AutoPot 1Pot system 24 pots incl. 400L Flexitank

Product detailed description

AutoPot 1Pot for 24 pots - commercial start without electricity

Twenty-four plants are an entry into commercial growing - and AutoPot 1Pot for 24 square 15l pots keeps it down to earth in terms of operation: 400l Flexitank, 16mm main line and no pump or electricity. The entire area is watered only by gravity.

With twenty-four modules, the investment pays back in operating costs and reliability: without pumps, there is nothing to break, you do not use electricity, and maintenance is reduced to checking the Flexitank. The system is fully modular, so you can later turn it into an even larger setup without rebuilding it.

How irrigation works

Each pot sits on its own tray with an AQUAvalve5 valve. The valve opens the supply by itself and lets the tray fill with nutrient solution to a level of 20 mm - solely by gravity, without pumps, mains pressure, electricity or timers. Until the plant uses up the water from the tray, the valve will 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 of substrate; this will maintain the proper function of the AQUAvalve5 valve.

Tank setup and start-up

Twenty-four plants are supplied by the 400l Flexitank. Place the tank (Flexitank 400 l) 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 run completely dry. 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.

Water is distributed to so many modules by a 16mm main hose from the tank, from which a 9mm hose branches off to the individual AQUAvalve5 units via 16->9 mm reducers. This distribution maintains sufficient flow even over a large area and is included in the package.

Mineral fertilisers - and why not organic with 1Pot

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

Valve care

AQUAvalve5 units are low-maintenance: keep the valve and tray clean and free of deposits. Remove limescale from the nozzle with a paperclip or blow it out, never with a drill. For a large setup, it is worth checking the valves after each harvest and replacing worn Root Control discs - you can service the system module by module without shutting down the entire system.

Package contents

• 1x Flexitank 400 l
• 24x 1Pot module (15l SQUARE pot, 1Pot tray & lid, tray lid)
• 24x 1Pot pack (AQUAvalve5 cam, Root Control Disc, MARIX Disc, tubing, grommets and connectors)
• 16mm accessories - main line from the tank + 16->9 mm reducers to the individual modules
• instructions for use

Expansion and accessories

You can expand the system at any time by adding another 1Pot extension module (9 mm) - the body remains the same, you just connect a new pot on a tray. Spare 1Pot tray & lid and tray lid can be added separately, and for a cleaner root ball and tray, use the copper PotSock Square, a square sleeve for a 15l pot (unlike the round PotSock for 1Pot XL). You can buy a replacement valve set as an accessory box for 12 pots.

Which size to choose

This setup serves 24 plants. A smaller version is available as 1Pot for 12 pots (225 l); for larger growing, choose 1Pot for 48 pots (400 l). The system body is the same in all sizes - only the number of modules, tank volume and, in larger setups, the 16mm distribution differ. You can also view the full 1Pot range.

Frequently asked questions

How is the distribution handled with 24 pots?

A 16mm main hose runs from the Flexitank and a 9mm hose branches off to each AQUAvalve5 via 16->9 mm reducers. The 16mm accessories are included in the package and maintain sufficient flow across the entire area.

Can I use organic fertilisers in 1Pot?

We do not recommend them for the base 1Pot - organics settle in the narrow 9mm line 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.

How long will the 400l Flexitank last with 24 plants?

The capacity is the same as in setups for 48 plants, so with 24 modules you top up less often - longer autonomy with the same tank. Keep the level above 1/3 and never let the Flexitank run dry.