SIP thread -- (Sub-Irrigated Planter)
- Thread starter Humanrob
- Start date
Humanrob
Well-Known Member
Very cool, I didn't realize that you had a run go through to harvest in SIPs already.
goodro wilson
Well-Known Member
Ok u guys convinced me l...
I am not sure how it works without adding air stone but I'll probably add one anyways
I'm gonna use two $1 buckets from dollar tree they are super simple to cut or poke holes in bc they are cheap and flimsy
They also sale a cool little net pot looking pencil cup idk I have some pvc laying around so my sip cost me 3 bucks total
Can I use perlite for the wicking cup or should I get some coco
I already like to use dry ferts in all growth stages so seems like this would work well
I am not sure how it works without adding air stone but I'll probably add one anyways
I'm gonna use two $1 buckets from dollar tree they are super simple to cut or poke holes in bc they are cheap and flimsy
They also sale a cool little net pot looking pencil cup idk I have some pvc laying around so my sip cost me 3 bucks total
Can I use perlite for the wicking cup or should I get some coco
I already like to use dry ferts in all growth stages so seems like this would work well
SomeGuy
Well-Known Member
I haven't but I have for sure grown full cycle in organics adding nothing. So I full well know its possible.
Humanrob
Well-Known Member
Got it, that makes sense. I've never done full organics, I can see how with the right soil it can work. I don't have that much confidence in my store-bought soil mix, so I'm pretty sure I'm going to need to supplement it along the way. Thanks for clarifying.I haven't but I have for sure grown full cycle in organics adding nothing. So I full well know its possible.
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Tim Fox
Well-Known Member
hey, did you get these built,,
goodro wilson
Well-Known Member
Yes kinda
Waiting another week or so to transplant into one seems like a foolproof watering method may change over this 4x4 to them if I like them
I pretty much only add water anyways
I'll post some pics of it when I get off
I read some people use bamboo and think that would look cooler lol
Humanrob
Well-Known Member
Got into a discussion on another thread, but maybe it can get some coverage here. I noticed that my res level tubes were clouding up, and @Mohican suggested that I smell the water, and check out a sample under magnification. That resulted in my noticing very small living things swimming around in my reservoirs (looked like ameba, if I recall high school biology with any accuracy).
It is inconclusive whether this is a good or bad thing. It seems comparable to "living soil" -- outstanding when you have the right things living in there, not so good when its the wrong stuff. And similar discussions to those about when compost tea is good or bad, the smell test came up -- how does the water smell? I would bet the average temperature of the grow space is going to influence the amount of aquatic life. I'm sure there are a lot of factors, but I have to think anyone using a SIP has stuff living in the water.
So the first question seems to be: Do we want to discourage anything from living in our water? If so, H2O2 or very small amounts of bleach, or simply using city tap water that is chlorinated, might be sufficient to keep it in check.
People are saying SIPs are an amalgam of hydro and soil, so maybe some experienced hydro growers can comment. I was wondering if adding something like Hygrozyme to the res (!?! I know nothing about this stuff) might be a good thing? Or any suggestions are welcome.
It is inconclusive whether this is a good or bad thing. It seems comparable to "living soil" -- outstanding when you have the right things living in there, not so good when its the wrong stuff. And similar discussions to those about when compost tea is good or bad, the smell test came up -- how does the water smell? I would bet the average temperature of the grow space is going to influence the amount of aquatic life. I'm sure there are a lot of factors, but I have to think anyone using a SIP has stuff living in the water.
So the first question seems to be: Do we want to discourage anything from living in our water? If so, H2O2 or very small amounts of bleach, or simply using city tap water that is chlorinated, might be sufficient to keep it in check.
People are saying SIPs are an amalgam of hydro and soil, so maybe some experienced hydro growers can comment. I was wondering if adding something like Hygrozyme to the res (!?! I know nothing about this stuff) might be a good thing? Or any suggestions are welcome.
Evil-Mobo
Well-Known Member
I stopped using my R/O and been using tap water and have had no issues. The plants actually are growing faster with better color in the new growth with the tap. But I do have my hydro stuff still and the hydroguard from botanicare is on standby as is the cal mag but from what I have seen thus far the tap water as is from the faucet is getting it done. I would also like to hear from anyone else that may have more info on this subject that Rob just brought up.
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Will Thayer
Well-Known Member
Hello All,
I like the concept of SIPs so I decided to have a go at making some myself. I have two flavours a square 17L (4.49 USG) felt pot and a 26L (7USG) round felt pot. The reservoir is 5L washing up bowls(I am trying to keep things low due to height restrictions). I will drill an overflow hole to leave space for air between the water and soil. I will connect the top plate to the rim of the reservoir with plastic split rivets to hold it all together.
I would like the group's opinion on a few things if I may. First question would be with only a 5L reservoir, is an airstone a necessity or will the air gap suffice?
Secondly should I drill multiple small holes in the square top plate or let the roots find their way to the reservoir via the net pot wick?
Cheers,
Will
I like the concept of SIPs so I decided to have a go at making some myself. I have two flavours a square 17L (4.49 USG) felt pot and a 26L (7USG) round felt pot. The reservoir is 5L washing up bowls(I am trying to keep things low due to height restrictions). I will drill an overflow hole to leave space for air between the water and soil. I will connect the top plate to the rim of the reservoir with plastic split rivets to hold it all together.
I would like the group's opinion on a few things if I may. First question would be with only a 5L reservoir, is an airstone a necessity or will the air gap suffice?
Secondly should I drill multiple small holes in the square top plate or let the roots find their way to the reservoir via the net pot wick?
Cheers,
Will
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GroErr
Well-Known Member
Looks good, similar to the concept I'm waiting for parts to build,other than the res. Good idea on the lower height res if you need the headroom. Personally I'm going to skip the air stone at least initially, easy enough to add if needed/wanted.
Humanrob
Well-Known Member
Good morning Will. As I see it there are two primary types of commercially made SIPs that most people are borrowing designs from -- the Octopot style, and something like the EarthTainer (with its excellent PDF DIY instructions). The Octopot uses a cloth pot over a res, and the EarthTainer uses one plastic bin sitting in another. Everyone has been experimenting, merging and pulling from the designs based on the information the manufacturers provide on why, as well as how they work.
According to Octopot, air stones are not necessary and can be detrimental. In their design using the cloth pot, I don't know if there are holes along the bottom the way there are with EarthTainers and Earthboxes. The only RIU member I know who uses one is @captainmorgan , so maybe he can let us know if they have any holes along the underside. I don't believe that the holes in the bottom plate of the EarthTainer and Earthbox are for roots to travel through, the 1" air gap would "air prune" those roots. All the roots I've seen so far are growing exclusively through the wick.
EDIT: just looked at Octopots website again and their illustration does show roots crossing the air gap... hmmmm... interesting. I thought the gap was to prevent that.
Looks like you are off to a great start.
Will Thayer
Well-Known Member
Yes to be honest running without an air stone first is how I am leaning at the moment. Like you say, adding one later is simple enough. Time will tell I suppose.
Cheers,
Will
Will Thayer
Well-Known Member
@Humanrob,
Thanks for your input. It appears I am following the "octopot" theory. I would rather not drill a tedious amount of smaller holes for sure. As regards to the air stone, I am rather "watt" conscious these days and if it is not moving air or producing photons I would prefer to do without it. I know air pumps draw very little power but as they say "mind the pennies and the £pounds look after themselves.
Cheers,
Will
Thanks for your input. It appears I am following the "octopot" theory. I would rather not drill a tedious amount of smaller holes for sure. As regards to the air stone, I am rather "watt" conscious these days and if it is not moving air or producing photons I would prefer to do without it. I know air pumps draw very little power but as they say "mind the pennies and the £pounds look after themselves.
Cheers,
Will
SomeGuy
Well-Known Member
Personally I would do more of a wick will. No need to drill holes in the plastic. in the octopot design the roots grow from the wick into the water. So more wick = more roots. With that big of a soft pot and that small of a rez you will be refilling often. So no worries about standing water IMO. Airstones are like a turbo charger for this type of growing though.
I'm running 10gl pots w 3-4gl of wick (so 13gl -/+). They are on top of a 27gl rez and I am now filling once every 7-10 days in flower. When I fill there is usually 2" of water in the tub and I'm putting about 18-19gl of water in when filling up.
Picture is worth a thousand words right?
I'm running 10gl pots w 3-4gl of wick (so 13gl -/+). They are on top of a 27gl rez and I am now filling once every 7-10 days in flower. When I fill there is usually 2" of water in the tub and I'm putting about 18-19gl of water in when filling up.
Picture is worth a thousand words right?
GroErr
Well-Known Member
Hey SG, nice SIP jungle you have going there. Are you punching any holes into those fabric pots or are they growing through the cloth? I've never seen roots get through my cloth pots and was thinking of just punching some small holes in them, probably not necessary?
SomeGuy
Well-Known Member
There is a big ass netpot wick that goes through the softpot down to the bottom of each tub. So there is one big ass hole in the bottom.
GroErr
Well-Known Member
Thought I'd seen some of your root shots which looked like hydro root balls, seems to be working just fine for you! I'm just looking for a way to water them when I'm away so not going to drill them, just let them "suck" the water up as they need it. Cheers.
SomeGuy
Well-Known Member
That was my original motivation... Fool proof auto-water. Not to mention that it stays easy the whole time. Just fill before leaving and there is a ten day window.
I'm going to work on a vegg system soon so I can leave the entire grow unattended for 7-10days as needed...
Hydro roots and hydro growth in organic soil! Let me tell you, I feel like I've found the grail.. Lol
I'm going to work on a vegg system soon so I can leave the entire grow unattended for 7-10days as needed...
Hydro roots and hydro growth in organic soil! Let me tell you, I feel like I've found the grail.. Lol