Hydroponics

[chach]

I'm looking for either a hydroponics starter kit and/or
simple directions on how to build one ?
Any ideas ??
thanks

[amid chaos]

I made one a few years ago...we have used it for many science experiments.
I grow lettuce in the laundry room in the winter and put it out on the deck in the summer.

I have some pictures I'll post but it was very simple using vinyl gutters, gutter end caps, some plastic plumbing connectors, some tubing and a pump...that's about it!

[amid chaos]

Taken last week for a science experiment...this picture shows the gutters and brown endcaps. The water is flowing back intot he bucket where the pump is. You can also see the small black baskets which holds the rockwool which is the growing medium. the water flows thru the gutters and the rockwool absorbs the water. The brown is some wood that I drilled holes in to hold the baskets.
<img src="http://www.wdwinfo.com/photopost/data/500/107science_project_1-med.jpg">

This is the other end where the water is pumped into the system from a tube connected to the pump in the bucket. It is simply some plumbing connectors and tubing.
<img src="http://www.wdwinfo.com/photopost/data/500/107science_project_2-med.jpg">

This is a picture of the baskets, rockwool and lighting.
<img src="http://www.wdwinfo.com/photopost/data/500/107science_project_3-med.jpg">

I'll have more pictures later today.

[amid chaos]

These were taken last summer...
You can get a sense of the whole system here
<img src="http://www.wdwinfo.com/photopost/data/500/107hydroponic-med.jpg">

here are the babies...after they go past their seed leaves you will uses a liquid fertilizer specialized for hydroponics. Just measure and pour into the water.
<img src="http://www.wdwinfo.com/photopost/data/500/107hydroponics1-med.jpg">

[chach]

amid chaos,
Those pictures are great. I have several other
questions if you don't mind giving away your secrets ?
1) What did you use for pots ?
2) Where did you get the growing supplies ?
3) I've been told that you can use "miracle grow" as
the nutrient instead of the expensive solution that
they sell for Hydroponics, do you agree with this ?
4) I follow the process of the water going through the
gutters into the water supply and then being pumped
back into the gutters. How do you use the one pump to
fill the 3 individual gutters ?
5) How often is the pump running ? Is it running continually
or is it on a timer ?
6) Have you grown any other vegetables other than lettuce ?

Thanks

[amid chaos]

Ask as many questions as you want..
1) The pots are actually little black baskets just for hydroponics. here is a picture and link to where i bought mine.
http://www.wormsway.com/Store/wormcart.mv?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=NC300&Category_Code=GPROPB
<img src="http://www.wormsway.com/jpg/NC300.jpg">

2)www.wormsway.com
I am also lucky to have a local supplier. It's an organic farm that does extensive hydroponics.

3)This is what I use and it goes a long, long way, so it's not that expensive.
http://www.wormsway.com/Store/wormcart.mv?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=FG405&Category_Code=FERTA
<img src="http://www.wormsway.com/jpg/FG405.jpg">

4)A series of plumbing connectors and small peices of tubing. I'll try to get a picture for you.

5)You could put it on a timer...I actually plug in the pump several times a day, kind of when I think about it...LOL

6) I've only done lettuce but you could do tomatoes very successfully too.

[chach]

Thanks for all the great info...

[Snowwark]

Way cool, Vanessa!!! :cool:

[sha_lyn]

DH has been interested in hydrophonics since our first trip to Epcot. This thread got me to searching and I found this list of sites

http://treasurecoasthealth.com/woman_index.php/Science/Agriculture/Horticulture/Hydroponics/

lots of intersting info so far

[Snowwark]

Welcome sha_lyn! :)

Thank you for the link(s), you're right, there's tons of info there! :)