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 poke smot!
Is it 420 yet?
Registered: 04/20/08
Posts: 60
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 Automation systems: Worth investing in? 
#998 - 04/20/08 12:35 PM (16 years, 8 months ago) |
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I wasn't sure which indoor forum this belongs in, as it applies to both hydro & soil-grown plants.
There are a number of products out there to automate things like lighting, temperature, humidity, carbon dioxide, and other things. I want to get everyone's input on whether this level of control is worth it.
I'm not asking if it's necessary, since of course you can grow without any fancy additions. What I'm asking is, has anyone had experience automating these factors, that resulted in higher yields, more potency, or other desirable qualities of MJ?
Also, there's many different solutions out there ranging from devices to handle one task (such as lighting timers), to all-in-one automation systems. The AIO automation systems also vary greatly in price and intended application so, at what point is it worth the money?
Assuming that an all-in-one device to automate greenhouse conditions would translate to better results,
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maggotz
Registered: 04/20/08
Posts: 1,018
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Re: Automation systems: Worth investing in? [Re: poke smot!]
#2677 - 04/20/08 05:57 PM (16 years, 8 months ago) |
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i have no experience with these systems but i believe that if you're gonna make such an investment you should be having a fairly large growing operation. but i guess that it all comes down to convenience versus price.
are you willing to pay more and have less responsibilities?
you should also keep in my mind that actually caring and watching the plants grow can be as much fun as smoking them. 
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 Annom
Registered: 04/20/08
Posts: 316
Loc: Europe
Last seen: 9 years, 8 days
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Re: Automation systems: Worth investing in? [Re: poke smot!]
#4656 - 04/21/08 07:25 AM (16 years, 8 months ago) |
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What is automating lightning? Using a timer or automatically changing height above plants or something else?
You really do want a timer, but automating light height is only useful for very large grows.
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poke smot!
Is it 420 yet?
Registered: 04/20/08
Posts: 60
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Re: Automation systems: Worth investing in? [Re: Annom]
#4684 - 04/21/08 07:35 AM (16 years, 8 months ago) |
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I was more speaking of, having the ability to set up timers over a period of time. For example, something that can be set to be 12/12 lighting at one time and something different at another.
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Harry_Ba11sach
cannoisseur
Registered: 04/20/08
Posts: 11,753
Loc: Nepal 
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Re: Automation systems: Worth investing in? [Re: poke smot!]
#4741 - 04/21/08 08:37 AM (16 years, 8 months ago) |
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Right now I have lights on auto, but that's just because I'm too busy to flip them myself everyday. I was considering automating the ventilation, but instead it just runs 24/7.
Since I grow in soil I don't really see a need to automate anything else.... it's all pretty straightforward and easy to do by hand.
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Annom
Registered: 04/20/08
Posts: 316
Loc: Europe
Last seen: 9 years, 8 days
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Re: Automation systems: Worth investing in? [Re: poke smot!]
#4823 - 04/21/08 10:15 AM (16 years, 8 months ago) |
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(multiple program) timers are very cheap. I don't see the need for more than one program because you only have to switch from 18h to 12h ones every grow, but if you need it, it's a cheap automation.
I have an electric heater with thermostat for winters when it can get cold. Fans are connected to a simple thermostat and go on full power when it get too hot. I use a very simple light bulb as resistor, in series with the fans, to change the fan speed.
Humidity is most important for small plants/clones. I put a plastic tent around the clones to create a small humid greenhouse. No humidity control after that.
I don't use CO2. Watering is done, by hand, via drainage tubes. Nutes and pH are also done by hand. My grow is only 10-20 plants so it's not worth it to automate the pH/nutes.
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Harry_Ba11sach
cannoisseur
Registered: 04/20/08
Posts: 11,753
Loc: Nepal
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Re: Automation systems: Worth investing in? [Re: Annom]
#4829 - 04/21/08 10:18 AM (16 years, 8 months ago) |
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Nutrients and pH are extremely easy to monitor by hand. In a large scale hydro setup it might be worth it to regulate certain variables, but for your average home grower it's just far too much of an investment.
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