As an experimenter with very limited mechanical skills, building a cloner for rooting cuttings seems like something I can (hopefully) accomplish.  I'd like to compare this method to using Root Riot cubes, for example.  It also looks cool and seems like fun.


Per one of the posts on the board, I bought a Commander XXL 27 gallon tote at Lowes.

Can someone provide a parts list (with an Amazon link for an example, best case) of the other stuff I will need?

So, here's my list/questions:

PVC Cutter - already have one
PVC pipe (what size)?
PVC fittings (size/shape would depend on manifold I build - I understand that)
Micro Sprayers - what size?  What's the threading?
PVC Tap Set (sold at Harbor Freight, but what size is needed for the Micro Sprayers? - need to make sure the set includes what I need)
2" Net Cups
2" Net Cup Inserts
Hole Saw for electric drill - what size works for the 2" cups (I understood it's not 2")
Water Pump (how many GPH?, what other features/requirements); likely a Harbor Freight purchase also.

What do I need to hook the pump to the PVC - tubing? what size, etc.

Anything else that should be on the parts list?

Additionally, the tote is 27 gallons - any idea how many gallons of water to add 


Thanks guys.  This seems like a fun $60 project.  I think it will cost more because I don't have things like a Tap Set already, but I'll just tell my wife $60 <g>.


Andrew

Great questions Andrew! I wish I could also tell my husband it will only be about $60 to build (no tap set here either) but since I definitely will need his "help" (as in make him build the whole thing for me kind of help lol) he will surely find me out! Hehe! On the other hand, since he gets a new tool out of the deal Im hoping he will forget to add that part in lol :)

this is all you need........ click below link

http://forum.grasscity.com/do-yourself/444974-lets-build-clone-machine-step-step.html

Jamie,

The tap set at Harbor Freight (if it includes the right size(s)) is under $20 I believe.  Unfortunately, it really is a single purpose tool.


Dennis,

I'll follow the link and read away.




Andrew

I purchased the Tote suggested in one of the videos - Commander XXL from Lowes.  It has 28 nicely defined squares on the lid for cutouts.

Unfortunately, my mind got to spinning (always dangerous).  28 cuttings isn't really a lot given that this will get used once per year and then put away.  I'm going to have over a hundred cuttings to start with more from trades (I cut down the UC Davis cuttings into multiples).

Given that, it makes more sense to have a different tote with a lot more holes.  The 'standard' seems to be a 2" neoprene collar and 2" net pots.  I've seen net pots as small as 7/8" as well as 1.5" net pots, but I haven't found neoprene collars in those sizes in bulk.

I found a company which will cut a slab of 1/2" neoprene into 1.5" collars, but the cost will be $125 delivered for 585 pieces (what a full sheet would deliver).  Seems like a huge expense unless 100 of us want collars.

The 1.5" net pots are cheap enough at $19 per hundred from Amazon - just can't get the collars at the right price.

So, unless someone out there has a great though, looks like I'll do a 24 site cloner for year one and then upgrade if I have great results.

Thoughts, anyone?


Andrew

I am in the process of completing my first attempt at a DIY hydroponic system.  I plan on posting pics of the set-up when it is complete in a day or two.  Here are some of the details of my system and tips I learned along the way. 
-I used a 264 GPH pump from Harbor Freight (it was $15 plus I got 20% off with coupon).  Certainly seems strong enough for my PVC manifold that has 10 ez-clone nozzles. 
-I bought my ez-clone 360 degree nozzles off ebay for about $6 for 25 nozzles shipped.  I did not buy a tap to install the nozzles into the PVC manifold.  I just drilled 5/32" holes in the PVC and used a 10-24 screw to form the threads.  I filed the end of the 10-24 screw to a slight point to help get it started.  A 7/16" nut driver fits nicely over the nozzles and once you hand start threading the nozzles into to PVC the nut driver makes it easier to thread in the rest of the way.
-I got my totes from Ikea. I know there are not a lot of Ikea stores around but there happens to be one near me.  I went with the Ikea totes for several reasons.  First they come in clear and black and in both 11 gallon and 17 gallon sizes.  I bought a black 11 and 17 gallon tote since I am not sure which will work better for my reservoir.  I am going to start with the 11 gallon black tote as the reservoir but if the water gets too warm I will switch to the 17 gallon size.  The covers for both size totes are the same so once I drill for my 2" net pots I can use the cover for which ever reservoir size I go with.  I plan on using the black tote for the reservoir and an 11 gallon clear tote on top as a humidity dome.  The other nice thing is the covers are sold separately ($1 a piece) so if you screw up drilling the 2" holes or want to try different layouts you only have to buy the covers.
-A 2" hole saw made perfect holes for the 2" net pots and 2" neoprene inserts I bought on Amazon.

Hope this helps and I will post some pics shortly.

Well, I have revamped my plan.

The Commander XXL from Lowes has nice squares for 35 (7 x 5) 2" clone sites.  I decided that this wasn't enough - when I use this, it's going to be for lots of figs all at once.

So I bought the 54 gallon roughneck from Home Depot - this was $26 w/tax.  I'm not sure how many holes i can cut into this one, but it will be far more than 35.

More importantly, all the 'alternative use' cloners swear by the Roughneck and state it is the only brand/type which won't leak or require heroic efforts to seal.  Given it's size I may need to buy another 10' stick of PVC (gee, $2.06 extra <g>).

I just purchased a 400 gph pump off Amazon along with my inserts, 2" net pots and mister heads.  A neighbor has the proper size tab set, so I just borrowed his.

One of the things I noticed from reading the DIY cloner postings on these sites is that the best solution contains the fewest mister heads.  Many heads will ensure coverage, but the droplet size may be more of a spray than a mist.  I'll do some experimenting, especially given the size of the tote I'm using.

Let's compare notes and pictures soon!



Andrew

Andrew, as long as water or mist reaches the cutting, they will root.  Also, add RapidStart to your water.  Play around and score a couple of cuttings and compare those to the ones that's not scored.  My results is scoring helps.  I have the following EZ cloners:  30, 64, and 128---and I built one.  This weekend, I will be firing up the 64.

You're gonna love this way to root cuttings!  Don't forget to setup your lights before you start.

Love how this topic is heating up!

I picked up the 25 ezclone misters like bill, on ebay. I also picked up the 25 pack of netcups/neoprene inserts of amazon, but am concerned on how thicker cuttings will fit in these inserts, unless they need to be cut a bit. I have an extra tote from costco that can fit 25 sites and was planning to use that, but now andrews post about the roughneck has me second guessing. That would mean i would need more netcups and neoprene inserts as well.

I am planning on picking up the ecoplus 396 off amazon, that will work for either the 25 or larger setup.
http://www.amazon.com/EcoPlus-728310-Submersible-Pump-396GPH/dp/B0018X2XT4/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1447263071&sr=8-1&keywords=396gph+pump

I already have a ton of pvc and couplers from my grow tent i built last year, so ill use those till i need grow tent. I just need the fitting for the pump to PVC.

Matt,

I'm sure the pot guys are much more particular given that they are growing a cash crop (in reference to mist versus spray).

One option is to only cut holes you will use and grow the number of holes as you expand - uncut lids won't lead from holes not cut.

I was really gung ho on the Commander XXL since it had such a clean look with squares for each hole already in place - as though it were built for this use <g>.

All the reading I did pointed out that the need for weather stripping, caulking, internal glued up sheets to deflect water, etc. was far more work or mess than I wanted to deal with.  I bought a 50 pack of cups and collars - if I need more, Amazon Prime is my friend.

The 54 gallon tote is huge.  If were starting something where it wasn't 'all at once' I'd stick with the 36 gallon Roughneck.  Wanting more sites, I figured the incremental expense is far less than having two of these running (second pump, etc.).


Andrew

Andrew, that is true.  The Commando XL coloner that I made did leak.  But that was really because my pump was extremely powerful.  I added 1/2 thick weather stripping and tiger clamps  That that solved my problem.  Whatever pump you get, make sure it is a low profile unit.  Once you start building the manifold, you will understand why!  And the water should be touching the manifold.  So, long cuttings may not work.

For fat cuttings, I had to make bigger holes for my inserts.  The big ones leaf out first and will start to lean once the cutting starts to grow.  

Good luck and enjoy the project!  I'm just sharing my lessons learned.  Hope they are welcome.

Thanks Dennis - your thread was inspiration for me starting my cloner build, i cant wait to get it up and running. I think i'm going to pick up some weather stripping and use that since i already have the costco version of your tote and i think its nice and heavy duty, 25 sites should be fine for now. How long do your cuttings stay in before they have hefty enough roots to move, 3-4 weeks?

Thanks Andrew for your build info, please post pics once your setup. Would love to find out how many sites you fit in your 54 gallon monster!

You're welcome Matt.  Building a cloner is a fun project.  My cuttings were ready to pot up after 17 days....no joke.  But I left them in the cloner for 4 weeks.  Why?  I wasn't ready to pot them up.  In other words, my other site wasn't ready to receive them.  At 4weeks, they started tilting and falling over due to the large mop of roots underneath.  The roots are not fragile either.  They are very tough so you won't have to worry about breakage.

Dennis,

I'm really looking forward to a 17 day success story.  I've had cuttings (think Black Madeira) that refused to budge for months on end.  One finally did root, and by the end of the summer there was absolutely no noticeable difference from when it initially showed roots and 2 leaves.

I love getting advice based on someone's success and failure;  otherwise I'd still be squaring off the corners of the rock on my new invention: "the wheel".

I killed (I'm a bad daddy!) all my figs last winter, so I'll be starting again.  Wish me better luck and plant life duration!


Andrew

Does anyone know of a good brand of a growing light?

I finish my project last week, can't wait to test it this weekend.  :)

    

Mozuka,

Let us know how water tight your bin ends up being.  What made you choose an external pump?


Andrew

Andrew it is a submersible pump not external pump. I need to buy new pump since this pump not working when i tested it. Actually it was my spare pump for my fish tank that had not been use for more than a year. So have to postpone the testing.