Is a 1 foot chamber to shallow for an atomized system??

[EBO.micro]

My veggies are harvested about a week after germination and their root systems should only drop 4-8 inches.

Would a one foot deep chamber work for an atomized system? Would side mounted nozzles, or bottom mounted nozzles work best here? Any thoughts?

Trying to maximize space, but I could stretch the chamber to 18 inches tall, but would rather not. To do 2 feet or more would be a redesign. But I will redesign if I must.

Thank you so much for any beneficial experience here.

 

[EBO.micro]

The roots wouldn't drop more that 6 inches from the top of the chamber, now that I think about it.

(there will be no baskets)

 

[Atomizer]

HPA and AA can operate in 12" depth with the right nozzles, 6" roots wont pose much of an obstruction to the mist. Using large flat chambers for such small plants seems like an inefficient use of the floor space but i guess they`ll have to fit in with the existing greenhouse layout, lighting arrangements etc.

 

[EBO.micro]

Thanks for the help, much appreciation sir!

I plan to build these about 5 high. we have about 16 feet clearance so I wanna build up as far as possible.

Man, I sure could use some "nozzle" love. Im definitely interested in doing HPA or better still, AA, any recommendations?

How many nozzles do you think might be appropriate for a 8' x 4' chamber?

Thanks again for your time!

 

[Atomizer]

I think AA will have lower maintenance than hydraulics if your using compost tea for nutes. Daily filter maintenance and weekly line cleaning is very likely either way.
Two pressure fed AA nozzles with the right pattern should cover an 8x4, you might get away with three for an 8x8. Here`s an idea of the amount of mist you can get from a single pressure fed AA nozzle.

 

[EBO.micro]

Again, thanks for your time, I know it is valuable.

Some really good advice. I have the benefit of no stealth requirements though, and a decent budget, if I went to larger lines (I was planning on using 1/4 pvc) would line maintenance drop? If its jamming, I would think that a larger diameter line might correct the issue, but if its build up, it would only delay it.

Any thoughts on where one might mount the nozzles? I figure 1 on each side, but how high? Would 4 from below be better? Im thinking really low on the sides.

 

[indrhrvest]

We are using a 12" deep tray with bottom mount nozzles.

If you need some HDPE trays hit me up at [email protected]. We can make you a one peice solid HDPE tray for about $750 plus shipping. They weigh about 160 lbs.

Be sure to watch in HD

[video=youtube;SGNo95f4dI4]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SGNo95f4dI4[/video]

 

[indrhrvest]

I think AA will have lower maintenance than hydraulics if your using compost tea for nutes. Daily filter maintenance and weekly line cleaning is very likely either way.
Two pressure fed AA nozzles with the right pattern should cover an 8x4, you might get away with three for an 8x8. Here`s an idea of the amount of mist you can get from a single pressure fed AA nozzle.
View attachment 2650010

We found in our research that AA, in a commercial setting, would be cost prohibitive because of the size compressor and eletricty that would be needed to run operations. Compressed air is one of the most ineficient sources of energy. It probably would not be a big deal on a smaller scale though.

 

[Atomizer]

HPA nozzles are very prone to clogging if you run organic nutes. Compost tea wouldnt be much a problem for external mix AA nozzles as they can handle viscous liquids, powders and paint. Compressed air is expensive, by my reckoning a 5HP 80-gallon compressor might need to run once an hour to supply enough air for five 8x8 chambers.

 

[oxanaca]

I think AA will have lower maintenance than hydraulics if your using compost tea for nutes. Daily filter maintenance and weekly line cleaning is very likely either way.
Two pressure fed AA nozzles with the right pattern should cover an 8x4, you might get away with three for an 8x8. Here`s an idea of the amount of mist you can get from a single pressure fed AA nozzle.
View attachment 2650010

what kind of nozzle is that, it seems really wide. is it a hollow cone?

 

[Atomizer]

Its a pressure fed flat fan with 43psi air and 30psi water.

 

[oxanaca]

i know if you increase air pressure you decrease droplet size, but what effect does increasing/decreasing fluid pressure have on droplet size?

 

[Atomizer]

If you just increase the air on an internal mix pressure fed, it adds resistance to the incoming flow on the liquid side. That reduces the flowrate so you get smaller droplets. Increasing just the liquid pressure affects the air side in the same way but gives the opposite result. If you bump the air pressure high enough you can stop the liquid flow altogether. Same thing goes for the liquid pressure if it overpowers the air you`ll just get a squirt of water.
Increasing both air and liquid pressures pro rata, modifies the mist pattern and the flowrate, but maintains the same droplet range. For instance, 1bar/1bar will have the same droplet range as 2bar/2bar but with less flowrate, spread and throw distance. Using combinations of air and liquid pressures allows control of the droplet size, flowrate and pattern/throw within the bounds of the nozzle spec.

 

[Imaulle]

Atomizer, I'm looking to do a 4' x 8' HPA system. Any suggestions on where to get started? All i have right now is a tent and three 600 watt lights.