Grow Mediums Has anyone used Coco in the 8.5 liter Autopots?

[slowandeasy]

Yeah I get what you're saying and with my peppers etc I agree, but as far as I can tell the Autopots are the 'safest' off-the-shelf setup currently, both in that they come basically ready and setup is minimal, and in the sense that there's fewer parts to maintain. I'd rather start off with a relatively uncomplicated system that can produce decent results. They seem like decent tools for straight beginners who need the option to leave plants unsupervised.

I didn't say to not use Autopots. You asked about pot size. But if you want my honest opinion. Autopots are overpriced and I would rather hand water from the top than have my plants sit in nute water. Plus they are not fool proof. My 4x4 tent was flooded once. Don't use 15l pots with Coco, it is a complete waste. Or do, then complain later. Peace, slow

 

[slowandeasy]

Btw, if you don't have Air domes...buy them. And a decent pump. The Airdomes are the single best part of Autopots. Without them, your 15l of Coco will stay soaked.

 

[InexpensiveBeret]

I didn't say to not use Autopots. You asked about pot size. But if you want my honest opinion. Autopots are overpriced and I would rather hand water from the top than have my plants sit in nute water. Plus they are not fool proof. My 4x4 tent was flooded once. Don't use 15l pots with Coco, it is a complete waste. Or do, then complain later. Peace, slow

first, i'm definitely gonna get airdomes, and 8.5l pots. if absolutely nothing else that should drastically cut down the cost of substrate.

as far as hand watering goes, my concern is more with what to do when i'm away. i realize i asked about pot size, but while you're here (so to speak): would blumats (the large ones, where the sensor controls a dripper) do a serviceable job top feeding coco for a weekend at a time here and there? would i get more (yields, quality or experiential data) from top watering than from using autopots?

 

[Unique]

I didn't say to not use Autopots. You asked about pot size. But if you want my honest opinion. Autopots are overpriced and I would rather hand water from the top than have my plants sit in nute water. Plus they are not fool proof. My 4x4 tent was flooded once. Don't use 15l pots with Coco, it is a complete waste. Or do, then complain later. Peace, slow

this statement I have to agree with... not only are they over-priced, but they are known to fail..I also prefer to hand water & top feed myself..

 

[InexpensiveBeret]

please tell me all your autopot woes.
there's a bit of a natural echo chamber element to the autopot 'scene'. i think it's because people are generally decent and prefer to spend their time sharing/bragging than criticizing, so the positive feedback drowns out the negative. but it winds up being that people get a skewed idea.
so if you guys have like autopot horror stories or just like disappointing stories please do share. i always appreciate being talked out of something.

 

[Unique]

first, i'm definitely gonna get airdomes, and 8.5l pots. if absolutely nothing else that should drastically cut down the cost of substrate.

as far as hand watering goes, my concern is more with what to do when i'm away. i realize i asked about pot size, but while you're here (so to speak): would blumats (the large ones, where the sensor controls a dripper) do a serviceable job top feeding coco for a weekend at a time here and there? would i get more (yields, quality or experiential data) from top watering than from using autopots?

I'd much rather use them Blumats if ya gonna be away for a couple days or so, then an autopot that could fail before ya walk out the door, so by time ya come back everything would be long gone..they really are known to have problems with that valve and end up flooding everywhere.. so make sure leave no wires hanging low to start any fires..

 

[InexpensiveBeret]

not to mention, i just looked it up and a set of 4 3l airpots+4 blumat sensors+res+tubing etc would still cost less than a single autopot setup.

 

[Unique]

please tell me all your autopot woes.
there's a bit of a natural echo chamber element to the autopot 'scene'. i think it's because people are generally decent and prefer to spend their time sharing/bragging than criticizing, so the positive feedback drowns out the negative. but it winds up being that people get a skewed idea.
so if you guys have like autopot horror stories or just like disappointing stories please do share. i always appreciate being talked out of something.

the issue @slowandeasy mentioned does happen more often then you'd think... the problem being away many days using that setup is rate of growth it can put out, not every single unit will fail, so basically it's like playing the lottery, maybe you'll get lucky maybe ya won't...there more then just being able to water your plants a couple days while your away, your lights are not gonna move them selves, the plant may end up growing into the lights.. That may not be the correct setup for someone unable to watch, the growth may be too much for ya let it go that many days...the Blumats may be more your ticket...plus you'll save a load of money...

 

[slowandeasy]

first, i'm definitely gonna get airdomes, and 8.5l pots. if absolutely nothing else that should drastically cut down the cost of substrate.

as far as hand watering goes, my concern is more with what to do when i'm away. i realize i asked about pot size, but while you're here (so to speak): would blumats (the large ones, where the sensor controls a dripper) do a serviceable job top feeding coco for a weekend at a time here and there? would i get more (yields, quality or experiential data) from top watering than from using autopots?

I have used Blumats in the past. They work well, but also have drawbacks. Nutes can clog the little lines. Gravity fed is cool, but WARNING, pressure changes as your Water level Changes. For example, DO NOT run the reservoir low on Blumats. You have to adjust the dial on top at times, but if you let the reservoir go super low and then FILL it super high things change. Make sure you are home for 24hrs if you do this. The pressure change can cause a valve to stay open and flood.

I have used almost every type of automated feeding in Coco. All of them have their pluses and minuses. My personal favorite is top fed automated via pump/drip stakes or Halo rings. I prefer feeding 6x per day at smaller rates. Less transpiration, plants love it, and it saves nutes. However, power outage can be the minus. And it takes manual setting up, but once up is easy to control.

Really what matters the most is what you want and need. Everyone has different needs/wants, space, environment, strains, ect. If you want you can always use Autopots and have an on/off valve by the reservoir too if your plants stay too wet. Or hand water and turn on Autopots for the vacations. So many options brother. PM me if you want. Peace, slow

 

[Unique]

I have used Blumats in the past. They work well, but also have drawbacks. Nutes can clog the little lines. Gravity fed is cool, but WARNING, pressure changes as your Water level Changes. For example, DO NOT run the reservoir low on Blumats. You have to adjust the dial on top at times, but if you let the reservoir go super low and then FILL it super high things change. Make sure you are home for 24hrs if you do this. The pressure change can cause a valve to stay open and flood.

I have used almost every type of automated feeding in Coco. All of them have their pluses and minuses. My personal favorite is top fed automated via pump/drip stakes or Halo rings. I prefer feeding 6x per day at smaller rates. Less transpiration, plants love it, and it saves nutes. However, power outage can be the minus. And it takes manual setting up, but once up is easy to control.

Really what matters the most is what you want and need. Everyone has different needs/wants, space, environment, strains, ect. If you want you can always use Autopots and have an on/off valve by the reservoir too if your plants stay too wet. Or hand water and turn on Autopots for the vacations. So many options brother. PM me if you want. Peace, slow

I hand water, I might try drippers... I prefer top feed over bottom, I think plants get much more frosty! also I agree pretty much any dripper can & may get clogged...but if you ya to go away, then you'll have hope for the best make sure purge lines before going and should be fine...I feed twice daily, I agree plants like smaller amounts more often..