Home built Aeroflo2

GuitarGod

GuitarGod

Active Member
Hi I noticed a few people using the Aeroflo system and was hoping for some tips to get her working at peak potental.

I bought 2 Aeroflo2 replacement chambers (the 4ft, 6 spot ones) and hooked them up to a 400 gph pump. It's working great and I'm in my 6th week of flower(WW grow below in my sig). I'm just looking for some insite from growers who have used the Areoflo before.

Thanks guys

For those who aren't familar with it heres a link to GH w/ pics http://www.genhydro.com/genhydro_US/aeroflo2.html
 
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ARTFART

Well-Known Member
Im waiting for my 20 pot system to arrive end of this month cant wait to start it up got some NL waiting to get in it!! :)
How much did yo yield from those six WW?
 
GuitarGod

GuitarGod

Active Member
Hey Artfart I didn't harvest just yet. I'm waiting on the trichs to develop a bit more. But I'm guessing only a few oz. I made the mistake off veging too long, and belive me veg stage grow is FAST. The girls out streched my lights power. The next set of plants that are going in have been supercropped multi times, and will go to flower 5 days from transplant. They'll finish much more compact. I'm hoping for 12 oz next time out.

AeroKing, what/how long is your flushing period?
 
AeroKing

AeroKing

Well-Known Member
Flush is 3-4 days with Flora-Kleen.

Here is another tip:
AeroKing said:
Heat is the #1 reason people run the pump on a timer.

Theoretically aeroponics will provide enough o2 to the roots, that they should not need a "drying out" time, like as is required with soil or ebb and flow hydroponics.

However, it seems that the problem isn't the lack of o2, but the fact that when roots are soaked consistently, they tend to mat together. When the roots are fluffy and spread out, they grow many tiny little white hairs that are very effective at absorbing water, nutes and o2. When they become matted, you will see less of these fine root hairs and the plants will not grow as fast.

So, the #2 reason would be to allow the roots time to dry out, not to provide o2 in and of itself, but to allow the roots to "fluff up" again(which they will not do if being sprayed constantly).
Click to expand...
Also, alignment of the spray lines is key. Try to have the jets hit the exact point where the water surface meets the wall. This will maximize misting/aerating the NFT.

Use all chemical nutes. Contrary to what I've heard on the forum, GH says it's ok to run liquid and dry Kool Bloom in an aeroflo.

Keep res temps cool. Use a chiller if necessary.

And, like you said: DO NOT VEG FOR VERY LONG IN THIS SYSTEM!
You've witnessed first hand(I've made the same mistake), the explosive growth in this system that can get out of control fast. I'm trying to perfect the "lollypop SOG" technique. That seems to be ideal in this system.

Keep us informed!
 
GuitarGod

GuitarGod

Active Member
Thanks Aeroking great stuff! I have a few more questions for ya if you don't mind. About running the pump on a timer: What type of intervals whould you use? How deep do you set your water level? What if any decline are you trays on? Thanks for the advice!
 
gvega187

gvega187

Well-Known Member
ideal timing is 1 minute pump on 4-5 mins off. About the drain tubes and flood level...since it looks like you use 3" net cups with hydroton and well rooted clones you should not need to raise the flood level at all. I have only used the drain tubes in my aero2 for starting seeds. roots were not well developed so I brought the level up to the bottom of the cup. Aeroflo instructions on GH website has all of this.



I am curious to see some pictures of the inside of your chambers. A 400 gph pump seems a little low for what you are doing but the plants look very good. cherrio.
 
AeroKing

AeroKing

Well-Known Member
I leave a small amount (1/2") of water in the tubes, only as a buffer in case of pump or power failure. I'm sure my plants would generally prefer me not too, but it's already saved my crop once, so I'm going to stick to that.

If you clone or seed in here, you keep the water level at the bottom of the cups until rooted.

Pump timing will be dependent on genetics. Strains from wetter climates will fair better with more wet time/less dry and vice versa.

As far as incline, I bought the system that already had the framework. If I had to guess, I'd say it should be the same as any drain pipe, a one in twelve pitch - for 4 foot, about 1/3 of an inch.
 
GuitarGod

GuitarGod

Active Member
Ok guys now I'm starting to get a picure of what I've been doing wrong with her. I've had my chambers dropping a little harder than 1/12 and I've moved my water level down along the grow but it's still around an inch deep. The plants at the top of the incline are getting sprayed and aren't sitting in water, the ones at the bottom end are. I'm going to fix her up right now and get some pics. Thanks guys both rep+
 
GuitarGod

GuitarGod

Active Member
I leveled off my system a bit and dropped the water level. Up coming grow I will use a timer as temps are a prob for me. Here are some pics as requested:







 
A

ARTFART

Well-Known Member
Nice system bro im getting mine tomorrow can´t wait to see my plants go off ! hehehe ;) what nutrients are you using? and how big is your light?
 
GuitarGod

GuitarGod

Active Member
Thanks Art, I'm using Techna flora nutes. I started with their "Recipe for Success" box my first hydro grow and have just kept using their products. I like them for the most part and have had all successful grows with them, but if someone told me something else was better and not super $$$ I'd try it. For light I have a 400w HPS. I used an added blue bulb all the way through the grow. Good luck with your system dude.
 
GuitarGod

GuitarGod

Active Member
ToWeRdog and FloWeRGirl said:
I dont mean to hijack your thread but, I have a question about the aeroflo replacement water lines. Do they have holes in them or do have to install misters?
Click to expand...
They have holes and are all ready to go. If you're building your own, you just need a root chamber to put the lines in, a res, a pump, and a timer... and airstones.
 
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