of the people here are talking about is really just a hydro system where there is a gap between the roots in the reservoir and the growing medium. The system I use is much like this, but without the gap. An air pump continuously oxygenates the water, so there is no need for a gap, and the roots are submerged for their entire life. They take air slower than the pump can replace it, so there really isn't any worry of root rot.
I can't tell you what would be the best for that system, as I am not terribly convinced that an easy growing theory needs to be complicated. I would say follow their directions, and good luck...

bong_hit

I'm using the rainforest areo/hydro sytem...wich is like the aerospring in that the roots hangdown and grow into the water....I have mine on a 3 min on 15 min off cycle....this has been working reall well and seems to wrok better than my previous setting wich was 15 min on and 45 off. hope this can help you.

aeroskunk

bong_hit:

do you have an air pump in your system?

the reason your plants weren't diggin the 45 minute off spiel is 'cause the roots were sitting in non-oxygenated water.. for the first few minutes after the off time the roots continue to eat, and eat, until they use up all that oxygen.. then what's left? a tank of water without enough oxygen to supply the plant their food..

im having a similar problem using the same aerospring device.. i dont have an air pump, OR an interval timer..
so i have to leave my spring on 24/7 .. which is cool cause it's cheaper:P but i dont think the roots dont like not having a dry time.. and i think that the roots dont recieve enough oxygen.. there's a pressure release valve in a vertical pvc tube INSIDE the spring which shoots across the top of the water level creating some oxygen.. but i dont think it's enough.. i use a 36 gal reservoir, but only put 10 gallons max into it.

to this day my growth on the left 1/4 of the spring (where the pressure release valve doesnt spray and 2 plants root systems are growing), the 2 plants are looking so sickly, exhibiting signs of overwatering.. im led to believe its from no o2 over there.. i'd like another opinion.. should i get an airstone or an interval timer? if i get an interval timer, in the offtime, the roots would get even less oxygen, and the interval timers expensive.. breaking my pocket.. or i can get a 10 dollar airpump/airstone setup, stick it in the left half where the plants are looking sickly, and see if that does the trick.. i need some advice.
thx



a. skunk

bong_hit

aero-
hey whats up....so why did you stop your grow diary....that was really cool with the everyday postings and it has helped me out a lot too. But yeah...I had had the same thought abot the roots just sitting in the un oxygenated water...they couldn't like that...so I got a pump that had two air outputs...and than got a little device that splits the air so that you can run 4 lines out of two, got the airstones and such....than put them in my resivor....holy crap the roots grew like 3 inches over that first night....they love the bubbling water. So yeah it help ALOT. But Im not sure what you should...im sure the airsrones would be great....but do you think the plants can still stand the 24 hours of spraying? Your roots are well into the resivor..right? So maybe you could add the airstone.....and then just plug and unplug the sprayer on the aerospring when ever you had a chance.....it would be like dwc....with the added spraying when you had a chance.
Just a though.....let us know what you do.

p.s
have you sampled any of your crop from your diary yet? how was it? Also have you ever heard of anyone using the rainforest system that I have to grow to maturity?

scrub

Tried the kit. After adding another $35.00 in parts, it hummed then puffed. I don't recommend it for this purpose.

Here is the cheapest cycle timer I've found:

http://www.futuregarden.com/shop/80-...ml?id=pQRUhp5A