High-pressure (aka "true") aeroponics - nutrient schedule?

[QuentinQuark]

I love the "true aeroponics" qualification. Just because you mist doesn't mean it's "true" aero. Aeroponics encompasses any hydroponics lacking a medium where the roots hang in the air.

I didn't mean any offense, in fact I tried quite hard to be as inoffensive as possible, as I knew that might tough a nerve. That is why elsewhere in the thread I used the terms HP-aero and LP-aero (for High Pressure and Low Pressure).

I'm not the one that came up with the moniker "true aeroponics" for HP-aero anyways, it was this Pod Racer guy on some old threads on ICMag, and on Overgrow before that.

 

[QuentinQuark]

Well, since this thread sort of became a one-stop shop for HP-aero, can anyone comment on how to flush in this type of system?

The tiny droplet size sprayed at high pressure seems ideal for jamming lotsa nutes into roots, but doesn't strike me as the best for flushing. What is the way to flush in this kind of system, longer spray times, to get some soaking action?

 

[srryan2]

iv just stated researching this high pressure aero i was looking at these http://www.amfog.com/mt_series.asp misters would they work well?

 

[FilthyFletch]

Well I flush mine but I have a different aero belief then you through my trials and years of use. I always leave my pump on 24 hours a day for better yields and faster growth so for me to flush I just use fresh res fill with no nutes still ph 5.5 and add some grotek super H202 along with a bit of florashield flush which breaks up the nutrient salts and lets the plant drink straight water. i chane again 3 days in and repeat 3 more days

 

[fatfarmer34]

If this has already been covered my apologies. As to the original question on nute strength in my own experience half the recommended strength has performed well for me using GH nutes. In a good aeroponic system the plants just seem to absorb better. On misting pumps you can find good ones already wired for 110 (alot of the surflos are 12v)on eBay or elsewhere for reptile aquariums. I have found them for about a $100 and they have 120 psi. The same places sell all the stuff you will need including nozzles, filters, and etc. As for watering schedule I have turned my pump off and timed how long it took before plants showed any signs of drooping it took almost 4 hours. I only run mine 5 min on 1 hour off it will vary from system to system. Clogging of nozzles is an issue, I highly recommend extra nozzles to replace clogged ones till you can unclog them and flush with res cleaner every couple weeks.

 

[fatfarmer34]

Flush normally it works fine.

 

[fatfarmer34]

Here's the site. www.HerpMist.com

 

[mindphuk]

Anyone check these guys out? http://ezmister.com/index.php

 

[milowerx96]

I'm not sure what causes the nut and ph fluctuations you were talking about but one simple rule is the larger the res the less it fluctuates and the less you have to change it. Large+stable.

 

[Earl]

Where are the pictures of weed growing with "true Aero"

I've never seen any on here
or anywhere else.

Show your grow.

 

[QuentinQuark]

iv just stated researching this high pressure aero i was looking at these http://www.amfog.com/mt_series.asp misters would they work well?

I stopped looking at the Amfog nozzles when I found out the price!

 

[QuentinQuark]

Where are the pictures of weed growing with "true Aero"

I've never seen any on here
or anywhere else.

Show your grow.

Earl, I am just researching, I have no intention to try and prove that HP-aero is better than LP-aero. Grow however you want, I just had some questions about this style of grow.

Please, let's not deteriorate this thread into a "growing style A vs. growing style B".

 

[DocMicron]

If you want to see some herb grown in true aero google glove atomix and see for yourself.

Peaces

Earl, I am just researching, I have no intention to try and prove that HP-aero is better than LP-aero. Grow however you want, I just had some questions about this style of grow.

Please, let's not deteriorate this thread into a "growing style A vs. growing style B".

 

[greendog77]

Looks like this thread has been dead a while, but if atomiser is reading this, how do you keep the water in your accumulators cool?

 

[MakeYourself]

I would like to see some custom setup? wheres the pics?

 

[mdol]

hey atomizer well I've went that bio controls rooot and hate my self for it but the system I built does work I'd really like to get in touch some how with you since you seem to truly no what up with true aeroponics and I truly could use some help and honestly I need to pic your brain lol so please get back in touch with me

 

[PetFlora]

About 2 years ago I found Pod Racer's extensive blog. I was intrigued, but I had to read it 3 times, partly because these guys were pioneering it for mj, and were on a whirlwind learning curve, plus Pods esoteric rants.

As to be expected when pioneering, some of the assumptions were wrong, like the N dumping, which was probably nothing more than recirculating toxic runoff due to hormone changes during bud development.

Pod Racer called it "TAG", I call it High Pressure Aeroponics (HPA) and there is at least one significant variation. I am a personal use grower,so the system you see pictured here is of 2 totes (eaach tote can hold 2-3 AF plants. The pump can probably handle 4 totes. For largeer grows, consider installing an Accumulator.

Although you could grow trees with HPA (55 G drums) , it's particulary suited to SOG. Why? Root systems are as big as the plant. If you have a 5-6 ft plant you need a two foot cushion all around to mist the entire root mass. Also you need sufficient room below to keep the drain clear.

Relative Humidity RH inside the root chamber is improtant. Too much and you will soon get gnats, mold, algae, fungus...

If RIU puts up a HPA forum, I will start a journal.



1. The system in place. Note inline filter (200 mesh screen) between rez and pump


2. PVC couplers come in a variety of sizes. The one on the far left has shortest thread and largest opening. Makes it easier for nutes to get up in there. I almost lost 5 young plants using the others.



3.PVC couplers with neoprene puck. Note the ledge inside will prevent the plant from falling through once it gets heavy- and it will!



Roots tend to develop before you see much top growth

This was taken a week ago (9'). This plant was on death's door. I credit HPA with bringing it back. It is now over 12".



You won't find these roots in any other aero/hydro system, and they are not the best. When the root chamber is totlly dialed in, all those hair like roots will fill with fuzz that are called root hairs. The fuzz significantly increases the surface area, allowing for more nutes to be absorbed at each feeding.

 

[Bob Smith]

I've got a little accumulator setup I've been working on........100-125PSI, 30 misters (two per column).

 

[Atomizer]

You won't find these roots in any other aero/hydro system, and they are not the best. When the root chamber is totlly dialed in, all those hair like roots will fill with fuzz that are called root hairs. The fuzz significantly increases the surface area, allowing for more nutes to be absorbed at each feeding.
View attachment 1420948

Those fall well short of true aero roots as they are way, way too wet.
If you hope to spread the word about hp aero, you need to gain better control over your mist and grow some proper aero roots
These were originally in compost and are in the process of converting to the aero structure. They are purposefully kept on the wet side to aid in the transition from soil to mist, you can just make out the excessive moisture on the root hairs.
Your root pic bears a similarity to the older soil root sections (smooth, discoloured and waxy looking), real hp aero roots look nothing like those.

 

[ChubbySoap]

now those be some proper roots...niiice