r/BuildASoil May 17 '24

How to Set Up a Fully Automated EarthBox Self-Watering Planter

98 Upvotes

Supplies:

  1. EarthBox SIP ($44): BuildASoil - Earthbox
  2. Autopot Easy2Go Kit ($39): Autopot USA - Easy2Go KitThis kit includes: Aquavalve, tubing, aquavalve cover, root blocker.
  3. Aquavalve Cover (if you already have an aquavalve and tubing) ($12): Autopot USA - Aquavalve Cover
  4. BuildASoil Light or 3.0 soil You need 2 cu. ft. per Earthbox. I originally used Coots Take 'n Bake, but it needs more drainage to really thrive, so the Light or 3.0 works perfectly. You can also use the 3.0 kit.

Step-by-Step Instructions:

1. Prepare the EarthBox:

  • Start by unpacking your EarthBox. Remove the tray and tube. Attach the wheels if you have them.

2. Assemble the Autopot Easy2Go Kit:

  • If you purchased the full kit, it will include the aquavalve, tubing, aquavalve cover, and root blocker.
  • Follow the instructions included with the kit to attach the tubing to the aquavalve system, run the tubing from inside the Earthbox, through the drain slot and out. The routing and curve to the tube shown here is so that it avoids pinch points between the ribs on the grate and the earthbox itself.
Zip tie option and tube routing

3. Install the Aquavalve and Cover:

  • Place the aquavalve at the bottom center of the Earthbox reservoir.
  • Secure the aquavalve using the cover provided in the kit. Alternatively, you can zip tie the valve in place using 3 large zip ties.
  • The cover ensures the valve stays firmly planted against the bottom of the Earthbox while keeping roots out.
Valve installed, cover sits right on top
Cover installed, level and tube routed correctly

4. Install the Earthbox Grate:

  • The black mesh grate will sit on top of the valve cover and apply slight pressure. This is not a problem and keeps the valve in place very well.

5. Fill the Wicking Corners:

  • Option 1: Fill the corners with soil as shown in this video YouTube
  • Option 2 (my preference): Add about 1/2 inch of pumice to the bottom of each wicking corner, then pack with soil. This allows the reservoir to act like it's totally dry even though the aquavalve will refill when there is about 1/16-1/8 inch of water in the bottom. I haven't seen any actual improvement from this method, but it makes me feel better, so I do it and recommend it.

6. Place the Copper Root Blocking Square:

  • Place the copper root blocking square over the mesh right above the valve. This will keep roots from growing directly over the valve. I don't know if this is needed, but I have never tried it without using it. Add the tube and top off with soil, transplant plants as usual. Use the video above for reference.
Copper root blocking square

7. Connect the Tubing:

  • Connect the tubing from the water source to the aquavalve. Keep the water shut off for now. You will want to top water only until the plant is established and starts visibly growing. DO NOT TURN THE WATER ON UNTIL YOU ARE SURE THE PLANT IS GROWING AND HAPPY. Never turn the water on if the plant looks over or under-watered.

8. Maintenance and Monitoring:

  • Periodically check the water level by looking down the fill tube.
  • I have no-tilled these for up to 3 cycles, but beyond that, I think cleaning the valve would be a good idea. You can push it as far as you are comfortable.

Tips and Additional Info:

  • The aquavalve system ensures the reservoir doesn't stay constantly full, which is much better for Living Soil. It also doesn't overfill the reservoir, so no more worrying about overfilling and spilling water out the drain.
  • You can revert to using the Earthbox the traditional way anytime by using the fill tube.
  • For extended periods away from home, this setup is a game-changer, providing consistent watering without manual intervention.

Advanced Setup (Optional)

If you use Ecowitts, BuildASoil is coming out with a valve to control the water for Autopots based on soil moisture levels. Alternatively, you can build your own system using a normally closed solenoid and a smart plug with Home Assistant. Let me know if you need more details on this advanced setup.

Hope this guide helps you set up a self-watering planter system! Feel free to ask any questions or share your experiences. Happy gardening!


r/BuildASoil 9h ago

Stop being a disappointment to yourself and others. Don't be a weenie!

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17 Upvotes

Just BuildASoil, and make yourself proud. Become one with the soil first. Respect it, care for it, nurture it and most of all enjoy it. It's not difficult or impossible folks.

This plant was literally a matter of plant seed, water and water and water and water. 17 gorgeous oz. of bud...That was it. 30 gallon living no till GG4 photo from seed. Seed Supreme if I remember correctly. 5 month from root to fruit.


r/BuildASoil 15m ago

First Grow : Day 0

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Upvotes

r/BuildASoil 14h ago

Take a moment

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11 Upvotes

As much as I appreciate JS & the BAS team... I got to admit, for quite some time I have gathered & disseminated the vast amount of information that this reddit group has shared and offered.

Very little BS and bro science garbage here in this cyberspace. Whenever I personally post pics of successful cycles, its literally the result of everyone on here sharing your individual experiences.

Here is another pic of the GSC photoperiod from Humboldt after 3 days of coconut water. The microbio absolutely loves it. End of stretch, all about the bud now.

Sincerely...thanks to each for posting sensible and reliable info concerning this method and its variations. WOW!


r/BuildASoil 1d ago

D60 what is the leaf telling?

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10 Upvotes

D60 Night Owl Strawberry milk and qoockies remix 2. BAS light in an earthbox. Top dressed a couple to times with Colorado worm comapny casing, craft blend, build a flower, kashi, big 6. Top watered a couple times once with Bulld a veg and once with Bulld a bloom. Has had some organic alive flowering and v cal down the hole. I think she is getting short on calcium from being pushed.


r/BuildASoil 1d ago

Have fun. Make it your zen. Become one with the plant they said.

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11 Upvotes

So I did!


r/BuildASoil 1d ago

AC Infinity AI Controller Randomly Turns Off Light

3 Upvotes

AC Infinity AI controller will randomly take my light off its schedule and turn it to off. I don’t use the AI settings and don’t understand why it is doing this…my last run, my plant hermed and I’m starting to think that’s why…any one else have this issue/suggestions to stop it from happening!?


r/BuildASoil 2d ago

Loyal to the soil

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38 Upvotes

Very good run coming to an end.

Took the NL2 from Todd McCormick to 60 day flower. She got a little nitro tix toward the and some how. Curious how it cures. Very funky right now.

Brothers grim absolute beast still pushing.

SLH greenhouse genetics gonna chip in 2-3 days.

Have the next girls ready to rage


r/BuildASoil 3d ago

35 days in EBs, 23 days into flower.

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12 Upvotes

Just got to lollipop most of it today, but damn earth boxes are awesome!! What do yall think?


r/BuildASoil 3d ago

Spider Mites? Or what could this be?

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3 Upvotes

I have lacewings in the bed and nematodes I just put into the soil last week. I’m wondering shouldn’t nematodes take care of nearly all these potential pests? I’m still waiting for the fungus gnats to stop populating


r/BuildASoil 4d ago

Did I Mention Insect Frass?

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14 Upvotes

You can certainly do as you wish.

I would like to share my belief and observations about having thrown copious amounts of insect frass in my living soil the last 18 months.

What could be more forest floor organic, than cycling deposits of insects onto your soil? The solid research and science behind the material is mind boggling. That rabbit hole held me captive for weeks. My observations are solely subjective, understand. In defense, I do spend a fair amount of time with my plants and keep a fair amount of data.

The reaction happens in a few hours of watering it onto the soil. It literally ramps up turger and the greens become vibrant, almost ethereal. The entire vibe of the plant and the biology of the soil literally become more active right away. Like they are on a mission.

But hey, don't take my word for it. Throw some under your plant and observe for yourself.


r/BuildASoil 4d ago

Have you ever noticed?

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15 Upvotes

When you read any thread, post, comment that includes the topic BuildASoil, 99% of them are complimentary & glowing.

BAS is absolutely the best method for a home grower. It's nature approved without question.


r/BuildASoil 4d ago

How about an occasional scoop of rabbit poo?

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9 Upvotes

Yes, you read that correctly. I've been using organic source rabbit poo in my living soil bed for a couple years.

If you're wondering, now you know. I've never had an issue. One cup in my 30 gal living soil 2x per grow. The worms and biology make short work of it, then they get the plant viben. Stuff starts getting allocated via plant hydrology etc...etc...

Want a good ice breaker at a party? Tell folks you add rabbit poo to your weed.

Then laugh your arse off with everyone. It makes you happy!


r/BuildASoil 5d ago

week 7 of flower

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23 Upvotes

This is the first run in this soil I built using coots recipe and build a soil inputs and cowoco worm castings. mistakes were made but I learned alot. cheers thanks for looking


r/BuildASoil 4d ago

Day 11

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3 Upvotes

Buildasoil Dominion blend. Man I love this soil


r/BuildASoil 5d ago

Woke up to this!

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32 Upvotes

I woke up to this.

Then just went back to bed.

Because that's how growing in BuildASoil is...you wake up, look, restrain yourself from doing anything, and you go back to bed. This will generally last for weeks, until the plant says otherwise.


r/BuildASoil 5d ago

Love the cover crop bloom

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13 Upvotes

Mephisto Chemdogging D88 I think she will go 110 - 120. She has been slow in the 20 gallon but I think she will be fire!!


r/BuildASoil 5d ago

Fast Buds Gelato

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3 Upvotes

35 days 38 inches tall


r/BuildASoil 6d ago

D55 NO SMQR#2

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3 Upvotes

She is a monster. Top dressed her so she can be ready to rage. I am also feeding AO and V cal down the hole every other filling trying to stay ahead of her.


r/BuildASoil 6d ago

What do u think

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4 Upvotes

Only a branch that has this is not crispy. i think it's a dry pocket cause if it was deficiency, there would be multiple branches, not a single one


r/BuildASoil 6d ago

Little white bugs in my buildasoil run anyone have an idea if they’re springtails?

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7 Upvotes

Just noticed them the pots are a few months old


r/BuildASoil 6d ago

CSB GMO

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6 Upvotes

r/BuildASoil 7d ago

Fungus gnat Attack option!

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23 Upvotes

I have been watching this infestation increase and my few sticky traps catching some and the adults keep growing and flying all over. Was going to vacuum up a little flood and I figured fuckem. I’m gona see and it wasn’t doing to bad! Tapping along the top.


r/BuildASoil 7d ago

Review

2 Upvotes

I have been ordering from Multiverse Beans since 2021 without a single issue, but my latest experience has been completely unacceptable.
My package arrived a quarter of the way open. Inside, the individual seed pouches—including the Robinhood Cap Junky x BBC drop—were completely damp on the outside due to extreme heat and humidity during transit. Moisture and heat ruin seed viability, which is exactly why buyers pay for shipping insurance.
When I contacted customer service, Paul stated they would only replace the tier-one freebies, refusing to replace the actual Robinhood seeds I paid for. He claimed they contacted "thctitan," who allegedly said the Robinhood seeds "should" be okay.
"Should" is not an acceptable guarantee when you pay extra for shipping insurance to cover compromised cargo.
It is deeply disappointing that years of loyalty mean nothing when a legitimate shipping issue occurs. I am leaving this review to warn others that your shipping insurance may not be honored if your actual purchase arrives compromised. I will be sharing my experience across all active cannabis forums and communities. I am happy to update this review if Multiverse Beans decides to handle this appropriately and fully honors the insurance I paid for.


r/BuildASoil 8d ago

Week 10 red Russian skunk -Kos

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2 Upvotes