I'm going to be using TG's Super Soil for my next grow. What type of auto-watering system would be better, given it will be only water and no nutes. I'm leaning towards the Blumat but am curious about halo rings. Thoughts?
I will always tell you the truth, that's a promise
I will not, however, promise that you will like what I say.
*************************************************************************************
“There is no normal/average. A 'normal person' is what is left after society has squeezed out all unconventional opinions and aspirations out of a human being."
– Sylvia Path
Grumpas Topic starter
May 24, 2024 2:13 pm
Well gentlemen...Blumat it is then. Thanks for the insight, it helped get it clear in my head. Much appreciated!
Water only makes it easier, nutes in the fluid complicates things.
Blumat has quite a following, and is fairly cheap.
Halo rings are a different concept, not passive any longer. You'd need pumps and timers.
Lousy Tourist
Grumpas Topic starter
May 24, 2024 1:42 pm
@lousytourist So...in the simplest terms, with Blumat, the plant pulls the water to itself as it needs it. With Halo Rings, I'm pushing water to the plant when I think it needs it.
LousyTourist May 24, 2024 1:44 pm
yes, that's it in a nutshell.
With soil, I'd go blumat over halo rings. Rings make the most sense in coco, which is what I'll be using.
Sevans May 24, 2024 8:14 pm
@lousytourist rings can be used with the blumats that are gravity fed from an elevated rez, but not the Blumat classics (the ones that siphon from a rez).
I highly recommend the BluMat system with a large carrot and Blusoak tape on the surface. They take a little time/learning curve to get calibrated (need to use some sort of soil moisture meter for best results), but a correctly setup system will give your plants even soil moisture. Hope that helps!
To see a World in a Grain of Sand, And a Heaven in a Wild Flower,
Hold Infinity in the palm of your hand, And Eternity in an hour.
― William Blake
Grumpas Topic starter
May 24, 2024 3:23 pm
@im_sparky Read the Blusoak Tape is typically used with very large grow containers. I'm only going to be using 5gal bags (maybe 3, still deciding). Will the tape be too much for that size?
im_sparky May 24, 2024 6:53 pm
If it were me, I'd make a small ring out of the bluSoak hose, but you could also go with just the drip function off of the carrot. Be sure to run a clean reservoir without any nutes in the solution. If you end up needing nutrients later (my recollection is people often do with that recipe, but I've not ran it before), like in mid-flower, just apply manually.
Grumpas Topic starter
May 24, 2024 7:02 pm
@im_sparky I will do that, I'm going with a slight variation of TG's super soil (adding a couple of shovelfuls of sandy loam from my land). I basically adjust the ring/spiral to whatever size bag I use, run aerated, then PH'd tap water in the rez, no nutes, watch for deficiencies. Thank you!
Grumpas Topic starter
May 24, 2024 7:06 pm
@im_sparky Forgot to mention I may well decide to go with the KIS Organics Nute Pack instead, haven't decided yet. Though your reports using it have me leaning that way.
im_sparky May 24, 2024 8:47 pm
Just make sure you don't over-aerate your reservoir -- constant bubbling will cause your water to go basic.
Grumpas Topic starter
May 24, 2024 8:52 pm
@im_sparky Yeah, I actually meant just run the air-stone for maybe an hour and make sure the PH is in range. Then just let them at it...LOL
Our forum is free to join. We are an international cannabis forum that helps people all over the world grow their own personal supply of cannabis. Through our site you will find cannabis breeding forums, cannabis deficiency forums, indoor cannabis growing forums, and much more.
We are a home growers cannabis forum, and we only allow people who grow cannabis for personal use to be members. Our mission is to help you grow your own cannabis. We do not buy/sell/trade cannabis, or equipment for growing cannabis. Our site is strictly a cannabis smokers forum, cannabis growers forum and forum for medical cannabis users.
Use our guides on how to grow cannabis, cannabis grow diaries, and growers forum to find all the info you need to learn how to grow your own cannabis.
Any member who is suspected of growing cannabis for commercial gains will be banned immediately.
Please read our forum rules, and enjoy the site.
Find us on all social networks! Just search for Percys Grow Room