I have never used them. Maybe it has to do with the level of ambient humidity…out west maybe? They don’t do anything for me. I have 75 cbg clones rooting right now in root riot plugs, no dome.
Ive thought about using a tote but the standard 1020 trays and 72 cell inserts are perfect for rapid rooters. the problem is the trays and dome are thin and flimsy as hell. you cant even pick up the tray full of wet coco or moist rapid rooters without it buckling under the weight. i wonder if the “thick” versions sold by growers house or bootstrap farmer are better?
https://growershouse.com/super-sprouter-quad-thick-tray-no-hole-10-x-20
“extra strength” dome
2 Likes
I use the extra strength 1020 trays, and they are a little better. You can pick up a full tray.
2 Likes
Side bar
Let’s hit on the benefits (or lack of), about using air stones in aero/hydro systems. I’ve used air pumps for 8yrs now. What about using an oxygen concentrator vs a standard air pump?
3 Likes
People tend to drastically misunderstand air stone usage, in that they think the bubbles are being absorbed into the solution. Unfortunately the surface tension of water keeps that from happening, at least at any significant level. Air stones aerate by moving water, which turns over as the bubbles rise. I think that begs the question of why not use a water pump if moving water is the goal? In a large system, I think the water pump aeration is a much better idea. In a smaller setup, the small amount of heat emitted by the water pump might be an issue. Also, not everyone wants to listen to a constant peeing sound.
3 Likes
I use 2 small air pumps (aquarium style from Wally world) for 10x 2.5gal 25 site aero cloners.
I use a big air pump for my 45 gallon water holding tank with NO air stone. Just the tubing.
My thinking is I can source an o2 concentrator for 450. Keep it on hand in this covid crap, repurpose it if I dont need/use it in these times.
1 Like
I use a chiller and keep the water at 65f. This circulates the water and gives me roots at the 7 day mark.
5 Likes
I only use bootstrap trays now. They’re pretty indestructible and I haven’t found another tray as thick,even ones labeled extra strength. The only issue on the inserts is you can’t squeeze them to get your plugs out, so I use a little skewer to pop them out.
3 Likes
Nice i ordered some earlier today
2 Likes
I have the trays, they are definitely a huge improvement over the flimsy ones.
They’re not bomb proof, but I love the things.
3 Likes
I use an aero cloner with rooting hormones. Just about everything I throw in there roots. I’ve messed with using rockwool and root root cubes for cloning as well. They work, but I usually have better and faster results with aeroponics.
1 Like
I wish I could get aero cloning to work. I’ve tried 3 different types and made my own as well. Using a 2 different turboklones a hydrofarm aero cloner and made my own with a sterilite 30 gallon tote. None of them worked. I’ve kept constant sensor readings of the water temp. I’ve come to the conclusion that my well water must contain a form of slime mold or algae in it that rots the stems. I’ve tried variations of soaking the units in antibiotics to clear them out using well water with small percentages of bleach and shock nothing worked. Even driving all the way to Walmart and picking up a bunch of distilled water to run. I could never get a root to pop. Back when I lived in Texas and had city water I could pop roots like everyone in here. It was great. But now I can only get roots in rockwool or rapid rooters or even diy wick style perlite or Coco cloners but aeroponics just doesn’t work for me up here.
4 Likes
I had problems keeping res temp down in aero cloning. @CannaBotanist - how do you keep your res temp down?
I swap out frozen water bottles lol
Note: I took this idea from oregrow on Instagram maybe 5 years ago (I think that was his name)
2 Likes
I always keep mine on timers roughly 30 second on 2 mins off. Get insane fat roots everytime
5 Likes
I used cycle timers to keep my temp in check but that never helped me either.
1 Like
A cycle timer works wonders to keep res temps in check. 3on, 3off and I hit under 78*f year round.
6 Likes
Like others have said, cycling the aero cloner on/ off helps in keeping temps low. My cloner sits on a cold metal floor and I believe that contributes to keeping it cool. There are also lots of ways to hook up cloners to chillers.
Edit: if you’re having trouble getting roots even after using rooting hormones, try shaving the stem with scissors.
3 Likes
This is what I have going to keep the temp @ 65F.
2 Likes