Autopots

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Cookmesomeeggsbch

Active Member
Has anyone had experience with these?

thehydrocentre.co.nz

Autopot FlexiPot Systems - 20L

Shop our Autopot Fabric Pot Smart system. Fast shipping ✈ Discreet packaging Order now! Or, explore our hydroponics store in New Plymouth including grow tents, grow lights & budzilla.
thehydrocentre.co.nz thehydrocentre.co.nz

Looks like a good investment, if anyone has used in a tent before is it possible to extend the reservoir outside the tent without any light leaks?
 
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rollupreader

Well-Known Member
Yeah, just agitating it some. I use general hydro dry and stir it good but didn't want to risk a clogged line. I don't measure the temps, but I can't see it making much difference. It's in a cool basement.
 
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rollupreader

Well-Known Member
I know from previous aquarium experience the PH can rise with aeration and it will evaporate a little quicker, so it stands to reason that ec would rise with evaporation. But we're talking slowly. If you're checking your res every few days, it won't matter. I'm certainly no autopot expert, just trying to help.
 
Cycad

Cycad

Well-Known Member
I think it would be easier for me to run a 3/8 irrigation tube and use one of those Chinese irrigation controllers (single zone) they're cheap to buy and programmable.
 
C

Cookmesomeeggsbch

Active Member
rollupreader said:
I know from previous aquarium experience the PH can rise with aeration and it will evaporate a little quicker, so it stands to reason that ec would rise with evaporation. But we're talking slowly. If you're checking your res every few days, it won't matter. I'm certainly no autopot expert, just trying to help.
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I'm using canna vega and Flores classic which is designed for a res so maybe I'll try contact them and ask
 
R

rollupreader

Well-Known Member
Sounds good. Personally, I will EC and PH my res every day, every couple at worst. Can't see anything getting out of whack in that timeframe.
 
D

Dr_Smoke

Active Member
If you want to add o2 to the mix grab the airdomes and place them in the bottom of the pots. Place clay pepples around the airdome and I've seen some people use abit of cheese cloth placed inside the airdome to stop roots from getting into the dome.
 
V

Valeris

Member
I used to use auto pots. They were great as a beginner but over time they showed to start showing flaws. Namely, there's a limit how high water can travel up from wicking, and eventually you'll find that the bottom half of the pot is doing fine but the top half of the pot will be bone dry. You also can't really add water to the top because even a small amount of runoff will flood the tray. I also had lines clogging all the time, probably more my problem but it was still annoying trying to find out where clogs were and suck them out

That being said. It was great to have them while I learned how to make a better system.
 
D

Dr_Smoke

Active Member
Valeris said:
I used to use auto pots. They were great as a beginner but over time they showed to start showing flaws. Namely, there's a limit how high water can travel up from wicking, and eventually you'll find that the bottom half of the pot is doing fine but the top half of the pot will be bone dry. You also can't really add water to the top because even a small amount of runoff will flood the tray. I also had lines clogging all the time, probably more my problem but it was still annoying trying to find out where clogs were and suck them out

That being said. It was great to have them while I learned how to make a better system.
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What system are you using now ?
 
calvin.m16

calvin.m16

Well-Known Member
I use the AutoPot reservoir as my trash bin in one of my rooms now.. The trays are not reliable, you will have plants that either are drowned or don't get enough and also clogged lines is an issue unless you run a very limited fertilizer recipe. You cannot use any form of organics or bacterias in this it will 1000% clog and you'll be cleaning or replacing lines to get it back in operation.

I ended up realizing it's easier to just hand water the dang plants and instead of using 5 or 7 gallon pots of coco I upsized to 10 gallons so I can water every 2 days instead of every day if needed.

I cannot give a good review on AutoPots and I will also mention the plastic they use is very flimsy and breaks easily, the lid to their reservoir came pre-busted with the corner broke off and the pots cracked at the base in a few areas with very light use.. I can throw my Gropro injection molded pots all over slide them slam them stack them and they are still like new.. Autopots you do that and the pot might snap in half.

I'd look into another system or consider if hand watering is possible. I know automation is very enticing but trust me been there done that unless you're prepared to tinker with stuff and maintain a bunch of pieces and parts it's easier to just measure & pour by hand..

Sorry for the long post just hoping I save someone from wasting a few hundred dollars.
 
calvin.m16

calvin.m16

Well-Known Member
Valeris said:
I used to use auto pots. They were great as a beginner but over time they showed to start showing flaws. Namely, there's a limit how high water can travel up from wicking, and eventually you'll find that the bottom half of the pot is doing fine but the top half of the pot will be bone dry. You also can't really add water to the top because even a small amount of runoff will flood the tray. I also had lines clogging all the time, probably more my problem but it was still annoying trying to find out where clogs were and suck them out

That being said. It was great to have them while I learned how to make a better system.
Click to expand...
I had this problem too, either too wet or too dry. Also just me or is the plastic weak as hell that they're made of? The clogged lines had me wanting to take the system out back and burn it.
 
D

Dr_Smoke

Active Member
calvin.m16 said:
I use the AutoPot reservoir as my trash bin in one of my rooms now.. The trays are not reliable, you will have plants that either are drowned or don't get enough and also clogged lines is an issue unless you run a very limited fertilizer recipe. You cannot use any form of organics or bacterias in this it will 1000% clog and you'll be cleaning or replacing lines to get it back in operation.

I ended up realizing it's easier to just hand water the dang plants and instead of using 5 or 7 gallon pots of coco I upsized to 10 gallons so I can water every 2 days instead of every day if needed.

I cannot give a good review on AutoPots and I will also mention the plastic they use is very flimsy and breaks easily, the lid to their reservoir came pre-busted with the corner broke off and the pots cracked at the base in a few areas with very light use.. I can throw my Gropro injection molded pots all over slide them slam them stack them and they are still like new.. Autopots you do that and the pot might snap in half.

I'd look into another system or consider if hand watering is possible. I know automation is very enticing but trust me been there done that unless you're prepared to tinker with stuff and maintain a bunch of pieces and parts it's easier to just measure & pour by hand..

Sorry for the long post just hoping I save someone from wasting a few hundred dollars.
Click to expand...
Just a quick question, did you level out the pots at all ? I heard that you can run into issues of un evan watering if they're are sitting slightly off level ?
 
Nrk.cdn

Nrk.cdn

Well-Known Member
If you use floracaps, you will need to ensure they are level on the top of the pots for even watering. The grow tek drip rings seem good. You can make your irrigation rings attached to a manifold connected to a pump with timer. I will be testing the floracaps this grow. If they suck, back to open ended tubing.

I looked at the autopots and after lots of research, i passed.

If you are in soil with peat/perlite, look at the Alaskan grow buckets. No power, connect 5 gal buckets. They give away the design for free.
 
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