Waterfarm 8 Pack - What do folks think?

[MK Ultraman]

It doesn't really mix from one bucket to another, each bucket will draw solution from the reservior, but every plant is not the same each will consume different amount so you will end up with different reading, as the water level drop in the plant buckets the controller will release more solution to make sure they are top off to the correct level.

[four20friend]

I have the waterfarms and they are fantastic.. as long as you
1 use a good stable stong airpump
2 You have to use some type of line cleaner like drip clean or clearX
3 have an airstone.
everyone that I know that has them likes them if they have the right equipment. best of luck to you.

[Racefan]

Originally Posted by MK Ultraman

It doesn't really mix from one bucket to another, each bucket will draw solution from the reservior, but every plant is not the same each will consume different amount so you will end up with different reading, as the water level drop in the plant buckets the controller will release more solution to make sure they are top off to the correct level.

Oh...it's not a true recirc set up. The controller only "FEEDS" the buckets. The solution is never recirculated back into the controller bucket with the reservoir. So yes each bucket is it's own little bio experiement then and each needs to be tested and treated seperately. There must be a float valve of some sort in each bucket then that tells the controller when to feed more nutrient to it. Not the best but will work. Makes change outs a bitch I bet.lol Most of us use a main reservoir and recirc the solution in and out of the reservoir. change outs require changing out the solution in the controller/reservoir only and all adjustments are done at the main reservoir only too. With a waterfarm each plant would have to be tested and adjusted individually making it a pain IMO.

[tintala]

Originally Posted by Racefan

Oh...it's not a true recirc set up. The controller only "FEEDS" the buckets. The solution is never recirculated back into the controller bucket with the reservoir. So yes each bucket is it's own little bio experiement then and each needs to be tested and treated seperately. There must be a float valve of some sort in each bucket then that tells the controller when to feed more nutrient to it. Not the best but will work. Makes change outs a bitch I bet.lol Most of us use a main reservoir and recirc the solution in and out of the reservoir. change outs require changing out the solution in the controller/reservoir only and all adjustments are done at the main reservoir only too. With a waterfarm each plant would have to be tested and adjusted individually making it a pain IMO.

what RACEFAN said.

[MK Ultraman]

Originally Posted by Racefan

There must be a float valve of some sort in each bucket then that tells the controller when to feed more nutrient to it. Not the best but will work. Makes change outs a bitch I bet.lol Most of us use a main reservoir and recirc the solution in and out of the reservoir. change outs require changing out the solution in the controller/reservoir only and all adjustments are done at the main reservoir only too. With a waterfarm each plant would have to be tested and adjusted individually making it a pain IMO.

Actually the float is in the controller since the water in the controller and all the buckets are all the same level, so if any of the water level drops in any of the buckets water level also drops in the controller and that drops the float and releasing more nutes once it reaches your preset level that you set by bending the float arm which should about a 1/2 to 1 inch drop below the top buckets.

Here's my controller been modified usually has only one float.

Yes it is a PIA to check each buckets that why I recommend getting the circulating kit at least.

[PHmeter]

Originally Posted by Racefan

Oh...it's not a true recirc set up. The controller only "FEEDS" the buckets. The solution is never recirculated back into the controller bucket with the reservoir. So yes each bucket is it's own little bio experiement then and each needs to be tested and treated seperately. There must be a float valve of some sort in each bucket then that tells the controller when to feed more nutrient to it. Not the best but will work. Makes change outs a bitch I bet.lol Most of us use a main reservoir and recirc the solution in and out of the reservoir. change outs require changing out the solution in the controller/reservoir only and all adjustments are done at the main reservoir only too. With a waterfarm each plant would have to be tested and adjusted individually making it a pain IMO.

ditto - individual site testing sucks. float valves? seems complicated...

[tintala]

Originally Posted by pitviper

Just to throw my 2 cents in. Ive got the waterfarm and agree that it does work but there is 1 fundemental flaw, The resovoir is only 2 gallons, I have to refill every 2 days. Dont get me wrong, it works...but too labor intensive. my pics are in there

Yeah each res is 2 gal, but the main res holds 13 gals, which shouldnt have to be filled for 3-4 days. I use 2 one controller on the bottom with the float valve, and one on top which is the fill res which holds 13 gals of water. EaSY Sleazy. WAAAY too easy, I just have a hose and spray the h20 right into the res. when cleaning i use a manual pump to get the water out.

[tintala]

Originally Posted by pitviper

Do you have this system? Im just saying that unless your using only 1-2 farms and the 13 gallon add on thing you will still have the same problem. I dont know about you but im using 3.5 ltrs per day. do the math.

who...............ME? if you are talking to me, then, YES! I have 2 of em. meaning , 16 . both run off a controller. using the same solution, not separate. and no my ph does not differ. Not sure if you undertand.

[SmokeyMacPot]

It is true. The waterfarm 8 pack is not a recircualting system unless you get the circulation kit. The system works well without the kit tho. All the separate modules stay at the same ppm, ec, and ph. Nutes just have to be premixed before adding to the master res. It is a common first timers mistake to add the nutes to the master res after the water. This does not spread the nutrient solution evenly through out the system. Also draining is a bit of a chore as it takes a while for the water level to even out. I found it easyer to use an inline water pump which was placed over the bottem hole with the T fitting. This made it very easy and fast to both empty and fill the system. I love the general hydroponics waterfarm. It really does the job and it does so with great reliability.

[tintala]

I love em... but i have never used anything else. that controller with the 3 float valves is insane. .wow.

[Weedhound]

We've pretty much changed ours completely around.....I hate those little red buckets inside the bigger ones......root rot problems galore. We switched to 8 inch net pots inside the tan buckets and get much better results. We DO recirculate the system and add extra aereation (sp?) but so far besides five gallon buckets we haven't found anything that really works better for larger plants.

[Thuwadpumper]

I use the Waterfarms and don't mind them. I used to use a homemade ebb &flow and just got tired of fixing everything. I started with one, added another and grows have been great. Never experience root rot or anything, maybe it's diff. environment, nutes, who knows? I now run six and will prob. go to 8 HOWEVER, I have heard the brain/controller does have issues if you do not get the recirc upgrade kit. The ph, nutes etc. can be out of whack without it. I prob. won't go to it. No matter what system you use it's work. My friends use the other system with the big drum, they say it's alot of work. It's the joy of gardening and the end of grow we do it for. Find something that works and have fun with it. Personal pref. is everything, with everything. Newbie (on this forum) anyway. Would love to see pics of conversions. Would prob. help everyone. Pass the knowledge!

[stanclemente]

I was kinda confused until I read this a couple times I use this system and was thinking of getting something different until I saw the link about the upgrade kit , thanks for the info on that MK Ultraman I also caled the nearest 2 hydro shops one of which the setups where bought at and they had never even heard of the upgrade kit so I went ahead and ordered a couple of them online, this site has been of great help over the years you guys are the shit

[stanclemente]

If I were to start over I might go with something a bit bigger but my friend that got me started set me up with 2 W/F 8 packs so instead of getting rid of them for now I am getting the upgrade kits hopefuly they ship fast my babys are almost ready to jump into bigger pots

[smokelongtime]

I have the WaterFarm, just switched this grow and I am loving it and so are my girls. I got them as 4 inch clones on Jan 23. Today, Feb 23, they are 26 to 30" tall and I have gone to 12-12, changing bulbs and nutrients. The drip tubes do get plugged up once in a while, but it is easy to rinse them and plug them in again. Just be sure to run FLORA KLEEN and you'll get great results. Using organics does tend to plug them up after 5 to 7 days, but I change everything once a week.