I use a 3 part nutrient.
General hydroponics trio, and I do shift the ratios around slightly through each phase.
However many nutrient lines can be really simple like jack or even general hydroponics has a powered line also i use when im in a hurry.
This is my nutrients, not all together of course. But the GH Flora series is 3 parts that’s mixed at whatever ratio depending of plant stage.
The powder Maxi series is just 1 part either the gro for veg or the bloom for flower.
I also use silica and h2o2 or hydrogaurd.
But as to how?
Mix solution up and pour it into the reservoir and thats it basically.
The AutoPots sound awesome, but I see some people have issues with leaks. This will be in an upstairs bedroom, so I’m paranoid about pools of water dripping through the floor.
Talk me down from the ledge. Is that a common problem, or more of a horror story anecdote?
So leaks can happen but ive never had one.
The risk is with the floats. If they are put together wrong it maynot shut off and flood. But this you would know immediately at setup.
Then once they grow and get bigger, sometimes the roots can make their way to the float and cause it to stck open and flood.
Build up in the lines if not cleaned good when it needs (typically between grows) can make float stick…
These are real things that can happen.
But, if its maintained properly the risk is extremely low, like winning the lottery low in my opinion…
The systems are so simple there isn’t alot that can go wrong.
I would say more then 50% of my plants do have roots that break through but only a couple times have they grown so much that they reached the float. I simply cut them off and disposed of them and it didn’t seem to mind.
There is absolutely no waste water with autopots, so there’s nothing to measure
It’s another great benefit to them, they are bottom feed and use it as they need it so nothing is wasted.
OK. I couldn’t figure out you would do it so that makes sense. Leaves you flying blind a bit.
Another question…
With the Autopots, you have to top water until the roots get to the bottom of the pot. If I’m using 70 coco / 30 perlite, how much and how often should I top water? Should I add full nutes with that?
I’m going to use Airdomes, if that makes a difference.
You can absolutely water daily at first with full strength if you want, i typically water every other day real deep, meaning i pour alot of water in one spot rather then spread it around. The idea is to get it to go deep so the roots go deep.
But it really dosen’t matter honestly.
Just hand water grom the top 1-2 weeks just like you regularly would and afyer a couple weeks or so turn om the autopots.
And yes air domes, i have some if their domes and i also make mine own.
Ive got 20 pots but only 4 of there domes, i use just anything and poke holes in it and add an air stone.
But they definitely like air to the roots.
I thought I would update my progress. I started two auto Amnesia Haze seeds on New Year’s Day. I’m pretty pleased with them after four weeks. So much better than from my previous outdoor grows which didn’t get nearly enough sun. A little weird how much larger the plant on the left is.
AutoPots are working great, and the AC Infinity fan completely dissipates the smell.
A couple things that worked well…
I wasn’t sure how to tell when the roots had reached the bottom of the pots and time to start the reservoir flow. I put some water in the trays, and watched for the level to start decreasing. That’s when I knew the roots were thirsty.
I got a 150 ml syringe from Amazon which worked great for top watering.
I’m using the GP fertilizer mix (FloraMicro, FloraBloom and FloraGro) at 5 ml each per gallon.
Do I need to add CalMag at some point? What about flushing? Not sure how that would work with AutoPots.
Should I start to thin out these leaves or let them be?
I would appreciate any tips you experienced growers might offer after seeing the pic.
