New to Hydroponics - Want to Build a System With a Budget of $650

[GpsFrontier]

This is the tubing that Tracy (fintuckyfarms) is talking about ADS Tubing

It's called ADS tubing, and both Home Depot and Lowe's carry it. It comes in two styles, one has a bunch of holes like this one ASD with holes. But you want the one without the hoes like the first one I posted. They should both be about the same price. Though price may vary from area to another area, it should be about 7-8 bucks for a 10 foot long 4 inch wide tube. Make sure you get the 4 inch tube, they make it in a 3 inch wide as well. The end coupler is very easy to cut off with a hack saw. The end caps should run about 2 bucks each.

In store location may vary from store to store as well, but here in Lake Havasu you can find it in the same isle with the PVC, just on the other side of the isle. But you should be able to find it either near the PVC, or with gardening and irrigation supply's. It's used in landscaping to divert ground water so your yard doesn't flood. Print out the picture and description so if you don't see it you can ask them where it is. If your Home Depot and/or Lowe's really doesn't stock it on the shelf, they can order it for you. They will have it shipped to the store for free, and you just pick it up at the store when it gets there. Usually from 2 to 7 days.

I just noticed on Home Depot's website they make it in a 6 inch as well. Our store doesn't have 6 inch, so I never knew they made it that wide, but it's good to know they do.

[FalseFlash]

Got the piping with the black, let's see how this goes.

[FalseFlash]

Okay, so. I need to get more pipe tomorrow.

I spent $180 so far on pipe and some hose, I don't know if that's normal or what. I think I may need another pipe for plants, you space the holes 10 inches apart for tomatoes and peppers right? If so then I will need another pipe since I have 50 plants.

I also feel dumb asking this, but how big do I drill the hole for 3 inch pots? I assume a 3 inch hole will make it drop right in. I was thinking a 2.75 inch hole would be good.

I'm really glad you are all helping me on this, I know it may seem simple to all of you but I'm just a newbie :P

I don't want to mess up on these pipes.

[fintuckyfarms]

You are doing great! It's important so you want to do it right, that's why I first came to this site and why I stay to encourage and learn more myself.

That is also the spacing I would use if you are using indeterminate tomatoes. Determinate and bush type tomatoes are smaller and you know before hand how tall/wide they will be growing. I would still prune the heck out of them for better management, less chance of disease and bugs and so you can actually find the maters There are lots of videos on youtube if this is new to you. If you have indeterminate maters, you might think about using a cable above them and using the yo-yo type tomato hangers to give them stability in the system. These are similuar to the commercial ones and have really good reviews. Somewhere on this site is some pictures of this type of system.

Unless you purchased the "heavy duty" type net pots with the extra large lip you will want to make the hole slightly smaller then the top of the net pot. Remember since the hole will be on a "curve" due to the round pipe they tend to sway with the wind but it dosen't hurt the plants and I have only had one fall out from very high wind. Tip: I saved the cut outs to help level the pipes since turned upside down they fit the pipe perfectly and a few of them on one end give the pipe that "just off bubble" angle.

Lets see it already....

[FalseFlash]

I'm going to have to build some kind of support for the tomatoes to grow onto then.

I plan on digging in a 55 gallon barrel like you said, I bleached it and washed it out real good.

Something just came to mind though. How will I drain this if it's dug in? lol

I will post some pictures when it's closer to being ready.

I should buy a greenhouse for this, but I'm afraid that a hurricane would destroy it. Last year we got hit with Sandy pretty hard and their predicting another this year. (I'm in NJ)

[fintuckyfarms]

To drain my barrels I just unplug the feed line at the pipe and turn on the pump. I will sometimes just put the smaller tubing inside of a hose and water the yard with the old nutes (gravity fed). Works great, just listen for when it starts sucking air and turn it off right away or catch it just before then the barrel will only have an inch or so of nutes in it and you can easily pick it up and clean it out. I usually cut about a 18"x18" square'ish hole in the side of the barrel so I can reach inside to make adjustment, clean or add frozen OJ or water jugs to help keep the nutes cool in hot weather.

I found some picts of the tomato yo yo thing. Lots of places carry them!

[FalseFlash]

Darn it, it's going to storm for the rest week starting tomorrow. I hope I can have at least most of it done today.

Also, is it actually called a 'tomato yo-yo'? lol