DIY Cloners - Do you need cycle timer? Just run 24x7 or ??

[NewGrower2011]

So I threw together a quick little manifold for a DIY AeroCloner... Sweeet and easy easy easy. I even had a Tap & Die set handy so I was able to make threads for my little yellow mister friends. And they are snug and easily removable (i.e. cleaning when clogged!).

So I have a 300gph or so pump and it seems to push things just fine... But I've got the standard setup where the pump sits in the cloner/res and I've read discussions about the heat from the pump being a bad thing... Not helping temps when temps might be a challenge... Now, a 300gph isn't a monster pump but I don't have a cycle timer (yet) and I'm wondering what the run frequency should be....

I do have a plain old digital timer from the local hardware store, and it has 20 programs that can be scheduled... BUt from I gather, I need to run the pump for something like 5 on and 10 off... something like that which would require a cycle timer....

Can someone fill in the blanks for me on this? I did a search on Cloner/Timer and Cloner/Cycle Timer but surprisingly didn't find what I was looking for...

 

[OLD DUDE]

I run mine at 78 degrees in the res. and run 1 min on 5 min off! 10 min is a long time for no water IMO! Play with it and see what works best for you. 24/7 should work just fine too! Petsmart has good thermometers, it's good to know the temp of your water!

 

[That 5hit]

blackout rez
put air hose w/ air stone into water
drop stem into water about a 1/2 inch
cover rez with stem suspended
run 24/7
no nutes needed



this has worked 100% for me

 

[NewGrower2011]

blackout rez
put air hose w/ air stone into water
drop stem into water about a 1/2 inch
cover rez with stem suspended
run 24/7
no nutes needed



this has worked 100% for me

What you're describing is a bubble cloner, not an aero cloner - right? I'm trying the aero approach this go around - plus I've already built my manifold... Maybe I'll do a side-by-side DWC/Bubble Cloner and the Aero Cloner next to one another...

 

[NewGrower2011]

Anyone know good source of a cycle timer that isn't jacked up in price due to being associated with "hydro"? $60+ from what I'm seeing... Ouch...

I know Grainger has some stuff but I haven't done my homework yet... Any reccomendations on good cycle timers for this purpose?

 

[ddimebag]

i run a DIY bubble cloner 24/7 when rooting cuttings.

 

[superstoner1]

if you are going aero then just get the proper product, you will need it.

 

[CaptainCAVEMAN]

I run my EZ Cloner 15min on and 15min off so the water stays cooler. Never had any problems and the timer was $12.

 

[ru4r34l]

I run my aero 24/7, warm water gives beautiful results; 7 - 10 days and they are ready for vegging.

Try it 24/7 and if you have the results you want forget the cycle timer.

regards,

 

[shambler]

they need a timer if your water temp. is getting too hot from running 24/7.

 

[Penyajo]

Anyone know good source of a cycle timer that isn't jacked up in price due to being associated with "hydro"? $60+ from what I'm seeing... Ouch...

I know Grainger has some stuff but I haven't done my homework yet... Any reccomendations on good cycle timers for this purpose?

Yeah. Go to home depot and get one for under $20.00 for something nice. STAY HIGH!!!

 

[NewGrower2011]

I run my EZ Cloner 15min on and 15min off so the water stays cooler. Never had any problems and the timer was $12.

Clue us in on the source/brand/make of your timer.... I've got no qualms with dropping $12 on one... But I haven't found anything that can do say 5 on 10 off... without being a true 'cycle' timer which those are the ones who seem to have their prices jacked up...

The local hardware store ones, at least that I've seen... can't handle the # of 'programs' it would take to do something like 15/15... I bought a few there and the best digitals I've seen have 20 unique programs max...

What is the ideal ON/OFF durations? Perhaps if I ran for longer and only gave it small idle breaks to cool down a bit I could squeeze it into 20 programs...

If you follow below you'll see that even at 15/15 you can't make it past 10:30 am given a start of time of 12:00 let's say...

12:00	ON	P1
12:15	OFF
12:30	ON	P2
12:45	OFF
1:00	ON	P3
1:15	OFF
1:30	ON	P4
1:45	OFF
2:00	ON	P5
2:15	OFF
2:30	ON	P6
2:45	OFF
3:00	ON	P7
3:15	OFF
3:30	ON	P8
3:45	OFF
4:00	ON	P9
4:15	OFF
4:30	ON	P10
4:45	OFF
5:00	ON	P11
5:15	OFF
5:30	ON	P12
5:45	OFF
6:00	ON	P13
6:15	OFF
6:30	ON	P14
6:45	OFF
7:00	ON	P15
7:15	OFF
7:30	ON	P16
7:45	OFF
8:00	ON	P17
9:00	OFF
9:15	ON	P18
9:30	OFF
9:45	ON	P19
10:00	OFF
10:15	ON	P20
10:30	OFF

 

[superstoner1]

they are called 96 pin timers, are available most places for less than $15, and will do the 15/15 all day long. a true recycle timer is worth it in the adjustability aspect.