DIY Aeroponics 6-Plant Tub With Built-in Reservoir

With this aeroponics tub I can grow 6 kale or swiss chard plants in a really small space without having to water them daily. It takes no soil either. I just fill the bottom tub (the built-in reservoir) with about 5 gallons of water and the appropriate nutrients and let it do its thing. I change the water once a week. The roots are sprayed at intervals. Each growing environment is different. The need for experimenting is crucial in receiving a good harvest. Take your time, set your timer 1 minute on and 1 minute off. If no sign of wilting, increase off time for a minute. Continue until desired setting is reached. I like to be 1 minute on and 2 minutes off, for the first 2-4 weeks of vegetative stage. Then move to a 1 minute on and 8 minutes off setting.

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UPDATE: After building several of these, I found that using only two 360 degree spray heads in this type of system was enough to keep the root zone moist. As a result of using less spray heads, I was able to use a smaller pump. I also did not need to glue the PVC pieces together.

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SUPPLIES:

1 - 10 Gal. Roughneck Storage Tote in Green

1 - 18 Gal. 15-9/10 in. x 16½ in. x 23-9/10 in. Storage Tote in Green

3 pounds - Hydroton Clay Pebbles

6 - 3" Net Pots

1 - Pump

1 - Short Cycle Timer

plumbing:

1 - ½" x 520" Thread Seal Tape

6 - ½" x 10" PVC Risers

6 - ½" Pattern Plastic Shrub with Plastic Nozzles (Spray Heads)

6 - 1" x ½" PVC 90-Degree Reducing Elbow Fitting

2 - 1" PVC Tee Fitting

1 - 1" PVC Cross Fitting

1 - 1" x 1" x 3/4" PVC Reducing Tee Fitting

1 - 1" PVC Pipe

1 - ½" PVC Barb x MPT Insert Male Adapter

2 - ½" PVC Poly Insert 90 Degree Barb x Barb Elbow

1' - ½" Black Tubing

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TOOLS:

Measuring Tape

PVC Ratchet Cutter or Dremel with cut-off-wheel

Flexible Tube Cutter

Drill

2½" Hole Saw

1½" Hole Saw

Step 1: Connect the Plumbing

NOTE: Wrap all threaded ends with the ½" x 520" Thread Seal Tape to secure it from leaks.

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1. Connect one end of the ½" x 10" PVC Risers to the ½" Pattern Plastic Shrub with Plastic Nozzles.
2. Connect the other end of the PVC Risers to the threaded side of the 1" x ½" PVC 90-Degree Reducing Elbow Fittings.
3. Cut 6 small pieces of the 1" PVC Pipe (about 2½-3 inches each) with a PVC Ratchet Cutter or a Dremel with a cut-off wheel and connect one end to the other end of the 1" x ½" PVC 90-Degree Reducing Elbow Fittings.
   
4. Connect the other end of the 1" PVC Pipe pieces to the 1" PVC Tee Fittings and the 1" PVC Cross Fitting.
5. Cut 2 more small pieces of the 1" PVC Pipe (about 2½-3 inches each) and connect them to each non-threaded side of the 1" x 1" x ½" PVC Reducing Tee Fitting. Then connect that piece to one of the 1" PVC Tee Fittings and one end of the 1" PVC Cross Fitting.
   
6. Connect the ½" PVC Barb x MPT Insert Male Adapter to the threaded end of the 1" x 1" x ½" PVC Reducing Tee Fitting.
7. Cut 1 last piece of the 1" PVC Pipe (about 4 inches) and connect it to the 1" PVC Cross Fitting and the remaining 1" PVC Tee Fitting.
8. Cut a piece of the ½" Black Tubing (about 5 inches) with a Flexible Tube Cutter and connect a ½" PVC Poly Insert 90 Degree Barb x Barb Elbow Fitting to each side.
9. Cut 2 more small pieces of the ½" Black Tubing (about 4 inches) and connect them to the other end of the ½" PVC Poly Insert 90 Degree Barb x Barb Elbow Fittings.
10. Connect one of the 4 inch ½" Black Tubing pieces to the pump and the other one to the other end of the ½" PVC Barb x MPT Insert Male Adapter.

Step 2: Cut Holes in 10 Gallon Tub

Using a drill with a 1½" hole saw, cut six holes in the 10 Gallon Storage Tote that align with each of the spray heads.

Step 3: Cut Holes in Lid

Using a drill with a 2½" hole saw, cut six holes in the lid.

Step 4: Assemble

1. Place the plumbing inside the 18 Gallon Storage Tote.
2. Connect the pump.
3. Insert the 10 Gallon Storage Tote inside the 18 Gallon Storage Tote.
4. Cover with the lid and insert the 3" Net Pots in each of the holes.
5. Fill each 3" Net Pot with Hydroton Clay Pebbles.