Post by drbanks on Sept 10, 2017 15:26:54 GMT -5
If this looks a lot like the EcoGrower, it is. Uses the same parts with one major exception, the exception being the vortex sprayer instead of a drip system. Sadly, this picture shows the "CocoTek" lids on the net pots. In real life, they're no longer on offer or included.
This is an combination Aeroponic/Deep Water Culture system. For the most part, it looks and works like an EcoGrower, so see my post on that for the pros and cons.
The big differences are two:
First, the big knob in the middle is what they call their "Vortex Sprayer" which is a thing that sucks up nutrient solution from the reservoir and (spinning very quickly) sprays it as a mist. Fortunately, this spraying is all under the grow deck, but if you lift off a section, you'll be greeted with a mist of water/nutrient droplets that come bubbling out. This is the "Aeroponic" part of the system. Costlier than the EcoGrower's drip pump, much more complicated, but also much cooler. Also louder, but not prohibitively so. Underneath is a length of PVC pipe that the pump draws from. That way, it can draw solution from the bottom of the bucket without having to worry about roots getting tangled up in the spinning parts.
The second big difference is that it comes in multiple configurations that more or less aren't possible with the limited coverage of the EcoGrower's drip pump.
Rainforest 236: 36 grow sites, each a 2" net pot
Rainforest 318: 18 grow sites, each a 3" net pot (pictured above)
Rainforest 66: 6 grow sites, each a 6" net pot (Same configuration as the EcoGrower)
You can also mix and match the configuration by replacing individual hexagonal grow deck sections (although they only let you buy them six grow sections at a time).
I got the model 318 for my "Kinderpeppergarten" as the best compromise between plant size and grow sites. Obviously, I'm not going to be able to grow 18 mature pepper plants in this thing, or if I try, it'll be pretty densely packed. My idea is to get the plants under way in this thing, then transplant to some other system when they begin to mature.