Starting in late May I installed a misting (not fogging) system in my 9x14 gh (wood frame twinwall). So far I have used a timer (not a humistat) to activate the misting system for about a minute each hour from 9 in the AM till 5 in PM. Our summers tend to be cool (overcast in AM - from the Northern CA "marine effect") and then bright sun beginning about 10:30. GH goes into partial shade by 5PM. GH has two 16" thermoactivated shutters alongside the door and a 16" exhaust fan high in peak opposite the door. Daytime temps run about 75-90 average (with 60% shade cloth)and humidity ranging from 40-60%. This is the case with door open. At night humidity climbs (with door closed) and by morning a common reading on my remote sensors indicate temps in low 60's with humidity in the high 90%. The orchids seems to be thriving in this envirnoment and none of the few other plants seem to be showing signs of problems with the high night time humidity levels. I have two horz circ fans runing 24/7 and the misted leaves of the orchids dry within a few minutes of each mist cycle. Other than obvious signs of mildew in odd corners (not seen yet) what other issues should I be looking out for? Thanks Steve

For most systems, capping off some sprinkler heads will make the operating water pressure higher. The right way to build a system is with a pressure regulator before the valves, but that can add almost $100 of cost so most people skip it. Without the regulator, pressure will depend on the flow. Most water mains exceed the recommended water pressure for sprinklers. Mine comes in at about 110 PSI. Sprinklers like to run around 40 or 25 PSI. The reason it usually works is there are so many heads on a zone that the valve restricts the flow and brings the pressure down. When you cap off some heads, the pressure goes up. Many valves have a flow control option and if yours does, you can adjust it to bring the pressure back down to the optimal level. If your valve does not have flow control, you can implement your own with a gate valve in series with your sprinkler valve.

Hey there, the way I see it the pump is only pumping about 200 Gallons Per Hour and therefore won't have much in the way of preassure. I'm new to this as well and in the process of building close to the same system as you just a bit different layout. I ended up buying a 1/6 HP sump pump for $90 at the garden store. I will be running solution through 1/2 tube and feeding about 28 misters. Worst case I will take out the misters and let the 1/8 inch holes spray solution on the pots and root wads. Phil in Alaska

Thanks for the replies This is what I have started so far in Oasis root cubes. Item: Details: Quantity: Each: Item Total: - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - #9212 #9212 - Chichen Itza 1 $ 3.65 $ 3.65 Hybrid - 30 seeds. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - #9336 #9336 - Mulato Isleno - 1 $ 2.55 $ 2.55 30 seeds. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - #9638 #9638 - Guajillo - 30 1 $ 2.55 $ 2.55 seeds. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - #9450 #9450 - Hot Paper Lantern 1 $ 2.95 $ 2.95 - 30 seeds. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - #9250 #9250 - Chile de Arbol - 1 $ 2.55 $ 2.55 30 seeds. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - #9030 #9030 - Ancho San Martin 1 $ 3.95 $ 3.95 Hybrid - 30 seeds. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - #9272 #9272 - Ancho San Luis - 1 $ 2.45 $ 2.45 30 seeds. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - #9037 #9037 - Giant Marconi 1 $ 4.00 $ 4.00 Hybrid - 30 seeds. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - #9201 #9201 - Satsuma Hybrid - 1 $ 4.00 $ 4.00 20 seeds. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - #9152 #9152 - Pritavit Hybrid - 1 $ 4.15 $ 4.15 30 seeds. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - #5761 #5761 - Dad's Mug - 30 1 $ 2.55 $ 2.55 seeds. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - #3270 #3270 - Better Bush VFN 1 $ 2.75 $ 2.75 Hybrid - 30 seeds. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - #5268 #5268 - Viva Italia VFFNA 1 $ 3.25 $ 3.25 Hybrid - 30 seeds. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Sub Total: $ 41.35 Shipping Total: (US & Possessions - First Class) $ 5.25 Grand Total: $ 46.60 PAID From tomato growers supply. Obviously quite a lot of plants but I give some to friends. I have purchased 2 part product called Aqua Flake. Need to find something cheaper. Supposedly, from what the salesman told me???, a quality product that will clog the least. Also bought something called Drip Clean "House & Garden Drip Clean is an extremely useful agent for anyone working with a drip or aeroponic system. Drip Clean works like a magnet, removing dirt particles at every nutrient feeding so that the piping remains clean. Drip Clean furthermore gives plants a boost, improving their greenness and vitality. Drip Clean is a 100% safe agent for your plants provided it is used in the correct proportion. Drip Clean contains potassium and phosphorus compounds, two very powerful and useful elements in the nutritional plan of the plant. These concern engineered compounds; one particle has been removed from their structure. The incomplete element thus works as a magnet. As molecules always seek a complete structure, Drip Clean attracts dirt particles with every nutrient feeding keeping the drip emitters or aeroponic misters squeaky clean. Drip Clean very fails and is a very effective agent against a clogged hydroponic system. Application Drip Clean can be added to the nutrient container during the entire life of the garden. Prepare your nutrient container as follows: First add the base nutrient to your water filled container. Adjust the EC- and pH-values of the nutrient container. Finally add Drip Clean at 0.4 ml per gallon to your. Your nutrient mixture is ready to use." Does that sound like marketing BS to anyone? I have concerns about clogging. I would think it would not take long for the plants to die if the water was not running. Also a concern because to some extent my plants are out of sight i.e. on top of my flat roof. This is the reason why I am interested with the aeroponics. My property is covered by enormous trees and the roof is the only place that gets full sun. So I didn't want to drag tons of dirt up on the roof. Also could dismantle the system in the winter. I also have to admit that I am thrifty and these systems do seem to use resources efficiently. Although putting plants in the dirt would be cheaper and you could always just buy tomatoes and peppers at the store but this is more fun among other benefits. Lucas it is hard to be offended by someone that is helping me. Thanks Hex I like the idea of short duration sprays as well and is the direction I plan to go with but I wonder why,from the high pressure system I have seen so far, that most go with longer spray times Ex (10 secs. every 10 min.) Same amount of water more or less. Maybe it is easier to pull off, less wear and tear on parts, or maybe it is the controllers they use.???? Side note the link you sent me to has a very similar (looks identical) controller that I use on my fish tank. It is made Digital Aquatics and I am very happy with so far. Also notice they mention insulating root area. Does anyone know what is the approx. ideal temp. for the root area? (for aeroponics) Thanks for any help. Here is a link that might be useful: controller