pH Controller
I use a Milwaukee pH controller (leftover from aquarium), and an inexpensive peristaltic pump. If you get that pump, you also need appropriate tubing, something like this 2mm id 4mm od 1mm wall thickness .
I use it to dose either 10:1 diluted pH up/down, which I have prepared in a squeeze bottle (so that the tubing just fits through the nozzle). Generally, during veg I’m dosing pH up, during flower I’m dosing pH down (but that’ll depend on your situation)
On a related note, a nearby (to me) grower and I (but mostly him) are working on an affordable calibrated(-able) peristaltic pump dosing system (e.g., for nutrients). Speak up if you wanna hear more.
Pumps
I’m using three pumps currently:
- Main Pump. I’m using the same one @PharmerBob is using, a Current USA 1900 GPH pump, which is discussed on this thread: Magnetic higher-end pumps for RDWC . This pump feeds the manifold on the wall, and the output can be directed to any of (a) recirculate, (b) mix in res, (c) drain to sink.
- Chiller Pump. Per the manufacturers recommendation, it’s a Hydrofarm AAPW400. This pump sits in the reservoir and pumps to the chiller, the return from the chiller goes to the reservoir.
I use the Active Aqua 1/4hp Chiller. 1/4 hp is more than I need for the current ~35 gal system, but I’m expandable to with another four or six plants so the chiller will grow with me. - Drain pump. This is another Hydrofarm pump, a bit smaller (if I recall), but I don’t really remember. It’s one I had lying around.
Superstruts
These are the hardware that is mounted to the wall, and the pipes/valves are mounted to it. Superstrut is a brand name, they’re available at Home Depot and Lowes. See the manufacturers page, Superstrut®.
Valves
Yes, the orange box things are the electrically-controlled valves. From Amazon.
Condensation
Perhaps it’s an unusual problem, but (daytime) I have 86-88F air temp, 70-80% humidity, and 68F water temp. Yea, it’s going to condense. I’m running so hot/humid because I’m both supplementing CO2 and trying to keep VPD between 1.2 and 1.5 (higher than normal).
I probably should find a way to deal with this, but it’ll be difficult to do until after harvest (the plants would make it real difficult to insulate the 3" drain pipes or the 3/4" flex supply hoses. I think I’m just going to insulate the plants & the pipes with flexible neoprene pipe insulation.
Here’s my environment, last 36 hours or so… maybe you can see why it condenses? lol
