Grow Mediums Poll on autopot failures

[68grasshopper]

i had a problem with the valves not letting water into res,should you use drip cleaner at all times ? or maybe it was just the hard water
in the south of uk, i was that worried about losing a crop i havent used the since.

 

[Chronic_passion]

I didn't clip the valves onto the securing lugs in the trays properly... it completely emptied the res all over the garage floor... operator error
Haven't had an issue ever since.
I'd also like you add that I'd never use anything else. They're fantastic for my requirements.... just sit back and watch from afar.
RCS I place copper side up in the trays... never seen a stray root.

 

[pop22]

Flush the lines on a schedule then you can do it in 5 minutes! Use a 30ml syringe. Disconnect the line from each valve and from the res flush from the res end. 203 syringes full will clear the lines of any clogs. I stick my finger into the corner of a pot and if its dry more than an inch down, I pull the cover off the base and check to see if its dry. If one or more is, I flush the lines. Personally, i don't like to add anything if I can avoid it. another option ids go organic soil and only use water in your res. I've done that and it works well.

i had a problem with the valves not letting water into res,should you use drip cleaner at all times ? or maybe it was just the hard water
in the south of uk, i was that worried about losing a crop i havent used the since.

 

[68grasshopper]

Flush the lines on a schedule then you can do it in 5 minutes! Use a 30ml syringe. Disconnect the line from each valve and from the res flush from the res end. 203 syringes full will clear the lines of any clogs. I stick my finger into the corner of a pot and if its dry more than an inch down, I pull the cover off the base and check to see if its dry. If one or more is, I flush the lines. Personally, i don't like to add anything if I can avoid it. another option ids go organic soil and only use water in your res. I've done that and it works well.

thanks for the advice, you just twigged my brain.....i have noticed using ionic it leaves a thick salt residue in my 100l water butt and doesn`t dilute properly ?
it could be the nutes ? i really want to use them again after seeing the results you fellas are having .changing nutrients might be way or like
you say go organic. cheers pop22

 

[Ivean]

thanks for the advice, you just twigged my brain.....i have noticed using ionic it leaves a thick salt residue in my 100l water butt and doesn`t dilute properly ?
it could be the nutes ? i really want to use them again after seeing the results you fellas are having .changing nutrients might be way or like
you say go organic. cheers pop22

This is the reason I use biotabs in my soil and only water in my tank

 

[MidnightSun]

Figured id try these as a test but I've had a bunch of floods so far. Everything is level. The XL Smart pot system has plastic risers the aqua valve is suppose to sit on but i believe this disrupts the pressures in the aqua-valve. I believe they did this to add more water to the tray but no seal is made and i don't see these on the standard version. The water stop valve has to travel pretty far in-order to make contact and shut off the flow, but it never shuts off. Fluid just overflows out the fill side. I ordered a replacement aqua valve to see if that will help. So far not impressed for the absurd price these cost.

 

[pop22]

Take a little more time to diagnose the problem.
First, are you certain that the valve is properly seated on the post. After that check the yellow silicon seals in the valve. They are the only other cause of flooding besides a valve not seated. Presuure has nothing to do with how these valves, they work be water level. Auto Pots has a video that shows how they work. If the floats move freely and the seals are making proper contact with the body, misplacement is the only other likely cause. Check the seals for nicks or not being flat.

I'm on the frugal side and was a bit put of by the price. But, the system has long since paid for itself and has worked flawlessly over the three years I've been using them. I've never replaced the silicone seals, though I did buy a few spares. You can't get a system simpler or more reliable than this, other than hand watering. I've gone away for a week without worry with auto pots

Figured id try these as a test but I've had a bunch of floods so far. Everything is level. The XL Smart pot system has plastic risers the aqua valve is suppose to sit on but i believe this disrupts the pressures in the aqua-valve. I believe they did this to add more water to the tray but no seal is made and i don't see these on the standard version. The water stop valve has to travel pretty far in-order to make contact and shut off the flow, but it never shuts off. Fluid just overflows out the fill side. I ordered a replacement aqua valve to see if that will help. So far not impressed for the absurd price these cost.

 

[MidnightSun]

"Presuure has nothing to do with how these valves, they work be water level"

If this is true, why have the top float? The internal valve uses air pressure via the water level to control the flow of fluid. This pressure also controls its flood and drain cycle. As the top float rises it releases the air trapped in the chamber below.
As the water level falls, the top float seals again creating a small vacuum. This is how the flood and drain cycle is controlled.

In any event i have some ideas why its not working.

 

[HemiSync]

"Presuure has nothing to do with how these valves, they work be water level"

If this is true, why have the top float? The internal valve uses air pressure via the water level to control the flow of fluid. This pressure also controls its flood and drain cycle. As the top float rises it releases the air trapped in the chamber below.
As the water level falls, the top float seals again creating a small vacuum. This is how the flood and drain cycle is controlled.

In any event i have some ideas why its not working.

Sorry you are running into issues, but I know theses are worth the price. Between cannabis and food mine have paid for themselves many times over. I’m another three year user and for the most part the only time I had a flood was when they were not seated on that post correctly. Always feels like you are pressing down hard enough to break them. I travel for work and the longest I have left was for two weeks with no problems.

 

[pop22]

the valves work on vacuum, not pressure! This page explains. the text is rather smaller but the explanation is good.

https://www.autopot-usa.com/product/aquavalve/