Ask a Grow Question

[awesome-tree]

Autopots are so expensive for being a few buckets and hoses. I could make them myself except for the trays the float valaves and the water and pots sit in with seem to be a special shape. Does anyone have instructions on how to make a DIY autopot or know where to find those float valves cheaper than they sell them?

0

Discussion

[marzig]

The valve is the key. It’s unique because there are 2 valves that operate together as a unit. It would be hard for an individual to duplicate. You would need to design something in a CAD program like SolidWorks and then 3D print it. Unless you or you had friends that could do this you would have to pay someone and then it would end up costing far more than buying one.

If another company wanted to duplicate it, they would have huge upfront costs of engineering, injection molds, etc, etc, and a good lawyer.

0

[smokythebear]

ive been growing a long time and ive done some diy shit that would probably still confuse me , but some times it worth just buying it already built , if your doing the wick system (auto pots) , get a floating stick thermometer (for pool ) or fish tank , mark it full and empty when its down add , and youl be able to see temp

0

[soup]

I would search for “hempy buckets” and I bet you’ll find the info you need. lots of people out there making their own sub irrigated pots out of 5 gal buckets and basic plumbing parts. You can find cheap float valves online or in the plumbing section at the hardware store. I’d also check out “earthboxes” and “city pickers” for some other prebuilt sip systems that are pretty affordable.

0