AutoPot 1Pot system 4 pots incl. 47L plastic tank

Product detailed description

AutoPot 1Pot for 4 pots - a small tent with self-watering

Do you want to fill a smaller grow tent and still leave the plants on their own over the weekend? AutoPot 1Pot for four 15l square pots is served by one 47l tank and controls each plant with its own AQUAvalve5 valve - without a pump, electricity or a timer.

The four square pots fit into the tent in a grid with minimal dead space. You run the supply to them with 9mm tubing and, thanks to T-connectors, you can also connect it crosswise so that the route to the tank is as short as possible.

How the irrigation works

Each pot sits on its own tray with an AQUAvalve5 valve. The valve opens the supply on its own and lets the tray fill with nutrient solution to a level of 20 mm - purely by gravity, without pumps, mains pressure, electricity or timers. Until the plant uses up the water from the tray, the valve does not release another dose. The plant therefore goes through a wet and dry cycle, which aerates the roots and supports healthy growth; once the tray is emptied, the cycle repeats.

Recommended substrates

For 1Pot, always use a freely draining substrate - permeability is key for alternating the wet and dry cycle. The following mixes in a 50 % / 50 % ratio have proven effective:

• Soil and perlite - 50/50
• Soil and expanded clay - 50/50
• Coco and perlite - 50/50
• Coco and expanded clay - 50/50
• Rockwool and expanded clay - 50/50

If you use expanded clay, rinse the pebbles with water first - some types are not pH-stable and could raise the pH of the nutrient solution in the tray. Before placing the pot into the tray, clean the bottom and sides of the pot from substrate; this will maintain the proper function of the AQUAvalve5 valve.

Tank setup and start-up

Four plants share one 47l tank. Place the tank (47 l plastic tank with lid) at least 150 mm above the highest AQUAvalve5 valve - gravity does all the work. If the nutrient solution level drops to roughly 1/3 of the contents, top it up, and never let the tank dry out completely. After planting, water the plants and let them root for 7-10 days; only then start the system. Stronger roots will then manage the water from the tray themselves.

For placing the tank, the Garland plastic stool is suitable - it raises it to the required height above the valves.

Mineral fertilisers - and why not organic with 1Pot

For the best results, the manufacturer recommends mineral fertilisers for the 1Pot system - operation is simplest with them and practically maintenance-free. Organic fertilisers are not recommended for the base 1Pot: they tend to settle and clog the narrow 9mm supply. (This is different from the larger 1Pot XL and XXL systems, where organics are possible with a water pump in the tank.) With mineral fertiliser, it is enough to mix the nutrient solution in the tank and the system takes care of the rest.

Care of the AQUAvalve5 valve

AQUAvalve5 is a simple but very effective device - keep the valve and tray clean and free of obstructions. At the end of the season, wash the valve in warm soapy water (an old toothbrush helps). Push limescale out of the nozzle with a paper clip or blow it through; never clean it with a drill - you would irreparably destroy the valve.

Package contents

• 1x 47 l plastic tank with lid
• 4x 1Pot module (15l SQUARE pot, 1Pot tray & lid, tray lid)
• 4x 1Pot pack (AQUAvalve5 cam, Root Control Disc, MARIX Disc, tubing, grommets and connectors)
• instructions for use

Expansion and accessories

You can expand the system at any time by adding another 1Pot extension module (9 mm) - the body stays the same, you just connect a new pot on a tray. You can order a replacement 1Pot tray & lid and tray lid separately, and for a cleaner root ball and tray, reach for the copper PotSock Square, a square sleeve for a 15l pot (unlike the round PotSock for 1Pot XL).

Which size to choose

This set serves 4 plants. A smaller version is available as 1Pot for 2 pots (47 l); for larger growing, choose 1Pot for 6 pots (47 l). The system body is the same for all sizes - only the number of modules, the tank volume and, in larger sets, the 16mm supply differ. You can also view the full 1Pot range.

Frequently asked questions

How do I connect four pots crosswise?

Split the 9mm tubing into two pairs with T-connectors and lead them to the tank - crosswise connection shortens the runs and balances the flow to all four valves. The connectors and grommets are included in the 1Pot pack.

Can I use organic fertilisers in 1Pot?

We do not recommend them for the base 1Pot - organics settle in the narrow 9mm supply and clog it. Choose mineral fertilisers; with them, operation is maintenance-free. Organics with a pump in the tank are only handled by the larger 1Pot XL and XXL systems.

Which substrate is suitable for 1Pot?

Always a freely draining 50/50 mix - soil/perlite, soil/expanded clay, coco/perlite, coco/expanded clay or Rockwool/expanded clay. Permeability is key for alternating the wet and dry cycle; rinse expanded clay before use.