Grow Room Looking for ideas on ways to automate

[AFNG]

I want to try and automate my grows more if possible. It will make things easier for me and hopefully help me be more consistent.

I have a $500 total budget and looking for suggestions.

I currently have timer for lights and my vent fan can be triggered by high/low temp and humidity.

I am currently growing in soil.

Any suggestions?

Thanks

 

[Mañ'O'Green]

Well you have lights and climate automatic already that just leaves Fertigating/watering. This is a little bit harder because you want water only days in soil grows. You need two pumps a controller and a couple of check valves, drip tubing etc. 1GPH pressure compensating drippers (three or more per pot. You just need to turn on the drippers and time how long it takes to reach 15% run-off and you know how long to run the drip system. Then two sources for water/nutrients The size of the tanks will be determined by how much water/nutrients you need and how long you want it to run without attention. One container will be PHed water and the other PHed water with nutrients. Do Not Use copper, brass or aluminum in this system anywhere. Use plastic or stainless steel only. You will need an air-pump and stones to keep the tanks aerated.

A good DIY project.

 

[AFNG]

Does it matter what size air stone? I assume there isn't such thing as too much aeration?

Can you recommend a controller and even a website that might have most of these supplies?

 

[Simplicio]

Autopots has an "Easy2Go" system that waters automatically from the bottom.

 

[pop22]

I agree, auto pots are a great way to automate and this is the best way to automate the watering process, as over/under watering are the 2 biggest issues growers have.

Autopots has an "Easy2Go" system that waters automatically from the bottom.

 

[Olderfart]

Plus one on the autopots. They fertigate very effectively with little attention, they don't need electricity or depend on electrical stuff that can fail, and they grow monsters if you choose genetics to that end. I could not be happier with the effectiveness of the system, although I do use more serious filtration than the standard setup.

I use the xl trays with fabric pots, and they work like a hot damn. I roll the fabric pots down to about 3 imperial gallons. If you go with autopots, I recommend that you get the single trays. The trays with places for two pots are too close together for decent sized plants. Some here have used them, but in my opinion, you are better off with singles.

Good luck with it.

 

[MI_sterGreen]

Agree on Autopots. I've left my ladies for a week while on vacation and no issues.