Recirculating Hydroponics

This unit allows for long term growth of large plants. There have been several hydroponic posts here in the past, but they all shared the limitations of either small plants or short term growth. This unit can grow a large plant practically indefinitely.

Step 1 Parts

You will need

Two stackable containers
A small fountain pump
1/2 inch pvc pipe , two elbow fittings, a threaded end cap and plug.
Clear vinyl tubing to fit your pump
zip tie
plastic window screening
perlite
plants
hole saw and drill

and anything i forgot.

Comments

[Cool-fool]

Nice! Is there a way to do this without PVC?

[Davilyn]

Did you ever find a system made without PVC?  I am a Hydro farmer and use The Urban Farm (www.theurbanfarm.com) which is for bigger plants like indeterminate tomatoes or watermelons but am still looking for the smaller type for lettuce and such. 

[chriscc63]

this looks pretty awesome, I wonder if there are any others this simple. I would like to add to genius by suggesting a solar panel to run the pump.! I am unfamiliar with the requirements of these systems but does the pump have to run 24/7 or would a solar panel running it all day be enough?

[jeff-o]

I imagine that the pump would have to run 24/7, otherwise the water would drain out of the perlite (leaving the roots dry) after only an hour or two.

[Toastalicious]

 save power by adding a timer to run it for 30 minutes every hour or two then.

[jeff-o]

that'll work!

[lqdtrance]

I would also like to know TheDeadMethod's question.

[gsteiner]

The roots should be fine overnight. My understanding is that plants don't take in water at night, and without the heat of the sun drying out isn't an issue. I have a makeshift aeroponics system I built into a large 30 gallon garbage can with a 10 second spray every 15 minutes or so. I shut the system off every night when the sun goes down and the plants are doing just fine. I would imagine that perlite is going to hold more solution overnight than just roots hanging out in the air.

[TheDeadMethod]

Would stacking the containers and drilling through the bottom of the upper container through the top of the lower one (so the holes line up) eliminate the need for the lip? It seems you only need it because of the odd grooves in the bottom of the buckets.

[tabletopphoto]

as long as the roots don't dry out, you are fine

[puffyfluff]

Wow. I'm building a greenhouse, and I was planning on using hydroponics. I think I'll use this.

[tubesystem]

Less is more. I think you should put the tube inside the box. Like me. Any way good job.
http://www.huatan.net/bbs/1155285953/Mon_0703/87_52012_bb1aeee9a4a90be.jpg
See my job:http://www.huatan.net/bbs/read-htm-tid-61483.html

[bob.smitty]

looks like an awesome project... but i can't read any of it!

[bqbowden]

(removed by author or community request)

[bhsx]

yes, this is very similar to my simple aquaponics system which I'll get up here shortly. It's been in use for well over a year with no issues.

[Red_Icculus]

It sounds like you are flooding the medium all the time. Perlite has a tendency to get waterlogged. Have you had any overwatering problems?

[Tool Using Animal]

No, the perlite drains quickly, you end up with a film of continuously moving water with plenty of airspace within the media. The tomatoes grew great, no signs of problems (ie. catfacing, splitting, cracks)

[Red_Icculus]

That's awesome. The most I heard of flooding was 15 minutes every 4 hours. Being outside in the heat must make the difference. Glad it works for you.

[hamrad]

I was just reading something that trebuchet03 posted about hydroponics (I originally found his post while searching the subject). I am just learning about this and he suggested I send you a email/post. I live in Clearwater Florida and would like to start some cherry tomatoes (I know it is late in the season) but via hyproponics instead of in the ground. Is it too late to start tomatoes and if so what else could I used to get into this form or gardening? Thanks for your time, hamrad

[meddler]

I have wanted to try a hydroponic system for a while, but was a bit imtimidated by it. I think i'll try this