The whole science of rooting with the cloners sure has piqued my interest. I was wondering, I see most of you use the neoprene collars. Has anyone tried using the EZ clone coco collar in thier unit? I would think using them would result in less root damage when potting up.

No Dave, I haven't. Besides, the roots produced from these cloners are not fragile. They're super strong....no joke!

Vinny, thanks for the vids. I didn't know there were two types.

This thread just gets better and better.

Jerry

Those videos I posted are similar to Dennis's setup, however I saw a Fog cloner on youtube aswell.

 Well, I'm up and running.
The weather stripping sealed up the lid perfect.
Added a drain petcock, no leaks anywhere.
Can't even hear it running, you have to feel the lid to feel water spraying underneath.

 



 

I made my own root cups by cutting down a larger cup and hot glue back together.
Used Styrofoam plugs cut same size as the holes.
I have the right cups coming from a supplier but this gets me running now.

Thanks for all the information in this thread everyone.

Doug

Good job Doug!

The weather striping works great. My pump is super strong. How strong is it? It can suck a golf ball through a garden hose!

Doug - can you link us to the exact weatherstripping you got. I was going to pick some up this weekend, but it would be great to know exactly what worked for you since we have the same sized bins.. Thanks dude!

Thanks guys.

Hey Matt, I used vinyl foam weatherseal.
3/8" wide x 3/16" thick x 17 feet long.
Cost $1.99 at local hardware.

Doug

Blue, you mention neoprene collars ?
Uh, I have not got that. I will look into it.

Thanks Snaglpus.

Thanks Doug! Thats great to know for us people using the same tub

Frank, I would be guessing if answer your question. I've never used my cloner without grow lights. I can say this......The lights do add some heat and the water is warm too. I never tried it without grow lights.

Does it hurt the cuttings to turn these cloners off a couple hours?
Can I leave it off just at night while I sleep??
I'm learning to trust my machine, but I'm not quite there yet. :)
No problems so far....but anything "can" happen.


Doug

  Here you go Doug:




 




http://www.ebay.com/itm/12-Bay-Hydro-2-X-3-4-FIRM-Neoprene-Inserts-Quality-FITS-EZ-Clone-Turbo-Klone-/321957329845?hash=item4af626fbb5:m:mPysX9tPg2ktGGu8ylUF06Q


   Blue

Ok got ya.
My mesh cups I ordered come with the foam collars.
I think I will be all set then.
Thanks Blue

Doug

edit, Blue, I already have 360 watts of solar panel's for the house and I charge 8 - 6v golf cart batteries, and 45 watts of solar panels for my 12x20 barn .
We run the 2 tv's, stereo, xbox, dvr and surveillance cameras all day and night.
My electric bill for a all electric 4 bed room house has been less than $70 for the last 4 months.
It can super easy handle 20 watts from the pump. My LED I built is 200 watt 24,000 lumen and uses 188 watts.
I will be finishing a 150 watt led grow light soon using 2-50 watt warm white chips and 1 cool white 50 watt LED chip.
That should help cut power usage a wee bit more. Free power is killer, after the initial cost to set it up..

Doug

My T24 cloner came today. Attaching the fan was hard but finally got it.

Now I am waiting on the cycle timer.

Now I can play with the big boys. :)

Maybe if it all works out I will build one of the custom ones like you guys have. I'm just not keen on having to work with 5 or 10 gal of water indoors.

Dennis,

Did you had a look at those videos? Also what's this fog cloner? thanks 

Thanks Blue but my system is very tiny compared to those going off grid completely.
It is a start, and it really helps.

Doug

As I viewed all the videos.

The Fogger I am referencing is this one: http://figs4funforum.websitetoolbox.com/post/the-mist-cloner-is-complete-7255233?highlight=fogger&trail=100

Foggers also work.

Doug,

I would NOT turn the machine off overnight.  The fragile roots will go bone dry and likely not survive after a few nights.

You could put a washing machine overflow pan beneath the cloner.

Normally, the risk is that the spray will leak - and not all of the water will be expelled overnight; in my case, I filled my tub up ALL the way and the weight of the water (I think) caused the base to crack - slow leak until I started to empty it out.  I discovered a new use for all of our beach towels in December.  Fortunately I'm working in the unfinished part of the basement and didn't ruin anything (I hope).


Can someone explain where/how to use the weatherstripping?  Where does it go - on the outside lip between the lid and sidewall?

Here's a picture of my cloner.  I have more cutouts I can do for additional figs, but didn't order enough netpots and plugs to completely fill it out (since I was going to use the yellow-lid Lowe's tub).

 

I have the 4 foot light going on top, but I'm really not trying to light up the cuttings - I'm hoping to get roots long before I get budding.  I lost a lot of figs in humidity domes with Root Riot when they budded long before they had roots.

Andrew

I put the weatherstripping on the lid so it will seal right at the top inner edge of the tub.
The weather stripping will go nicely around corners if you remove the protective paper to
stick it down.



Thanks Andrew, that is what I will do.
After running 4 hours last night I turned it off.
Started it up this morning and will keep a eye on it today.
I'm starting to trust that no unknown problems will show up.
Thanks again.
Doug

I also used zip ties at all the holes around the sealing edge. just snugged em up as a reassurance
nothing can move.

I drilled a hole in the top of my back side of my bucket for my wire, then cut a slit with a hacksaw.
Twisted the plastic to get cord in hole and sealed cut and around cord with hot glue. Its waterproof, and convenient.

I was unsure what tap to buy and I'm cheap.
I found a bolt with the same diameter and threads matched up
so I took a dremel and cut a slot in the bolt then tapered the tip.
I drilled my holes a bit small and put the bolt in my cordless drill.
A bit of pressure and it started cutting threads just perfect.
All the screw in heads fit nice and tight.
Hope it helps some one.

 

Doug

Doug, I'm glad that worked for you. It didn't for me. I tried 3 times before making a trip to HD. Taps and dyes are hard to find these days. Lowes down here quit stocking them due to a lack of sales. I use to have a huge tap and dye set when I was in high school. Back in my engine rebuilding days.