Semi-Automatic Hydroponic Planter/Sprout Grower

I love the idea of growing my own sprouts and plants, but find my schedule too chaotic to commit to regular waterings and maintenance. Some may call it laziness. I wanted to automate a system and realized an otherwise untapped abundance of fresh tap water goes down the toilet each day. I also live in an apartment so any systems involving water MUST be closed and/or have overflow protection. The toilet solves these issues as is. I've been knocking this idea around in my head for awhile, so here goes.

Theory is that since sprouts need to be rinsed at least once a day with nutrient free water, why not utilize the many times a day that a toilet is flushed to remove the labour and memory factors from the equation while all the while looking for uses for 2L pop bottles.

It consists of a fill tube, a grow chamber and a bracket to support the assembly above the tank's water level to allow proper drainage and avoid contamination.

Please keep in mind that this ugly little contraption is a prototype and can easily be enclosed or made more attractive and/or permanent. It can also be expanded upon to provide gravity fed multi-level, multi-chamber systems that even provide nutrients to the point of rediculous. In Theory, that is.

Other plants could also be grown if light conditions allowed and feeding provisions were built in. Grow chambers and fill tubes could be customized to meet various requirements.

Step 1 What You'll Need

Tools - 1 pair of scissors
1 pair of pliers
1 lighter or torch
Drill bits as required (Drill not shown)
Materials - 1 length of flexible tubing, length and diameter as required. (I used clear vinyl, 3/8 ID)
1 2L bottle, cut in half (cut along bottom of label)
1 2L bottle bottom (cut the same, but discard top)(shown in green)
1 2L bottle cap
1 bracket or platform to secure bottle in place (mine was a handy piece of plastic, but I intend to make it more permanent and pretty)(not shown in this photo)

Note: The tubing and bracket will vary from toilet tank to toilet tank as well as personal preferences and resources at hand. I threw mine together quickly just to test it's basic function and look for problems.

Comments

[cowscankill]

I wonder if you could use this to grow a tree in your bathroom... Hmmm.... I had a tried that was about 2 years old once. Died because I went on vacation and it didn't get any water.

[mrdiablo9]

very nice, Does the irregular rinsing effect the sprouts?Eg a big curry nite resulting in more flushing than a usual day, can this cause "over rinsing"?

[wiley coyote]

I do not know. Hmmmm...That could be a problem with an actual plant with roots, I would think, but not in this situation as the nutrients are self contained and we are just activating a "change" to make them more nutritious/easier to digest. As long as nutrients are not leeched away, I would think it is better. At least that is what I'm inclined to believe with my limited knowledge on the subject and would like to know different, if I'm wrong.

[cynvision]

I've seen someone make a tank top hand wash for post flush. I got a good laugh from the video because I just did a batch of sprouts in an Easysprouter. Now, between your air-powered hydroponics and toilet-top sprout rinse my mind is awhirl with ideas for my used 2 liter bottles.

[wiley coyote]

That's brilliant! It solves the whole dirty tap issue. I'm thinking a transparent cabin cruiser myself.

[robot797]

does your toilet still work? becaus it is nice

[wiley coyote]

Yes, actually, and It has evolved into something easier to work and ever so slightly, and I mean slightly, more attractive.
It has no effect on the toilet except for the sound of the water falling into the tank through the open air space.
I'm thinking of a redo for the food contest.
And thanks.
It works F#$%^{*& great. The only problem is you HAVE to eat the sprouts because, unlike the store bought ones, they continue to grow rapidly into woody little plants and they're are not slimy at all.}

[noble230]

cool