Homemade Hydroponics System Using A Combination Technique
This homemade hydroponics system is a combination system using two different techniques. It is similar to a nutrient film technique (NFT) in the way the nutrient solution is continuously circulated through the system. The depth of the nutrient solution is kept high, allowing the roots of your plants to bathe constantly in the solution. In this way the system is similar to the deep water culture technique.The system shown here was made with two 10 ft pieces of 4 inch PVC. It is important to note that you may need to use 6 inch PVC instead of 4 inch. A 6 inch pipe will give you twice as much root volume area. This decision depends mainly on what type of plants you have in your garden. The system was PVC glued together in the shape of a "U". The open ends were capped, and the plant holes were drilled with a 3 inch hole saw about every 12 inches. 
A couple of airstones are used to aerate the nutrient solution. At one end of the hydroponics system, a small aquarium pump (about 60 GPH) transfers water from one capped end to the other. This sets up a continuous circulation, which evenly distributes the oxygen through all parts of the system and prevents your plants from drowning.
To keep expenses down, 16 oz disposable cups were used for the plant containers. Holes can be easily made in the cups with a soldering iron. The system is be filled with nutrient solution until the bottom inch of each cup is under water. When properly built and filled, the 4 inch PVC system holds about 10 gallons of nutrient solution.Check out My Most Successful Homemade Hydro System
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