AutoPot 1Pot system 60 pots incl. 400L Flexitank

Product detailed description

AutoPot 1Pot for 60 pots - commercial growing system without a pump

Sixty plants on one Flexitank - AutoPot 1Pot for 60 square 15 l pots shows how far scalable self-watering can go. The 400 l Flexitank and 16 mm main line serve the entire growing area using only gravity, without electricity or timers.

With sixty modules, operational simplicity matters: the less technology, the fewer faults. AutoPot 1Pot does not need pumps or power, and operation focuses on checking the Flexitank and valves. You can service individual modules without taking the whole area out of operation.

How the 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 - by gravity alone, without pumps, mains pressure, electricity or timers. As long as the plant has not used 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 50% / 50% mixes 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 set-up and start-up

Sixty 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 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 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 9 mm hose branches off via 16->9 mm reducers to the individual AQUAvalve5 valves. 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 differs from the larger 1Pot XL and XXL systems, where organic fertiliser is 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 valves are low-maintenance: keep the valve and tray clean and free of deposits. Remove limescale from the nozzle with a paperclip or blow it through, never with a drill. With 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
• 60x 1Pot module (15 l SQUARE pot, 1Pot tray & lid, tray lid)
• 60x 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 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 stays 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). You can buy a replacement valve set as an accessory box for 12 pots.

Which size to choose

This set serves 60 plants. A smaller version is available as 1Pot for 48 pots (400 l); for growth, choose 1Pot for 80 pots (750 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

How often do you top up the 400 l Flexitank with 60 pots?

Sixty plants will use up 400 l faster than 24 or 48, so you will need to top up more often - the tank capacity stays the same, only the number of plants increases. Keep the level above 1/3 and never let the tank run dry; for higher consumption, consider the 750 l Flexitank.

How is the distribution to 60 modules arranged?

The backbone is a 16 mm hose from the Flexitank, and via 16->9 mm reducers it is distributed through 9 mm hose to each AQUAvalve5 valve. 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. Organic fertiliser with a pump in the tank is only handled by the larger 1Pot XL and XXL systems.