I want to make an auto waterer for my plants in soil. Anybody know a good way to do it? I already have a5watt water pump coming in, tubing, and t connectors. Can I make one with just those pieces? I have a32 inch x 60 inch grow tent
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You can make a simple drip ring connected to a reservoir. Controlled with a timer.
I would highly suggest that you wait until you use coco or hydro for an automatic water system. Since in soil you need a dry cycle. It will be difficult to set the timer to match the dry cycle. You will also need to consider what to do with the run off.
One of my tents sets over a floor drain, so the run off just goes down the drain. I have set an automatic watering system for soil in this tent, before while on vacation. It definitely overwatered, but it was just for a few days.
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Was thinking of setting it up to turn it on and off manually. It’d be easier than using the hand pump I’m using now
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OK, you are looking for a manual controlled drip system.
Just form a circle with the 1/4 inch tubing, and then pop about 6-8 holes on one side. Using the smallest drill bit that is your standard set. If your pump has a variable output set it for a low output. You want a drip coming out of the holes, and not a steam. Using the push fitting like in the picture makes it easier to clean the rings.
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Also be sure that the reservoir is lower than the rings or you will siphon the reservoir after the pump shuts off.
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In my opinion, an Autopot system is easier, more reliable and produces great plants.
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Yes definitely sounds like an excellent solution for watering.
Look at DWC and RDWC I’ve had some really good results using hydroponics. Sounds like your game to try some advanced gardening.
I’ll be taking about 10 cuttings for clones tonight after the Dallas vs. Seattle game.
11/28
11/3
10/24
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Mighty fine plantsđź‘Ť
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I want to try cloning myself after they get big enough. My first real grow, am learning with some cheap seeds so I’m not out too much if they fail.
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Thanks they’re some RUNTZ from a friend in LA. I’m taking cuttings then trim some off the mothers and set lights to flower for the three bigger plants on the right. The smaller I’ll put in a 4x4 for another week then move back in to the big tent. The clones will be in a 1x4 for the next couple weeks then into the 4x4 for 10 weeks or whenever the big tent is finished with the mothers. I might clone some from the 1st generation clones for a third run.
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@Daves_not_here , I bought a cheap system from Amazon and paid dearly for it. Timer didn’t operate correctly and I lost a almost finished plant. I have each container set up for a drip system. Now I just use the manual button and switch the hose between the containers. Not automatic but way easier than a watering can. What @HotAndHumid said also. Auto pots with soil and cloth bags are next.
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@Daves_not_here @Fishyswaw @HotAndHumid, wasting money buying parts and prices, moving from one type system to another, seems to be my thing. Have tried two or three types of hydro, soil with organics and synthetic, and coco with AutoPots.
It comes down to how hands on you want to be. A lot of new growers want to be very hands on, and have trouble with overdoing things. Then after a grow or two the urge to do something starts to go away. A bucket hydro system like in the previous pictures requires a lot of monitoring and maintenance. On the other hand the AutoPot can be left on its own for days. I would rate the systems from most labor intensive to least this way,
- hydro systems, it is hard to believe, but the easiest hydro, that I have used, was in a simple drain to waste bucket. Just had to top feed by hand once a day. All the others hydro types will require a couple hours daily.
- coco, watered by hand
- soil watered by hand
- AutoPots with coco
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I misspoke, I meant to say coco and auto pots. That is probably the only way I could use coco. Don’t have the time.
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Since retiring I no longer need to find time, but now need something to do with my time. Growing during the winter only this year.
It is strange though, even with all the extra time, during the last years. I have evolved to the AutoPot last year. And this year, I am really enjoying adding some AC Infinity controllers to the grow room. Go figure?
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@Daves_not_here, bought a 10 gallon “recycling” can at Lowes to use as a reservoir. It only holds 9 gallons safely with a little extra room but it allows me 3 feedings before refill. I added a wave maker on a timer also. Not fully automated but it saves time mixing nutes once a week.
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If it’s the rectangular one it’ll end up leaking. The “tall boy” cans or whatever they are called also leak. Just a heads up. All the cans I’ve tried have leaked. The best if you gotta stay with something off the shelf is brute.
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I use this old cooler for a reservoir, and just put a bulkhead fitting in the bottom of it. I first made it for a RDWC hydro set up, since it is insulated. Now use for the AutoPot reservoir. It will only hold 8-9 gallons, but works well for me.
I love to repurpose things, and since we seem to have old coolers and such things sitting around anyway. Plus I get to redneck it up even more by sitting it on a double wide milk crate.
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@Low, thanks for the heads up. Yea it’s about like a tall kitchen can, little shorter. I went with that one because it has a flat bottom. I have some of the rectangular brute boxes but was concerned with the support ridges on the bottom collecting nutes.
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There is always something left behind in any can with or without ridges. If you are using a pump that is. 
just keep an eye on it.
I forgot the term. But if it’s a solid mold (not 2 pieces fused) in the design of the can it’ll hold better. Leaks are spontaneous so hopefully you have a floor drain nearby in the event of failure.
Not a bad idea @Ickey
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The best thing I’ve found for indoor soil only grows is SIPs (like GroBuckets)… You literally can just dump decent water in, seed-to-harvest, and only every few days except at maybe the very peak if they’re drinking a gallon a day.
I am always open to a simpler organic way to grow quality stuff indoors, but I’ve yet to come across anyone doing it.