Autopot users: any salt issues? Benefits vs drip?

[flipwon]

Been back and forth on running an autopot or drip system in a second grow room of mine. I've been concerned about salt buildup with auto pots so have been leaning drip.

I'm trying to find some of the benefits to running autopot vs drip emitters and am coming up short.

So, autopot users, I ask you this:

Why did you choose to go with autopot over a drip system?

Have you had any major salt problems in the media? Any workarounds?

 

[ComputerSaysNo]

Why did you choose to go with autopot over a drip system?

I have a balcony grow that I can sometimes not attend for 2-3 weeks at a time, so I needed a reliable fertigation system. The AutoPot certainly delivered on that front.

At this point I would not even try a drip system any more. The watering from below works fabulously, as far as I can see. The roots get plenty of oxygen, and the plant was growing really well so far.

I will also use this for my next indoor grow, with more pots but all going to the same reservoir.

The plant was an absolute mess when I transplanted it in the AutoPot; many weeks old, but there was a dire issue with mites, so about half the plant was removed (somebody else did that and gave me the plant). It fully recovered in about six weeks of veg (July and August), and grew into a beast. It's a stealth grow, so I could not give it free reign, but currently I'm hoping for 150g, fingers crossed. Still has a few weeks to go. The cultivar is "Orange Sherbert" by Barney's Farm (from seed).

Have you had any major salt problems in the media? Any workarounds?

I did not have any nutrition related issues at all. What I did do, was flush the pot with FlashClean (outside of the tray). I did that twice, more "for good measure" and when I was changing the nute schedule, rather than to resolve any problems.

Of course it's possible that I would have run into issues, had I not done that. Probably I would have done the same thing with a regular top-feed grow.

The plant is growing in a 50/50 mix of coco and clay pebbles. About an inch of clay pebbles at the bottom of the pot.

The good thing about the system is, that you can actually flush very easily, because if you remove the pot from the tray it's just a regular pot with holes in the bottom, and you can flush it in a bath tub (even easier for me because the plant is outside). I've also moved the pot a few times into direct sunlight, when I had the opportunity. It's just very convenient in that sense (no drip lines or carrots to remove, etc.).

The manufacturer of the AutoPot says that you can simply run FlashClean through the tank (reservoir); I have not tried that approach, but it would also clean the system itself.

Today I noticed that the pH in the reservoir had dropped precipitously (from 6 to below 5). This was probably because I let the nutrient solution go "stale" in there. It is GHE TriPart formula. I did not notice that before, but I guess 3 weeks is the limit for my nutrient mix to go in the tank... I have now drained the tank, flushed the plant, and tomorrow I'll reset.
I think if you don't let the reservoir stand that long that won't be an issue.

 

[flipwon]

I have a balcony grow that I can sometimes not attend for 2-3 weeks at a time, so I needed a reliable fertigation system. The AutoPot certainly delivered on that front.

At this point I would not even try a drip system any more. The watering from below works fabulously, as far as I can see. The roots get plenty of oxygen, and the plant was growing really well so far.

I will also use this for my next indoor grow, with more pots but all going to the same reservoir.

The plant was an absolute mess when I transplanted it in the AutoPot; many weeks old, but there was a dire issue with mites, so about half the plant was removed (somebody else did that and gave me the plant). It fully recovered in about six weeks of veg (July and August), and grew into a beast. It's a stealth grow, so I could not give it free reign, but currently I'm hoping for 150g, fingers crossed. Still has a few weeks to go. The cultivar is "Orange Sherbert" by Barney's Farm (from seed).


I did not have any nutrition related issues at all. What I did do, was flush the pot with FlashClean (outside of the tray). I did that twice, more "for good measure" and when I was changing the nute schedule, rather than to resolve any problems.

Of course it's possible that I would have run into issues, had I not done that. Probably I would have done the same thing with a regular top-feed grow.

The plant is growing in a 50/50 mix of coco and clay pebbles. About an inch of clay pebbles at the bottom of the pot.

The good thing about the system is, that you can actually flush very easily, because if you remove the pot from the tray it's just a regular pot with holes in the bottom, and you can flush it in a bath tub (even easier for me because the plant is outside). I've also moved the pot a few times into direct sunlight, when I had the opportunity. It's just very convenient in that sense (no drip lines or carrots to remove, etc.).

The manufacturer of the AutoPot says that you can simply run FlashClean through the tank (reservoir); I have not tried that approach, but it would also clean the system itself.

Today I noticed that the pH in the reservoir had dropped precipitously (from 6 to below 5). This was probably because I let the nutrient solution go "stale" in there. It is GHE TriPart formula. I did not notice that before, but I guess 3 weeks is the limit for my nutrient mix to go in the tank... I have now drained the tank, flushed the plant, and tomorrow I'll reset.
I think if you don't let the reservoir stand that long that won't be an issue.

Interesting. I've been doing all the research I can on the two methods and have seen some people say not to flush autopots at all as it pushes salts down through the media. Others say they do it. I've yet to find an "official" stance on it as both have been said by autopot reps.

The modularity i guess is what is drawing me to the system. I'll have to do more research it seems.

 

[ComputerSaysNo]

The modularity i guess is what is drawing me to the system. I'll have to do more research it seems.

Don't sweat it. It's not expensive, get a single-pot setup and see if you like it.

It's probably possible to set up an even cheaper system with capillary mats and simple flood valves.

At the end of the day, it's just a wick system, but it's well made and truly modular; their customer base is big enough for them to sell each and every part individually.

 

[ComputerSaysNo]

have seen some people say not to flush autopots at all as it pushes salts down through the media

Don't fix what ain't broken. If the plant grows fine from seed to harvest, why even think about flushing? As I've said, I've only done it for good measure, and I will for sure do a crop without any flushing, just to see the difference.

 

[oill]

Been back and forth on running an autopot or drip system in a second grow room of mine. I've been concerned about salt buildup with auto pots so have been leaning drip.

I'm trying to find some of the benefits to running autopot vs drip emitters and am coming up short.

So, autopot users, I ask you this:

Why did you choose to go with autopot over a drip system?

Have you had any major salt problems in the media? Any workarounds?

I've run both.... I would never do an autopot again. Loads of salt build up and it's a pain to flush. I now to dripper fed coco dtw.... and it rocks

 

[ComputerSaysNo]

Loads of salt build up and it's a pain to flush.

Please elaborate (seriously).

 

[oill]

Please elaborate (seriously).

With bottom feed and chemical nutes... I got salt build up.... and because the system doesn't have anywhere to drain you have to take the pot out and put it outside or in the bath and flush it. It kept happening and causing issues. I'm sure you could get it to work well.... but I don't understand WHY you would try when top fed dtw is so superior!?


BTW I grow in coco

 

[pinner420]

Subfertigation will always be second fiddle to dtw.....

 

[ComputerSaysNo]

With bottom feed and chemical nutes... I got salt build up.... and because the system doesn't have anywhere to drain you have to take the pot out and put it outside or in the bath and flush it. It kept happening and causing issues. I'm sure you could get it to work well.... but I don't understand WHY you would try when top fed dtw is so superior!?

I will have to do a straight run without any flushing at all to see the difference. I can see the problem in theory. On the other hand, lots of farmer are doing capillary mat feeding, and that method should have the same problem.

Top-feed DTW is not "clearly superior" in my opinion. The "waste" needs to be drained and disposed of. The system needs has be dialed in. Feeding hose has to be distributed. You probably need a pump.
While I'm going to these lengths, I might as well go full aero/NFT, with clearly superior results.

My current view on the matter is: either keep it as simple as possible, or go all the way for maximum effectiveness. There's no need to take a middle ground and get disadvantages from both worlds.

 

[ComputerSaysNo]

Subfertigation will always be second fiddle to dtw.....

Bold claim, now please explain why.

(For my part I'm only interested in results, not religion or cargo cult.)

 

[Star Dog]

Yes salt build up pretty bad (user error) you need to use a low ec to prevent the ec rising, up its a similar to feeding with blumats in a sense.
Flushing pushes salts is nonsense ime if it needs it flush it.

I've not used them for years I couldn't comment on them against dtw but they can grow nice plants with minimal effort for sure.

 

[Star Dog]

Subfertigation will always be second fiddle to dtw.....

I'd put my money on dtw but for the work involved versus a autopot is the difference justified?

I run dtw 5-7 feeds daily it takes a bit of maintaining and working out run off etc its a pain tbh, with the autopot you have a reservoir to keep full once weekly.

I've pulled out a easy grow I'm intending to give it try again at some point, I've learnt a lot since using them last.

 

[ComputerSaysNo]

with the autopot you have a reservoir to keep full once weekly.

Also, with the AutoPot or a similar low-maintenance method you can also simply run organic soil and have pure water in the res, with guaranteed zero "built-up" issues.

At the moment when it's just about watering, a wick system beats a drip system hands down in my opinion.

 

[oill]

I'd put my money on dtw but for the work involved versus a autopot is the difference justified?

I run dtw 5-7 feeds daily it takes a bit of maintaining and working out run off etc its a pain tbh, with the autopot you have a reservoir to keep full once weekly.

I've pulled out a easy grow I'm intending to give it try again at some point, I've learnt a lot since using them last.

Hows dtw more work?
Feeding timer.... it automatically drains.... I can go on 2 week holidays!

When you get salt build up in a autopot you have to move it and flush it. If you got the xl's that's a massive pain in the a

Maybe ots fine if you run really weak nutes... but how's that gonna help getting you dense buds.

 

[oill]

Also, with the AutoPot or a similar low-maintenance method you can also simply run organic soil and have pure water in the res, with guaranteed zero "built-up" issues.

At the moment when it's just about watering, a wick system beats a drip system hands down in my opinion.

I agree with this... autopots might make sense with soil but not with coco.

 

[rkymtnman]

BTW I grow in coco

good point. the OP never mentioned the media. i'd say feed to run off coco would be way easier than autopot with coco.

 

[ComputerSaysNo]

i'd say feed to run off coco would be way easier than autopot with coco.

How is it "way easier"?

Having to deal with any run-off vs. dealing with none is not easier.

I agree with this... autopots might make sense with soil but not with coco.

Why? It's possible to fully amend coco and run water from the tank. Bio Tabs have a full tutorial for coco growing with AutoPots.
"Might make sense with soil but not coco" is a strong statement. Give some reasoning.

You guys are throwing out statements off-handedly with no supporting arguments.

 

[oill]

How is it "way easier"?

Having to deal with any run-off vs. dealing with none is not easier.


Why? It's possible to fully amend coco and run water from the tank. Bio Tabs have a full tutorial for coco growing with AutoPots.

You guys are throwing out statements off-handedly with no supporting arguments.

You have a pipe that goes to the drain. Look at iws autodrain. Other than that it's all on timers.

Also... that fucking valve thing on autopots is shit. It gets stuck and then you get flooded. The whole thing sucks.

 

[rkymtnman]

Subfertigation will always be second fiddle to dtw.....

totally agree. my small system is set up so i can go on vacation for 2 weeks and not worry about it. if you have a stable feed res, drain to waste is worth it for me. bye bye pH and EC issues.