| My most successful homemade hydroponic | | | | placed (but not glued). On the fourth pipe, an |
| system is the result of many years of trial and | | | | elbow pointing straight up can be glued. This will be |
| error. The system design eliminates most of the | | | | where the nutrient solution enters the homemade |
| problems I have had with different homemade | | | | hydroponic system, and the other elbow will be |
| systems over the years. It is also affordable to | | | | where it returns to the nutrient reservoir. For the |
| build, easy to maintain, and it produces excellent | | | | nutrient reservoir, you can use a 32 liter plastic |
| results. The basic plans are for a 4' x 8' system, | | | | storage tote or similar container. |
| but the design is very flexible and can be | | | | Netted pots can be purchased, or can be |
| customized to make larger or smaller systems. | | | | manufactured out of cheap (disposable) 16 ounce |
| The heart of this hydroponic system is made up | | | | plastic "party" cups by carefully burning many |
| of four 8 foot long pieces of 4" PVC pipe. These | | | | small holes in the bottom and sides of each cup. |
| sections are placed side by side. Each pipe is | | | | The holes only need to come about half way up |
| connected to the one next to it as closely as | | | | each cup. If you decide to manufacture your own |
| possible using two 4" PVC elbows. The first two | | | | netted pots, be sure to do this in a well ventilated |
| pipes are connected together on the right side, | | | | area. Place one netted pot into each plant hole. |
| the second and third pipes are connected | | | | A 4" half circle piece of plastic, cut from a milk |
| together on the left side, and the third and fourth | | | | jug or similar material, is wedged in the PVC pipe |
| pipes are connected together on the right side. | | | | just before the point where the nutrient solution |
| The whole system should be put together on a | | | | returns to the reservoir. This little piece of plastic |
| level surface, and extra care should be taken to | | | | is responsible for maintaining the nutrient solution |
| make sure each piece of the system stays level | | | | levels inside the PVC pipes of the homemade |
| with this surface. It is also important to thoroughly | | | | hydroponic system....which should be as high as |
| clean and glue each piece, to prevent any leaks in | | | | you can keep it without causing any leaks. |
| the system. The result is a homemade | | | | The whole system is placed on two sawhorses |
| hydroponic system that snakes back and forth | | | | for operation. A fish aquarium water pump rated |
| like a giant "S". | | | | from 200-400 GPH is used to pump nutrient |
| Holes need to be manufactured in the system for | | | | solution into one end of the system, and the |
| the plants. Each pipe can hold 9 plants when the | | | | nutrient solution is allowed to flow back into the |
| holes are spaced 8" apart. Carefully mark out the | | | | nutrient reservoir (which should be placed beneath |
| plant holes on the top of each pipe, then drill them | | | | the end of the hydroponic system). One or two |
| out using a 2 3/4" hole saw. After drilling the | | | | fish aquarium air bubblers should be placed in the |
| holes, it is important to clean all of the little PVC | | | | reservoir to keep the nutrient solution |
| shavings from the hydroponic system. This debris | | | | oxygenated, and expanded clay pellets are used in |
| tends to clog the water pump and burn it out if it | | | | each netted pot to hold clones/seedlings in place. |
| is not cleaned out well. | | | | Simply add a fan, a grow light, plug in your plants, |
| There are still two open ends in the system. On | | | | and enjoy your new homemade hydroponic |
| the first pipe, an elbow pointing down can be | | | | system! |