Grow Mediums cleaning autopot system - what do you do

[pop22]

I have 10 Autopots used both inside (tent) and outside (greenhouse).... for what it's worth and based on using Autopots for 11 different grows now....

Here is what I do....

I use a large bore semi rigid pipe with an inline filter from Res to inside the tent/greenhouse (always use black to eliminate light), The larger inline filter provides a greater surface area to filter particles and reduce the chance of pipe blockages.

The smaller pipes used to feed the autopot are then joined on to this, that keeps them short (about 12 inches) and again less likely to block.

Example of pipe setup - this is in my greenhouse, but same for tent grow. (The bamboo cane is just to keep the pipe straight)
View attachment 917377

Cleaning:-
Before each grow, I strip down the valve system in the autopots, remove the little silicone plugs and put the pot, tray, lid, valve bits and inline filter, etc, into the dishwasher. (keeping the little silicone plugs safe).

The dishwash cycle cleans and to some degree sterilises them (and they come up like new).

I then replace the silicone plugs in the valves, by either rotating them (to use the other surface) or putting in new ones (available from autopot for little money).
.
Clean the Res and backwash the pipes with clean water and a dash of bleach, lastly wash them through with clean water.

Reassemble the pot, valve, lines, trays etc. and away we go onto the next grow....

I have never used any form of cleaner in res during a grow, and never have had a blockage or problem with the pots.... Maybe it's me, or maybe I am just lucky, but that's my method... Works for me.

The type of Nutrients, can obviously play a big part in how much they can potentially block a filter/line, and I only use "Ferro" nutrients, the ones reviewed in my signature line below.

I also use a small water pump in the res to keep the water/feed moving about and nutrients suspended.

Many ways to skin a cat..... this is mine, hope it helps.

Frogster

 

[pop22]

Mix your solution in a bucket or right in your tank using a paint stirring attachment and a drill! it mixes thing much better than hand stirring. Easy to give the res a quick stir that way also!

Thanks going to go shopping for one after work, I'll still check it every day due to my fastbud being a drinker pretty bad. The megaCrop doesn't clog anything as of yet, it does leave a brown sludge I've noticed on my air lines in the hydro tank thoe, wipes right off but it's wasted nutes IMO, so cutting back on the mega seems to help that issue quite a bit.

 

[midIN]

Mix your solution in a bucket or right in your tank using a paint stirring attachment and a drill! it mixes thing much better than hand stirring. Easy to give the res a quick stir that way also!

I do that pretty much,problem is the mega settles down to the bottom no matter what after a few minutes, when I'm home I stir it but when gone at work for 4 days it's not getting stired til every other 14-15 hrs. Is problem,

 

[pop22]

I do that pretty much,problem is the mega settles down to the bottom no matter what after a few minutes, when I'm home I stir it but when gone at work for 4 days it's not getting stired til every other 14-15 hrs. Is problem,

I've been using mega in auto pots for three grows now. What settles in the res has never been a problem. I stir more for the oxygenation.

 

[midIN]

I've been using mega in auto pots for three grows now. What settles in the res has never been a problem. I stir more for the oxygenation.

Well in my tank seeing all my mega mix at the bottom and water at top, and basically only minimal nutes actually going down the line because of separation is what I'm going to fix with a pump and cover today from aquaseren.com then it will always be mixed up.

 

[pop22]

Do you use tap water? It can cause all sorts of problems especially if you have hard water. I mix 25% tap water with RO water. I get very little particulates.

Here's a pic of my mixing bucket. What you see on the bottom is discoloration from 6 months of use and occasionally leaving solution in it when hand watering. A couple dirt particle from using it outdoors, guess it needs a rinse lol!
The solution has been in here 36 hours, NO particulates. If your having such a problem, your water is the number 1 suspect!

 

[pop22]

I'll scrub the bucket before the next batch and get a pic

 

[midIN]

Do you use tap water? It can cause all sorts of problems especially if you have hard water. I mix 25% tap water with RO water. I get very little particulates.

Here's a pic of my mixing bucket. What you see on the bottom is discoloration from 6 months of use and occasionally leaving solution in it when hand watering. A couple dirt particle from using it outdoors, guess it needs a rinse lol!
The solution has been in here 36 hours, NO particulates. If your having such a problem, your water is the number 1 suspect!

View attachment 918420

When I get back to the cabin I'll send a pic of my tank and what I mean, but basically all the mega is settled in the bottom of it, and without a constant stirring then my plant isnt getting full benefits of the mega, if this makes sense.

 

[midIN]

Do you use tap water? It can cause all sorts of problems especially if you have hard water. I mix 25% tap water with RO water. I get very little particulates.

Here's a pic of my mixing bucket. What you see on the bottom is discoloration from 6 months of use and occasionally leaving solution in it when hand watering. A couple dirt particle from using it outdoors, guess it needs a rinse lol!
The solution has been in here 36 hours, NO particulates. If your having such a problem, your water is the number 1 suspect!

View attachment 918420

This is the settlement issue.i added two gallons of water to help dilute it out more maybe that will help before I add a pump to keep it stirred up. I'm hoping that this works .

 

[Frogster]

This is the settlement issue.i added two gallons of water to help dilute it out more maybe that will help before I add a pump to keep it stirred up. I'm hoping that this works .View attachment 918471

Ewwwwww..... that looks thick...... But I know nothing of those Nutrients and what is normal for them..... @pop22 is your man!.