How to make a hydroponics system

(including materials)

Determine how long you wish each pipe to be. Home depot and Lowe’s carry 10 foot 4 inch

PVC for around $8.00 a section.

2. You will need to design how your will arrange the lengths of pipe. Below is a photo of our greenhouse with pipe running in a

U-shape with two levels totaling about 300 plants.

In your drawing figure out length of a run and how many 90 degree elbows and end caps you need. You will need two 90 degree elbows to make a 180 degree turn like our design.

Also you will need PVC pipe glue about $5.00.

PCV pipe can be cut with almost any saw, we use hand saws. You can also find saw blades just made for plastic. Cutting

pipe is best done by an adult or shop student.

Drilling holes in the pipe requires a variable speed drill, with a clutch to control torque. Otherwise the circle hole cutter will catch and twist your wrist. Again

something best done by an adult or student with shop skills.

We used 3” net pots in our system and drilled the hole using a 2 ¾” circle bit. Most school maintenance shops will probably have a circle cutting bit used for

setting door knobs.

Just about any have plastic tub will work we like this one from home depot for $10.00 which holds 22

gallons. You will need to drill holes in the lid for the out-going water and return line.

We use a 250 gallon per hour submersible pump from Harbor freight about $15.00. We will let you figure out

your own pipe size and length.

One problem we had was the pump was too strong and we had to add a control value to slow the rate of flow. A submersible pump goes in the tub, but be sure you

have a ground fault outlet to plug it into.

Now you need a return system for your nutrient solution. You can use a over flow value and return pipe system. We simply went with a large return pipe set into an end cap. The hole has to be drill at the level you wish the water to be in the

tubes. We used epoxy glue to hold the pipe in and make it leak proof.

A large return plastic pipe can run about $2.50 - $5.00 a foot, we found a sump pump pipe kit at Home Depot with 20 feet of 1 ½

pipe and fittings for only $9.99.

You do not need constant circulation of nutrients through the pipes but the water level needs to remain consistent in the

tubes for root health. We use a heavy duty timer $12.00 that runs the pump three times a day for one hour on each

scheduled setting

To increase growth rate we added an acquirum air pump and 12 inch air stone. The pump has to be set out of the reservoir in a dry place with the tubing and airstone in the reservoir. The water pump and air pump are

on the same timer.

Lighting may also be an issue if there is not enough or to much. We will leave it to you and your particular

situation. You may need to add grow lights or shade screens.

You can find gardening meters to use in your greenhouse and hydroponic system that

measure light, PH, and humidity. Here is an example.

If you run your greenhouse throughout the year you will face the challenge of heating and cooling. Our system uses a fan

and thermostat to control cooling.

Our Greenhouse also has vents that open and close to cool the greenhouse down.

In this type of automatic arm acylinder opens the vent when a

settemperature is reached.

For heating we use a small electric heater that is controlled by a built-in thermostat. It has an auto shut off in case it gets knocked

over.

We are are trying General Hydroponics a mixtureof three growth stage formulas. This brand is considered a standard by many and does not clog pipes. 3 teaspoons of FloraGro per gallon 2 teaspoons of FloraMicro per gallon 1 teaspoon of FloraBloom per gallon

Fertilizer is a key importance in hydroponic need a balance of 11 nutrients. There are many brands, many are organic. Just follow the directions on how much to add per gallon.

A production of the Green Forest EAST No. 2 Hydroponic Team.

Photographer & Director – Jared Hernandez

Producers – Alonso Preciado and Eric

Henriquez

Green Forest Middle SchoolGreen Forest, Arkansas