I took your advice on the airstone and am convinced that it's really important. The grow rocks work well except that I didn't rinse them before the first use and wound up with grit all in my solution. I dumped it and started over.
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I built this 17 plant version of your system as a little experiment / hobby and am really amazed at the results! The plants (Tomatoes, Squash, Bell Peppers, Lettuce) have gone crazy since I transplanted them and learned how to control the pH |
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I'm using phosporic acid to lower my pH. Works well. My Rubberwmaid container holds exactly 15 gallons to the horizontal line. |
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For my solution, 3 drops of acid from the medicine dropper lowers the pH .12 points. Easy enough to keep up with except that I have to adjust it every other day. |
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I built a dirt cheap astable (fancy word for oscillating) timer from some electronic components at work (555 timer IC, capacitors, resistors, solid state relay, ect) (Note: the metal can is grounded) It looks like a bomb so I won't be carrying it through an airport! It turns on for 3 min, and is off for 40 min and can be adjusted for most any time cycle by changing a couple of parts. It runs 24 hrs a day but could be turned off at night with another timer or a photocell circuit. No moving parts or computer to fail, will probably just run on forever. |
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pH and EC are measured by a Hanna Instruments AgriTest pocket meter. It is both meters in 1 and is only 80 bucks direct from hanna instruments. (www.hannainst.com) Comes with meter, case, calibration solution, small adjustment screwdriver. One hell of a deal! |
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I took your advice on the airstone and am convinced that it's really important. The grow rocks work well except that I didn't rinse them before the first use and wound up with grit all in my solution. I dumped it and started over. |
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