Im looking at 2 different systems and want to get some input on the differences between the two. Which one is better and why? I know one is a wick system and the other sits in the water? Do i need a pacific medium for either? I think i have narrowed down to these 2 systems.
I believe you would use coco or the clay balls for those. Or maybe a promix. I believe they are like a soilless thing. I have heard amazing things about autopots. And some people claiming it really ups their autoflower game! Personally i have never used either but just speaking from videos i have watched
The biggest difference is the valve system of the autopots. Each autopot base has it’s own float valve. So all of the pots get their own water level at their own pace. Whereas with the spider farmer there is a single float valve. So lets say for some reason one of the bases uses up half its water and the rest didn’t drink much it will open up for all the bases. Which I imagine could lead to flooding.
Both can be used with coco and soil I believe. You can get air bases for the autopots that will take place of the perlite or hydroton balls you’d put on the bottom for the water to sit.
Also don’t get autopots from amazon, go to their site. It’s usually 1/2 the price.
If i was to go with autopots what size? I see 2.2, and 3.9 gallon pots. Farther down the page it shows xl and xxl (13 gallon) pots. Guess i should ask what size pots should i use for autos and then photos.
Guess it depends on your grow area size and how large of bags or buckets you normally use. There are geopots which you can use your own fabric grow bag and then the normal autopots with a bucket (2.2/3.9 gallon options). XL I’m not sure what that refers to as the 3.9 I think is listed as an XL on their site.
@OGIncognito uses autopots and might be able to help out a bit more.
I have the XL and commonly use a 3 gallon fabric pot instead of the plastic pot (6 gallon?). I run Jack’s with silica and it’s a good fit for the Autopots: no flushing necessary. Hydroton and whatever medium you prefer (coco or peat).
You do have to clean the inlet screen every month and do a thorough peroxide cleaning between runs.
I like the Autopots and have been gravitating to them the last few years. Extremely user-friendly and has a good standalone time with the 14 gallon rez.
Thank you for the tag Brother. I use auto pots and have the 3.9 plastic pots and the 5 gallon Geopots and love both. I use coco and clay pebbles. Love it I also use canna’s full nutrient lineup and silica
Well after carefully weighing one against the other, and all the input from yall. I think im going go with the autopots. Its my understanding that if i went with the spider farmer one, i would still be buying the autopot 3 months later.
Now thats settled, i have a few question. Like can i use straight clay pebbles? Or can i use a layer of clay pebbles then filled to the top with perlite? I think i saw something like that. Or is it more for coco or soil.?
Don’t know if straight perlite is viable but then again don’t see why not, I use 1.5-2" of the clay pebbles and 30-40 % vermiculite and coco, but once roots hit the pebbles they mainly in water anyway, just how my brain is working.
Would it be beneficial if you added an airpump to an autopot system? Or is it just not necessary?
I have a 3x3 tent, how many autopots can i fit in there with out issues?
