Building your own water works system is quite simple and can be fun, if you know how to follow instructions. This type of system would be best used for water loving plants such as lettuce.
Step 1
Only a few items are required to get you up and running in no time. (Please see the "Things You'll Need" section).
Step 2
Find a container to use as reservoir such as a fish tank or a bin/bucket of some sort. The reservoir should be painted black (or covered with thick black trash bag if you want to reuse tank) if it is not light proof. Allowing light to enter the reservoir will promote the growth of algae. It is a good idea to use a reservoir that is the same dimensions (length x width) from top to bottom (Example: Top: 36"x20" Bottom: 36"x20").
Step 3
If possible, use a fish tank or similar container as your reservoir. Spray paint tank (if translucent) to black and let dry. Before painting, apply a strip of painters tape vertically from the top edge to the bottom. When the paint dries, remove the tape and use the unpainted space to show you how much water is in the reservoir. Creating this line, however, is not necessary as you can determine how much water is in the reservoir simply by noticing how far down the floater (StyroFoam) has sunk. Adding the line gives a more accurate and convenient view of the nutrient solution level.
Step 4
Use a tape measure to get the length and width of your reservoir. Measure from inside of the reservoir from one end to the other. Once you have the dimensions, cut the StyroFoam 1/4" (inch) smaller than the size of the reservoir. For example, if your dimensions are 36" in length and 20" in width you should cut the StyroFoam to 35 3/4" x 19 3/4". The StyroFoam should fix nicely, with just enough room to adjust to water level changes.
Step 5
lf the reservoir tapers off at the bottom (the bottom is smaller in dimension than the top) the floater (StyroFoam) should be 2"-4" smaller than the reservoir, or more if necessary.
Step 6
Do not place StyroFoam in reservoir yet! First, you need to cut the holes for the net pots. Put the net pots on the StyroFoam where you want to place each plant. Using a pen or pencil, trace around the bottom of the net pots. Use a sharp tool such as a knife or box cutter to follow the trace lines and cut the holes for pots. (KIDS!!! Get help from an adult). On one end of the StyroFoam (any end), cut a small hole for the air line to run into the reservoir.
Step 7
The number of plants you can grow will depend on the size of the garden you build and the types of crops you want to grow. Remember to space plants appropriately so that each receives ample amounts of light.
Step 8
The pump you choose must be strong enough to provide enough oxygen to sustain plants. Ask for advice choosing a pump at your local hydroponics supply store. Tell them the size of your reservoir (In gallons - 2, 5, 10 gallons, etc.) and they should be able to make a recommendation.
Step 9
Connect the air line to the pump and attach the air stone to the free end. The air line should be long enough to travel from the pump into the bottom of the reservoir or at least float in the middle some where so the oxygen bubbles can get to the roots. It also must be the right size for the pump you choose. Most pumps will come with the correct size air line. To make your best approximation, use a one gallon bucket/bottle or any container of known capacity and fill the reservoir. Remember to count how much it takes to fill the reservoir and you will know the capacity of your reservoir.
Setting it up
- Fill reservoir with nutrient solution
- Place the StyroFoam in tank
- Run the air line through the designated hole/notch.
- Fill the net pots with growing medium and place one plant in each pot.
- Put the net pots into the designated holes in StyroFoam.
- Turn on/plug-in pump and start growing with your fully functional, homemade hydroponics system.
Tips
- A homemade hydroponics system like this is not ideal for a large scale production or commercial usage. This particular system plan does not offer a way to conveniently change nutrient solution. An extra container would be required to hold the floater while you change the solution.
Warnings
- Kids should not build this system alone. Please get help from an adult when using sharp or heavy objects.
Things You'll Need
- External pump
- Air line/tubing
- Air stones
- Water proof bin, bucket, fish tank to use as a reservoir
- StyroFoam
- Mesh Pots
- Growing medium - Rockwool, Grow rocks, etc.
- Hydroponics nutrients - (Grow formula, Bloom formula, Supplements, Ph)
- Black spray paint, paint - * Only required if reservoir is transparent
- Sharp object - Knife, box cutter, scissors (This is not a task for minors - Get help from an adult)
