First Timer to Hydrophonics
 

I am new to gardening. I have done alot of research and have just a few questions.
First I am a disabled Vet who has recently went into remission from cancer.
Now im disabled i would like to do something with my time.
I am building a 20x30 Greenhouse and using Hydrophonics for my system.

I am construction from 1inch conduit in a A frame.

Is it Ideal to use Agtex Woven Poly film?

Is it ideal to use a NFT 4inch PVC & Dutch bucket system together?

I have 2 330 gal IBC totes that i will be using, and for future use will turn into Aquaphonics.

I live in North Alabama, so weather and wind is not much of an issue. Also Cold Temperate isnt a major issue, we had 1 day get below 30F, should i use a double layer with a blower or would a heater be enough?

Thanks for your input

Hello Coppertopneo,

Do you have a link to the Agtex Woven Poly film your talking about?

What do you mean? Are you trying to turn a dutch bucket into a NFT system?

The double glazing will provide better insulation, but will cost a lot more as well. so you have to weigh cost of the extra heating and cooling against the extra cost of the double glazing.

woven film here https://www.agriculturesolutions.com...r-sq-ft-detail

and i mean, im building a 20x30. for max space useage i was going to put NFT rails on the outter walls, and have 3 or 4 rows in the center of greenhouse that were dutch bucket.


I have looked at many builds and took parts from each to build what i want.
Big plants in dutch bucket and small plants in NFT system

also
Do i absolutely have to have a seed growing nursery?
My ideal goal, is to have 20x30 maximum use of space for growing.
Could i not just start the seeds in the designated systems, NFT or Dutch bucket?

Ive seen commercial growers start there seeds in floating rafts, but im doing nft, I figured less transplanting then more growth and less stress?

Or is this just a trial and error thing that needs to be tried

IE, use net pots 3inch for lettuce, with root plugs and put them in NFT starting as a seed.

Hello Coppertopneo,
That woven poly film sounds nice, but is very very expensive at 23 cents a sq foot. It will probably cost you nearly $700 for enough to cover your 20x30 greenhouse. And that doesn't even cover shipping which will probably be at least another $100. The UV resistant poly film I used to build my greenhouse with only cost me about $200 for a 24x100 foot roll, and that included shipping. So to answer your question "Is it Ideal to use Agtex Woven Poly film,?" I guess I would say yes it would be ideal, but not necessary. Ideal and needed are two different things.

AH, OK. What through me was the use of the words "Ideal" and "together". As if somehow those two types of systems combined together would be ideal. But yes it would be ideal to use one type of system for large plants, and another for small plants.

No, you don't absolutely need to start seeds in a prorogation system, but you'll be wasting space, water, and nutrients if you don't. Starting seeds in a prorogation system and rotating plants into the main system as you harvest the old plants is far more productive and better use of space. Not to mention the nutrient strength should be much different for seedlings than for mature plants and could damage your seedlings.