campingcorgis
AGA Farmer
🌴 I wet my plants. :-) 🌴
Posts: 3,114
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Post by campingcorgis on Jan 14, 2021 14:08:02 GMT -5
The 2 new Farm24+ machines are moving along nicely. As a reminder, they are now 6 days in from planting. Most every pod has some kind of action going on, save Deer Tongue and Rogue D'Hiver. Actually, today, I had to take the dome off of one of the Mega Cherry Tomato plants! Overnight, it reached out to touch the side of the dome. Anyway, to get to the point, I'm curious about the deck temperature. The Bounty is at day 55 from planting and the deck temperature is about 74 degrees. Sure, the light has been raised, but I didn't notice a lot of heat on the deck in the germination phase. Maybe it was warmer then, probably? The deck temperatures on the 4 Farm deck are about 99 degrees! Does that seem right? Both the Bounty and the Farms are in rooms with an ambient air temperature of 70 degrees from about 6AM to 4PM. (Then up to 71 for a few hours & down to about 68 for overnight.)  |
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Sher
AGA Farmer
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Post by Sher on Jan 14, 2021 16:57:03 GMT -5
campingcorgis, I don't have a Farm, so I can't answer your questions. But a 99 degree deck temperature is too high.
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campingcorgis
AGA Farmer
🌴 I wet my plants. :-) 🌴
Posts: 3,114
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Post by campingcorgis on Jan 14, 2021 17:17:54 GMT -5
campingcorgis , I don't have a Farm, so I can't answer your questions. But a 99 degree deck temperature is too high.
mike , dianne , or other Farm owners, can you help? Hmmm...that's the way it seemed to be too. Maybe I'll put a thermometer on the deck to double-check. I used my infrared point & shoot thermometer that I use to measure the temperature of the pizza stone in the oven. The lights were on for the Farm, wonder if that freaks out the infrared? More to come, shortly...but looking forward to thoughts on cooling it down! Raise the lights? They are about 6" off the deck.  |
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mike
The Pepper King
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Post by mike on Jan 14, 2021 17:51:28 GMT -5
I would seriously doubt a 99° temperature. Your plants won't germinate at that temperature. Most plants won't germinate above 95°f. I would double check that temp.
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campingcorgis
AGA Farmer
🌴 I wet my plants. :-) 🌴
Posts: 3,114
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Post by campingcorgis on Jan 14, 2021 18:30:31 GMT -5
I would seriously doubt a 99° temperature. Your plants won't germinate at that temperature. Most plants won't germinate above 95°f. I would double check that temp. Thanks Sher and mike !! See below. Well, I placed a thermometer in the middle of two machines, and came up with a reading of about 93 degrees:  I aimed the infrared one at the center of a deck and, once again, came up with 99 degrees:  Earlier, I turned the lights off for ten minutes and tried the infrared and it said 85 degrees. Tried another one with lights off, and an immediate read and it said 99 degrees. So, I don't think the lights are changing things with regard to how the infrared works? Then, I tried aiming at one of the domes instead of the center of the deck and it read 89 degrees. Given that everything, save a couple, are showing signs of life, I guess I'm not going to freak out. However, I would love to hear from others with a new grow, in a Farm, with the lights lowered, what is your temperature reading? Thanks for any and all help!!! If you think I should raise the lights or otherwise try to cool things down, please post! |
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mike
The Pepper King
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Post by mike on Jan 14, 2021 19:20:14 GMT -5
That being the case, I would check the water temperature, Is the pump making any noise other than the usual operational sound? I've had operational pumps that heat the water. Then the water could cause a deck temperature like that. Pumps like that are about to go out. You need to find that out right away. I wouldn't let that go even overnight. If it is the pump, it needs to be replaced. I try to always have 3 extra pumps on hand. If you only have one or two gardens, a single spare will do. If the water is overly warm, unplug the power cable to the pump. Check the water and deck temperature 45 minutes later.
Also check the deck temperature a half hour after the lights go out. If the pump is functioning properly and the deck cools significantly when the lights go out, there is something wrong with the lights. You should be able to hold your hand 1-inch under the light with only a slight temperature increase.
What is the air temperature in the room this garden is in?
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campingcorgis
AGA Farmer
🌴 I wet my plants. :-) 🌴
Posts: 3,114
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Post by campingcorgis on Jan 14, 2021 19:45:18 GMT -5
That being the case, I would check the water temperature, Is the pump making any noise other than the usual operational sound? I've had operational pumps that heat the water. Then the water could cause a deck temperature like that. Pumps like that are about to go out. You need to find that out right away. I wouldn't let that go even overnight. If it is the pump, it needs to be replaced. I try to always have 3 extra pumps on hand. If you only have one or two gardens, a single spare will do. If the water is overly warm, unplug the power cable to the pump. Check the water and deck temperature 45 minutes later. Also check the deck temperature a half hour after the lights go out. If the pump is functioning properly and the deck cools significantly when the lights go out, there is something wrong with the lights. You should be able to hold your hand 1-inch under the light with only a slight temperature increase. What is the air temperature in the room this garden is in? Water temp: Top left - 84 degrees - this has 6 lettuce pods in it Top right - 83 degrees - this has 12 herb pods in it Bottom left - 79 degrees - this has 4 tomato pods in it Bottom right - 79 degrees - this has 3 pepper pods in it The pumps go on and off, nothing sounds unusual, although I would say they are moderately louder (barely noticeable) than the Bounty Elite. I do have ONE extra pump that I ordered with the Farms. May need to order additional units to have on hand, in case? (I have five units, using 4 pumps...2 Farm24+ machines & 1 Bounty Elite.) Placing my palm under the lights & comparing the "feel" of them versus the Bounty, I would say they MIGHT be a smidge warmer. Not by leaps & bounds though. The air temperature remains 70 degrees during the day, switching to about 71 at this time of day (4PM Pacific Time). It will cool to 68, maybe 67, after about 10PM thru to 6AM, then back to 70...for their part of the house. I'll check things again, after the light are out for a bit. I do appreciate you spending time to troubleshoot with me!!!  |
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mike
The Pepper King
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Post by mike on Jan 14, 2021 20:11:51 GMT -5
That sounds OK. Probably not a problem then. Good Luck.
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campingcorgis
AGA Farmer
🌴 I wet my plants. :-) 🌴
Posts: 3,114
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Post by campingcorgis on Jan 14, 2021 21:56:01 GMT -5
Turned the lights off early. Waited 60 minutes.
Top Left deck 78 - water 84
Top Right deck 74 - water 82
Bottom left deck 78 - water 78
Bottom right deck 74 - water 77
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mike
The Pepper King
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Post by mike on Jan 14, 2021 23:00:48 GMT -5
Looks like they'll be fine.
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Shawn
Administrator
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Post by Shawn on Jan 15, 2021 6:02:14 GMT -5
Mike had great suggestions. I will have to check my temps later just to compare. I have a Basic on top of an XL. Will check back later on this one. In the meantime keep us posted!
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campingcorgis
AGA Farmer
🌴 I wet my plants. :-) 🌴
Posts: 3,114
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Post by campingcorgis on Jan 15, 2021 6:51:37 GMT -5
3:45AM
Top machines have a water temp of 75
Bottom machines have a water temp of 72
Room temp is 67
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Post by gardnerfromidaho on Jan 15, 2021 15:43:19 GMT -5
I have a Farm 24 plus, the deck temp is 72 but that is with a fan going and the light about 7" up. Not sure about the water temp. Room air is around 73.
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campingcorgis
AGA Farmer
🌴 I wet my plants. :-) 🌴
Posts: 3,114
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Post by campingcorgis on Jan 15, 2021 17:53:39 GMT -5
I have a Farm 24 plus, the deck temp is 72 but that is with a fan going and the light about 7" up. Not sure about the water temp. Room air is around 73. Thanks for the stats and fan idea! I raised the lights about an inch, added a fan... Within a few minutes the top deck went to 80 and continues to drop. The room is 70. Dropped an instant read thermometer in the bowls and the top ones are 80 & 79. The bottom are 75. I had planned to add a fan later, but I guess now is better!? Today the sun is hiding somewhere behind all the clouds and gloom. It is about 50 outside. So, can't blame the sunshine! Since the office is a separate room from the great room area, I guess it just needs the air moved around a bit. |
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campingcorgis
AGA Farmer
🌴 I wet my plants. :-) 🌴
Posts: 3,114
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Post by campingcorgis on Jan 15, 2021 19:16:28 GMT -5
New Question/Same Issue:
Has anyone used an aerator or airstone in their AG? If so, can you tell us a little about your experience? Good, bad, no difference? If you recommend it, what product do you use?
Thanks in advance!
P.S. Bubbles always bring to mind Lawrence Welk. LOL. Who had parents or grandparents that didn't watch the show? And, one of the Lennon Sisters lived just a few houses down the street...
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Post by ERR0R1755 on Jan 15, 2021 19:35:43 GMT -5
Has anyone used an aerator or airstone in their AG? If so, can you tell us a little about your experience? Good, bad, no difference? If you recommend it, what product do you use? When I tried growing a bird pepper in a Harvest, I had removed the standard AG pump and instead hooked up an air pump to an airstone. I had to end the plant prematurely since it got too big and I didn't know that peppers could be pruned back very far, but the plant grew very well and the roots were a pure white mass when I ended it. I would wholeheartedly recommend it, but just keep in mind that an air pump is constantly vibrating, so if you don't want to hear it then you'll want to plan for putting it further away from your AG and propping it up with something that absorbs shock (like old clothing or a folded towel).  |
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campingcorgis
AGA Farmer
🌴 I wet my plants. :-) 🌴
Posts: 3,114
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Post by campingcorgis on Jan 15, 2021 20:08:18 GMT -5
Has anyone used an aerator or airstone in their AG? If so, can you tell us a little about your experience? Good, bad, no difference? If you recommend it, what product do you use? When I tried growing a bird pepper in a Harvest, I had removed the standard AG pump and instead hooked up an air pump to an airstone. I had to end the plant prematurely since it got too big and I didn't know that peppers could be pruned back very far, but the plant grew very well and the roots were a pure white mass when I ended it. I would wholeheartedly recommend it, but just keep in mind that an air pump is constantly vibrating, so if you don't want to hear it then you'll want to plan for putting it further away from your AG and propping it up with something that absorbs shock (like old clothing or a folded towel). Wow! Not terribly worried on the sound stuff. Hubby has lost half of his hearing and those Farms are in the seldom used "office". I can see I need to give this some serious thought. Maybe just start with the Farm on top, since it is getting heat from above & below so tends to be the warmest. The fan is helping, but I think the air pump is worth considering! Thanks for this input!!  |
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mike
The Pepper King
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Post by mike on Jan 15, 2021 20:15:51 GMT -5
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campingcorgis
AGA Farmer
🌴 I wet my plants. :-) 🌴
Posts: 3,114
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Post by campingcorgis on Jan 15, 2021 20:37:20 GMT -5
Oh my goodness! Thanks! Great input. I'm all for doing things right, from the start. Any advice with regard to stones, and whatever else I might pick your brain for? Much appreciated! |
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Shawn
Administrator
Posts: 16,266
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Post by Shawn on Jan 16, 2021 6:09:22 GMT -5
I have AG airstones and the pump here. Never ever used. I should pull it out. Maybe I will put it for sale. I will let you all know if I do (I have to find it first LOL)
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