Grow Mediums Aquavalve as a float valve substitute?

[Simplicio]

I'm trying autopots for the first time ever, but have never used an aquavalve.
My plants aren't quite ready for it yet, so I'm only slightly familiar with its operation.

I have some hydro setups that use a 2-bucket controller system that contains a float valve.
This is attached to grow tubs in a gravity feed system.
I don't like using 2 buckets because they can get out of whack with each other and with the grow vessels.

So I'm trying to figure out a way to use an aquavalve instead that would eliminate the bottom controller bucket.
Could it be as simple as connecting an external reservoir to the aquavalve, and then hooking the aquavalve to the grow tub?
The aquavalve could be elevated to the proper level to keep the grow tub level where I want it.

My limited understanding of aquavalves tells me that my grow tub level would vary an inch or two up and down as the aquavalve does its thing.

 

[TreyDogg]

I don't think the aquavalve is what you are looking for. The aquavalve keeps about an inch or less water level in the bottom of an autopot tray. Think of an autopot tray as a ebb and flow since you're a hydro guy. Just more of ebb and absorb. There is no return.

 

[Simplicio]

I don't think the aquavalve is what you are looking for. The aquavalve keeps about an inch or less water level in the bottom of an autopot tray. Think of an autopot tray as a ebb and flow since you're a hydro guy. Just more of ebb and absorb. There is no return.

Thanks for the reply.
I still believe there is a way to use the aquavalve to control hydro reservoir levels instead of using a controller bucket system with float valve.

The simplest method would be to install the aquavalve inside a reservoir on a shelf, so that the aquavalve straddles the liquid surface. The external storage reservoir would then keep the plant vessels filled. The aquavalve would allow the res to rise/fall an inch or two, which is perfect. This method would be susceptible to roots attacking the aquavalve tho. I'm trying to figure out a way to use a small container to put the valve in, and then connect it to the reservoir, so that the valve will still control the res level via gravity feed, and not get swamped by roots.

If I can figure this out, then it amounts to using an autopot system with the medium water. I'd never change the reservoir, and water is much easier than any other medium.

 

[TreyDogg]

Ok I see what you're trying to do. This is my simplified thought on it. Think one bucket as res elevated it needs to be higher than the control bucket. The control bucket has say a block in it with the aquavalve held to it, the block is at the level you want your water to remain at. You have lines running from control bucket to planters.

I used a hydro setup similar to this. The planter buckets had a bucket insert with holes in the bottom that you put into a feeder bucket that had a line from the control bucket. If you can figure out the right position of the aquavalve in control bucket you can make the aquavalve preform close to normal and not leave the plant constantly in water.

What do you think?

 

[Simplicio]

Ok I see what you're trying to do. This is my simplified thought on it. Think one bucket as res elevated it needs to be higher than the control bucket. The control bucket has say a block in it with the aquavalve held to it, the block is at the level you want your water to remain at. You have lines running from control bucket to planters.

I used a hydro setup similar to this. The planter buckets had a bucket insert with holes in the bottom that you put into a feeder bucket that had a line from the control bucket. If you can figure out the right position of the aquavalve in control bucket you can make the aquavalve preform close to normal and not leave the plant constantly in water.

What do you think?

I've been thinking along similar lines, but want to avoid a second control bucket. I've already got a few 2-bucket controllers, but would prefer something simpler.
This could be as simple as connecting an external storage reservoir to an aquavalve inside the tent.
The aquavalve would sit in a small container (1 gal or less), whose bottom is at the same level as the lowest desired plant res level.
That container's bottom would have a hole, connected by a tube to the bottom of the reservoir.

Here's how I think the operation would go, starting with a completely empty aquavalve connected to an external storage res, whose liquid level is at it lowest desired level:
1. The aquavalve allows fluid to flow into its container from the storage res.
2. Gravity pulls that fluid out of the container aquavalve sits in, and into the plant reservoir, until the levels are equal.
3. When an inch or so of fluid flows into the small container, aquavalve shuts off the flow.
4. Gravity keeps the small container and plant reservoir levels the same, and both levels fall as the plant(s) eat and drink.
5. Eventually the small container's fluid level drops to zero, and the aquavalve lets in more fluid from the storage res.

If the size of the container aquavalve sits in is small enough, and if the plant reservoir volume is small enough, the external storage res itself might offer intimate control of plant bucket ppm and pH.

I think this will work, but a dry run is needed.
I've got a 2020 version aquavalve ordered, and will try this when it arrives.
I'll post success or failure here.

 

[TreyDogg]

Is there a newer model aquavalve this year? I think the plan could work here is my concern. The level the aquavalve keeps water at is not that high. Like maybe an inch. That may be to low to move water down the feed line. You're gonna truly find out how level your floor is. If you hook feed line directly to pot I don't see proper drainage being able to happen leading to root rot. Another issue would be the guaranteed clog as roots try and run down the feed line. The bucket in a bucket would allow a rise and fall cycle for your plant. Also less chance for root to clog feeder line that would enter in the gap between the 2 bucket planter. All you're making really anyway is a autopot just more complicated.

Why not just use the autopot system as intended. Its pretty easy and worth the cash.

 

[Simplicio]

Is there a newer model aquavalve this year? I think the plan could work here is my concern. The level the aquavalve keeps water at is not that high. Like maybe an inch. That may be to low to move water down the feed line. You're gonna truly find out how level your floor is. If you hook feed line directly to pot I don't see proper drainage being able to happen leading to root rot. Another issue would be the guaranteed clog as roots try and run down the feed line. The bucket in a bucket would allow a rise and fall cycle for your plant. Also less chance for root to clog feeder line that would enter in the gap between the 2 bucket planter. All you're making really anyway is a autopot just more complicated.

Why not just use the autopot system as intended. Its pretty easy and worth the cash.

I've got a 2-pot Easy2Grow autopot system going right now using 2.2 gallon pots, hoping for smaller plants.
I plan to compare how well it does to a top-feed dwc system that gives 2 plants in the same reservoir about 2.5 gallons of water each, and is a bit smaller overall than my autopot system.
So this is just an experiment.

I've been using a 2-bin automatic controller system in similar, larger systems, but am hoping to dispense with the bottom bin, and replace it with an aquavalve sitting in an approximate 1 gallon bin inside a tent. I don't care that the water level only changes an inch, because that's exactly how much the reservoir level will go up and down.

My present controller bucket system uses 1/2 inch tubing, and root attack is never a problem.
Water viscosity might make water flow more difficult with smaller tubing, but there is certainly a storage bucket height that supplies enough water pressure to work well.

My hydro experience keeps me from worrying about aquavalve water not being able to go from the 1 gal container with aquavalve to the hydro reservoir. Gravity can do that easily.

Effectively what I'm trying to do is use an autopot system with water as the medium, then treat it just like a real autopot setup, and never change the small reservoir. If successful, this would make "hydro-pots" easier than "autopots," because there would be no solid medium to worry about. All that would be needed is to keep the external reservoir filled.

I'll be doing this with 2 plants, and am ready for a complete fail.

 

[R_HIDIA]

I've got a 2-pot Easy2Grow autopot system going right now using 2.2 gallon pots, hoping for smaller plants.
I plan to compare how well it does to a top-feed dwc system that gives 2 plants in the same reservoir about 2.5 gallons of water each, and is a bit smaller overall than my autopot system.
So this is just an experiment.

I've been using a 2-bin automatic controller system in similar, larger systems, but am hoping to dispense with the bottom bin, and replace it with an aquavalve sitting in an approximate 1 gallon bin inside a tent. I don't care that the water level only changes an inch, because that's exactly how much the reservoir level will go up and down.

My present controller bucket system uses 1/2 inch tubing, and root attack is never a problem.
Water viscosity might make water flow more difficult with smaller tubing, but there is certainly a storage bucket height that supplies enough water pressure to work well.

My hydro experience keeps me from worrying about aquavalve water not being able to go from the 1 gal container with aquavalve to the hydro reservoir. Gravity can do that easily.

Effectively what I'm trying to do is use an autopot system with water as the medium, then treat it just like a real autopot setup, and never change the small reservoir. If successful, this would make "hydro-pots" easier than "autopots," because there would be no solid medium to worry about. All that would be needed is to keep the external reservoir filled.

I'll be doing this with 2 plants, and am ready for a complete fail.

Pulling up a seat! I’ve been toying with the idea of using an aqua valve to cover a 2x4 area and run a sea of green using airpots.

 

[parsing_trees]

Pulling up a seat! I’ve been toying with the idea of using an aqua valve to cover a 2x4 area and run a sea of green using airpots.

Did you ever try that @R_HIDIA? I'm thinking about that for my 2x2, with either 1L airpots or solo cups.