AutoPot 1Pot system 8 pots incl. 100L Flexitank

Product detailed description

AutoPot 1Pot for 8 pots - medium tent and longer autonomy

Eight plants will fill a medium-sized tent, and with AutoPot 1Pot for eight 15L square pots you can leave them unattended for a longer period too. Compared with smaller sets, the tank here grows to a 100L Flexitank, so much more time passes between top-ups.

With eight plants, the investment in the system pays back in saved work and peace of mind: you do not need a pump, electricity or a timer - everything is handled by the gravity feed from the Flexitank. The larger tank also means longer autonomy and fewer trips to the tent.

How the 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. As long as the plant has not used 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 empty, 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 any substrate so that the AQUAvalve5 valve continues to function properly.

Tank set-up and start-up

Eight plants are supplied by the 100L Flexitank. Place the tank (Flexitank 100 L) at least 150 mm above the highest AQUAvalve5 valve - gravity does all the work. If the nutrient solution level drops to around 1/3 of the volume, 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 from the tray themselves.

Mineral fertilisers - and why not organic with 1Pot

For the best results, the manufacturer recommends mineral fertilisers for the 1Pot system - they make operation the easiest 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 organic fertiliser is possible with a water pump in the tank.) With mineral fertiliser, it is enough to mix the nutrient solution 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 pack

• 1x Flexitank 100 L
• 8x 1Pot module (15L SQUARE pot, 1Pot tray & lid, tray lid)
• 8x 1Pot pack (AQUAvalve5 cam, Root Control Disc, MARIX Disc, tubing, grommets and connectors)
• instructions for use

The pack does not include 16 mm tubing - with eight modules, the 9 mm line is still sufficient, but anyone who wants to run a single main line to the tank can buy 16 mm tubing separately.

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, choose the copper PotSock Square, a square sleeve for the 15L pot (unlike the round PotSock for 1Pot XL). A replacement set of valves can be bought as an accessory box for 8 pots.

The pack does not include 16 mm tubing. If you want to use it for assembling the system, you can buy it separately as AutoPot 16 mm tubing (1 m).

Which size to choose

This set serves 8 plants. A smaller version is available as 1Pot for 6 pots (47 L); for growth, choose 1Pot for 12 pots (225 L). The system body is the same in all sizes - only the number of modules, tank volume and, in larger sets, the 16 mm line differ. You can also view the full 1Pot range.

Frequently asked questions

Why the jump to a 100L Flexitank for eight pots?

Eight plants use more water than six, so instead of a 47 L tank you get a 100L Flexitank. The larger volume extends the intervals between top-ups - less maintenance with longer autonomy.

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.

Do I need 16 mm tubing for eight modules?

It is not necessary - the 9 mm line is still enough for eight modules. However, if you want to run a single main line to the Flexitank, you can buy 16 mm tubing and reducers separately.