¤ swAmp Hydroponics ¤

kovidkough

In Bloom
also does the feed pump supply enough pressure so that i could put a line into a large tote for my run off? basically I'm limited by height and need to keep the system as close to the floor as possible, I have been tinkering with raising my hempy buckets to use gravity, however your system would simply so many things in my grow space
 
I've been working on some new ideas today.
Seeing as how I loathe hand watering, I wasn't happy with that being a requirement of the system.
So, I began working on a solution and am currently testing it out.

For clones, there is a new step in the planting process.
You'll now create a "nest" for your plants before planting them in their "nest pot".

This is done by breaking one corner off from a 1.5" rockwool cube and shredding it into your "nesting" material to be placed in the base of the nest pot as seen here...
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Then soak the rockwool in your nutrient solution for 10-15 seconds. You'll know it's ready when the pot sinks to the bottom.
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Remove the nest pot and allow it to sit for 2 minutes to drain off all excess moisture.

Grab your clone...(a sad :( looking chemdog gorilla cutting here)
20201203_162143.jpg Placing it on top of the rockwool and topping your "nest" off with the LECA media.
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Simply place your new nest in your charged "swAmp Bucket" (as described previously) and you'll be ready for the final step....(this one's got me excited...)
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Automatic watering of seeds and newly transplanted clones in the "swAmp" system!

You heard right folks.
No more hand watering.
And I mean none.
I'll be covering my solution in my next upcoming post.

.Smoke
 
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do you need to keep a feed res or can I just mix up a batch each day?
I would suggest using at least a 5 gallon bucket as a reservoir for a 1 site system.
The system is optimal when feeding around 1 gallon per day, plus the amount your plant is consuming.
So a 5 gallon bucket should be good for 5ish days before needing to mix a new batch of nutrients in the beginning.
 
also does the feed pump supply enough pressure so that i could put a line into a large tote for my run off? basically I'm limited by height and need to keep the system as close to the floor as possible, I have been tinkering with raising my hempy buckets to use gravity, however your system would simply so many things in my grow space
The drain is a 100% gravity driven system working similar to a "chute spillway" seen here
20201203_025852.jpg
Used to manage the overflow of large bodies of water by man, and also found all over the world created by the natural ebb and flow cycles of nature.

You'll find a lot of things done here @swAmp are done in a method to best mimic nature's way of tackling how to grow.
From the looks of it, she's got it pretty well figured out ;)

So, utilizing the "work harder, not smarter"..(edit... lol....reverse that...)approach, I'm trying to keep everything as clean, pure and simple as I can.

In short,
The drain doesn't require the hose to be connected to work and you could simply place the bucket in a catch tray to catch the drainage. Or, the drain is located high enough to where the hose can be run outside the tent through a ground vent hole to a catch basin.
The only requirement is that the drain hose does not exceed the height of the drain port on the bucket at anytime.
Failure to follow this will result in your bucket backing up and overflowing.
 
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kovidkough

In Bloom
The drain is a 100% gravity driven system working similar to a "chute spillway" seen here
View attachment 41814
Used to manage the overflow of large bodies of water by man, and also found all over the world created by the natural ebb and flow cycles of nature.

You'll find a lot of things done here @swAmp are done in a method to best mimic nature's way of tackling how to grow.
From the looks of it, she's got it pretty well figured out ;)

So, utilizing the "work harder, not smarter" approach, I'm trying to keep everything as clean, pure and simple as I can.

In short,
The drain doesn't require the hose to be connected to work and you could simply place the bucket in a catch tray to catch the drainage. Or, the drain is located high enough to where the hose can be run outside the tent through a ground vent hole to a catch basin outside the tent.
The only requirement is that the drain hose does not exceed the height of the drain port on the bucket at anytime.
Failure to follow this will result in your bucket backing up and overflowing.
perfect thank you for explaining!
 

kovidkough

In Bloom
as long as the hole is higher then 2in i can easily vacuum up the excess with a simple battery operated pump . this sounds like my life is about to become so swamped with Danks.

p.s this will be great for med patients like me who hate the task of lugging around dirt. having had 2 spinal surgeries I can tell you any methodology that removes alot of the physical effort is extremely helpful.
 
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as long as the hole is higher then 2in i can easily vacuum up the excess with a simple battery operated pump . this sounds like my life is about to become so swamped with Danks.

p.s this will be great for med patients like me who hate the task of lugging around dirt. having had 2 spinal surgeries I can tell you any methodology that removes alot of the physical effort is extremely helpful.
The drain is approximately 6" above ground level, giving it the ability to drain up to 15' in distance to a catch basin with up to a 4" lip height.
Thanks to the use of a 3.5 gallon bucket, the overall height is only 11". Giving you the ability to "raise" the bucket up to 3" before exceeding the height of a standard 5 gallon bucket system if it's necessary to accommodate a catch basin.

A single site, filled with the appropriate amount of media weighs 10lbs. While a bucket filled with the appropriate amounts of media and nutrient solution weighs approx. 23lbs.
 
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The drain is approximately 6" above ground level, giving it the ability to drain up to 10' in distance to a catch basin with up to a 4" lip height.
Thanks to the use of a 3.5 gallon bucket, the overall height is only 11". Giving you the ability to "raise" the bucket up to 3" before exceeding the height of a standard 5 gallon bucket system if it's necessary to accommodate a catch basin.

A single site, filled with the appropriate amount of media weight is rate @ 10lbs. While a bucket filled with the appropriate amounts of media and nutrient reservoir weighs approx. 23lbs.
To add to this,
If more than 15' of distance is required for you to reach your catch basin (if needed), the system will still work.
But, you must either ensure the remaining length of drain line runs downhill to your basin, or purchase the optional "lift pump" (approximately $50, standard condensate pump sizing) with your system that plugs into a standard outlet and pumps your drainage automatically using an automatic float switch to your drain. Capable of pumping vertically 10+ feet incase your plumbing is in the ceiling (basements).

Another great option is to pump your drainage to a sump/dry pit in your cellar if your home has one. The lift station can also be tied directly into your home's existing plumbing (recommended licensed professional) in the exact same manner a drain line for a water softener system is ran thanks to it's integral check valve/backflow preventer.

Versatility.
All about it @ swAmp Hydroponics
.Smoke
 
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kovidkough

In Bloom
To add to this,
If more than 15' of distance is required for you to reach your catch basin (if needed), the system will still work.
But, you must either ensure the remaining length of drain line runs downhill to your basin, or purchase an optional "lift pump" (approximately $50, standard condensate pump sizing) with your system that plugs into a standard outlet and pumps your drainage automatically using an automatic float switch to your drain. Capable of pumping vertically 10+ feet incase your plumbing is in the ceiling (basements).

Another great option is to pump your drainage to a sump/dry pit in your cellar if your home has one. The lift station can also be tied directly into your home's existing plumbing (recommended licensed professional) in the exact same manner a drain line for a water softener system is ran thanks to it's integral check valve/backflow preventer.

Versatility.
All about it @ swAmp Hydroponics
.Smoke
thank you for clarification on the height, the rez will definitely be closer then 15ft. I am eagerly awaiting the trials. a single bucket under a 600w should be perfect for me. and with how small the buckets are I could see my self upgrading to the multi site. as a person who is scared of DWC this is sounding perfect. I couldn't manage all the things the res would require, it would be so easy for me to mix a small 5gal res and if need be refill it in 2 or 3 days, simplicity at its finest. the fact I can just feed once or really as much as I am willing to deal with drain off is key. thank you for considering my feedback. I've never had this level of communication directly with a company i also thank you for explaining things to us not so technically minded.
 
Here's a shot of the automatic seed and clone feeding capability currently under testing.
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The simplicity of a removable, hand washable, reusable "sticky tab" design allows you to take the 1/4" vinyl feed line and place the end appropriately over the nest pot during the first few weeks of transitioning into the system.
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Feeding just 20 seconds every hour using the available multi-programmable timer, the system ensures the rockwool "nest" and surrounding LECA stay nice and damp, keeping your youngling fed for the first few weeks until it has established roots in the reservoir.

Once that's happened, you simply peel the hose and "no residue" tabs from the bucket, attach your feed hose to the emitter in the lid, and wash the tabs with warm soapy water which "restickyfies" it ;) for its next use.
The washing works at anytime if the pads get covered in dust or becomes "unsticky".

Anyway,
That's one of the few things that's here in the works.
Stay tuned for more.

.Smoke
 
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kovidkough

In Bloom
Here's a shot of the automatic seed and clone feeding capability currently under testing.
View attachment 41831
The simplicity of a removable, hand washable, reusable "sticky tab" design allows you to take the 1/4" vinyl feed line and place the end appropriately over the nest pot during the first few weeks of transitioning into the system.
View attachment 41832
Feeding just 20 seconds every hour using the available multi-programmable timer, the system ensures the rockwool "nest" and surrounding LECA stay nice and damp, keeping your youngling fed for the first few weeks until it has established roots in the reservoir.

Once that's happened, you simply peel the hose and "no residue, pad from the bucket, attach your feed hose to the emitter in the lid, and wash the tab with warm soapy water which "restickyfies" it ;).
The washing works at anytime if the pad get covered in dust or becomes "unsticky".

Anyway,
That's one of the few things that's here in the works.
Stay tuned for more.

.Smoke
wow mind blown. could the pump be attached to a smart plug so I can program on my android?

also this sounds dumb but what keeps a seed from being washed away, or do we germinate in rockwool and have that in the cup. again sorry for asking so many questions this is all-new to me
 

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wow mind blown. could the pump be attached to a smart plug so I can program on my android?

also this sounds dumb but what keeps a seed from being washed away, or do we germinate in rockwool and have that in the cup. again sorry for asking so many questions this is all-new to me
The system can 100% absolutely be run with a smart plug.

I am dumb on the whole "smart plug" subject, (Alexa, Google Home and I don't "agree" on their "privacy terms"...), but I would assume with the correct app, the need for a timer would be completely unnecessary to run the system. I'm sure you have many, many ways you can turn your pump on and off from there.

As far as the seed washing away, it's recommended you germinate inside the "nest pot" using a 1.5" rockwool cube during the process as described here.

.Smoke
 
The system can 100% absolutely be run with a smart plug.

I am dumb on the whole "smart plug" subject, (Alexa, Google Home and I don't "agree" on their "privacy terms"...), but I would assume with the correct app, the need for a timer would be completely unnecessary to run the system. I'm sure you have many, many ways you can turn your pump on and off from there.

As far as the seed washing away, it's recommended you germinate inside the "nest pot" using a 1.5" rockwool cube during the process as described here.

.Smoke
The seed germination capability is still under going beta testing btw.
.Smoke
 
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