AutoPot Self-Watering Gravity-Fed Growing Systems
AutoPot systems use a patented AQUAvalve mechanism to deliver nutrient solution to deliver water and nutrient solution to plant containers on demand -- no pumps, no timers, no electricity required. The AQUAvalve sits in a tray beneath each container and maintains a shallow reservoir of nutrient solution (approximately 35mm depth) at the base of the container. When roots draw the solution down below the AQUAvalve's float level, the valve opens and refills from a gravity-fed reservoir above; when the target level is restored, the valve closes. The result is a completely automated, passive watering system that responds directly to plant water demand rather than a fixed irrigation schedule.
How AutoPot Works in Practice
A standard AutoPot setup consists of one or more pot-and-tray units connected to a gravity-fed reservoir tank connected in series to a gravity-fed reservoir tank elevated above the system. The reservoir feeds nutrient solution through the supply line to all AQUAvalves simultaneously. Each tray maintains its own independent water level through its own AQUAvalve -- there is no shared tray flooding, so individual plant variation in water demand does not affect neighboring containers. AutoPot is compatible with coco coir, perlite/coco mixes, and certain soil blends -- not recommended for pure perlite or clay pebbles where the capillary rise from the tray bottom cannot adequately distribute moisture through the medium. For grow room integration, the raised reservoir simply needs to be higher than the AQUAvalves -- typically a shelf-mounted tank above the growing level, eliminating any need for electrical infrastructure beyond the grow light and climate equipment. Fast shipping.
AutoPot FAQ
How is AutoPot different from a standard drip system?
A drip system delivers nutrient solution on a timer-controlled schedule regardless of actual plant demand. AutoPot delivers on demand -- the AQUAvalve only opens when the tray level drops below threshold, meaning each container receives solution exactly when its root zone calls for it. There are no pumps, no timers, and no electricity in the watering mechanism itself. This passive, demand-driven approach is particularly forgiving for growers who cannot check their plants daily -- the system self-regulates as long as the reservoir has solution.
What growing media work with AutoPot?
AutoPot works best with media that have good capillary rise to distribute moisture upward from the tray -- coco coir (with up to 50% perlite), quality peat-based mixes, and lightly amended soil. Pure perlite and clay pebbles do not wick moisture effectively from the tray base and are not recommended. Straight coco coir with 30-40% perlite is the most widely used AutoPot medium -- it provides adequate capillary action while maintaining good aeration at the root zone.
How big does the reservoir need to be for an AutoPot system?
AutoPot recommends reservoirs that hold at least 5-7 days of water consumption for the plant load. At peak growth, each AutoPot container (typically 15L or 25L size) may consume 1-2 liters per day. For a 4-pot system at peak consumption, a 47-liter (12-gallon) reservoir provides approximately 6-7 days of autonomous operation. For larger systems, scale the reservoir proportionally and position it at least a few inches above the AQUAvalve level for reliable gravity feed.
