DIY Hydroponics System
This designe is based around a single 4 inch PVC pipe, using 3d
printed cups and cup holders. This design allows to take advantage of
3d printing for mounting each of the plant cups, without having to
waste material, money, and time 3d printing the rest of the tower.
The Parts
Supplied in this kit is
-30 Cup Holders
-30 Net cups
-1 Water Diverter
Cup Holder Net Cups Diverter
Step 1: Tools & Materials
You will need the following tools:
- Drill
- 2 1/8 Hole saw (Typically used for door handles)
- Misc Drill Bit sizes (5/16 for rods)
- Pencil & Paper
Materials:
- A length of 4 inch PVC Pipe. This will be the eventual height of your
tower.
-4” PVC Pipe Cap
- A 5 Gallon Bucket for the base of the system
- A water pump (adjustable I use 210gph). I used this
one: [Link]
- Some 1/2 inch clear tubing for the pump (about 7 feet)
- 3 X 1 ft sections of 5/16-18 Threaded Rod
- Some 5/16-18 Nuts (6)
- Silicone Sealant. (Make sure you get a fish safe one if you are doing
Aquaponics).
- Some Growth Media, Rockwool, Clay Pellets, Sponges
Step 2: Drill the Pipe
This is the point where you need to decide on your plant spacing. I
decided to do three plants per layer, each layer spaced 4 inches apart
vertically, and every layer is offset from the ones above and below it.
I recommend the following method for drilling the holes into the pipe
(for the configuration above):
1) Measure the circumference of the pipe, and mark the circumference
divided into 6 equal sections. (For 4 inch pipe (4.5 inches OD), this
should be about 2.35 inches)
2) Extend your markings the length of the pipe using a straight edge,
lying the pipe horizontally on a flat surface.
3) Mark the vertical spacing of your plants. In each column of plants,
the cups are spaced 8 inches apart. Be sure to offset every other row
down 4 inches, so that the cups end up staggered, as shown in the
picture.
4) Pilot drill each of the markings with a 1/8 inch drill bit.
5) Drill each hole with the hole saw.
Step 3: Mount the Cup Holders to the Tube
The cup holders can be mounted around each of the holes using
silicone sealant. The sealant is placed around the rim of the cup
holder and placed on the hole. It is best to do this while the pipe is
horizontal, and to only do one column at a time, to limit them slipping
after being placed onto the pipe. Be sure to use sealant liberally to
avoid leaks
Step 4: Mount the Pipe Into the Bucket
The pipe is attached to the bucket using the 5/16-18 threaded rod.
I recommend:
1) Drill the pipe with 5/16 inch through holes, so the threaded rod can
pass all the way through. These should be placed with 2 each at 9, 9.5
and 10 inches from the bottom of the bucket, with the holes across
from each other at the the same level.
2) Drill the bucket with 5/16 inch holes spaced around the outside of
the bucket, again so that the threaded rod can pass all the way
through. The holes should be placed with 2 each at 10, 10.5 and 11
inches from the bottom of the bucket (outside), with the holes across
from each other at the same level.
3) Cut the Threaded rod into three 1 foot pieces.
4) Align the pipe and bucket holes (the pipe will not be touching the
bottom of the bucket), and insert the threaded rod into each. This may
be tight if the hole placement was not perfect.
5) Put nuts on either end of the threaded rod to hold it in place.
6) Seal around the threaded rod with silicone to avoid leaks.
Step 5: Mount the Water Diverter, Pump and the Top
Adapter
Attach the 1/2 inch clear tubing to the Water diverter, it should be a
snug fit. If it is a little loose, hold it in place with silicone sealant.
Drop the tubing down through the tube, and thread it through a hole
near the bottom. (you may want to drill a separate hole to do this.)
Attach the tube to the pump in the bottom of the bucket.
Drill 3-6 holes for #6 screws near the top of the tower, in line with the
plant cups, and attach the water diverter by screwing into the screw
mounts, through the outside of the tower.
The top cap 4” PVC cap just snugly fits on top of the tower
Step 6: Add Grow Media, Fish, and Plants
1) Add water the the system, do not fill above the level of the threaded
rods to avoid leaks.
2) Add the Grow media to each of the cups. I am using Rockwool, you
could also use clay beads or a media of your choice.
3) Add some Seeds
4) Add your fish to the system, or use hydroponics nutrients.
5) You're Done!