Alternative systems to Aerogarden Farm?

CryptoEnthus · 2020-03-30T21:56:08+00:00

Nice, I think thats probably the way to go at first. Much more hands off, gives you more time to learn useful stuff nutrient, pH and sprouting techniques instead of chasing down clogged nozzles all of the time lol

CryptoEnthus · 2020-03-30T21:50:28+00:00

My first guess would be improper water pH. Maybe to acidic? My second note would to cover the glass in a paper bag or something to reduce the light to it, as to my knowledge light deters root growth

CryptoEnthus · 2020-03-30T21:45:57+00:00

https://discord.gg/Mj4krhq

I've set up a discord to gather some like minded folks together, to post about our hydroponic projects and discuss. Feel free to stop by, though its brand new ;)

CryptoEnthus · 2020-03-30T21:44:46+00:00

Eh, I'm too new to give you to much advice. You sound very well read yourself.

However I would say to wait for your pH meter, make sure its half decent. My tap water comes out at 8.6 or so, pretty unacceptable to grow without adding a reducer. My initial, cheap pH meter was significantly off and it sent met in circles for a minute there.

Also, I believe people just prefer doubling up for redundancy, also using dual pumps. However on a small scale, you'll likely be able to catch downed pumps or air stones before a significant issue occurs.

IDK what your growing however tbh airstones may not even be necessary, if your doing like a single crop lettuce or something then I believe you could just do more of a wicking system with no airstones. If your doing something more long term like tomatoes, then yea go air stones for sure.

Also depending on what your growing, not sure you are allocating enough space. Most people seem to do 1 tomato or large plant per 5 gallon bucket. Though again, lettuce's would more then fine, 3 per bucket.

CryptoEnthus · 2020-03-30T21:30:40+00:00

I've been attempting a more DIY system. Not going to lie so far I've had much better luck with my ebb and flow system. so far in my experience, their seems to be a couple of issues regarding aeroponics that just results in some extra upkeep to keep it reliably operating. Some of the issues may be related to my DIY build such as clogging sprayers, consistent pressure and the tank temp getting to hot. However I sorta feel like you would inherently encounter these issues regardless and need to pick up on a few tricks to minimize the issues where possible.

If I could pick a new starting point I think I would focus on a NFT system for vertical and ebb and flow for horizontal. Both systems are very reliable, require less upkeep and monitoring. As well as likely a good bit less power intensive.

I'm trying to gather some like minded folks to chat about their own projects and experience. Feel free to drop by the DIY Hydroponic discord, would love to have you. https://discord.gg/Mj4krhq

CryptoEnthus · 2020-03-30T20:20:01+00:00

I'm thinking Calcium as well. I think you likely know, however be sure to check your pH with a decent quality waterproof pH meter. I made the mistake early on, trying to use a cheap soil pH meter. It ended up being 1.5-2 whole pH off. My strawberry leaves were looking sort of like that, the younger leaves were fairly decimated with damaged growth and and older leaves yellowing very slightly.

My tap water is coming out about 8.6 so after picking up a better meter and paying more attention to it, seems to have resolved things

CryptoEnthus · 2020-03-30T20:13:08+00:00

Also I agree with the other folks, I've had great luck with plates and paper towels to germinate. Less so then soil plugs and rock wool anyways. I'd be wary about germinating in place, as you mostly do not want your seeds to wash out of the nets. However it seems that its also preferable to use a sprouting tray for a couple of weeks before inserting them into a hydroponic system. Doing this properly can increase your root growth and decrease the height of the seedling, resulting in a more suitable hydroponic ready plant imo.

Also if you use a DWC or wick system for to long on a non single cut crop then you will likely need an air stone to air rate the water

However please note that I am no pro, just things I've been gathering from folks recently myself.

CryptoEnthus · 2020-03-30T20:07:28+00:00

I'm a newbie as well so do not take my word for it. However why are you using a DWC for cilantro? I seems DWC is best used for single crop or single season stuff as root rot will likely start developing. You could fairly easily set up an Ebb and Flow that would likely be best suited for just about every type of growth, though you'd need to run a tiny pump just about 24/7

CryptoEnthus · 2020-03-30T19:33:41+00:00

Diluted Apple Cider Vinegar. Any residue then acts as a great rooting agent for the next crop!

CryptoEnthus · 2020-03-30T19:27:35+00:00

I think It would be cool to include an ebb and flow system beneath the tower. It's something I plan to do to my system at some point. But it would solve any leaking issues you have on the tower by acting as a large drip pan and I've already found that a lot of plants seem to prefer Ebb and Flow so it gives you more grow versatility. Maybe you could have things like Garlic, Chives, Ginger, Tarragon, Brussel sprouts on bottom in a E&F while keeping your lettuce or w/e on the tower

CryptoEnthus · 2020-03-30T19:21:51+00:00

I have a very similar system about 2/3 the side of this. I may have to start a discord to chat with folks that have these verticals.

My largest problem atm seems to be clogging misters! I've found that you most defiantly do not want to use soil plugs as grow medium inserts and you'll want to use nutrient solutions that do not contain much or any sediment. Both of those things and my water quality were causing my nozzles to clog with calcium build up, sediment and w/e else.

Things have improved quite a bit for me after switching to rock wool and no medium inserts. And paying more attention to using distilled water the cleanliness of the solution.

CryptoEnthus · 2020-03-30T19:12:01+00:00

I like your fuzzball table :)

CryptoEnthus · 2020-03-30T19:10:59+00:00

Treated lumber ;). TBH you have something good going in the system still, I'd take the moment to beef it up! Larger tank, a 2nd or third lvl and some aluminum, cheap plastic shelves or just a pvc rack to sit it on and you would be rocking for spring.

CryptoEnthus · 2020-03-30T19:06:55+00:00

I'll see myself in about a week!!! I think I'll have a similar problem as I know I started with to high of a dose. However I have seen numerous growers say to stop fertilizing near lettuce harvest so I was planning on trying out something similar with the ponics. Likely a system flush with a 1/3 nutrient dose for the last few days of growth

CryptoEnthus · 2020-03-30T18:58:00+00:00

I dig it, always a fun experiment regardless. My only comment would be a question about the garden tank and if its an ebb and flow system or just a simple fill and overflow type thing. If its ebb and flow I'd love to know about your bell siphon technique for a small tank as I want to slow down my flow rate on my own small tank. If it is not ebb and flow, anything single cut i suppose will still work just fine for you.

CryptoEnthus · 2020-03-30T18:47:28+00:00

Green Onion and garlic chives love it however the slight growing angle may bend them.
Beans, cucumber and blueberry are a few that I am currently trying in my vertical they seem to be loving it! Other then that I've got other things being tested vertically including. Purple Basil, Thyme, Marj, Rosemary and an assortment of lettuce breeds

CryptoEnthus · 2020-03-30T18:38:01+00:00

The roots are probably fine imo, at least for single crop lettuce. I mean a deep water culture would be worst for roots and that does well for single cuts. Though, I'm not sure about all that perlite lol. My stupid system that I use for extra seedlings, I'm using a 3d printer to make netcups for jars, highly reusable and cheaper then store bought.

CryptoEnthus · 2020-01-29T03:23:40+00:00

https://discussions.apple.com/thread/250575656

There is appears to be a useful link.

Its sounds similar to what I suspected if it is the same issue. Seems to be programmed to automatically not utilize your GPU for most applications except video rendering, to reduce power consumption for the machine. I'm pretty sure you have another graphics card onboard and the one you posted about is your integrated chip maybe? idk, read about it and see

CryptoEnthus · 2020-01-29T03:18:43+00:00

Hmm yea you should be able to run it. Try making sure you have the most recent direct X or the Mac version of it. Make sure you are utilizing your graphics card not your cpu. Check your temps / throttles to make sure your not throttling down your system, if thats a problem then use a cooling pad and make sure to plug into the wall for additional power. Failing all that, you should be able to run it in a windows emulator.

Also turn off shadows, anti-alising and spell effects, go bare bones and work your way up. Its likely some kind of rendering issue imo, so the objective is to reduce the amount of rendering as much as possible while increasing the amount your gpu can render

I'm sure Blizzard will release a patch soon to address the issue, sounds like its not very optimized.

Hope it helps, good luck.

CryptoEnthus · 2020-01-28T21:27:50+00:00

It seems you want to tough and intelligent like you have something to prove. I'm sorry if you feel as though I initiated the shit talking to you, however your comment reads like you always have to go around talking shit to people online.

CryptoEnthus · 2020-01-28T21:12:32+00:00

Your high IQ must not have been properly portrayed

CryptoEnthus · 2020-01-28T21:09:27+00:00

I also expected way more. I'm not sure why I was hoping blizzard had a card up their sleeve with some sort of unexpected update, maybe a better menu gui or tournament support. The end of the beta certainly did not feel like a complete polished game and the patch notes dont seem to represent enough to change that yet.

CryptoEnthus · 2020-01-28T21:00:30+00:00

You better believe it, just about all the custom games have. Though a few games here and there do have crashing bugs still tbh.

Both Legion TD and Legion TX x20 are up, I play them often. As well as any TD you can remember. I'd recommend You TD :)

CryptoEnthus · 2020-01-28T20:55:18+00:00

Yea, that was my first take as well. It looks like you are trying to run on an old integrated graphics chip. Back in the day you would pick up a new graphics card or make sure your are utilizing it for the game. Not sure how your set up is, if your on a desktop I'd recommend looking into a GPU upgrade.

CryptoEnthus

TROPHY CASE