Auto dosing phyto, using an air line to keep it mixed?

[BriDroid]

I’ve been auto dosing phyto from a mini fridge with a small cheap magnetic stirrer. Not sure if it’s the cold or just the poor quality, but I’ve worn out two magnetic stirrers in the last 6 months.

I know when you grow phyto you can use air to keep it mixed at room temperature, will that work ok in a mini fridge where the liquid is cold? That will be a much cheaper and more reliable method to keep them mixed, if it will work.

 

[Lasse]

will that work ok in a mini fridge where the liquid is cold?

Why should it not work? But take the air from the fridge - otherwise you will heat the solution

Sincerely Lasse

 

[afboundguy]

I used to keep my phyto mixed with a magnetic stirrer and switched to an air pump with rigid tubing and it does a better job of keeping it mixed. I have a half gallon that is not refrigerated and it keeps it fine and I go through it in 4-5 days.

 

[BriDroid]

Update, it does work very well, way better than the magnetic stirrer. I did have to drill a vent hole in the lid (my fault, I didn’t count for the added airflow) The container was building up too much pressure and not dosing correctly. After the vent, it works like a champ!

 

[afboundguy]

Update, it does work very well, way better than the magnetic stirrer. I did have to drill a vent hole in the lid (my fault, I didn’t count for the added airflow) The container was building up too much pressure and not dosing correctly. After the vent, it works like a champ!

I had that issue at first and still do if I fill up the container with too much phyto. I have two holes drilled with these bulkheads (https://a.co/d/7SJHQei) with one for airline and one for dosing line to clean up the look.

 

[me & my baby]

Post some pictures

 

[afboundguy]

Post some pictures

I'll do you one better. Here's a video I just took

 

[me & my baby]

Nice setup going on there . How long does the phytoplankton last not being refrigerated while your dosing

 

[afboundguy]

Nice setup going on there . How long does the phytoplankton last not being refrigerated while your dosing

I used to do about a gallon a week so I filled up that 64 oz mason jar twice a week but I've cut back to about 1/2 a gallon total and I don't have issues as long as I keep it agitated. I do have plans to add the setup to the fridge but my basement stays around 58-60 in the winter and 65-70 in the summer and I've had no issues.

I do swap out the jar weekly and clean the dosing lines with rubbing alcohol bi-weekly to include running rubbing alcohol or vinegar through dosing lines.