Hydroponics

15 years ago

I am looking either to build my own system, or purchase a system. I did look at the Aeroflow system, as well as an Ebb and flow system. Recently I saw a V Drip system.

My question is this, which would be the better system for a newbie? I dont have alot of space at this time (apt)

Any help and advice would be appreciated. This field has grown so much over the last few years and the systems and info can be overwhelming.

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (3)

betlogs
15 years ago
I'm like you, I also started hydroponics recently. 2 weeks to be exact and I started with a water culture system. Real easy to maintain and build. I got myself a 10 gallon container, cut holes on the top and put in six 3 inch netcups. For the nutrients I use dyna-gro which works really well for me. Got myself some expanded clay pellets and coco for as a medium. An airpump, airstone, some tubes and a ph test kit. I have my container right by the window facing east and growing tomatoes, basil, peppers, oregano, lettuce and a sunflower in a separate bucket, and everything is going really well. This is the only system I've tried so far but I'm just giving you my 2 cents on how very easy it is to maintain a water culture system...

thaz it!!
chuck
15 years ago
You might have some fun with a bubbler system. It involves using an aquarium air pump, some aquarium air hose, and some 3/8" pex tubing. Several years ago, I used one of those large yogurt containers for the growing area, and a 5 gallon pail for the lower nutrient tank. There is a cover on the 5 gallon pail with holes drilled into it to allow nutrient to freely return back into the pail as it drains from the holes drilled into the bottom of the yogurt container sitting on the pail lid. The fun part is how the nutrients are pushed up the 3/8 pex tubing by air bubbles. Yhe pex tubing is placed so that it rests on the bottom of the pail and extends up through the lid and up through the yogurt container. It's length is set so that the top of the tube is about 1 1/2 inches higher than the top of the yogurt container. The bottom of the tube is cut at a 45 degree angle so that nutrients are able to freely pass up through the tube. The trick here is to make a hole in the lower area 1/3 of the tube so that the aquarium air tubing is a tight fit when it is inserted into the hole just far enough that the air from the aquarium air pump injects bubbles into the water filled pex tube. The result is like a perculator causing spurts of nutrient/water to bubble out of the top of the tube into the yogurt container continously. You should use a fast draining growing medium like gravel, or baked clay. My cats used to sit and watch the grower for hours. I grew cayanne hot peppers like this one year with good results. one other thing you might want to include is an aquarium air shut off valve. Sometimes, the air pressure can be too high, and adjusting the valve will help optimize the flow rate. The aquarium parts are inexpensive. I was able to power 4 bubblers with one small air pump. chuck
Related Discussions
Root size in hydroponics or semi-hydroponics?
Q
Comments (4)
Use a true aeroponic system. A true aeroponic system sprays a fine mist on the roots. That produces a lot of fine hair like roots, and uses no growing medium that you would need to wash off to put under a microscope. Though if using tall plants like corn, you will probably need to support the tops of the plants or they will tip over because there is no growing medium to support the plants weight. hex2006 can probably tell you the cheapest and easiest way to build the spray system, using a small air compressor, and a tank as an accumulator/reservoir. The compressor pressurizes the tank, and provides enough psi for a fine mist. Healthy roots should be a nice white color. Foggers also produce real fine hair like roots.
...See More
hydroponics an copper pipe
Q
Comments (3)
Stevemac00 gave you good advice. The copper wouldn't stay shining anyway like a James Bond gizmo (which really would be cool if it could be done) and would look ugly quickly wherever iot contacted the nutrient. The fertilizer salts in this case even at pH of 7 will be a strong electrolyte and will naturally corrode, made worse if you have a pump in there which promotes galvanic action in its surroundings. On the flip side at mild pH it would work for a while for crops not sensitive to copper and you would never need to add copper sulfates and chelates, and they would likely accumulate that element.
...See More
what would make your hydroponics experience easier?
Q
Comments (2)
There are pros and cons for both types of growing but this idea is to make hydroponics easier for everyone.
...See More
gardening - raised bed or hydroponics.....
Q
Comments (0)
I live in south Florida 10b on the intracostal. For the pas 10 years I have had a raised garden made out of wood that sits on the ground. Every one of the years I have purchased new soil and horse manure and refilled the bed..... every year around August I have to dig out the nasty roots from the neighbors royal palm trees (they are a good 20 feet away but they are horrible). I have tried digging a deep trench and put a barrier between the garden and their trees.... but they come back! Digging through a royal palm tree's root is horrible. They have a fiber mat that can get about 3 to 4 feet thick... and there is no good dirt or manure left. Instead of continuing to fight this year after year, I was wondering if anybody has had a raised garden on legs. For those that do, how well does it work for you. What kind do you use? I want to have interdermenent tomatoes (like Big Beef), which can get 10 to 15 feet tall. How do you think this would work in this kind of bed. What keeps it from blowing over in our gale force winds. Does anybody have grow boxes. Do any of you grow interdermenent tomatoes like Big Beef. Does anybody use a hydroponic system like the grow tower. Again my main crop would be tomatoes.(Not looking for the hydroponic indoor systems) My concerns are wind tipping them over. I tried using 20 gallon pots, before I went to raised beds but they would always tip during our winter storms. Then they would break off when trying to set them back up. I want a garden that actually produces.... In my raised bed system my tomatoes will look great for awhile, but it doesn't take a whole growing season for the royals' roots to take over. When they do I am lucky to get one or two tomatoes... not really worth the effort, but the tomatoes from the grocery store are just plain tasteless. Thanks for any input
...See More
oakleaf33
15 years ago
For all beginner hydro users I could explain it too you or I could just tell you where I learned most Of what i know. Website ...www.simplyhydo.com. It will weigh the pros and cons and all the in between of the different types of systems and how they all work. GOOD LUCK>

Related Stories

PRODUCT PICKS Guest Picks: High-Tech Plant Helpers

By Urban Gardens

Hydroponics, monitoring systems, even an electric pollinator ... these gadgets and services keep your greenery growing strong

Full Story

FARM YOUR YARD How to Grow Vegetables in Containers

By Annie Thornton

Get glorious vegetables and fruits on your patio with a pro’s guidance — including his personal recipe for potting mix

Full Story

113

FARM YOUR YARD 14 Crazy Places to Grow Edibles

By Annie Thornton

Some Houzzers may lack ground for gardening, but they’re never short on imagination

Full Story

EVENTS On Show: Weird, Wondrous Science Meets Design

By Christine Ciarmello

Houses grown, not built. Power-generating soil. And snail poop that ... well, see for yourself in our coverage of a new Rotterdam exhibit

Full Story

HOUZZ TOURS My Houzz: LEDs and a Living Wall Color a Minimalist Slovakian Home

By Martin Hulala

Thanks to a modern overhaul, this small Central European apartment is now a testament to efficiency and thoughtful design

Full Story

HOUSEPLANTS Meet a Palm That's Fine With Fluorescent Light

By creative jewish mom.com

Get the look of the tropics without the full-on sun and high humidity — parlor palm tolerates regular indoor conditions with aplomb

Full Story

HERBS Herb Garden Essentials: How to Grow Chives

By Marianne Lipanovich

This decorative and delicately flavored herb from the onion family is easy to grow indoors and out

Full Story

GARDENING GUIDES Lush, Foodie Abundance in a Small Urban Garden

By Jo Simmons

This modest backyard garden provides its owner with fruit and vegetables all year round, thanks to an innovative low-maintenance approach

Full Story

147

GARDENING GUIDES What Are Your Spring Gardening Plans?

By Annie Thornton

Tearing out the lawn? Planting edibles? Starting from scratch? Tell us what you plan to change in your garden this year

Full Story

HOUSEPLANTS 8 Essentials for Healthy Indoor Plants

By Naomi Wynn

Houseplants add so much to our homes — and can thrive when grown in the right conditions. Keep these tips in mind

Full Story

109

Hydroponics

Comments (3)

betlogs

chuck

Related Discussions

oakleaf33

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US