AutoPot 1Pot XL system for 24 pots incl. 400L Flexitank

Product detailed description

AutoPot 1Pot XL for 24 pots - gravity-fed grow room with 16 mm backbone

A grow room or greenhouse with twenty-four large plants, and yet without a pump or electricity? AutoPot 1Pot XL for 24 pots with a 400 l Flexitank can do it. It is among the most water-efficient irrigation systems in the world, and all 24 modules are operated by AQUAvalve valves using only gravity.

With twenty-four 25-litre pots, low maintenance is a major saving: no pump, electricity or timers, and flow is handled by the gravitational pressure from the 400 l tank. The tank does not need to be constantly emptied and the distribution line flushed, because fertiliser does not build up in it. You can expand the set at any time with another 1Pot XL module.

How the irrigation works

Each module is operated by an AQUAvalve valve. After connection to the tank, the valve opens the supply and lets the tray fill with water to the preset level of 20 mm - solely by gravity, without pumps, mains pressure, electricity or timers. Until the plant uses up all the water in the tray, AQUAvalve does not allow replenishment. The plant therefore goes through a wet and dry cycle, which supports healthy roots; once the tray is empty, the process repeats.

Recommended substrates

Always use a free-draining substrate in the 1Pot XL. The following 50/50 mixes have proven effective:

• Mix of soil and perlite - 50/50
• Mix of soil and expanded clay - 50/50
• Mix of coconut fibre and perlite - 50/50
• Mix of coconut fibre and expanded clay - 50/50
• Mix of Rockwool and expanded clay - 50/50

If you use expanded clay, rinse the pebbles with water first - some types are not pH-stable and may increase the pH of the water in the tray. Before placing the pot into the saucer, clean the base and sides of substrate to maintain the correct function of the AQUAvalve valve.

Tank setup and start-up

Place the tank (400 l Flexitank) at least 150 mm above the highest AQUAvalve valve. If the nutrient solution level drops to 1/3 of the original volume, top it up - and never let the tank dry out completely. After planting, water the plants and allow them to root for 7-10 days; only then start the system. A stronger root system will then take care of the water in the tray itself. The base of the 1Pot XL pot is round (unlike the square base of the smaller 1Pot), so you can easily rotate a large plant directly in the saucer.

Distribution line for a large set-up

From the tank runs a 16 mm backbone distribution line with higher flow, which branches to the individual AQUAvalve valves via a 16 to 9 mm reducer. This ensures that water reliably reaches all pots even in a large set-up. The required 16 mm parts and reducers are included in the package.

Mineral and organic fertilisers

You can dose both mineral and organic fertilisers through the tank and distribution line. With organic fertilisers, also add a water pump to the tank (run 15 min every 2 h) so that nutrients do not settle, and each time the tank is emptied, flush the distribution line and clean the tank, pump and filter. With mineral fertilisers, operation is the simplest and maintenance-free.

Care of the AQUAvalve valve

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

Package contents

• 1x Flexitank 400 l
• 24x 1Pot XL module (25 l pot, 1Pot XL tray, 1Pot XL lid - cover for saucer)
• 24x 1Pot XL package (AQUAvalve5 cam, Root Control Disc, tubing, grommets and connectors)
• 16 mm backbone distribution line and 16 to 9 mm reducers
• instructions for use

Expansion and accessories

You can expand the system over time with a 1Pot XL module, add replacement pots as a 25 l pot and find missing parts in the accessory box. For the roots and a cleaner saucer, choose the PotSock Round XL, a copper sleeve for the 25 l XL pot.

Which size to choose

This set-up serves 24 plants. You can find a smaller set-up as 1Pot XL for 12 pots; if you are planning to scale up, choose 1Pot XL for 48 pots. The body of the system is the same in all sizes; only the number of modules and the tank volume differ.

Frequently asked questions

How is the water distribution handled with 24 modules?

The backbone distribution line runs from the tank in 16 mm tubing (higher flow) and branches to the individual AQUAvalve valves via a 16 to 9 mm reducer. The set includes the required 16 mm parts and reducers.

Does the tank have to be higher than the pots?

Yes - place the tank at least 150 mm above the highest AQUAvalve valve. This difference creates the gravitational pressure that drives the whole grow room. Top up when it drops to 1/3 and never let the tank dry out.

Can one 400 l tank handle 24 plants?

Yes, the 400 l Flexitank is sized for this set-up. A larger volume means longer intervals between refills; exact consumption depends on plant size and growth stage.