campingcorgis
AGA Farmer
🌴 I wet my plants. :-) 🌴
Posts: 3,113
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Post by campingcorgis on Jan 25, 2021 18:30:45 GMT -5
Okay...so, I'm doing some advance (wishful?) planning for vacation times. I found this great Plant Stand that is pretty close to perfect for my needs...I think!? It arrived today and the shelves are about 3 inches off...shorter than the bottoms of the farms. I'm thinking that Mikey needs to make a little platform to raise it up. I'm not sure if I'll use something like maskedsonnet 's set-up mentioned lower down on This Thread or if I'll go with an AG AeroVoir system. I have ONE AeroVoir and it seems like the tube connection is about 1 inch up, so maybe I would just need a 2" platform, IF I use that. Thoughts? How close to the "same level" do they really need to be? The stand is a pretty terrific set up for the 2 Farm+ stack set-up!!?? ( EDIT: I just measured the difference where the shelf sits versus the bottom of the feet & it is only 1/2" difference!!! Is that close enough?) See picture below, just for a visual:  |
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maskedsonnet
AGA Farmer
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Post by maskedsonnet on Jan 25, 2021 20:01:10 GMT -5
Whether or not you use the AeroVoir or a homemade system, the water level in the reservoir needs to be close-ish to the water level of the garden:  It's a siphon either way, and water will always seek equilibrium. From what I've read about the AeroVoir system you have to change where it sits based on which garden you're using, which is the same that I've had to do with my own system as well. |
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campingcorgis
AGA Farmer
🌴 I wet my plants. :-) 🌴
Posts: 3,113
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Post by campingcorgis on Jan 25, 2021 20:11:41 GMT -5
Whether or not you use the AeroVoir or a homemade system, the water level in the reservoir needs to be close-ish to the water level of the garden: It's a siphon either way, and water will always seek equilibrium. From what I've read about the AeroVoir system you have to change where it sits based on which garden you're using, which is the same that I've had to do with my own system as well. Very helpful! Thank you!!! |
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maskedsonnet
AGA Farmer
Without the burden of comparison, everything is beautiful
Posts: 1,563
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Post by maskedsonnet on Jan 25, 2021 21:02:12 GMT -5
You’re welcome! I too hope to go on a real vacation again someday, not just to my parents’ house. It’s good try a watering system in advance so you can test and troubleshoot! From your photo the bottom shelf looks like the perfect height, but you might need a higher base on top. Though this is speaking entirely from a home-made standpoint, as I’ve only read reviews about AeroVoir and never actually seen it in person. Good luck either way!  |
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campingcorgis
AGA Farmer
🌴 I wet my plants. :-) 🌴
Posts: 3,113
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Post by campingcorgis on Jan 26, 2021 11:42:31 GMT -5
You’re welcome! I too hope to go on a real vacation again someday, not just to my parents’ house. It’s good try a watering system in advance so you can test and troubleshoot! From your photo the bottom shelf looks like the perfect height, but you might need a higher base on top. Though this is speaking entirely from a home-made standpoint, as I’ve only read reviews about AeroVoir and never actually seen it in person. Good luck either way!  Thanks & I think you are spot on for the bottom shelf vs top. Hubby may have a project coming his way after all...LOL. Yes, I want to have things all worked out by the time camping season arrives. Although we usually start with a trip in March to watch the Bald Eagles on the beach, that might not happen this year. We'll see!? We all enjoy a change of scenery, pups included! |
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campingcorgis
AGA Farmer
🌴 I wet my plants. :-) 🌴
Posts: 3,113
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Post by campingcorgis on Jan 29, 2021 15:25:38 GMT -5
The dispensers have arrived and the planning continues. They fit, as expected! Now to figure out tubing and fine-tuning the height of water, etc.  |
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maskedsonnet
AGA Farmer
Without the burden of comparison, everything is beautiful
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Post by maskedsonnet on Jan 29, 2021 15:45:12 GMT -5
Awesome!! The bottom looks like it’ll be good, top looks like it’s about the same level as my setup was, I put it on two layers of 2x4’s to get it where I wanted it. Honestly mine could stand to be a tad higher but the water sensors all show full and the levels looked good enough when I checked (just a little under the max fill line) so I left it. Good luck, I hope it ends up easy!
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campingcorgis
AGA Farmer
🌴 I wet my plants. :-) 🌴
Posts: 3,113
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Post by campingcorgis on Jan 29, 2021 16:28:35 GMT -5
Awesome!! The bottom looks like it’ll be good, top looks like it’s about the same level as my setup was, I put it on two layers of 2x4’s to get it where I wanted it. Honestly mine could stand to be a tad higher but the water sensors all show full and the levels looked good enough when I checked (just a little under the max fill line) so I left it. Good luck, I hope it ends up easy! Thanks! What kind/size of tubing did you get? And, how do you "start" it up? On the Aerovoir, there's a little hand pump. |
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maskedsonnet
AGA Farmer
Without the burden of comparison, everything is beautiful
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Post by maskedsonnet on Jan 29, 2021 16:43:01 GMT -5
I use this black tubing from amazon: www.amazon.com/dp/B01HBSU9EA/ref=redir_mobile_desktop/144-4740760-0758156?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&ref=ppx_pop_mob_b_asin_titleTo start the siphon, put one end of the tube in the dispenser (have a glass ready below the water level in the dispenser) and suck on the other end to get the water flowing. Once it's flowing I direct it into the glass for a sec to make sure the water's flowing/there are no air bubbles. Kink it shut and push the other end into whichever hole you're using to water. I actually didn't notice them until someone on this board pointed them out, but there are small holes on the back of the deck that are the perfect size for this tubing. There should be little rubber plugs in them. Don't let the tube unkink until you've got the end into the water on the AG or you may have to re-start the siphon. If I get water into my mouth when I start the siphon I usually spit it out, because I've had to add peroxide to the reservoirs to kill algae and I've never done any research on how long that sticks around/if it's harmful to swallow a little. Edit to Add: I'm at work so having to use an old photo, where I still have the tubes going into the area where you add water to the AG. I put a circle around the hole at the back that I'm talking about:  |
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campingcorgis
AGA Farmer
🌴 I wet my plants. :-) 🌴
Posts: 3,113
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Post by campingcorgis on Jan 29, 2021 17:15:41 GMT -5
I use this black tubing from amazon: www.amazon.com/dp/B01HBSU9EA/ref=redir_mobile_desktop/144-4740760-0758156?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&ref=ppx_pop_mob_b_asin_titleTo start the siphon, put one end of the tube in the dispenser (have a glass ready below the water level in the dispenser) and suck on the other end to get the water flowing. Once it's flowing I direct it into the glass for a sec to make sure the water's flowing/there are no air bubbles. Kink it shut and push the other end into whichever hole you're using to water. I actually didn't notice them until someone on this board pointed them out, but there are small holes on the back of the deck that are the perfect size for this tubing. There should be little rubber plugs in them. Don't let the tube unkink until you've got the end into the water on the AG or you may have to re-start the siphon. If I get water into my mouth when I start the siphon I usually spit it out, because I've had to add peroxide to the reservoirs to kill algae and I've never done any research on how long that sticks around/if it's harmful to swallow a little. Edit to Add: I'm at work so having to use an old photo, where I still have the tubes going into the area where you add water to the AG. I put a circle around the hole at the back that I'm talking about: Thanks & yes, I plan to use those plugged holes. And, coincidentally, that is the tubing that I already orders, whew!! It should be here tomorrow or Saturday. Amazon says it is "running late." I wonder if a little hand pump might help with the start of the siphon? I've been looking around for some, but haven't yet found the "perfect" item. But, peroxide, especially diluted, should not be harmful. They put it in some mouthwash mixes. Maybe use a binder clip when doing an R & R? I've marked the water level in the AG's with some tape. It is 2" down from the top of the deck and that would make it need to be 6" UP from the shelf, in the dispenser. So, we'll see what happens when I get them set up and filled. Now...BACK TO WORK...LOL. |
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maskedsonnet
AGA Farmer
Without the burden of comparison, everything is beautiful
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Post by maskedsonnet on Jan 29, 2021 17:26:45 GMT -5
Lol there's a lot of sitting and waiting involved in my job! I've thought about getting an auto-siphon but everything I've seen seems like it'd be too big, so I haven't bought and tried anything yet |
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campingcorgis
AGA Farmer
🌴 I wet my plants. :-) 🌴
Posts: 3,113
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Post by campingcorgis on Jan 29, 2021 18:04:52 GMT -5
Lol there's a lot of sitting and waiting involved in my job! I've thought about getting an auto-siphon but everything I've seen seems like it'd be too big, so I haven't bought and tried anything yet Oh, I was thinking of something much smaller too. Like what they use in the Aerovoir...  |
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maskedsonnet
AGA Farmer
Without the burden of comparison, everything is beautiful
Posts: 1,563
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Post by maskedsonnet on Jan 29, 2021 19:04:47 GMT -5
Oh yeah, that’s waaay better! Much more appropriate size-wise |
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campingcorgis
AGA Farmer
🌴 I wet my plants. :-) 🌴
Posts: 3,113
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Post by campingcorgis on Feb 11, 2021 20:41:38 GMT -5
This project has not been forgotten! It is just a tad more involved that one might foresee? Aren't the all? Anyway, I'll update as soon as we get things working. In case anyone might benefit from our errors...I mean efforts... |
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campingcorgis
AGA Farmer
🌴 I wet my plants. :-) 🌴
Posts: 3,113
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Post by campingcorgis on Feb 14, 2021 16:01:55 GMT -5
So, after some pre-testing, we've finally got the project finished this morning. Testing showed that we need the water line to be 5 inches up from the bottom, in order to have that match the proper height for the water level in the Farm basins. We had to remove the "protective feet" from the plant stand so that one would match the bottom Farm 24+ basins. Then, Mikey had to build a platform to raise the top shelf up 1.5 inches to match the top Farm 24+ basins. So, tada, here's what we've got now...  So, we've marked the line of the water in the supply jug & we'll keep track of that to insure all is working as needed. Fingers and paws crossed! |
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maskedsonnet
AGA Farmer
Without the burden of comparison, everything is beautiful
Posts: 1,563
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Post by maskedsonnet on Feb 14, 2021 19:30:33 GMT -5
That looks great! If you don't have something already I would caution that you may need to cover the water jugs with something to block the light out, I had a serious algae problem in mine before I started covering them.
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campingcorgis
AGA Farmer
🌴 I wet my plants. :-) 🌴
Posts: 3,113
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Post by campingcorgis on Feb 14, 2021 20:19:47 GMT -5
That looks great! If you don't have something already I would caution that you may need to cover the water jugs with something to block the light out, I had a serious algae problem in mine before I started covering them. Thanks & I'm keeping this in mind too. I did add Hydrogen Peroxide to the jug. If I need to cover them, that can happen too.  |
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campingcorgis
AGA Farmer
🌴 I wet my plants. :-) 🌴
Posts: 3,113
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Post by campingcorgis on Feb 24, 2021 12:50:03 GMT -5
Well, after 10 days of use, I consider this project a wonderful success! Thank you to maskedsonnet for the idea and help with questions and planning, etc.!! A very big thank you! I'm feeling a lot more comfortable with the idea of leaving the plants for a few days. I know they will have plenty of water! I'm sure the "vacation mode" will be helpful too, but the rate of water they can use is just far more than the AG system will accommodate for the length of a camping trip!  |
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