PDA

View Full Version : pvc vertical grow question


frosif
10-09-2011, 05:54 PM
hi there!

I'm new to this forum and growing. This would be my very first successful turnout if all goes well and so far they're doing excellent.

I am using a home made vertical garden inside a grow tent, it is made out of 16-4" wyes (4 on each column), that is connected to a 3\4" pvc nipple on the top and bottom. the top ones all go to my homemade flow regulator which controls each column individually. I am using a 12v bilge pump (400gph) to pump the nutrient solution to the top. The leftover solution drains out the bottom and into a small reservoir, when that gets to a certain point the float switch kicks on and another 12v pump pumps it back into the main reservoir. I use a 12v power supply out of an old computer, I modified it so it can be turned on and off with a flick of a switch. That is on a timer that turns on every 2hrs for 30 mins. The light is a 400watt MH which is not enough because some of the lower plants have small light buds.

I took clones off my mother which is a KushBerry feminized, leave them in my also homemade ezcloner for about 2 weeks or until i see solid root mass. Then put them through 2 weeks Veg. Then into the flowering tent

I am using AN bloom, but i bought the new jungle juice to try it out for the next grow.

My problem is that the roots always build up inside the bottom so bad that no water can flow to the return basin and it overflows through the wye. Does anyone have a suggestion to fix this issue?

Harvester
10-09-2011, 06:58 PM
Sounds like you'll need to increase the diameter of the pcv towards the bottom of your columns.

Are you dealing with a low ceiling or something? curious as to why you have 2 reservoirs.

H

frosif
10-09-2011, 09:16 PM
yes ive only got about 4.5' to deal with
and the second one is beacuse the bottoms of the columns are below the main reservoir and its outside the tent, so it would be impossible to have them drain back into the main res. the second one fills up and dumps back into the main res.

happy turkey day :yum:

frosif
10-09-2011, 10:40 PM
heres some pics, hope it helps

http://www.cannabis-world.org/cw/attachment.php?attachmentid=28686&stc=1&d=1318192723
http://www.cannabis-world.org/cw/attachment.php?attachmentid=28687&stc=1&d=1318192723
http://www.cannabis-world.org/cw/attachment.php?attachmentid=28688&stc=1&d=1318192723
http://www.cannabis-world.org/cw/attachment.php?attachmentid=28689&stc=1&d=1318192723
http://www.cannabis-world.org/cw/attachment.php?attachmentid=28690&stc=1&d=1318192723
http://www.cannabis-world.org/cw/attachment.php?attachmentid=28691&stc=1&d=1318192723

nuggdigger
10-12-2011, 07:22 AM
4" wyes (4 on each column), that is connected to a 3\4" pvc nipple on the top and bottom.
the 4" circle has a volume of 12.6 inches
this drains through ...
3/4" circle has a volume of .4 inches+roots...

here's a few other homebuilt cage drain systems worth looking at


http://www.cannabis-world.org/cw/attachment.php?attachmentid=7192&stc=1&d=1318395530

http://www.cannabis-world.org/cw/attachment.php?attachmentid=16996&stc=1&d=1318396981

http://www.cannabis-world.org/cw/attachment.php?attachmentid=24566&stc=1&d=1318395817

and finally booberry's http://www.cannabis-world.org/cw/showthread.php?t=2499

frosif
10-12-2011, 06:18 PM
Great! I can't believe I've never thought of doing that earlier, so simple. Thanks for the help and I'll make sure to keep updating as I improve.