Hi fried my question is for how long time do i have to live the pump runing and how many times in a day and night tankyou.
Jan 05, 2012 Rating
Solving the leaks.NEW by: G from MI.
Hi Jason, Love your site man. A way you could eliminate leaks is to make a 6" or 8" diameter system but, instead of drilling pot holes into the PVC, use a "T" with the center hole facing up. The larger diameter PVC would accommodate more root growth. The hole in the tee would also allow a larger net pot to be used, thus having a more stable set up. For your dam (3" cut plastic), try putting a tee on the very end where your dam would be and cut 2 end caps 3" high. I am going to build this system this weekend. Happy gardening man.
Oct 27, 2011 Rating
6" system by: Anonymous
I have both a 4" system in a greenhouse and 6" system outside. Both have reservoir's. The 4" system has a 1/2" return pipe, which runs along under the PVC back to the pump reservoir. Easy to test, add nutrients, change water etc. The 6" outside system, has two levels/PVC pipes, top one overflows into the lower 6" PVC via a short 1/2" diameter pipe. This PVC overflows back into the reservoir pump tank. Both systems use solar pumps to circulate nutrient solution. So far i am very happy with this set up. I have had a few issues getting pH where i want it, but now seem to be on top of those issues. One question i have though is....I am in an area that has very cold winter's, does anyone heat their water? I wonder if this would help with growth through the colder months.....any idea's.
Oct 06, 2011 Rating
aero by: Anonymous
i have 2 6" pvc tubes and im thinking of doing and aeroponic set up similar to this one its more of a hybrid aero + NFT the nutrient is pumped through 1/2 inch pipe 6'long inside 6" pvc thats 7 feet long there is two elbows hooked into a T aat the end and a 4"pip connected to it that runs back to the resovior and theo ther ends are capped off. i have a 3"dam so that if a sprayer or two clogged there willl still be 3"of water in the tubes circulating. can you point out any problems you forsee with this system ?
Jul 15, 2011 Rating
6 inch eb and flow by: Chris
Hi.
I enjoyed the article - easy/simple system for starting out.
I want to "adapt" it to an eb & flow system, since I believe it will be easier to control water level and leaking, as well as eliminate water flow problems with root growth.
Split water pump inlet/drain into 4, and place an inlet/drain at the end (or possibly middle) of each lenght of PVC pipe to ensure even filling up of dam.
Place (adjustable) overflow close to reservoir to control water level.
Any other ideas to adapt to eb & flow?
May 22, 2011 Rating
need larger system by: David
Since I said again I am a legal caregiver/grower and I will be having all the patients I need for the total of legally having 72 plants 12 per Patient and myelf. The idea of course is maxing final product as the collectives in michigan can purchase all your overage, wink and a nod but great how the law works on this here in michigan.
Also you can set and sell your own for full price or deliver it to a collective and get a decent wholesale price of around 350 an oz, but it is tested and made sure to be of high quality. I just need to hurry because now michigan has all republican control now and there are several bills to try and modify some of the law as it stands
May 22, 2011 Rating
Legal growqer by: David
Just was wondering how the pump action works on the 6" pvc set up. Were would it be located , were is it pumping from . The drain sounds like a great idea to replace solution
Apr 11, 2011 Rating
the six inch isn't really a great idea... by: Anonymous
When you cap the ends and just pump liquid from one end to the other all you are really doing is circulating. Why wouldn't you opt to just go with a tank and a bubbler directly? More nutes = more stability... more space for roots to spread out, less chance of clogging.
Your stuff is way too complex for most closet gardeners. A 27 gal tank with an aquarium air pump will do just fine for about 8 BIG plants. I guess your system would be good for a huge garden.
Feb 10, 2011 Rating
6 inch drain issue by: Anonymous
At my PVC supply store they sell saddles for the pipe that are threaded and will accept a drain valve. Works great!!
Feb 04, 2011 Rating
drain plug by: Anonymous
why not just put a drain plug on one end so u could just drain out the water
Jan 12, 2011 Rating
Awsone job by: SmokeDoc M.D.
Thanks a lot for all the info. Pretty much had the right idea in my head, was just looking for some plans and yours were spot on! Definitely going with the 6" plans. Hopefully a pair of systems. Can't wait!
Oct 28, 2010 Rating
air &waterflow for 6" system gph? by: 420
How many aerators are needed & what size pump/ where are they located?
Added Response:For the 4' X 8' homemade system shown on my website, I would recommend two air bubblers. I have always used whatever bubblers I had available, without concern about their "pump size" (and I have never had any problems due to lack of Oxygen). Out of convenience, and for no other particular reason, I suggest placing the air pumps somewhere in the tubes of the hydroponic system itself. If placed in the nutrient reservoir, this would work equally as well, but would need to be taken out each time the nutrient solution is changed (and replaced afterward).
Sep 23, 2010 Rating
Solution for the 6" Homemade Hydro System by: TinyTim
Hey,I have learned a lot from you and just wanted to let you know that I made the 6" system you wanted to, and I solved the problem of changing the solution. It is very simple too! All I did was replace one of the end caps with a valve. I open it, let it drain, and then remove one of the plants and fill it up. Usually takes less then 10 minutes!
Added Response: Thanks for the great tip! I will be sure to keep in in mind when I (finally) get around to building my next system....Happy Growing Tim!
