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#1
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Optimum times for Ebb & Flow system?
Very new to hydroponics - I made the 11 bottle system and it works well. Tomatoes are growing. I've read that most people use the 15 min on/off timers, but is there an optimum time for soaking the roots and then draining? Maybe flood for 5 minutes and drain for 20? any thoughts are appreciated. Thanks!
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#2
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The digital timer that I have for my strawberry's only has 14 on/off cycles per day. It said on the box that it had over 100 per week and I don't need to set each day of the week but it only gives me a total of 14 settings unless I am doing something wrong. It is Ok though, because it takes 40 min to completely fill the system so I set it for an on time of 1 to 1 1/2 hours depending on the time of the day because of the heat here. That gives me just enough settings per day with one 1 1/2 hour on time in the midel of the night. |
#3
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GPSFrontier -thanks for the reply. My system fills in about 2 minutes, so I made a digital cycle timer and will try a setting of 2 on / 18 off for three cycles per hour. I liked your point about feeding at night, so I added a light sensor and will have it cycle 2 on / 28 off or twice per hour at night. Is there a maximum dry time that the roots will dry out? Would a cycle every hour at night be too much dry time? trial and error - lots to learn! Thanks
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#4
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#5
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For my other projects, I had the same problems with the generic timers from HD and Lowes, and the irrigation systems were not flexible enough. So i made them myself. One was with 110V and one was for a boat battery 12V. Some bugs I had to work out here and there, but otherwise worked like a charm. |
#6
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Joined the forum today and there is a lot of info here! I am a complete novice trying get a system together and I am looking for a timer with something better than a 15 min resolution. GregoryJ, I see you are from Jupiter, is that Jupiter Fl? I am from Naples, just across the state. I look forward to hearing more about your timer and please let us know if you are interested in selling.
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#7
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kduck63 - welcome to the forum, pretty new myself. Yes Jupiter, FL. If you are ever on the east coast, let me know. I made the timers for my own projects but i am sure i could make one for you. Send me an email "greg at whitecapengineering dot com". We can discuss specifics. Please put "Timer" in the subject line to so it doesnt go to junk. Thanks, Greg
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#8
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This will be my first attempt at hydroponics. I have done a lot of reading and gathered a few components. If you all don't mind , I'll just sit back and learn as I have zero experience. Most of my advice has come from Hydroponics Gardening - Start a Small Garden Indoors- Helpful Guide.
I'm really excited about getting started. Thanks |
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#11
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#12
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Great Info here
Hi all. I'm a total newb to both growing as well as hydro, but I'm a bit confused by some of the cycles everyone uses (or seems to).. I have read various places on the web that (a) 5 to 30 min of flood is 'usual' and you should avoid longer than 1 hour floods, and (b) 3 to 8 of these cycles per day (depends on the plant & local growing environment?), with no real need to water at night unless they totally dry out or wilt during this off cycle.
At first glance I thought the suggestions here were more wet than what I had read but after typing that and re-reading the thread I suppose I can see that the more frequent waterers are in somewhat hot and dry locales? Do I have the (a) and (b) guidelines about right though? This is a GREAT site for info, by the way. And HUGE thanks to Ron for his build your own system plans. After messing with expensive fittings/grommets/containers/flex-hose and leaks/overflowing, the PVC pipe & bottle setup more than does the job, and is perfect for my budget! |
#13
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Hi in my system I built about 10 myrs ago, I used a fish tank pump of about 18 watts and a normal timer with 15 minute settings. I set this to run between 3 times a day in winter and 5 times a day in summer. I have had some great crops with this set up, growing tomatoes, lettuce, cabbages, roses, chilli peppers, mint and parsley. I am using expanded clay balls for medium in 20 litre plastic oil tanks cleaned with the tops cut off. I often run a single pump cycle at night during summer to prevent drying out. In tauranga new Zealand temps range from light frosts in the morning in winter to about 28C in summer. My set up is on the back deck in the open.
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