mike
The Pepper King
Posts: 3,661 
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Post by mike on Mar 13, 2021 13:00:02 GMT -5
I've just completed my new greens tote. It is 21" x 16" x 5". It has twenty 1-3/8" holes that accommodate AG baskets. I drilled two 1/4" holes on top for the air stone lines. One hole will be kept open for water fill purposes.
It is black in color and the air stone lines are black to prevent algae. I will use a General Hydroponics pump to supply the air stones.
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airscapes
AGA Bounty
Lettuce eat Cake!
Posts: 642
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Post by airscapes on Mar 13, 2021 13:26:20 GMT -5
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mike
The Pepper King
Posts: 3,661
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Post by mike on Mar 13, 2021 13:45:16 GMT -5
Oops, need to run to the Pet Supply store. I need some aquarium check valves.
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Sher
AGA Farmer
Posts: 7,025
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Post by Sher on Mar 13, 2021 18:35:53 GMT -5
mike , I am really looking forward to seeing your setup.
I am tired of maintaining individual small Kratky systems and am considering either an nft or decent sized dwc system.
My main concern with dwc is giving the plants room to develop without using too big of a container.
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mike
The Pepper King
Posts: 3,661
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Post by mike on Mar 13, 2021 19:44:22 GMT -5
Here is the new tote. I put it on the cart that had the Bounties on it with the tomatoes and pac choi. I needed to free up space in the Living Room. I will do more tomorrow. I am exhausted now. I have an Apollo UFO suspended overhead.  |
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campingcorgis
AGA Farmer
🌴 I wet my plants. :-) 🌴
Posts: 3,114
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Post by campingcorgis on Mar 13, 2021 20:01:21 GMT -5
Very cool. It is a completely different style of lid than the one I have. Mine has very tiny raised lines. But I think my totes are a different size too. And grey. At the Sportsman's Warehouse last week, I saw they have some white totes and lids too. Never noticed them there before.
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mike
The Pepper King
Posts: 3,661
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Post by mike on Mar 13, 2021 20:12:50 GMT -5
You might want to stay away from anything that would allow any light in. That's why I was looking for solid black, to prevent algae.
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airscapes
AGA Bounty
Lettuce eat Cake!
Posts: 642
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Post by airscapes on Mar 13, 2021 20:39:29 GMT -5
You might want to stay away from anything that would allow any light in. That's why I was looking for solid black, to prevent algae. Mike can you post the link to that particular tub and lid? Thanks! |
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Sher
AGA Farmer
Posts: 7,025
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Post by Sher on Mar 13, 2021 20:50:10 GMT -5
mike, I really like the size and depth of that container.
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campingcorgis
AGA Farmer
🌴 I wet my plants. :-) 🌴
Posts: 3,114
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Post by campingcorgis on Mar 13, 2021 20:58:37 GMT -5
You might want to stay away from anything that would allow any light in. That's why I was looking for solid black, to prevent algae. Agreed. The white seems like it would allow some light thru. I feel the grey is every bit as light restricting as the black. |
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mike
The Pepper King
Posts: 3,661
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Post by mike on Mar 13, 2021 21:14:31 GMT -5
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Sher
AGA Farmer
Posts: 7,025
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Post by Sher on Mar 13, 2021 22:58:02 GMT -5
Thanks, mike. I am having second thoughts about the Mr. Stacky in my grow tent. Fertilizer salts built up in the coco coir and severely stunted my Swiss chard.
I think I will replace it with two of these. I already have airstones. |
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Sher
AGA Farmer
Posts: 7,025
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Post by Sher on Mar 13, 2021 23:33:37 GMT -5
I ordered 3 since shipping was the same for 2 or 3.
I'm sure I'll find a place for the extra one. |
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mike
The Pepper King
Posts: 3,661
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Post by mike on Mar 14, 2021 1:11:47 GMT -5
I ordered 5. I used the first one as a template. Once I measured everything out, I only drilled pilot holes through the first lid. Then, I set one lid on the second one and drilled holes to duplicate the first. I used a 1-3/8" hole saw to cut the holes.
A tip to the wise. Using this soft plastic, only run the drill portion of the hole saw in a normal rotation. Once through the plastic, be careful and snug the hole saw blade against the plastic. Then switch the drill to reverse rotation. Cut the hole in reverse rotation. It takes a little longer, but the results are much cleaner. Normal rotation will shred the soft plastic and make your hole look bad. I learned that the hard way on my totes I made in 2014. I have my holes set 3-1/2" apart.
Having a template, I can make replacement lids (or duplicate totes) easily as long as these lids are available unchanged. BTW, 1-3/8" holes are a tad looser than the AG holes. The baskets and hole covers fit fine, but they are not really snug. I believe my initial assessment of 1-5/16" was accurate for a more snug fit. (I couldn't find a 1-5/16" hole saw though, so I bought the 1-3/8"). 1-5/16" hole saws are available, but I couldn't find one locally, and I didn't want to wait for delivery. I picked up the 1-3/8" at the closest Home Depot.
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Sher
AGA Farmer
Posts: 7,025
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Post by Sher on Mar 14, 2021 1:22:51 GMT -5
I really appreciate the tips on drilling the holes and on making templates.
I am thinking about using 2" net cups since I have so many of them, along with leftover rockwool. However, I also have scores of Aerogarden cages, and it would be nice to keep them interchangeable.
I'll decide after I see them in person.
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mike
The Pepper King
Posts: 3,661
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Post by mike on Mar 14, 2021 1:28:49 GMT -5
2" net cups won't fit between the raised portions of these lids. They are too close together. I was going to use 2" net cups as well.
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Sher
AGA Farmer
Posts: 7,025
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Post by Sher on Mar 14, 2021 3:57:18 GMT -5
Good to know before I get too busy planning!  |
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mike
The Pepper King
Posts: 3,661
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Post by mike on Mar 14, 2021 11:33:13 GMT -5
System is up and running. I've determined necessary water levels and taken pictures. I've installed the timer and the light is on.
More later (after I walk and take a nap).
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campingcorgis
AGA Farmer
🌴 I wet my plants. :-) 🌴
Posts: 3,114
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Post by campingcorgis on Mar 14, 2021 12:16:37 GMT -5
My lid is like this one - it measures about 2.5 inches between the raised lines. Wish I had noticed difference earlier. Sigh. |
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mike
The Pepper King
Posts: 3,661
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Post by mike on Mar 14, 2021 16:37:09 GMT -5
Here is the final product. The new tote has been planted.  I determined the best amount of water is 2-1/2 gallons. That is 2-3/4" deep. I marked up a wooden measuring stick to determine when water is needed.  Here are the airstones with the pump on.  And here is the pump I am using with check valves installed so water can't get back into the pump.  The back row of four is Genovese Basil. The four in front of that are Fernleaf Dill. The five on the front right are Pac Choi Win-Win like the Ultra next to it. The six on the front Left are Pac Choi Shiro. These are older seeds. I used those because the Jericho Lettuce I bought did a disappearing act. I'm afraid I threw them away by mistake. I am using Growth Technology Ionic Grow nutrients. I don't see a need for the bloom as I don't want the greens to flower. They recommend 4 teaspoons per gallon, that's 50 ml for the tote. For the initial feeding, I gave them 30 ml. We shall see what happens. |
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