New Grower F@#cking Airpots, How Do They Work!?

[Trapper]

Doing a PC case stealth microgrow; dimensions are 22" tall, 20" wide, 9.5" deep, so space is at a premium. Obviously, every inch I can save is another inch it can grow (using LEDs for the same reason). I planned on using the 3L based on the fact FD gets good compact grow results out of 1 gal containers, but I won't be able to fit more than 2 of those into the case. I might be able to get a third in there if I went with 1L pots, but even with the extra space from moving the bottom down a row, it's still going to be on the small side. Not trying to be greedy, but with space and stealth such huge concerns, I'm looking to get as much as I can out of the project. Of course, it's possible that two plants in 3L pots would produce as much or more than three plants in 1L pots.

My 2 cents....I would be inclined to attempt to construct an "airpot trough" that is rectangular and generally the same footprint as the bottom of the PC.
It would maximize the available space and you'd only have to water one container. The downside, obviously, would be that you wouldn't be able
to customize the feed for each, individual plant. But you could make the feed "generic" enough to balance the needs of each of the plants, generally.

I think an "air-trough" would be friggen sweet!

 

[Feenix]

Thanks! It looks like something out of science fiction, and maybe it's just new breeder paranoia, but I always worry there's some super-obvious rule I'm breaking if I'm not careful.

"Watcha doin?"
"Just watering my plants"

"No dude! You can't water like that, you'll give it Wandering Exploding Root Fungus! Don't you know anything!?"

Hello TT, I'm into my third run with them and will add that you may want to use a sprayer with wand to water. Pouring will find ways of running to the holes and will get messy. Just time how long your sprayer takes to fill your desired amount into a measured container the first time and then time the spray as you apply. You can get better consistent coverage with no erosive tsunami effect to expose top roots.

Just take care not to rust the main Bush-ings.

Sorry, just couldn't resist

 

[TimeTraveler]

My 2 cents....I would be inclined to attempt to construct an "airpot trough" that is rectangular and generally the same footprint as the bottom of the PC.
It would maximize the available space and you'd only have to water one container. The downside, obviously, would be that you wouldn't be able
to customize the feed for each, individual plant. But you could make the feed "generic" enough to balance the needs of each of the plants, generally.

I think an "air-trough" would be friggen sweet!

Hrm....now that's an interesting idea. FD's soil and tea mix is the only one I planned on using at first (can't argue with those results). Customizing feeds and such for specific strains is a bit over my head at this point; I haven't grown a single plant yet in my life!

I'd need to do a little research into which one(s) to use and modify, but that seems like a great way to maximize my space. If I use the entire footprint, I'd easily fit three into the space (I'd have about 6"x"9 per plant), I just don't know how nice MJ plays with neighbors. Now I'm really excited about this idea.

 

[Trapper]

It would be generally equivalent to a mini-sea of green

Maybe, "Pond of Green" LOL!

 

[TimeTraveler]

Well, it's time to dust off Ye Olde Maths Skills.

I'm going to need 693 cubic inches at least for it to be a 3 gallon trough (for three plants), and it'll need to be at least 5-7 inches deep to mimic a decent pot.

Some back-of-the-envelope calculating tells me that if it's 17" long, 8" wide, and 6.5" tall, it'll have juuuust over 694 cubic inches. 3 gallons, nice and deep, with anywhere from a half inch to an inch around the perimeter for clearance. I'll have to figure out exactly HOW to build it, but it should be perfect for my needs.

 

[Trapper]

You'll have to deduct some volume for the framework that will be required.

I would think that you could make an adequate frame out of 1" x 1" lumber...

Maybe a little smaller on the top perimeter so it's not in the way as much...

then you'll need to find a plastic "grid" material for the bottom that has the
right "hole-size/gap" to generally emulate the original.

as for the corners, I personally thought that you could just screw the "panels"
to the frame you construct then hit the seams at the corners with some
clear silicone on the outside.

you'll also need to source a Tupperware or Sterlite bin the right size to operate
as a "drip tray" and while you're at it, maybe install a petcock valve and hose
to the bottom of the drip tray so you can empty off run-off without moving it.

once again, just what I'm envisioning.

 

[Margahooja]

You'll have to deduct some volume for the framework that will be required.

I would think that you could make an adequate frame out of 1" x 1" lumber...

Maybe a little smaller on the top perimeter so it's not in the way as much...

then you'll need to find a plastic "grid" material for the bottom that has the
right "hole-size/gap" to generally emulate the original.

as for the corners, I personally thought that you could just screw the "panels"
to the frame you construct then hit the seams at the corners with some
clear silicone on the outside.

you'll also need to source a Tupperware or Sterlite bin the right size to operate
as a "drip tray" and while you're at it, maybe install a petcock valve and hose
to the bottom of the drip tray so you can empty off run-off without moving it.

once again, just what I'm envisioning.

"Size Matters"

 

[TimeTraveler]

True. Based on some more quick math, and some comparisons from the official site, I think the 45L airpot would be the perfect size to make this happen with minimal adjustments. The next question is how to make the frame; I don't have any woodworking or metalworking tools, so this part is going to be...interesting.

 

[Trapper]

Hand saw, drill, drill bits, screwdriver attachment for the drill, wood, plastic bottom material, self-tapping screws.

That would be the bare-bones item list to my mind....

If you built the frame sturdy enough, you could be able to get away with
simply "scoring" the airpot sheeting to get around the corners as well.

 

[pop22]

Hand saw, drill, drill bits, screwdriver attachment for the drill, wood, plastic bottom material, self-tapping screws.

That would be the bare-bones item list to my mind....

If you built the frame sturdy enough, you could be able to get away with
simply "scoring" the airpot sheeting to get around the corners as well.

Get some 2 gallon growbags, cut the top half off, should be close to the size you need, and won't waste space with a frame, etc.