Do you want to keep your reservoir topped up without hassle?
Don't want to buy an expensive float valve?
Make your own!
I have been building a hydroponics garden, and I wanted to make sure my reservoir doesn't run dry and destroy my pump (or kill my plants), but a side entry float valve would have cost me $30+ at the local hardware store, and I had already spent my budget on pipes and plants.
So, calling on my childhood obsession over MacGyver, I looked for what I had lying around, and built a cheap and surprisingly effective float valve! (effectively for free!)
Don't want to buy an expensive float valve?
Make your own!
I have been building a hydroponics garden, and I wanted to make sure my reservoir doesn't run dry and destroy my pump (or kill my plants), but a side entry float valve would have cost me $30+ at the local hardware store, and I had already spent my budget on pipes and plants.
So, calling on my childhood obsession over MacGyver, I looked for what I had lying around, and built a cheap and surprisingly effective float valve! (effectively for free!)
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Signing UpStep 1: Disassemble
Start with opening up the sprayer.
If you look at the spray end, you should notice it looks like an inverse nut.
Push your pliers into the corners, and turn like a screw, it isn't hard to get undone.
When you have the front off, unscrew the small plastic nut from the other end, and slide out the innards.
If you look at the spray end, you should notice it looks like an inverse nut.
Push your pliers into the corners, and turn like a screw, it isn't hard to get undone.
When you have the front off, unscrew the small plastic nut from the other end, and slide out the innards.
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kerisa123 says:
Dec 22, 2012. 2:50 PMReply
just use a ball cock from a trough
fearless77 says:
Sep 17, 2009. 5:58 PMReply
Wouldn't a valve from the toilet system be just as good?
4
NathanWilliams (author) says:
Sep 17, 2009. 6:17 PMReplyYep, except that would cost money, I had the hose attachment come with the hose I used for the system, so it was basically free! Also you need to get a specific toilet float valve, one that fills from the side, instead of the more common filling from the bottom.
elskeetro says:
Jun 2, 2009. 8:20 AMReply
Killer idea and execution. I just build an auto top off using a toilet ballcock kit. It works well but is very slow to fill. I wish i had found this first. I'm gonna build it any way. Thanks!
jaskohl says:
May 27, 2009. 2:08 PMReply
The purpose of this is a bit confusing to me. Why not just use a larger bucket? I had a similar setup with a 18 gal. Rubbermaid container for the reservoir. I like your solution for the screens. That was the one problem I had was that the roots clogged the hose and flooded the top tube and dried out all the others. Killed the whole crop. Great instructable!
10
chefmichel says:
Mar 25, 2009. 9:50 AMReplyExcellent idea, good instructable. Nice and clear pictures. McGyver would be proud of you !
4
NathanWilliams (author) says:
Mar 25, 2009. 2:10 PMReplyAs a kid, I believe that was my dream =D
2
crapflinger says:
Mar 25, 2009. 12:00 PMReply
nifty indeed...i've seen people use toilet parts for this kind of thing...which are easy to acquire
4
NathanWilliams (author) says:
Mar 25, 2009. 1:22 PMReplyAhh, at my local hardware store they wanted $30 for the float valve, this was free!
69
Tool Using Animal says:
Mar 25, 2009. 12:28 PMReplyI saw that in your other instructable and didn't "get it", now I do, cool idea.
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