From my incessant need to improve, and a more recent need to phase out my aerogardens, comes the Hydro Tub! This is a 10 gallon, 3 plant hydroponic system. It uses 3 3in pots with your choice of medium, I chose hydroton and rock wool cubes. You can use different size pots if you wish, but I don't recommend doing more than 3 without a larger bin. Materials: 10 Gallon Rubbermaid Tub 150 Gph Water Pump Small Air Pump 3in Netpots 3in Netpot Lids 10 ft 1/4 in tubing 3 ft 1/2 in tubing 4 ft 1in tubing 1 1/4in T adapter 2 8in Airstones 2 1/2in T adapters 3 1/2in-1/4in reducers 12 Rainbird 1/4in drip Ts or similar Hydroton and rock wool cubes or similar 2 1/2in male thread to 1/2in barbed 90 degree elbows 1 pack 1/2 in pipe clamps 1 pack 1 in pipe clamps 3 1/2 female thread to 1/2in smooth couplers 1 1in male thread to smooth coupler 1 1in valve 1 1/2in valve 1 1in male thread to 1in barbed coupler 1 1/2in male threaded to 1in smooth adapter 1 roll 2in foil tape or heavy duty thick duct tape 1 pack 1/2in O-Rings 1 pack 1in O-Rings Tools: Drill Razor Knife 1 in bit 1/2 in bit 3 in hole saw bit Ruler or measuring tape Scissors Marker PVC Joint Compound (optional) It's not completely built yet because I haven't received all my parts yet, but I'll start posting the steps n pics in a ill bit.
Step 1: Completely cover the tub and lid with duct tape or foil tape on the outside only Cut a 1/4in x 1/2in notch out of the lip on the left hand short side of the tub Drill holes in tub and lid -2 1/2in holes on the short side of the tub, one at the top and one at the bottom -1 1/2 in hole in the front right corner of the lid -1 1in hole in the bottom right corner on the front face of the bin Assemble your 4 PVC fittings 2x 1/2in male thread - 1/2 in barbed elbow connected to 1/2 in female thread - 1/2 smooth coupler 1x 1/2 in male thread - 1/2 in smooth coupler connected to 1/2 in valve connected to 1/2 in male thread - 1 in smooth adapter 1x 1 in male thread - 1 in smooth coupler connected to 1in valve connected to 1 in male thread - 1in barbed coupler Step 2: Attach the PVC fittings to the tub. Use the appropriate size O-ring on both sides of the bin for each connection: - Attach the 1/2 in valve piece to the lid - Attach the 2 1/2in elbows to the two holes on the short side - Attach the 1 in valve to the hole in the front bottom corner of the tub Inside pics: Step 3: Attach the tubes - Measure and cut the 1/2 in tube so it fits on the two barbs on the side. Secure with 2 1/2 in pipe clamps. Save the leftover tube - Attach the entire 1in tube to the 1in barb with a 1in pipe clamp Here's what you're lookin at right now: Step 4: Mark your holes and drill 3 small starter holes in the center Drill 3 in holes with the hole saw Now test fit your pots and lids Sit your pump inside on the left hand side, feed the cord out through the notch
Step 5: Make the drip things. Take your Rainbird Drip Ts and your 1/4 inch tubing. Cut out 12 1.5"-2" pieces of tubing. Assemble 3 of these: Connect em. Add a long piece to the outward facing tee. About 18" for the far one, and 12" for the 2 pots on the pump side. Turn the t downward, and snake it through the bottom of the pot. position so the circle with the drip t's is following rim of netpot. Secure the tube going down to the side of the pot with 2 zip ties. This way its secure, but you can flip it up and even slide it out if you need to. More to come in a few days, parts should be here this week. This is where I'm at. This will be a placeholder for the rest of the steps when I receive the rest of the parts, within a week.
Very nice so far. Really interested to see where this ends up. Havent seen a build quite like this, yet.
Take these pieces: Make this: Attach 3 lengths of the 1/4 in tube, about 12 in. Attach to pump n place in water Thread tubes through the holes Thread thru pot bottoms, attach to dripper ring, and place in lid. Test it out. You're done! Sent from my Desire HD using GC Forum
Okay. So I see where you're going with this. What kind of time cycle will the pump be on? Also, what is the valve on the cover for?
[quote name='"cdphalanx"']Okay. So I see where you're going with this. What kind of time cycle will the pump be on? Also, what is the valve on the cover for?[/quote] 24 hrs, same for the lights, its an autoflower. Its for adding nutes and filling it with water without taking the lid off, just like you can drain it without taking the lid off, if you have 3 large plants it can be tough to move the lid. Sent from my Desire HD using GC Forum
Great how to. I was actually looking to something similar for my first grow but have it connected to a bubble bucket, but more or less the same deal. Valves and all. This helps a lot with actually seeing how I would like to do it.
this is the same setup I have. Some possible improvements ive run into are: REFLECTIVE metal tape on top increases lumens to plant and reduces res temps I used reflective mylar around the res because the tape seemed to insulate the res more if temps DO become an issue a couple holes at the top side of each end of the res will help I ditched the little black hoses and switched to 1/2" pvc. theyre cheap and much easier than those little hoses also my res is on the ground so I use the recirculating pump to drain my resevoir these tips arent me trying to knock you in ANY way. Just trying to help subbed