AutoPot 1Pot system 48 pots incl. 400L Flexitank

Product detailed description

AutoPot 1Pot for 48 pots - smaller commercial gravity-fed operation

Forty-eight plants is a full commercial operation - and AutoPot 1Pot for 48 square 15 l pots powers it without a single pump. The 400 l Flexitank and 16 mm main line serve the entire area using only gravity.

At a larger scale, operation is what matters: forty-eight AQUAvalve5 valves, no electricity for watering and one Flexitank to monitor. The absence of pumps means fewer faults and lower costs, and the modular design allows the set-up to be expanded further, pot by pot.

How 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 - by gravity only, without pumps, mains pressure, electricity or timers. Until the plant uses up the water in 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 of substrate; this will maintain the correct function of the AQUAvalve5 valve.

Tank set-up and start-up

Forty-eight plants are supplied by the 400 l Flexitank. Place the tank (Flexitank 400 l) at least 150 mm above the highest AQUAvalve5 valve - gravity does all the work. If the nutrient 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 in the tray themselves.

Water is distributed to so many modules by a 16 mm main hose from the tank, from which a 9 mm hose branches off to each AQUAvalve5 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 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 9 mm 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 let the system take care of the rest.

Valve care

AQUAvalve5 valves are low-maintenance: keep the valve and tray clean and free of deposits. Remove limescale from the nozzle with a paper clip or blow it through, never with a drill. For a large set-up, it is worth checking the valves after each harvest and replacing worn Root Control discs - you can service the system module by module without taking the whole system out of operation.

Package contents

• 1x Flexitank 400 l
• 48x 1Pot module (15 l SQUARE pot, 1Pot tray & lid, tray lid)
• 48x 1Pot pack (AQUAvalve5 cam, Root Control Disc, MARIX Disc, tubing, grommets and connectors)
• 16 mm accessories - main line from the tank + 16->9 mm reducers to 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 you can choose the copper PotSock Square, a square sleeve for a 15 l pot (unlike the round PotSock for 1Pot XL). A replacement valve set can be bought as an accessory box for 12 pots.

Which size to choose

This set serves 48 plants. A smaller version is available as 1Pot for 24 pots (400 l); for growth, choose 1Pot for 60 pots (400 l). The system body is the same for all sizes - only the number of modules, tank volume and, for larger sets, the 16 mm distribution differ. You can also view the full 1Pot range.

Frequently asked questions

Why does the 48-set use the same 400 l Flexitank as the 24-set?

The tank is from the same range, so with 48 plants it empties faster - you will need to top it up more often than with 24 modules. Anyone who wants longer intervals should choose a set with a 750 l Flexitank.

What does the distribution look like with 48 modules?

The backbone is a 16 mm hose from the Flexitank, and a 9 mm hose branches off to each valve via 16->9 mm reducers. 16 mm accessories are included in the package.

Can I use organic fertilisers in 1Pot?

We do not recommend them for the base 1Pot - organic matter settles in the narrow 9 mm line and clogs 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.