Can you post some pics of the inside of your aero please?
I rarely use hydro/aero systems - and don't no a shite load bout them (soil grower at heart
) but...
I'm currently building an aero system (more in the design process right now) and am looking at different setups to see what ideas I can get and what will work for me.
Cheers.
Pictures as requested.
1. (6) 3" net pots in lid. Make sure to cut the hole about 1/4" smaller than the diameter of the pot. If you cut it 1/16" smaller the weight of the plant will push the pot through the lid.
2. 3/4" PVC spray header penetrating the side of the tub for 2 reasons. A. Stability, B. When it comes time to empty the tubs and change nutes I don't like a drain connection which eventually leaks. I turn the pumps off, remove the brass cap, connect a hose and turn the pumps back on. That will empty the tub quickly. The pump is connected with a flexible hose so I can make a quick change if necessary. When the header is spraying (which is 24/7) the spray ought to hit the bottom 1/3rd of the pots so drill your holes in the side of the tub for the spray header accordingly.
3. I put a frame around the tub to support the heavy colas. If you look at the top closely you'll see 2 other holes. The smaller of the two is where my pump power cord and my 1/4" airlines from my air pump enter the tub. The larger of the two is a place where I put a funnel for adding nutes or PH adjustment liquid.
4. Brass hose connection on end of tub for emptying. Blue water level hose so I can see how much water is in the tubs. It's a great way to get a sample of water for testing nute strength too. Once the plants get big the container will become rootbound and dropping your PPM probe inside the tub on top of all the roots will give you incorrect readings. I just bend the hose over and empty a sample in to a cup for measuring PPM/PH. Then I pour it back in the tub through the top hole.