AutoPot 1Pot system 6 pots incl. 47L plastic tank

Product detailed description

AutoPot 1Pot for 6 pots - a full hobby tent without daily work

Six plants are the typical load for a smaller tent - and with AutoPot 1Pot for six 15L square pots, you water them without having to go to the tent every day. All six modules are supplied by one 47L tank, using only gravity and no electricity.

The square pots fit tightly side by side in the tent, so even with six pieces you use the space to the full. The investment pays off mainly in time saved: no pump, no timer, just top up the tank occasionally.

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 irrigation water to a level of 20 mm - solely by gravity, without pumps, mains pressure, electricity or timers. As long as the plant does not use 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

The 1Pot always requires 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 irrigation water in the tray. Before placing the pot into the tray, clean the bottom and sides of any substrate to maintain the correct function of the AQUAvalve5 valve.

Tank set-up and start-up

One 47L tank is still enough for six plants. 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 irrigation 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.

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 with the base 1Pot: they tend to settle and clog the narrow 9 mm distribution line. (This is different from the larger 1Pot XL and XXL systems, where organic fertiliser is possible with a water pump in the tank.) With mineral fertiliser, it is enough to mix the irrigation water 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). Remove limescale from the nozzle with a paper clip or blow it through; never clean it with a drill - you would irreparably destroy the valve.

Contents of the package

• 1x 47 L plastic tank with lid
• 6x 1Pot module (15L SQUARE pot, 1Pot tray & lid, tray lid)
• 6x 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 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, reach for the copper PotSock Square, a square sleeve for a 15L pot (unlike the round PotSock used with 1Pot XL).

Which size to choose

This set serves 6 plants. A smaller version is available as 1Pot for 4 pots (47 L); for growth, choose 1Pot for 8 pots (100 L). The system body is the same for all sizes - only the number of modules, tank volume and, in larger sets, the 16 mm distribution line differ. You can also view the full 1Pot range.

Frequently asked questions

Why does the set for 6 plants still only have a 47L tank?

Six plants in 15L pots use more than two or four, so with 47 L you will top up a little more often - but the capacity is sufficient. Anyone who wants longer intervals between top-ups should choose a larger set with a 100L Flexitank.

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.

Can I use organic fertilisers in 1Pot?

We do not recommend them with the base 1Pot - organic matter settles in the narrow 9 mm distribution 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.