Tomatoville® Gardening Forums - View Single Post - AWS with mini-float

elight · April 1, 2012

With my EarthTainer build complete, I am now starting to experiment with my AWS setup. I have already encountered a pretty big problem: the 1/2"-to-1/4" elbow fittings that allow me to connect from the 1/2" rubber grommet to my 1/4" poly tubing do not fit the tubing.

EDIT: It occurs to me that I could just try a 1/4" grommet, which is what I should have done from the get-go given that I'm using 1/4" tubing. I will try to pick one up from my local hydro shop tomorrow and do some experimenting (specifically to see if I can make do without a barbed connector inserted into the grommet).

EDIT 2: One of my local hydroponic supply stores did carry 1/4" grommets! I inserted one into a 3/8" hole in a test bucket, and inserted the poly tubing directly into it (no fitting). It's been an hour and no leak whatsoever. Crisis averted.

April 1, 2012	#43
elight Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Allentown, PA Posts: 349	With my EarthTainer build complete, I am now starting to experiment with my AWS setup. I have already encountered a pretty big problem: the 1/2"-to-1/4" elbow fittings that allow me to connect from the 1/2" rubber grommet to my 1/4" poly tubing do not fit the tubing. EDIT: It occurs to me that I could just try a 1/4" grommet, which is what I should have done from the get-go given that I'm using 1/4" tubing. I will try to pick one up from my local hydro shop tomorrow and do some experimenting (specifically to see if I can make do without a barbed connector inserted into the grommet). EDIT 2: One of my local hydroponic supply stores did carry 1/4" grommets! I inserted one into a 3/8" hole in a test bucket, and inserted the poly tubing directly into it (no fitting). It's been an hour and no leak whatsoever. Crisis averted. Last edited by elight; April 2, 2012 at 09:53 PM.