airscapes
AGA Bounty
Lettuce eat Cake!
Posts: 642
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Post by airscapes on Jan 30, 2021 18:16:06 GMT -5
Shawn, using the Quick-Plant feature in my Bountys I found that after the first 14 days the pump will run 60 on and 0 off for peppers and tomatoes (I am using this for cucumbers too). It will run for 5 on and 25 off for lettuce and herbs (I am using this for my peas too). During the first 14 days germination mode the Bountys run 60 on and 660 off. Hi Everyone, first post on this forum. Not sure this is the proper place but the above post has provided me the most info I have found all day. I am an avid vegetable gardener during the growing season (Philadelphia PA) but wanted to extend my season year round for some herbs and maybe lettuce and next winter maybe a Tomato plant. A coworker wife is into the AG and after talking with her I was going to order a Bounty but then decided I wanted a bigger project and would try building my own. I did buy a couple of the 45w light panels and also a viparspectra P2000 to start my onions and shallots. Anyway, the reason for my post is I am looking for all the possible use cases for pump programs. I am programing a micro controller to manage the pump run time and so far I have 3 that seem to be common 1 hour on 11 off, (germination) 5minutes on 25 off and constant run. Since this is not as fancy as the AG setup and will be coded depending on a switch location (rotary 7 position) I would like to do it once and be done :-) Please chime in if you have used your own custom setting for pump run time and why. Also once complete where is the best place to start a thread with the build, it is an 8 pod modeled to be like the bounty as far as pump and water deliver (from what I can tell looking at youtube video). Thanks in advance Doug |
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Sher
AGA Farmer
Posts: 7,025
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Post by Sher on Jan 30, 2021 18:31:27 GMT -5
It sounds like you have done your homework.
The only changes I have made to Aerogarden's pre-programmed schedule is running everything in my Bountys, including tomatoes and peppers, on 5 on and 25 off.
The reason is that the water runs warmer when the pump runs continuously and I ended up battling root rot in my peppers due to the hotter water.
The default setting for the Harvest model is 5 on and 25 off, and I have been successful growing tomatoes and peppers in it. I really can't see a difference in growth running the pump less. The most important thing is to have the nutrients right. 5 on oxygenates the water sufficiently.
I am sure others would disagree, but that's what works for me.
I am really excited about seeing your build and what you decide to do.
When you are ready to post about it, it would go under the Other Types of Gardening heading on the Other Hydroponic Systems board.
Looking forward to seeing you there!
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airscapes
AGA Bounty
Lettuce eat Cake!
Posts: 642
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Post by airscapes on Jan 30, 2021 19:31:47 GMT -5
Just joined looking for pump programming info as this is my first try and Hydroponics.. Avid dirt Gardner but wanted to extend the season (Philadelphia PA area) for some herbs and lettuce and tomatoes in the future. I have a bunch of other hobbies so rather then buying an AG I decided to make my own. Based it on the Bounty, found some info on line and some YouTube videos of disassembly. Bought a couple of plastic CD/DVD boxes at Staples, and painted them black then Modeled the bottom side of the deck in Onshape (CAD) and fabricated with my 3d printer. Also the pump housing and other plastic parts. Sourced the water pump, air pump, air stone, light timer and 45w AG light panels from Amazon. BTW not much cost savings in DIY but is keeping me busy. Now working on programing a micro controller to manage pump run time, this is what led me to this board, looking for pump schedules. Will post more photos when done but I have a few I can post now. Looks like I can not upload images? ![]() Well that's a bit of a pain to upload them to my site first .. but Ok.. Question, I was told water level on the Bounty was 1.75" below the deck, is that correct? 3D model of the tray bottom  Bottom side of lid with water tray installed  Top of Lid on the box  3d Model of my pump mount and water level indicator  Water Stand pipe Model  Inside the Box  Pump Running water flowing  Will post more later as I build the box for the air pump and electronics. Doug |
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Sher
AGA Farmer
Posts: 7,025
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Post by Sher on Jan 31, 2021 0:44:04 GMT -5
I'm impressed, airscapes. It looks very similar to the inside of my Bounty, except for the air stone.
I just tried to measure the distance from water to deck. It looks like it is 1" on my new Bounty and a little more, maybe 1-1/2" on my older Bounty. I can't measure it exactly as I have plants in it, and the holes don't line up with the post.
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airscapes
AGA Bounty
Lettuce eat Cake!
Posts: 642
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Post by airscapes on Jan 31, 2021 8:08:44 GMT -5
I'm impressed, airscapes . It looks very similar to the inside of my Bounty, except for the air stone.
I just tried to measure the distance from water to deck. It looks like it is 1" on my new Bounty and a little more, maybe 1-1/2" on my older Bounty. I can't measure it exactly as I have plants in it, and the holes don't line up with the post.
Thanks Sher! Another question about water flow.. as you can see from my photo I have a fairly good stream running that should hit the grow sponge, is that how the bounty works or does it just dip? That image is with the pump flow control on 2 so I can crank it up more if that does not look like it is sufficient flow. I was not sure about the air stone. The air pump came with a round stone but I thought a long one that would distribute the bubbles would be better.. but now I am not sure it really matters as fast as the water will circulate.. The parts are held in with mounting tape used for automotive trim, so hopefully it will say put.. with the lid on the pump can't move anyway do I guess it doesn't really matter. The bad thing about this particular box is that it does NOT SEAL. Those fins on the under side of the lid sit on the top of the box, so this thing will spill if not kept level and the water level is about .75 inches from the top of the box at 1.75" from the deck. |
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airscapes
AGA Bounty
Lettuce eat Cake!
Posts: 642
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Post by airscapes on Jan 31, 2021 22:53:45 GMT -5
So I have spent the day programming and debugging my microprocessor that will control my DIY bounty pump.
I have 4 switch positions, so on 5 off 25 minutes, on 1 hour off 11, on all the time and off all the time (with flashing LED to remind me it is off) Did not find any other on/off timing that would be helpful.. if you have one let me know, with adding another switch I can add more..
Thanks!
Doug
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Sher
AGA Farmer
Posts: 7,025
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Post by Sher on Feb 1, 2021 0:51:54 GMT -5
airscapes, the Bounty has a very low pressure stream of water.
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airscapes
AGA Bounty
Lettuce eat Cake!
Posts: 642
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Post by airscapes on Feb 1, 2021 11:48:49 GMT -5
airscapes , the Bounty has a very low pressure stream of water. So Am I going to have an issue with too much flow do you think? Sorry for all the question, this is kind of more difficult not having ever seen one in action. I had the pump set at the first flow position and it was more prone to not flowing if the unit was not level.. Guess time will tell if it works or not. |
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Sher
AGA Farmer
Posts: 7,025
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Post by Sher on Feb 1, 2021 12:58:38 GMT -5
I don't know the ramifications of a high water flow. The plants would probably appreciate a gentler stream.
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Shawn
Administrator
Posts: 16,218 
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Post by Shawn on Feb 1, 2021 13:42:51 GMT -5
You may be better off getting one and duplicating it.
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airscapes
AGA Bounty
Lettuce eat Cake!
Posts: 642
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Post by airscapes on Feb 1, 2021 18:10:43 GMT -5
You may be better off getting one and duplicating it. Or buy 2.. but where is the fun in that!  |
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airscapes
AGA Bounty
Lettuce eat Cake!
Posts: 642
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Post by airscapes on Feb 3, 2021 10:52:58 GMT -5
Working on the Electronics box to hold the air pump, voltage regulator, controller and pump relay.. first prototype.. in fabrication process.  |
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airscapes
AGA Bounty
Lettuce eat Cake!
Posts: 642
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Post by airscapes on Feb 5, 2021 8:36:40 GMT -5
Finished up the electronics last night. Unfortunately my plans had to change last minute, the pump I bought run on AC rather than DC, didn't know most submersible pumps are AC powered. When I looked at the power supply all I saw was 12v 300mA and figured I would power everything (Water pump, air pump and controller) from the same power supply. Well now I need 2  Anyway, no big deal, just more things to plug in and more wires. Wish the CAD software had better Lettering ability.. Kind of small The top is clearish so you can see the LEDs on the control board when it is in operation to know if pump is on or off   |
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airscapes
AGA Bounty
Lettuce eat Cake!
Posts: 642
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Post by airscapes on Feb 5, 2021 15:30:16 GMT -5
Today I modeled and printed some pod risers. The water spout was not below the lower rim of the pod and needed to come up a little. I won't glue these to the deck yet, but my want to later, will see how everything works first. Next step fill figure out how much water it holds compared to know Aerogarden units to figure out correct nutrient volume too use. Test it and make sure it still all works as designed, sterilize it and start a garden!  |
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Post by Deleted on Feb 5, 2021 16:11:07 GMT -5
Another talented forum member!!!!
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