Fertigation Manager Basic kit

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Wayne55

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Calibration and installation was easy thanks to the helpful how-to videos on growteks website. The Blynk app is also easy and straightforward. Great job putting this product together Dj, very well thought out!

Ps. I also trimmed and trained the plants this morning so they're looking a little rough but 30 days from seed in a brand new location that's not quite dialed in yet.

20211009_132600.jpg20211009_130732.jpg
 
bk78

bk78

Well-Known Member
Wayne55 said:
Calibration and installation was easy thanks to the helpful how-to videos on growteks website. The Blynk app is also easy and straightforward. Great job putting this product together Dj, very well thought out!

Ps. I also trimmed and trained the plants this morning so they're looking a little rough but 30 days from seed in a brand new location that's not quite dialed in yet.

View attachment 5006123View attachment 5006124
Click to expand...
Sweet. Cant wait to get mine all set up
 
W

Wayne55

Well-Known Member
Looking for a starting setpoint and fertigation interval and this is what I've worked out for my situation.


Growing in coco/perlite
3 gallon pots
From what I've read holds 1.5 gallons of water
Switch to ml
3,785 ml = 1 gal
1.5 gal x 3,785 ml = 5,677 ml
10-20% of 5,677 ml = 567 ml to 1,135 ml

So 567 to 1,135 ml should be my range of setpoints per event.

Then work out the fertigation interval so I get at least 56 to 227 ml of run off per event?

With how they've been drinking I was going to start at 700 ml every 7 hrs while the lights are on since the FM is supposed to be powered on in conjunction with your lights.

Does this sound like I'm on the right track?
 
bk78

bk78

Well-Known Member
Wayne55 said:
Looking for a starting setpoint and fertigation interval and this is what I've worked out for my situation.


Growing in coco/perlite
3 gallon pots
From what I've read holds 1.5 gallons of water
Switch to ml
3,785 ml = 1 gal
1.5 gal x 3,785 ml = 5,677 ml
10-20% of 5,677 ml = 567 ml to 1,135 ml

So 567 to 1,135 ml should be my range of setpoints per event.

Then work out the fertigation interval so I get at least 56 to 227 ml of run off per event?

With how they've been drinking I was going to start at 700 ml every 7 hrs while the lights are on since the FM is supposed to be powered on in conjunction with your lights.

Does this sound like I'm on the right track?
Click to expand...
Can’t really judge based off numbers. Plant size matter, environment matters etc.

My plan is to do a bunch of little feeds throughout the day with 0 run off to keep coco moist, then the last feed of the day will get extra to clear out the accumulated salts throughout the day.
 
Sk-one

Sk-one

Well-Known Member
You're going to have to experiment a little bit. I wouldn't assume that 3 gallons of Coco can hold 1.5 gallons of H2O. How well your coco was rinsed and the amount of pearlite will affect how much it can hold. First I would pick an interval that you are happy with. Next, pick an amount to deliver. Let it run that cycle once, and then after the second cycle, weigh the runoff (only the runoff that was collected after the second cycle. You'll have to empty your drip trays after the first cycle is done running off). Now you can compare what went in with what came out and determine you runoff percentage. If your runoff percentage is way high, like 50%, the you know you'll need to dial back the setpoint. Also, always feel free to call and ask for advice...we like to help out :)
 
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Wayne55

Well-Known Member
bk78 said:
Can’t really judge based off numbers. Plant size matter, environment matters etc.

My plan is to do a bunch of little feeds throughout the day with 0 run off to keep coco moist, then the last feed of the day will get extra to clear out the accumulated salts throughout the day.
Click to expand...
I like your plan but @Sk-one is there a way of setting the routine bk describes within the blink app?

The way I saw it. You could set the amount and the interval but each event would be at the amount you set. You couldn't have the last event of the day be a larger amount without manually changing the setpoint?
 
bk78

bk78

Well-Known Member
Wayne55 said:
I like your plan but @Sk-one is there a way of setting the routine bk describes within the blink app?

The way I saw it. You could set the amount and the interval but each event would be at the amount you set. You couldn't have the last event of the day be a larger amount without manually changing the setpoint?
Click to expand...

Oh shit I never thought about that part. Good call.

I haven’t even powered mine up yet or checked out the app.
 
Sk-one

Sk-one

Well-Known Member
Wayne55 said:
I like your plan but @Sk-one is there a way of setting the routine bk describes within the blink app?

The way I saw it. You could set the amount and the interval but each event would be at the amount you set. You couldn't have the last event of the day be a larger amount without manually changing the setpoint?
Click to expand...
There isn't a way to have the last cycle deliver a different amount than the previous cycles. You can however manually activate the feed pumps by going to the feed pump calibration tab and pressing the pump run buttons. You would have to do that every day though, it can't be automated. FYI, I won't be able to respond to this thread starting tomorrow. The advertising here wasn't quite as effective as I had hoped so I will no longer be an advertiser. Of course we are still available via email and phone :)
 
bk78

bk78

Well-Known Member
Sk-one said:
There isn't a way to have the last cycle deliver a different amount than the previous cycles. You can however manually activate the feed pumps by going to the feed pump calibration tab and pressing the pump run buttons. You would have to do that every day though, it can't be automated. FYI, I won't be able to respond to this thread starting tomorrow. The advertising here wasn't quite as effective as I had hoped so I will no longer be an advertiser. Of course we are still available via email and phone :)
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Sorry to hear

I see old advertisers still chumming it up and answering questions all the time. Hope to see you around still and good luck in your endeavour, I know it’s going to make my life more simple.
 
W

Wayne55

Well-Known Member
bk78 said:
Oh shit I never thought about that part. Good call.

I haven’t even powered mine up yet or checked out the app.
Click to expand...

I find pgs 6,7,13, and 14 of the manual to be the most important.

main ways I see to run the unit.

1. is an independently powered simple interval timer.

2. Plug the FM into your light timer and run the set timeline while lights are on.

3. Set your phone with reminder alarms and initiate watering in measured amounts using the pump calibration page on/off switches

...so as I understand it, powering on the FM runs the time-line on pg 6 of the manual

Bk there may be a way to run your routine if I understand the directions. @Sk-one do you see anything wrong with plugging the fertigation manager into a digital timer? I think my digital timer does 8 on/off routines. Plug the FM into the digital timer and set your on/offs for 10 mins. FM powers up and goes through the initial 5 min wait, then fertigation event starts watering. (stations water 1 at a time, not all at once) so that's why you gave yourself an extra 5 minutes to your on/off time. With 8 on/offs you could schedule your digital timer for up to 5 or 6 of those 10 min on/off periods then run your last 2 or 3 on/offs of the day back to back so the last feed gets extra. It will take 20 or 30 mins to run that last feed series but should do the job well.....that is if everything works like I understand it.
 
Sk-one

Sk-one

Well-Known Member
Wayne55 said:
I find pgs 6,7,13, and 14 of the manual to be the most important.

main ways I see to run the unit.

1. is an independently powered simple interval timer.

2. Plug the FM into your light timer and run the set timeline while lights are on.

3. Set your phone with reminder alarms and initiate watering in measured amounts using the pump calibration page on/off switches

...so as I understand it, powering on the FM runs the time-line on pg 6 of the manual

Bk there may be a way to run your routine if I understand the directions. @Sk-one do you see anything wrong with plugging the fertigation manager into a digital timer? I think my digital timer does 8 on/off routines. Plug the FM into the digital timer and set your on/offs for 10 mins. FM powers up and goes through the initial 5 min wait, then fertigation event starts watering. (stations water 1 at a time, not all at once) so that's why you gave yourself an extra 5 minutes to your on/off time. With 8 on/offs you could schedule your digital timer for up to 5 or 6 of those 10 min on/off periods then run your last 2 or 3 on/offs of the day back to back so the last feed gets extra. It will take 20 or 30 mins to run that last feed series but should do the job well.....that is if everything works like I understand it.
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You, sir, are quite crafty :) That would do the trick. I really designed this system to use the scales. I didn't think anyone would want to use it in a different way. If it turns out that the FM basic kit is more popular, I can create a new firmware program that will be tailored more to how you and maybe others would want to use it. For example, it would be quite easy to have the first fertigation event be twice (or three times) the amount of the rest of the events. The last event would be more tricky because every user has the ability to change the interval (so the last event for one person might be the second event, and for another it might be the eighth event). @bk78 would your plan work if the extra watering to clear out the salts was on the first cycle vs the last cycle?
 
Billy the Mountain

Billy the Mountain

Well-Known Member
I've got a $15 Amazon digital timer that does seconds; I bought it specifically for controlling a 12V self-priming RV pump that feeds the ladies (via 12V power supply).
Works like a charm.
 
Sk-one

Sk-one

Well-Known Member
Billy the Mountain said:
I've got a $15 Amazon digital timer that does seconds; I bought it specifically for controlling a 12V self-priming RV pump that feeds the ladies (via 12V power supply).
Works like a charm.
Click to expand...
Glad that's working for you. That's the beauty of life.....there's a million different ways to accomplish the same thing :)
 
Sk-one

Sk-one

Well-Known Member
Billy the Mountain said:
I've got a $15 Amazon digital timer that does seconds; I bought it specifically for controlling a 12V self-priming RV pump that feeds the ladies (via 12V power supply).
Works like a charm.
Click to expand...
Although, if you wanted/needed the flexibility to send differing amounts to each plant like our system can, you would need to multiply what you spent by four. So, $15 for the timer, probably minimum $15 for a power supply, and then whatever you spent on the pump ($10-30?). Then you would need to buy some hydro halos or drip emitters and tubing to connect it all. It would come close to costing close to what we are selling ours for. And you wouldn't have the ability to control it via a mobile app. That's of course if you wanted the flexibility ours offers. If not, yeah, you can do it cheaper.
 
D

DaFreak

Well-Known Member
This is exactly what I was looking for. This is brilliant. You guys are going to be huge. I am certainly going to be putting an order in.

Perhaps you could answer me this, or somebody who knows. I would like to use it to feed each site 7 liters every 2 days. Sounds like I would have to use and extra digital timer to accomplish this, no big deal, but I bet a lot of people who use pro-mix, who don't need to water every 10 hours or less could use an option like this. So can the pumps handle 7 liters a go? I imagine they are designed for far less volume if they are intended for use in coco I imagine.

Took a look at the home-page. It looks like you're using one pump for a return line? Is that intended for recirculating systems or just a way to drain the run-off? I didn't understand that part.
 
bk78

bk78

Well-Known Member
DaFreak said:
This is exactly what I was looking for. This is brilliant. You guys are going to be huge. I am certainly going to be putting an order in.

Perhaps you could answer me this, or somebody who knows. I would like to use it to feed each site 7 liters every 2 days. Sounds like I would have to use and extra digital timer to accomplish this, no big deal, but I bet a lot of people who use pro-mix, who don't need to water every 10 hours or less could use an option like this. So can the pumps handle 7 liters a go? I imagine they are designed for far less volume if they are intended for use in coco I imagine.

Took a look at the home-page. It looks like you're using one pump for a return line? Is that intended for recirculating systems or just a way to drain the run-off? I didn't understand that part.
Click to expand...
The return pump is 4 individual pumps like the fertigation pump.
 
D

DaFreak

Well-Known Member
Sorry I just read again not high. So what if I wanted a dumber system? I don't care about run-off. I know if I feed my plants 7 liters every 2 days I'm good, that will meet my needs for now. Can I order a system without the scales and return lines etc that will just do that?
 
D

DaFreak

Well-Known Member
Wayne55 said:
Calibration and installation was easy thanks to the helpful how-to videos on growteks website. The Blynk app is also easy and straightforward. Great job putting this product together Dj, very well thought out!

Ps. I also trimmed and trained the plants this morning so they're looking a little rough but 30 days from seed in a brand new location that's not quite dialed in yet.

View attachment 5006123View attachment 5006124
Click to expand...
Been looking at your system and I can't figure it out. What is the return lines and the bucket with a pump in it for? Was it a drain to recirc system?
 
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