Well after seeing and hearing all of the great success with aeroponics. I decided to try and make my own because the 600$ price tag on the GH system was not cutting it.
I will try and make this as detailed as possible, but throughout some parts of the process i did not have my camera.
It was much easier than i thought to make this..I encourage anyone to try it Here we go
MATERIALS:
*POWER DRILL
*HACK SAW
*3" HOLE SAW
*4" PVC PIPE-as much as you need
*4" PVC CAPS-2 per section of piping
*.75" I.D.- 1" O.D.(outter diameter)
*1" PVC caps 1 per section of piping
*PVC GLUE
*EZ CLONE SPRAYERS(optional)you can just put small holes in the 1" PVC. I put one on each side of a plant site. to prevent the roots growing over the sprayers and blocking them
*1"- CAP ELBLOWS-one per tube(for fill)
*A BARBED ONE END, THREADED OTHER FITTING TO CAP ELBOW
*.75" I.D. hosing for fill
*A few T's for fill from pump
*.75" or 1" ebb and flow tray fittings-or you can make your own with parts from hardware store(for drain)
*.75" or 1" I.D. hosing for drain
*PUMP- i used a 633 gph for a 20 site and it sprays like crazy
Sorry if the parts list was confusing but i have already built this and its off the top of my head.. Ask if your are confused, but it is relatively easy to figure out how to build.
get your PVC pipe and space out your hole centers about 8 inches away from each other. Be sure to space them out from the ends too..
Use your 3" hole saw to cut your holes out for your net pots to sit in.
On the opposite side of the 4" PVC drill a hole to fit your drain fitting. Drain sizes vary.
Install the drain. Do not over tighten the drain as it will make the O-ring slip and cause a leak.
You may now cap the opposite side of the drain with the 4" cap, be sure to always use a good pvc glue and primer or a good sealant.
Now drill a hole in the other side of the 4" PVC in the cap to thread the 1" pvc through. Drill it towards the bottom so the 1"pvc with the sprayers in it will run down the bottom side. Opposite the 3" holes. I should have used rubber grommets inside the holes to ensure there would be no leaks but i just used glue..
For the next part i dont have many pics. but it is very simple.
-Cut your 1" PVC to a length slightly longer than your 4" is so it will run inside of the 4" and hang out a tad at the end.
If using EZ clone sprayers-Drill the appropriate sized holes to fit the sparyers and and space them out 8 inches from each other, putting one on each side of a plant site.
You may now cap one side of your 1" pvc and be sure to use pvc glue or a substitute.
Now slide the other end of the 1" pvc through the hole in the 4 inch cap. Try and use a grommet but if you cant, it is possible to use glue and be free of leaks(what i did)
Insert your ez clone sprayers into the 1" pvc and slide the 1" PVC inside the 4 inch to get it right where you want it; so the sprayers are on each side of the plants and wont be blocked by roots.
Glue the last 4" cap onto the PVC and be sure sprayers are running on the opposite side of the 3 inch holes.
Put on the Elbow and threaded fitting onto the open 1" pvc when the glue dries.
Run your .75" hosing to your pump from the barbed fitting connected to the 1" pvc. This is how they will spray.
Run hosing from your drains back into your resi
You will have to support the PVC tubes. i just constructed a small frame with 2x4's. Be sure the drain side sites a couple inches lower than the other side so it drains proper.
Also clean all plastic shaving from the PVC as they will clog your sprayers
Also-i used 3.75" net pots with hydroton. They seemed to fit the best with the 3" hole. I had some leaks with the 3" net pots.
Sorry if the DIY was vague and missed some descritions but i got kinda lazy and lacked pics. I will try and edit this and improve when i get some time, but it should get you started! feel free to ask questions!
YOUR FINISHED PRODUCT!!
