Small NFT Hydroponics System
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http://www.instructables.com/id/Small-NFT-Hydroponics-System/ Home Sign Up! Browse Community Submit All Art Craft Food Games Green Home Kids Life Music Offbeat Outdoors Pets Photo Ride Science Tech Small NFT Hydroponics System by Weissensteinburg on May 23, 2009 Table of Contents Small NFT Hydroponics System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 Intro: Small NFT Hydroponics System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Step 1: The Idea . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Step 2: Materials . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Step 3: Build the stands . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Step 4: Plumbing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Step 5: Holes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Step 6: Assemble . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 Step 7: Cups . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 Step 8: Planting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 Step 9: Nutrients . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 Step 10: Maitenance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 Step 11: Resources . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Related Instructables . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Comments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
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Transcript of Small NFT Hydroponics System
http://www.instructables.com/id/Small-NFT-Hydroponics-System/
Home Sign Up! Browse Community Submit
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Small NFT Hydroponics Systemby Weissensteinburg on May 23, 2009
Table of Contents
Small NFT Hydroponics System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
Intro: Small NFT Hydroponics System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Step 1: The Idea . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Step 2: Materials . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Step 3: Build the stands . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Step 4: Plumbing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Step 5: Holes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Step 6: Assemble . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Step 7: Cups . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Step 8: Planting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Step 9: Nutrients . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Step 10: Maitenance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Step 11: Resources . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Related Instructables . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Comments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
http://www.instructables.com/id/Small-NFT-Hydroponics-System/
Author:WeissensteinburgI enjoy photography, horticulture and carpentry, and am almost always doing something relating to of those things.
Feel free to send me a PM for whatever reason.
Intro: Small NFT Hydroponics SystemHydroponics is a type of agriculture that uses no dirt, and usually results in larger, fuller plants. I recently became interested in the topic, and decided to start my ownvegetable garden using the Nutrient Film Technique (NFT). It involves a channel of nutrient enriched water constantly flowing past a plant's roots. The system that I'mdemonstrating here is just one example of infinitely many possibilities. Take my work and use it as inspiration for developing a system that suits you and your needs.
Step 1: The IdeaBecause hydroponics requires a resevoir for water to be drawn from and returned to simultaneously, and I was just building a small system, my design has two gullies.This allows the water to easily go full circle.
Along with the water pump, my system uses gravity to assist the flow of water. Each end of the PVC is one inch higher than the end that comes next in the circle. The endof the tube that water enters from is the highest, and the end that it leaves from is the lowest. To achieve this, I built supports out of lumber for the pipes. The supportsalso keep them high enough to be above the reservoir, so that gravity will return the water to it.
Step 2: Materials66" of 4" PVC Pipe - If I didn't already have PVC, I would have probably bought plastic gutters.Assorted lumber - Go to the cull wood section of your hardware store. This is the wood they cut for other people who didn't want the scraps. I got four 43" 2x4"s,one 1.5x7.5x58" piece, and a scrap of plywood for $3.Screws and such4 rubber adjustable end caps with hose clamps - about $3 eachSubmersible pump - I'm using thisTeflon tape16 oz Plastic cupsPlantsIrrigation tubingOpaque BucketPlumbing cementGrowing medium - I used expanded clay ballHydroponics Nutrient
I would make a list of tools, but there's no way I could make an exhaustive list.
http://www.instructables.com/id/Small-NFT-Hydroponics-System/
Step 3: Build the standsOnce you figure out the height of your reservoir, you can start designing your stands. Mine is about 13" tall, so my stands are 13", 14", 15", and 16". After cutting thelengths, I cut a triangle (with a height of 2.5") out of each one to hold the PVC.
I'll assume you've already cut the PVC in half...it doesn't really deserve it's own step.
Next, I attached them together with the 2x4's. I found out the hard way that it's easier to make them level if you attach the 2x4's mid way up, instead of at the bottom.
Step 4: PlumbingYou'll need to drill a hole with a spade bit suitable for your tubing in each of the end caps. Drill the holes at the height that you want your water level to be at. I didn't thinkabout it at first, so you'll see in the pictures that they're at the edge, I later had to adjust this, but there's a picture of that, too. Make sure your water level is high enoughthat the bottom of your cups will be submerged.
My pump came with a removable attachment for the tubing, so I wrapped one side of it with Teflon tape and used plumbing cement to attach it to a piece of tubing longenough to reach from the upper tube to the bottom of the reservoir. I then pushed the tube through an end cap's hole. Push another piece long enough to reach from thelower tube to the reservoir. Then attach two end caps via tubing long enough to fit on both pieces of PVC.
When I tested the system like this, it ran surprisingly well, with a just a few small leaks. Use the plumbing cement to seal around the outside of all the tubes. Plumbingcement isn't the most safe substance (toxicity wise), and even though it's probably OK, by just sealing the outside, it at least makes me feel better about. Luckily this stuffcures in two hours, so you can do another test run pretty quickly.
A lot of people recommend cleaning everything with a heavily diluted bleach solution to help ward off algae. I did this before I had drilled any holes. It was easy to fill thepipes and then shake them with the end caps on.
http://www.instructables.com/id/Small-NFT-Hydroponics-System/
Image Notes1. This can be at the bottom, as water is entering the tube from here.2. This tube should be at your desired water level.
Image Notes1. Adjusted to water level.
http://www.instructables.com/id/Small-NFT-Hydroponics-System/
http://www.instructables.com/id/Small-NFT-Hydroponics-System/
Step 5: HolesDepending on your plants, the spacing of your holes will be different. I wanted to plant at least six plants, so my spacing worked out to be 8-9 inches between each hole. Iwould have spread them out farther if I could, but my PVC isn't long enough.
We have an adjustable door knob drill bit that drills holes up to 3" wide, so I cut a skewer to 3" and found where on my plastic cups they have that diameter. Hold it up tothe PVC and see if it's deep enough. It was. Unfortunately, the only drill we have with a chuck that could fit that bit was a hand drill. At first I tried the "drill a whole everymillimeter and cut it out" method...but I didn't have the patience. Instead, I used a 2.5" drill bit and sanded the rest down with my Dremel. If you have to use a Dremel onplastic, make sure to wear a mask in a well ventilated area and clean up all the dust afterward.
Rinse the dust off of the pipes.
http://www.instructables.com/id/Small-NFT-Hydroponics-System/
Step 6: AssembleBring everything out to your final destination and set it up. Because mine is up against the screen of our porch, the lower side faces out, so everyone can get equalamounts of sunlight. Double check that the stands are all in the right orientation...i spent about 20 minutes trying to figure out why the water wouldn't run correctly.
I drilled three holes in the lid to my bucket, one for the intake tube, one for the output tube, and one for the power cord. It allows me to leave the lid on, and thus helpprevent algae from growing.
Step 7: CupsDrill plenty of holes in the bottom and edges of each plastic cup, for the roots.
Use the cups to measure out clay balls into a bucket of water. The water will wash off any dust that has accumulated on them.
Step 8: PlantingCarefully use a hose (I like the flat setting) to clean as much dirt as possible off the roots. Try not to mess them up...they don't like that so much. Once they're clean,surround them in the cups with clay balls. Use enough that they can support themselves and stand tall.
When you're arranging the plants in the system, keep in mind what kind of plant they are. Put taller plants in the back, so they don't block the sun. My plants that growheavier veggies are on the lower section, so that I can build a table from the plywood and 2x4's to support their crops.
http://www.instructables.com/id/Small-NFT-Hydroponics-System/
Step 9: NutrientsMix according to the label. Mine required 20mL per 4L. Because I don't have any way of measuring mL, I converted it to about 4 tsp per 4L and mixed it in a 2L sodabottle. That was a pain. Next time I make it to the hydroponics store, I'm definitely buying a syringe.
Nutrient solutions come in all sorts of varieties. I bought a general purpose "grow" solution that also has a "bloom" counterpart for when the plant beginsto...bloom.
http://www.instructables.com/id/Small-NFT-Hydroponics-System/
Step 10: MaitenanceThe nutrients have to be changed periodically, and it's hard to tell when it needs to be done. People do it anywhere from once a week to once a month, and it depends onhow much you mix at a time.
Hydroponics.net recommends that you add fresh water as it's used by plants, because even though water is absorbed, nutrients still remain, and can get moreconcentrated. They said that once you've added half the amount that was originally in there, it's time to change. So with my 7L, once i've had to add 3.5L of additionalfresh water, the nutrients will be mostly depleted.
Some people also monitor their ph levels. Pool stores generally will check it for free. I don't have a lot of information on the subject to offer, however.
Other than that, there isn't a lot that you have to do except care for the plants as you usually would.
http://www.instructables.com/id/Small-NFT-Hydroponics-System/
Step 11: ResourcesInstructables has a lot of great information on hydroponicshydroponics.net has a good FAQSimplyHydro.com has a good explanation of some types of hydroponics
I hope this helps with designing your own system. Feel free to leave questions, comments, and most importantly, advice, below. Thanks!
Image Notes1. Red bell pepper2. Beefsteak tomato3. Patio tomato4. Zucchini5. Eggplant6. Cucumber
Related Instructables
My Indoor DWCHydroponicsSystem byLancePenney
Hydroponic DripGarden forVegetables,Herbs orFlowers bydirty_valentine
UnderstandingHydroponics bydutchypoodle
My Indoor NFTHydroponicsSystem (Photos)by LancePenney
Building yourown earth-filledbox byxmascarol
Almost Free -DIY SimpleHydroponics byMr E Man
http://www.instructables.com/id/Small-NFT-Hydroponics-System/
Comments
50 comments Add Comment view all 79 comments
bountycrops says: Aug 5, 2010. 9:46 PM REPLYThanks for sharing this wonderful step-by-step process on building an NFT system. The PVC pipe would really do better with this kind of system althoughrain gutters would also do fine. I think the only challenge with rain gutters is to find a covering that will be light proof. Anyway, what kinds of plant have youtried growing with this system? Would be happy to know the results.
pyrofyr says: Apr 11, 2010. 1:05 AM REPLYI see most other instructables use LECA on the bottom (Holy christmas batman, I just found out my home depot carries it, and it's cheap too), Vermiculite,and Perlite.
I can't find Vermiculite anywhere, and then I noticed you didn't list what you use besides LECA, did you use anything or just fill it up with LECA?
Weissensteinburg says: Jul 27, 2010. 9:11 AM REPLYSorry for the late reply. I've made two hydroponic systems now, and both used only LECA. Some people seem to like mixes, but I haven't had anyproblems using only it.
tea-pain says: Apr 16, 2010. 8:06 AM REPLYis pvc ok to use? its not toxic @ all?
Weissensteinburg says: Apr 18, 2010. 4:03 PM REPLY PVC is only toxic when heated.
[AV3NG3R] says: Feb 3, 2010. 3:48 AM REPLYLOL, I saw the NFT Acronym and assumed it was your secret code for "No F*cking Time"...
Awesome instructable though.
mslorraine101 says: Oct 14, 2009. 8:08 AM REPLYHow did you get the stinking plastic out of the hole cutter? I'mabout to pull my hair out.
mslorraine101 says: Oct 14, 2009. 10:21 AM REPLYI got it. I waited to long to take it out. I had to put iton a stove burner to get it out.
chimpycheeseman says: Aug 31, 2009. 4:27 PM REPLYjust curious as to how much water you want moving across everything. like if i wanted to expand this to something bigger, could i still use that same sizepump you are using, or would i want a bigger one
Weissensteinburg says: Aug 31, 2009. 4:30 PM REPLYYou should be able to use the same one. The flow of water really isn't as important as the fact that it is circulating. The reason you can't just stick a plantin the water is that the water needs to re-oxygenate, like in a fish tank.
lchhour says: Aug 21, 2009. 8:42 PM REPLYwhere do you purchase adjustable rubber end caps? i'm working on a hydroponics setup and i also have gutters. What can i use for the ends of those? anyinfo/help would be greatly appreciated! thanks!
Weissensteinburg says: Aug 21, 2009. 8:52 PM REPLYI got those at home depot. Rain gutters are a good idea, I would have gone with them if I didn't already have the PVC. I believe they make end caps forgutters. Have you looked around your store?
serpensphile says: Aug 6, 2009. 10:24 AM REPLYWhere did you get your nutrients for $9.99??? That's a good price!
Weissensteinburg says: Aug 6, 2009. 12:31 PM REPLYSunshine hydroponics.
http://www.instructables.com/id/Small-NFT-Hydroponics-System/
serpensphile says: Aug 7, 2009. 4:21 AM REPLYThanks!
pipster562 says: Jun 23, 2009. 12:39 AM REPLYi was wondering does the pump always have to be on or do you have it on a timer?
Weissensteinburg says: Jun 24, 2009. 12:03 PM REPLYWith a system like this, you'll usually want it on all the time so that the roots don't dry. If you use an aeroponics or ebb and flow system, then you willneed a timer.
Parabri says: Jun 20, 2009. 6:02 AM REPLYNice simple , well doneLawn looks good to ,Lol
Ha4xor4life says: Jun 19, 2009. 7:24 PM REPLYi have a 60gph pump is that too little?
Weissensteinburg says: Jun 19, 2009. 7:31 PM REPLYNo, it shouldn't be.
DebH57 says: Jun 11, 2009. 10:18 AM REPLYThanks for directing me here Weissenstienberg, I am going to need to spend some time going over this and gathering materials and will probably have a lotof questions later.
shwa says: Jun 4, 2009. 8:12 AM REPLYFor the veggies you trying to grow be sure to have really sturdy trellis on top of your system,tomatoes have very brittle stem which break very easily,I'm notsure about other ones, but you need to have something that can bear the load of the plants and the crop.Or you might try leafy stuff like Swiss chard orlettuces and herbs,for half perpetual crop harvest just pick the mature leafs and leave rest to grow ,but on other thought maybe it's not good idea since youusing non organic fertilizer,all nutrients go directly into leafs,you might consider switching to organic nutrient juice or to aquaponics (a way to go system).keep us informed .good luck
awang8 says: Jun 6, 2009. 4:04 AM REPLYOrganic and non-organic fertilizers are pretty much the same. They are all based on the nutrients a plant requires, and the term "organic" refers to thefact that the fertilizer has had it's nutrients extracted from organic matter. As for the nutrients itself, it cannot make a difference. There is no such thing as"organic nitrogen" or "organic potassium". I don't mean to offend you, I just want to give you my opinion for "organic fertilizers".
shwa says: Jun 6, 2009. 7:15 AM REPLYProblem is not in nitrogen ,potassium or phosphorus.Problem is in other minor element traces such as arsenic, cadmium, and uranium which can bebuild up in prolonged application of chemical fertilizers,surely FDA approved.This is more evident in soil agriculture than in environment controlledhydroponic system but still sooner or later you'll have to waste the nutrients from your system somewhere...
Weissensteinburg says: Jun 6, 2009. 5:50 AM REPLYNot at all! That was actually a point that had been confusing me since I was at the store.
Weissensteinburg says: Jun 4, 2009. 8:18 AM REPLYThanks. Will the non organic fertilizer make a difference in plants that aren't as water based as lettuce? I was planning to play it by ear in terms ofsupport. The cukes and eggplants will both need a structure. I've since moved them to the far right of the system, so I can build straight out. As for thetomatoes, I still have the green garden mesh I used in my water bottle raft, so I'll probably use that.
shwa says: Jun 5, 2009. 10:18 PM REPLYI'm not quiet sure what you mean by non water based plants non of above mentioned plants are water based,what I meant is that plants liketomatoes and alike have roots ,stem and leaves to process nutrients before they reach the the fruit so it's fairly safe to eat them ,leafy veggieseverything goes and builds in the leafs so what you give to the plants end up in your stomach bottom line is if you going trough all the pain of makingcostly hydroponic system why ending up with the products that you can get in any supermarket =commercial chemical based... god knowwhat..poisoned products opposed to natural organic products that are safe to eat .. just by switching couple a things...Like ErisKSC mentioned .Do you keep your pump 24/7 on or it's interval based?
Weissensteinburg says: Jun 6, 2009. 5:53 AM REPLYI don't know why I said water based, but I meant how lettuce is composed nearly entirely of water...which is why people don't generally spring forit as their daily veggies. I keep my pump on 24/7. I'll have to post pictures soon, they've had some amazing growth.
http://www.instructables.com/id/Small-NFT-Hydroponics-System/
hjenkins says: Jun 2, 2009. 12:44 PM REPLYI've done hydroponic tomatos a few times with a complete outfit I bought. The tomato plants grew about 10 lbs of roots each, pretty much took over thegrowing tank. Tomatos didn't have any taste though. I was using micronutrients along with the regular liquid plant food. It was in a greenhouse, maybe itneeded real sun. A neighbor has 3 huge greenhouses for growing tomatos commercially and his tomatos are completely tasteless too. Now I'm trying upsidedown tomatos outside. I'll keep trying.
Dr. D says: Jun 3, 2009. 3:17 PM REPLYIt may be the plants you started with. Find some nice heirloom tomatoes. You may have gotten some GMO hybrid bred to look nice and ship well at theexpense of taste.
awang8 says: Jun 4, 2009. 11:16 PM REPLYTrue. Once I tried growing seeds from a store-bought hybrid and it tasted like cardboard. Even worse than the tomato it came from.
grullord says: Jun 4, 2009. 2:19 PM REPLYwhere did you buy the cns 17 for that price?? I can't find it cheaper that 18.00???? PS > By the way great Job!!! Grullord
Weissensteinburg says: Jun 4, 2009. 8:25 PM REPLY$9.95 at Sunshine Hydroponics.
awang8 says: Jun 4, 2009. 3:35 AM REPLYI've got a 500GPH Bilge Pump somewhere in the garage. Will it work? Or will it be too vigorous and damage the roots? I'm trying to make a nice 4-hole herbgarden for my kitchen with all the needed herbs - rosemary, parsley, basil and thyme.
Weissensteinburg says: Jun 4, 2009. 7:14 AM REPLYI'm thinking that's a lot more than you need.
awang8 says: Jun 4, 2009. 3:41 AM REPLYSorry, one more question I forgot to mention. Are you sure that tiny hydroponics... thing... will be able to handle a mature tomato? Because i'm alsoplanning on growing a few of those.
Weissensteinburg says: Jun 4, 2009. 7:16 AM REPLYIn what sense? Depending on the plant, you may need a trellis to support it. If you mean the nutrient supply, than yes, it will. As long as water flows, itcan get as much nutrient as it needs. That being said, some plants require more nutrients than others, and you'll have to replenish the supply moreoften.
awang8 says: Jun 4, 2009. 3:45 AM REPLYGah... I hate it whem you just suddenly have a question pop up in your mind and just have to find out the answer. Can the roots breathe? Waterdoesn't loook like it has much air in it. Before I make another post, can seaweed solution (liquid fertilizer) be used instead of the hydroponicsnutrients?
Weissensteinburg says: Jun 4, 2009. 7:17 AM REPLYI've seen it's use mentioned, and don't think people generally recommend it over conventional nutrient solution, but I think it will work. Don't takemy word for it, though.
awang8 says: Jun 4, 2009. 11:15 PM REPLYThanks alot.
1. I think the pump would still be good enough, http://Hydroponics.net sells 550GPH... So I'm guessing it isn't that bad.
2.Yep. I mean the nutrient supply.
3.Err... Uhh... Umm... I'll buy hydroponic nutrient some online.
I'll be buying a few bags of pelite and vermiculite. I beleive that mixed in a ratio of 3:1 would make a good growing medium.
RoBear613 says: Jun 21, 2009. 12:17 PM REPLYA 500GPH pump will push almost 9 gallons of water per minute over the roots. You'll probably flood the tubes and the roots won't getthe air they need.For a small system you should probably use a smaller pump.Hydroponics.net also supplies the professionals who would need a big pump.Your bilge pump (if it has a float) might be good for the food and drain method.
http://www.instructables.com/id/Small-NFT-Hydroponics-System/
Toastalicious says: Feb 2, 2010. 7:57 PM REPLYWhat if we use the bilge pump with a flow regulator, or what if i use it for a drip system?
awang8 says: Jun 29, 2009. 3:53 PM REPLYSince I'm not very... interested... in ebb and flow, and I don't want to buy a new pump, , I thought of an idea. At the hardware storethere are chrome switches (designed for toilet cisterns) that can regulate the flow pretty damn good, down to a tiny trickle, andeverything inbetween. So I might somehow attach a copper pipe to my pump, then use a olive threaded thingy to connect it to thecistern switch, then use another olive thingy and copper pipe to connect to the gutter (I'm using gutters, it's cheaper). there will be ahole at the top of the opposite end of the gutter where the water will come out and fall into a bucket containing the pump. The copperpipe, it's lurking in my garage: $0. 2 olive thingies: $4. Switch (or is it called valve?): $3. Seven dollars is cheaper than a new pump.Sorry about the long comment, but I just had to explain everything in detail.
Teleran says: Jun 1, 2009. 5:45 PM REPLYAnother way to control Algae , or even Mold is to use 35% Food Grade Hydrogen Peroxide, and you add it to the Water at a rate of 7 Drops per gallon. Thisin effect Steriizes the Water, without stopping Niagara falls. :) Teleran
Weissensteinburg says: Jun 1, 2009. 5:52 PM REPLYWhere do you get that/how much does it cost? At school we use 30%, and it costs $25 a bottle.
Teleran says: Jun 1, 2009. 6:18 PM REPLYI live in Canada. I just typed Food grade Hydrogen Peroxide into a Search engine, and it was $13.00 about for 200 ml. Hydrogen Peroxide comes indifferent grades. Some have stabilizers in it, Chemicals that are poisons. Food Grade does not have Chemical Stabilizers in it. It is usually 35%. Thestuff you buy in a Pharmacy is 3-4% and has Stabilizers in it.
ErisKSC says: May 30, 2009. 5:04 PM REPLYNice setup! Now you just have to replace the store bought nutrient mix with a tank full of fish then you can grow organic hydroponic plants (aka aquaponics).I'm working a setup for my yard with a 500L water tank that i will keep jade perch or sleepy cod in, their waste will fertalise the plants so i can get fish andveggies from the one system! I have also run mini 'plant filters' on my 6' cichlid tank where i grew ornamentals. I love thhis instructible coz it's simplke andeffective and can be scaled up as much as you need. Top work
mondaymonkey says: May 30, 2009. 3:39 PM REPLYI hope this isn't use for the propogation of illlecit plant material.... :P Looks good :)
SinAmos says: May 24, 2009. 2:04 PM REPLYI appreciate all that you have done. It looks nice. Eventually, I will give it a go, but for now, the soil is my playground.
Weissensteinburg says: May 24, 2009. 10:24 PM REPLYI can understand that. I think something like this gives more of a sense of accomplishment, compared to the relaxation that many people get fromtraditional gardening.
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