mike
The Pepper King
Posts: 3,661 
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Post by mike on Sept 24, 2017 11:55:18 GMT -5
Dawn requested a posting on my 10-gallon totes. In 2014, I bought a 10-gallon Rubbermaid Roughneck Tote. Using a 2-inch hole saw, I cut 15 2-inch holes into the lid, running the drill backwards slowly, to prevent shredding of the plastic. This is what the garden looks like.  I use 2-inch net pots and I cut the bottoms off of the Park Jumbo sponges to fit in this configuration. Here is the Jericho Lettuce I grew in 2015.  Here is the Pac Choi I grew in the second tote.  |
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Post by drbanks on Sept 24, 2017 12:44:28 GMT -5
What an excellently simple setup. You could probably get a whole big salad out of those for weeks.
Do you use any air stones/water pump? About how much water do you put into this?
Thanks so much for posting. Never really had a clear idea what it is you were doing here.
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mike
The Pepper King
Posts: 3,661
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Post by mike on Sept 25, 2017 16:02:22 GMT -5
This is what I now use when they are active. I went through three different pumps before I found a pump I liked. This GH pump is much quieter than the ones I tried before. Of course, it costs about $75, much more expensive. Edit Note: This cost $75 in late 2014.  I use two cylindrical 4-inch stones in each tote.  This was my first tote. At first, I ran the tube in from higher up on the side. I now run them down through the lid. I typically run abour 7-gallons of water.  |
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Post by drbanks on Sept 25, 2017 17:40:42 GMT -5
Nice. I think I might build one; thanks!
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Post by drbanks on Sept 25, 2017 17:43:52 GMT -5
I'm pretty sure I'm using the same 4" air stone in my Pepper pot. Not standard equipment, and kind of wondering if it wouldn't be happier with two.
The theory is that the air pump that pumps air and nutes up the drip tubes does a sufficient job of aeration, but I'm not quite buying it.
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mike
The Pepper King
Posts: 3,661
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Post by mike on Sept 26, 2017 17:10:27 GMT -5
Another note, My first tote I used 6" net pots with clay hydroton. I didn't like how loose that was. I really like the 2" pots with the jumbo sponges. I find it a much better option.
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Post by drbanks on Sept 26, 2017 21:03:03 GMT -5
That's good advice. I have some 2" pots now, and even if I'm going to use the 6" pots in the EcoGrower, I still think I'll plant in the 2" pots and surround them with the grow media in the larger pots.
But, going forward with a tote, I think your advice is well taken.
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mike
The Pepper King
Posts: 3,661
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Post by mike on Sept 27, 2017 15:54:10 GMT -5
One other note. What you don't see here are check valves I installed in the tubing. You don't want water to back flow into the pump if the power goes out or some other problem occurs. One such problem would be if you had your pump lower than your water basin, say on the floor. If your power went out, the water would siphon back through your pump in a heartbeat. I can imagine the mess.
I found some cheap check valves in the aquarium section of a pet store.
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MaryL
AGA Farmer
Posts: 3,532 
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Post by MaryL on Oct 1, 2017 19:25:09 GMT -5
I do love your totes, Mike.
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Shawn
Administrator
Posts: 16,267
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Post by Shawn on Oct 2, 2017 4:20:41 GMT -5
Yes and the amount of herbs it can grow at one time.
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MaryL
AGA Farmer
Posts: 3,532
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Post by MaryL on Oct 4, 2017 18:58:56 GMT -5
Yes and the amount of herbs it can grow at one time. Even if you know you don't need them all, and will never use them all, it's just such a gas to have and see!!!! |
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Post by Don on Apr 10, 2018 5:52:28 GMT -5
Nice set up, Mike! How many watts are your lights rated at? I'm think along the same tote set up. I bought a 15 gal. Tote for out side. But thinking of a smaller one for inside for next fall.
Thanks Don
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Kate
AGA Bounty
Posts: 953
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Post by Kate on Apr 10, 2018 8:22:37 GMT -5
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Post by drbanks on Apr 10, 2018 15:18:58 GMT -5
That does look pretty nice.
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Shawn
Administrator
Posts: 16,267
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Post by Shawn on Apr 10, 2018 15:32:56 GMT -5
You have to wonder what is the water reservoir capacity. Will there be enough room for roots. How easy will it be to do R&R's? I always look at this when seeing new hydro systems.
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Kate
AGA Bounty
Posts: 953
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Post by Kate on Apr 10, 2018 15:53:33 GMT -5
This information is farther down in the listing:
Floating raft system with air stone
Digital display features a clock, controls the light period on/off settings, and controls the air pump with 3 pre-programmed settings
BPA-free, food grade plastics
Uses stainless steel SUS304 material
Uses full-spectrum, 54W LED light panel
20 litrewater tank capacity
Can be stacked 2-up
Harvest time reduced by approximately 30% versus traditional methods
Daily electricity consumption is less than 1kWh
Power: AC 100V-240V, 50-60 Hz
Power consumption: 56W @ 110V
100-240 VAC power adapter
32-cell Styrofoam plant starter basin
Quick installation guide
54W LED panel
Seed starting tray and dome
Spray bottle
Nutrient dropper
Plug tongs
40 grow sponges
Sample nutrients
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Post by spideybry on Aug 4, 2018 21:35:51 GMT -5
This really is an efficient and great setup overall.
In terms of cost effectiveness vs getting something premade, how much do you think you've saved overall?
Are the air stones in there the only thing that circulate the water - or is there some sort of pump as well? I know you linked to a hydroponics pump but didn't see it in any of the photos.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 5, 2018 8:21:06 GMT -5
I hope Mike responds to this thread. Anyway, in the photo you can see clear plastic tubes running into the covers. .Those are airstones. You can get large ones like fishtank size to go into the tubs. It is the same technique as the smaller AG airstone machines like the Sprout,and SS6,only on a grander scale using custom bubbler and lighting for larger crops. He can give you the scoop on the methods and brands he uses..he has been doing these custom rigs for a while now.
A great thread to revisit and revive!!!
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Post by spideybry on Aug 6, 2018 14:07:56 GMT -5
I hope Mike responds to this thread. Anyway, in the photo you can see clear plastic tubes running into the covers. .Those are airstones. You can get large ones like fishtank size to go into the tubs. It is the same technique as the smaller AG airstone machines like the Sprout,and SS6,only on a grander scale using custom bubbler and lighting for larger crops. He can give you the scoop on the methods and brands he uses..he has been doing these custom rigs for a while now.
A great thread to revisit and revive!!!
Ah my mistake then, I saw the 'Hydroponics Pump' and assumed it was some sort of water pump controller which fed a drip of water to the sponges. I believe that's how my unit works? I could be wrong though. So is the air stone solely for aeration of the water? Or is it feeding water to the actual pods? |
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Post by Deleted on Aug 6, 2018 14:17:23 GMT -5
If you look closely at the threads photos, you will see a very large motor-like mechanism(air pump) with nozzles. The hoses are connected to the nozzles and then scrolling down a bit more you will see a very large gray stone cylinder over a ruler. This is connected to a hose. Scrolling down further you can see the 2 big airstones bubbling and aerating the orangy water ready for planting. It bubbles like the SS6 and Sprout.
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