THE SYSTEM
This setup is a combination of Aero and NFT. Using 4' X 4" ABS pipe as the main grow area for 3" net pots and 1/2"pvc pipe inside the main tube as the sprayer. I used a 1/16" drill bit to make the spray holes in the 1/2" pvc. Each grow spot has 3 spray holes drilled. Two at 45 degree angles inward towards the net pot and one perpendicular to the spray line. So it creates a nice pattern to spray the plant from several angles and will help prevent complete failure if any of the spray lines gets clogged. The 1/2" pvc spray line is connected by a manifold to a 1/2" ball valve so I can regulate the spray pressure. Then from the ball valve to my
pump. My pond pump is a little overkill at 450 GPH. But with the ball valve in place I can regulate the output. I am using a regular rubbermaid container painted black to keep as much light out as possible. The whole system is on an electronic timer that turns the pump on for 45 minutes and off for 1 hour. When the pump is not active a small aquarium aeration pump keeps oxygen going in the reservoir. At this time I only use about 6 gallons of water to keep the weight/quantity of it down for the water changes. After the water comes out the spray lines it flows toward the drain hole creating an NFT effect on the bottom. The drain lines are 1/2" hose that are not securely attached to the main grow area. They were designed to leak heavily and allow the surface tension of the water to cling to the outside as it cascades to the net pots below. Using clay balls as a simple filter system. They are easily removed to clear any clogs from plant debris. The sound of falling water really makes this a nice addition to our kitchen. Hopefully the results of the design will be nice big plants. So far the roots have taken very well and are doing their best to grow into the water stream.
LIGHTING
I originally started with one
led UFO. The plants really do seem to like it but I think for the number of plants I have it was too small to support the whole system. So I have built 2 compact florescent fixtures on the cheap using a combination of 100W and 200W equivalent
cfl's in each. So now the entire system is really bathed in light. Because none of my
lights run hot I can have them hanging very close to the grow bed. The lights run off a second timer that turns on at 5am and off at 9pm.
nutrients
I have been using an organic hydroponic tomato solution with good results. The plants have all been loving it. But I have ordered General Hydroponics
nutrient solutions to start next week. Hopefully I will see some spectacular changes in the near future.
PLANTS
As you can tell from the photos I have a multitude of plants growing here. I know there is plenty of discussion saying that the results will be better growing fewer types in a system. But so far the plants are showing no signs of slowing down. I have the following in the system at this time.
Pimento Pepper
Jalapeno Pepper
Strawberry
Grape Tomato
Grand Rapids Lettuce
Romaine Lettuce
Ruby Red Lettuce
Parsley
So far so good with all of them. But of course this is one big experiment so we'll really see the result of all of this down the road. I have a pH tester on the way and plan on running as close to 6.5 as possible to give each plant an equal chance an surviving.
I'll keep you all posted.
Here is a quick video of the system...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SAvTds3IsDc