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davidstcldfl
07-21-2010, 06:46 AM
I came across this when I was looking for seeds......

Here's a building idea, for wicking beds, made from rubbermaid plastic totes....
The cages 'could be left off', for green peppers and stuff.... Even tomatoes like 'patio' ....(small determinate types.)




From the folks at......
http://earthtainer.tomatofest.com/


Construction guide...
http://earthtainer.tomatofest.com/pdfs/ ... -Guide.pdf (http://earthtainer.tomatofest.com/pdfs/EarthTainer-Construction-Guide.pdf)

'how to' videos....
http://earthtainer.tomatofest.com/earth ... pter1.html (http://earthtainer.tomatofest.com/earthtainer-video-intro-chapter1.html)
http://earthtainer.tomatofest.com/earth ... pter2.html (http://earthtainer.tomatofest.com/earthtainer-video-chapter2.html)
http://earthtainer.tomatofest.com/earth ... pter3.html (http://earthtainer.tomatofest.com/earthtainer-video-chapter3.html)

badflash
07-21-2010, 08:41 AM
I think something like this could be adapted to a RAFT type system. The bottom would be underwater, the soil, except for the wicking part above.

naturefreek
07-26-2010, 10:17 PM
Thanks for the post. Pretty cool stuff!

davidstcldfl
07-27-2010, 03:45 AM
Hi naturefreek....welcome to the forum.... :D

It would be nice if you went to....A PLACE TO SAY HELLO...and told us a little about yourself.

dufflight
07-27-2010, 03:23 PM
Nice wicking beds. I'm making some up for this season. Going to have the overflow holes piped to a sump and have a small pump feeding the base of the beds once a day for a couple of minutes. If I use peat and perlite for the wick I may be able to hook up to the AP system.

davidstcldfl
07-27-2010, 03:56 PM
Hi Duff... :)

Cool idea.... :idea:

Do you think the peat will stain your water much ?

I recently read, where someone said perlite slowly breaks down, and the fine particles get into the fish's gills and causes damage. 'If' I remember where I read it....I'll post it. (?)
I'd like to find more info on it.

dufflight
07-27-2010, 06:35 PM
If I connect to the AP I'd probably use clay as the wick. The water will wick up into the peat so there should not be any water returning from the peat into the system. I use perlite in a couple of wicking tubs. Smartvalves(from autopots) could also be used to refill the wicking tubs.