Meters

There are several meters available on the market. The meters listed have been specially selected because of their reliability.

When using NFT, Flood And Drain and Rockwool slab culture, growers can control and manage the pH and strength (conductivity or CF) of the nutrients and ensure fast growth rates and greater yields.

Pocket type meter. Accurate to +/- 0.2 pH. These are very reliable pocket type meters. All pH meters, including the ETI pH meter are delicate and should be handled with care. Meters are tested at the shop at time of purchase, and come with a 90 day warranty. Ph meters should last from six months to a year.

Semi waterproof pocket type meter. Accurate to +/- 0.2 pH. These are reliable pocket type meters. All pH meters, including the Sharp pH meter are delicate and should be handled with care. Meters are tested at the shop at time of purchase, and come with a 90 day warranty. These meters should last up to a year.

On line monitoring system that uses a probe in your tank for constant reading. The unit is temperate compensated. Accuracy of +/-2% at room temperature (25°C). The LED flashes when the pH or CF is not within acceptable parameters. Less calibration is required compared to standard meters, as the probe is constantly submerged during use.

These CF and pH meters are extremely robust and of a high calibre and come highly recommended. These conductivity (CF) meters and pH meters are used for testing the strength of nutrient solutions. These high quality instruments are designed to withstand the rigours of any growing environment. Both meters feature automatic on / off and automatic temperature control and is accurate to +/- 0.1. These meters require no calibration, come with battery and has a two year guarantee.

This instrument digitally monitors the min / max temperature and humidity of the growroom. It has an extrernal probe that can measure the min / max temperature of the water tank and has a built in clock.

MicroPonic System

This instrument automatically measures the CF of the nutrient reservior and will automatically add the correct amount of nutrient as and when it is required, thereby ensuring that the nutrient level is always at an optimum level for plant uptake.

Environmental Units

Vapourtek neutralises strong odours. However, it doesn't replace carbon filters in a growing environment, but can be useful in dealing with odours from adjoining rooms. There are two systems: one which uses a dry oil cartridge that releases into the atmosphere using a special fan which is housed in the Vapourtek systems. Each cartidge lasts at a minimum of 90-120 days before needing to be replaced. The small Vapourtek (round) is capable of servicing up to four lights and the large (cuboid) up to five lights and more. Each Vapourtek comes complete with a cartridge and is ready to plug in for immediate use.

The Silver Bullet Ozone Generator encourages plant growth. It also discourages insects but primilary dissolves odours. This is a tried and tested safe domestic appliance.

Osmosis

In some parts of the UK, water quality is poor so it can be difficult to obtain optimum results expected from hydroponics. Reverse Osmosis (RO) is the answer. This is a water purifier which removes all unwanted residues and particles from your water - thereby giving the grower better quality water. These need to be ordered in advance so the exact model best suited to the type of water in the grower's area is supplied. However, chances are that most growers won't require one. If you are in any way unsure, please contact us, so that we can advise and order a unit for you.

One of the most common and serious problems experienced by growers is hydroponic lighting timer failures. Household timers purchased from major manufacturers are simply not designed to handle the (inductive) power loads of hydroponic lighting. Contactor relays are the answer. You can still use the standard timer, but power is routed through the contactor relay and not the timer. Alternatively, we also offer relays that have built in timers. Timers will switch on your contactor and lights as and when required.

They are simple to use, as well as being very reliable. There's no wiring, just plug it in. Each contactor can handle up to 3 × 400W, 2 × 600W or 1 × 1000W lights. Four gang heavy duty timer contactors are also available which will switch up to 4 × 400W, 4 × 600W or 2 × 1000W lights. All timer contactors that we offer are sealed to IP65 rating ie, completely waterproof even when totally submerged in water.

Please note that some lighting ballasts have combined timers.

Water And Air Pumps

Air pumps aerate your system and enable faster growth. Esoteric Hydroponics offer air pumps that are silent and reliable. We also stock a large range of heat extraction fans, filters and ducting. There is a HydroGarden DataSheet for MaxiJet Pumps.

Dripper System Components

Make your own high pressure dripper systems. Intended to be used with the high pressure water pump (product code E44) and rockwool slabs.

Water Heaters

It is important to maintain the temperature of nutrient solution between 20-24°C as this will ensure better growth rates and is particularly important during the colder season.

Autonomous Environmental Control Systems

Fan Controllers

The Sunbeam fan controller switches fans on when the room is too hot and switches fans off when the room is too cold. Intended for use with a simple inlet or extraction fan. Temperature is set with the single rotary dial.

The Prima Controller - combined fan speed controller and thermostat which controls exhaust and intake fans. This can be wired to fans, program your requirements and it will do the rest. The Prima Controller has three analogue dials:

• one sets the best temperature for the controller to maintain.
• one dial sets the minimum airflow for the inlet fan.
• one dial sets the minimum airflow the outlet fan.

This ensures continuous air flow, regardless of temperature differences. Further information is available from the DataSheet.

An all in one environmental controller. It features a thermostatic fan controller, a humidistat fan controller, a thermostatic heat controller and a CO₂ monitor and injector. In short, you can control CO₂, inlet and extraction fans, and heaters.

The Shiva Controller is the ultimate in growing environment control and provides the indoor gardener with an easy to use and complete atmospheric solution by combining extraction and precise CO₂ dosing. This is controlled by an infra-red monitor which is easy to install and operate. It even has a computer interface which enables the grower to customise and record environmental activity, and can even be controlled via the Internet. This system requires bottled CO₂ (not supplied). To find out more, please visit for a full demonstration. An information sheet is available.