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Mr.C
Problem Child
Joined: 15 Jan 2008
Posts: 615
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 Posted: Sat Aug 02, 2008 7:11 am Post subject: Hydroponics and timers |
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where might someone find a great setup online to peruse that consists of,,,,,
a fully automated hydroponic setup with timers and the water is recycled (indoor)? a setup where the lights turn on and off by their selves,,
is it possible to have a hydroponic setup that can only be tended to sparingly like maybe once a week or even less?
i know it is,,my point is what is the longest one can go without tending to the garden so to speak? considering indoor lights may have to be raised im guessing not very long
BUT,,,what about a hydroponic setup outdoors in a dessert type enviornment,,i guess it would depend on the size of the reservoir huh, and evaporation from heat.
seems like on a hydroponic setup indoors or out ,,, would have to be dealt with atleast once a week huh?
what type of water delivery system would one use outside in a desert environment?(meaning drip or some other type)guess thats where the solar pumps come in but those things are hard to hide ,,, i suppose it can be done.
whats better hydroponics or soil? does it really matter? maybe just a cleanliness preference huh?
whats the point of having an indoor hydroponic setup if you still have to deal with it everyday? does hydro cut down on the workload in growing at all? |
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Vern
Jerry Garcia
Joined: 04 Mar 2008
Posts: 370
Location: Oklahoma
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| Posted: Sat Aug 02, 2008 9:57 am Post subject: |
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| I have a friend who has a hydro set up in his closet. He changes the water and nutrients once a week. He has a 4 gallon container that holds the water. It's on a timer and when lights come on the fan comes on at the same time that sucks the heat up into the attic. It needs to be checked at least every couple of days to make sure the pump is still running and none of the water lines have came loose or broke. Keep a spare ballast, bulb, and pump in case something malfunctions. It's much easier than growing outside. His uses filtered water. |
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TheDeanOfGreen
Antiprohibitionist
Joined: 18 Jul 2008
Posts: 96
Location: Dean's Mansion
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| Posted: Sat Aug 02, 2008 10:05 am Post subject: |
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if you're going to start growing hydro, this is a good place to start:
https://tokecity.com/forums/showthread.php4?t=2459
it shows you a good basic setup.
As for timers, you can always get socket timers that you plug your pumps/fans/lights into....
As for maintenance I imagine that the more work you put into the beginning of the project, ie getting the right supplies, using quality parts, etc would greatly reduce the probability of something breaking down... |
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Joe
Activist
Joined: 26 Jan 2008
Posts: 268
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| Posted: Sat Aug 02, 2008 10:44 am Post subject: |
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| Mr.C wrote: | where might someone find a great setup online to peruse that consists of,,,,,
a fully automated hydroponic setup with timers and the water is recycled (indoor)? a setup where the lights turn on and off by their selves,,
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You initially set everything up. You set light schedules on timers yourself (lights into timer)
You determine the set up of everything, and when it will go on and off in set up...
Set up:
For this I would say take a look around a larger site, which has a lot of people running a lot of different things....establish a starting point, and, read......
Some systems you will inevitably acquire a level of understanding..(all gravitate towards something, for some reason......)
Lot depends on what you have in mind (size, numbers)....could be something very simple on up....
If running small?......unbelievably simple...truly...
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is it possible to have a hydroponic setup that can only be tended to sparingly like maybe once a week or even less?
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At different points, you will have different levels of activity needed........ie: Set up some work, then initial veg....depending on numbers, when you get into cloning a little more work, etc.......
The important thing to understand is the cumulative hours required.....Could be 3 times a week, but, 10 minutes, etc.....
Initial set up will require more time....and, sometimes, as elsewhere, will take up to several runs to get it "dialed in"...(running peak efficiency for your specific situation, etc....)
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i know it is,,my point is what is the longest one can go without tending to the garden so to speak? considering indoor lights may have to be raised im guessing not very long
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Growth rates are pretty astounding sometimes, so....
As above though, depends on what point in process.....what method....what are conditions overall...
Not to mention.......Listen......you don't want to stay away too long.....anything can happen in your absence.....(lines clogged, pump goes out,etc, etc...)
Which leads back to the above.....yeah, you might have to stop, etc, but, could be 5 minutes, etc.....
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BUT,,,what about a hydroponic setup outdoors in a dessert type enviornment,,i guess it would depend on the size of the reservoir huh, and evaporation from heat.
seems like on a hydroponic setup indoors or out ,,, would have to be dealt with atleast once a week huh?
what type of water delivery system would one use outside in a desert environment?(meaning drip or some other type)guess thats where the solar pumps come in but those things are hard to hide ,,, i suppose it can be done.
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Lot of people run drip lines and soaker hoses from rez and powered by pumps, etc.....
Always try and bury your lines if at all possible.....little too visible I think.....
The issue on a lot of equipment is power to handle job......(battery vs. gas powered, etc, etc....)
But are we talking indoor hydro, outdoor hydro, or outdoor with irrigation  ....
A very dear friend of mine does High Desert Guerilla Growing Might find it of interest....SW,3-9000ft.
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whats better hydroponics or soil? does it really matter? maybe just a cleanliness preference huh?
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Well...."better"?....
Hydro is quicker than soil, coco is like hydro in growth rates. (summary)
It's not always a matter of simply choosing a method...sometimes method chosen can in itself create more work....(lot of soil, weight issues, etc...)
Lot of people seem to be going with coco these days....small, compact, growth rates like hydro,etc...so, might be yet another option depending, or, can build your own system.....can be as simple as you like (coco with drip lines, etc...)
Depends what you settle on, but, looks like you need to spend some time reading through a lot of different methods to see which "feels right" to you.....(which relates to "what is best"....
The best is what you feel most comfortable with at the moment and understand the best...
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whats the point of having an indoor hydroponic setup if you still have to deal with it everyday? does hydro cut down on the workload in growing at all? |
Your confusing sometimes only checking and minimal work (time and effort) to something more significant...
As above...sometimes more work, sometimes less (set up, cloning, and harvest are your heaviest points......)
When starting (plants) and immediately after set up....you want to/should keep an eye on everything....identify any issues (so that you can tend to them less and know everything is okay)
All depends on volume....
When your doing volume, almost everything is a lot of work  
Last edited by Joe on Sat Aug 02, 2008 11:10 am; edited 1 time in total |
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Vern
Jerry Garcia
Joined: 04 Mar 2008
Posts: 370
Location: Oklahoma
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| Posted: Sat Aug 02, 2008 10:52 am Post subject: |
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| I've tried cloning, but the plants always grow much slower than the originals, wonder what I'm doing wrong? |
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Joe
Activist
Joined: 26 Jan 2008
Posts: 268
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| Posted: Sat Aug 02, 2008 11:02 am Post subject: |
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| Vern wrote: | | I've tried cloning, but the plants always grow much slower than the originals, wonder what I'm doing wrong? |
Your probably not doing anything wrong....
I wouldn't personally say "slower", but, most would agree that they lack the "vigor" of seeds...(I am among those who would agree....) |
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Mr.C
Problem Child
Joined: 15 Jan 2008
Posts: 615
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| Posted: Sat Aug 02, 2008 12:11 pm Post subject: |
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im confusing sometimes?? i agree! 
its not trying to get away from doing the work that is needed..but trying to figure out exactly how much time is really required, and you answered that.
suppose one is doing an outdoor hydroponic i know if it was ME i would want to minimize the chances of being seen at the grow,,, thats all im looking at.
not really trying to get away with doin nothing,,even though it may come across as otherwise,,
however i do know that with time and much luck,,one really can get away with doing "nothing" and the pot will still grow for you. (but thats a diff subject ) |
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Joe
Activist
Joined: 26 Jan 2008
Posts: 268
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| Posted: Sun Aug 03, 2008 11:32 pm Post subject: |
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| Mr.C wrote: |
its not trying to get away from doing the work that is needed..but trying to figure out exactly how much time is really required, and you answered that.
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Well...set up (some work)...initial veg, cloning, late veg/early flower, mid/late flower.....all have different amounts of work, things to be done (and not)...
Trimming imo/e absolute worst task, and, more it is, worse it is (Once did 20hrs a day for 60 days more or less...very tiring.Machines can help, but, your still going over them again (finer trim), and, all in all, if doing any volume, not that expensive ($1k-$25k for machines......)
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suppose one is doing an outdoor hydroponic i know if it was ME i would want to minimize the chances of being seen at the grow,,, thats all im looking at.
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Okay, I got you.......
If your talking out, forget hydro...(You speak of being seen........well, outdoor hydro would be seen, so, seems more your talking about high maintenance outdoor (difference between high/low/no maintenance has to do with irrigation and prepping (holes and mixes made, etc)
If your talking something like that, heavy work is the start.....different problems can arise, but, can get away with lower maintenance and visits...
Am I off base of are you trying to figure out a low/no maintenance outdoor?
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not really trying to get away with doin nothing,,even though it may come across as otherwise,,
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Always hypothetical......we're always just talkin...
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however i do know that with time and much luck,,one really can get away with doing "nothing" and the pot will still grow for you. (but thats a diff subject ) |
Well, outdoor no maintenance done all the time (basics are good native soil, or needs little amending and work, and, a rainfall over 2"..)
Indoor, near no maintenance is possible, all depends what you have in mind.....smaller it is, less work will be required and easier to complete all work, ya know?
1-2k, something small....one person can do all work fairly easily (even trimming...2k you might get 4p's if dialed in, good strain, etc......2-3 if not , but, still, trimming 4 or less not a big deal and at that amount, still can "enjoy it"...(As above, can get a machine if cost effective...Trim Pro's between 1-1500, can get a lot of work done on them quickly (1 person , 4 p's pretty quick, then fine trim it, etc....All depends....lot of styles and preferences involved in trimming, but, cleaner the better overall.....and, more material for hashmaking
As above (I think)....standard process (thinking, planning, questions, etc)...then develop a greater feel and awareness of overview of different methods and systems, and, then, finally, one commits....and, then, once started, the same thing happens all over again (moving from one system to another.....changing numbers....adding outdoor, changing from indoor, etc.....
It's all a process....never an end to it for most.... |
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