watering question

[Budzbuddha]

Here it is action , it works ... No Bullshit
Tested right now on my CHOCOSKUNK AUTO .
I won't have to water for a day or two. I check at least once a day.

 

[Chester da Horse]

Mate, if you want a hands off barely any water carrying simple hydro setup - look up the autopot system

I'm using it with good results so far (on my first grow) - u need to fill up a 30L reservoir once in a few weeks (get someone to help you with that) and then the valve setup looks after the rest - dispensing water into a bottom feed tray for your plants as they use it up. Would save you all the hassle!

 

[green217]

yea them things i read dont work to great not saying they dont just read a cople threads that say dont use them

They are useful if you are having trouble determining the moisture in your soil, I used one on my first run. But after a little time growing, you will not need it.

 

[green217]

I made a diy soil sensor for my arduino. If you are interested google gardenbot, it works fantastic. I have code that controls a sprinkler valve that allows water to flow to my pot. I have not installed it yet though. If you go this route beware of expensive soil sensors they suck for the most part, they corrode quite quickly. The gardenbot has a new design that uses 2digital outputs to apply the current alternately between the two pins, and you use a analog input to read it. This design will save you the trouble of making new sensors every month or two. It works great. and its just two galvanized nails, a couple resistors, solder, and some heat shrink, and of course wire. I plan automating my grow this summer. I also want to be able to check the sensor values over the web. I will be using a arduino yun for that.

 

[Cobnobuler]

If you cant quite lift it, it probably doesnt need water. Like they say even if you kick it a little or push it around some you can pretty much tell when they need water.
I don't know how crazy I'd be about pots sitting on something thats plugged in.

 

[althor]

Get this ... It's $9 at walmart . I use it to maintain moisture level ( digital ) comes with data sheet to show what number to look for when it's time to water. Use the " tomato " range to monitor soil moisture.

View attachment 3389058

There is the ticket.... A water meter for 9 bucks! Who woulda thought....

Digital scales just sounds like a massive mess to me. Especially when you accidently drip or overwater.

 

[bravedave]

My first grow I too was weighing... Digital package mail scale. It certainly worked out, but yeah once I got used to the look and feel of things, the scale got shelved next to my clone room ghetto blaster.

Additionally, while many here suggest the almost full dry-out of your soil/mix, my current grow has me keeping things a little moister and just going more on almost a 3 day schedule. Harvesting soon and things are great. This is not me, 4-grow newb, making the 'keep it moist' call but comes from a couple top tier growers here.

 

[sno capz]

Those soil meters are useless... When I ventured into my first few grows years ago I bought 4 different meters like that one by all different manufacturers and none of them did it for me. It annoyed me so much that I ended switching to an ebb and flow hydro system... So much easier than soil.

 

[bravedave]

Those soil meters are useless... When I ventured into my first few grows years ago I bought 4 different meters like that one by all different manufacturers and none of them did it for me. It annoyed me so much that I ended switching to an ebb and flow hydro system... So much easier than soil.

Hard to believe that there is something easier than a "Promix and Jack's" grow but someday I will venture there.

 

[sno capz]

Hydro def takes a little bit more to set up however the benefits surpass soil IMO. Grows faster from what I've seen, so long as you keep everything where it needs to be (ie. Nutrient levels, feeding cycles, pH levels). Once you've established a routine it's pretty mindless. Of course every different strain requires different levels of care but it doesn't take much to test pH twice a day and clean out your nutrient reservoir once a week especially since a good cleaning of your area should take place frequently... I hope that all sounds right because it does in my head lol I'm a bit stoned haha

 

[Rrog]

http://www.irrometer.com/sensors.html

Check the MLT version. Super-fast and accuate

 

[bravedave]

http://www.irrometer.com/sensors.html

Check the MLT version. Super-fast and accuate

$?

 

[Rrog]

$$!

Over $100 as I recall. I bought a couple of cheapos. Complete waste IMHO

 

[bravedave]

$$!

Over $100 as I recall. I bought a couple of cheapos. Complete waste IMHO

I would tend to agree. I did not read if there was any electronic interface. If besides validating what you probably already know , it could run an auto watering system; it might warrant some interest.

 

[Rrog]

I plan to have one of these per plant, and have them control the watering. You can very accurately hold the moisture where it's optimal.

Previously I used Blumats, which use the same technology, but not very accurately and not without accidents.

 

[green217]

I plan to have one of these per plant, and have them control the watering. You can very accurately hold the moisture where it's optimal.

Previously I used Blumats, which use the same technology, but not very accurately and not without accidents.

I made the one that is designed to counteract corrosion(electrolysis). Google gardenbot, I have one up and going and it works great! I have not implemented in my grow room as of yet. I have made one so far. They are easily made and super cheap.

 

[Rrog]

Thanks Green- That might be a little too Beta-version for me. lol.