DIY Hydroponics Vegetable Growing Tower [Part 3] – Under $200
DIY Hydroponics Vegetable Growing Tower [Part 3] – Under $200
It’s been a little while since I filmed an update on my Hydroponic/Aeroponic Tower Builds which brings me to part 3 of the series. This build revisits the single tower build, incorporating design improvements both learned and through feedback from all of you who are watching these videos.
Today I document and film the build process for an updated design of the single tower and some of the challenges I faced during the build process. There are some times during filming when my camera began to overheat due to the temperature outside which resulted in some blurry video so I apologize for that.
I’ll also share with you a brief update on some of the other hydroponic activities that I’m currently working on.
Please keep those comments and recommendations coming.
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Chapter List:
Tower build: 8:03
Base Build: 26:50
Preparing Seeds: 1:00:06
Letpot Growing Update: 1:06:24
New Design and Build Update: 1:07:13
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Parts list:
2 – (Depending on Build Height) Charlotte Pipe PVC Pipe 4-in 10-ft – $21.76/ea [https://low.es/2QbcLHs]
1 – Charlotte Pipe 1/2-in x 10-ft – $5.82 [https://low.es/3CuZuDU]
2 – 4.25-in Drain Cover – $7.48/ea [https://low.es/3R3oab0]
3 – 4″ PVC Tee, White – $6.48/ea [https://low.es/3PFLOZK]
4 – 4-in Dia 90-Degree PVC Drain Elbow – $3.98/ea [https://low.es/3T0rIMV]
1 – 4-in Dia 45-Degree PVC Wye – $7.98 [https://low.es/3QzfPMd]
2 – 4 In. PVC Drain Cap – $3.28/ea [https://low.es/2XZsorZ]
1 – 2-in dia x 2-ft 280 Psi Schedule 40 White PVC Pipe – $13.15 [https://low.es/3dJ3qqs]
1 – GROWNEER 550GPH Submersible Pump 30W Ultra Quiet Fountain Water Pump – $17.77 [https://amzn.to/3Ag9sX1]
1 – xGarden – Lightweight Economy Net Pots Cups (50 pack) – $10.95 [https://amzn.to/3F5hiq6]
1 – Pure Coconut Coir Netted Pellets 42mm (100 pack) – $33.09 [https://amzn.to/3u1Cs2n]
1 – AeroGarden Liquid Nutrients (1 Liter) – $26.19 [https://amzn.to/3Vc6bS4]
1 – Fusion One 10-fl oz Clear PVC Cement and Primer – $14.28 [https://low.es/3pAZcnw]
Optional:
IRWIN Marples 6.5-in Fine Finish Cut Coping Saw – $9.98 [https://low.es/3cdxTN0]
Kobalt PVC Cable Saw – $7.48 [https://low.es/3AAFMpa]
Clay Pebbles Gardening Ceramsite (2.2lbs) – $13.99 [https://amzn.to/3GMfDqL]
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POD Cutting Template: https://bit.ly/3c8Hm8c
#hydroponics #aquaponics #diy #gardening #growing #plants #vegetables #fruit #harvest #inexpensive #garden
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INSTAGRAM: @clohofficial ► https://www.instagram.com/clohofficial
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BLOG: https://clohofficial.com/
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Video Gear I use:
Canon D80 – https://amzn.to/3bDkIOX
GoPro Hero 7 – https://amzn.to/3fXoxSH
DJI Mavic Mini: https://bit.ly/37doIEl
Audio Gear I use:
Rode Wireless Go – https://amzn.to/3fXbX5S
Samson G Track Pro – https://amzn.to/2WBF7Q6
FiFine Wireless Microphone System – https://amzn.to/2zFIsoq
FiFine K678 Microphone – https://www.amazon.com/dp/B085WRN1VD?
Lighting Gear I use:
Graphy StudioFX Box Lights – https://amzn.to/3cFfmnR
Neewer Studio Lighting – https://amzn.to/3bAYFs7
All Equipment and Editing Equipment that I use:
https://kit.co/clohoffical/my-filming
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Music Track by:
Main: From Youtube Library
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WATCH MORE VIDEOS:
https://www.youtube.com/user/cloh761/
where can i purchase?
Thanks for the info. I have made your number two system and I am waiting for other parts to try it out this summer
the pod cutting template link is broken
#replay. Hi. Present product process to Shark Tank to maximize product productivity support. Inspired by your inventiveness.🏆🌠
can you tell me the thickness of the pipes wall. please.
Funny because I was thinking about going into fusion 360 to design myself a system. Filament is even cheaper lol
Hi chris how’s it going, I know u been busy but can u assist with the solution to work with the nurturing
What is the watering freqency?
What if you were to take the 4" PVC tube hydroponic system you have and where to add sleeves inside the 4 inch tube so that they could be glued together and each tube being made 8" or what length will accommodate pod holes you shape and then it’s better for shipping? They of course would be glued by the buyer, but now shipping is possible.
How much material did you use for your modular 3d print? What did it cost you?
Awesome design but wouldn’t cleaning the base be nightmare? You will have to disassemble it in order to clean it of mold and debris? Any advice on that ?
I will definitely buy when it’s ready for sale.
The link to the template isn’t working.
Question. For those of you that have done this design do you find there is enough space between holes for heads of lettuces to grow full size without crowding the ones next to or above or below? Seems to me the spacing is too tight. I’m building a couple now. Considering 2 holes per level instead of three. Thanks for any responses.
Questions:
1, are you using Schedule 20 or 30 pipe and fittings?
2, How many gallons of water are you able to store in the base?
3, How do you clean the reservoir?
Regarding ‘adding copper’, I was just thinking that perhaps using a copper pipe for your water may do the trick… that is, instead of using a plastic pipe for the water flow, use a copper pipe instead. Just a thought. Would really like to know how this would work out!!
I would really like to see the three tower version made from the single one you just made. How would you hook up the water pump and pipes in the three tower version?
Something else to consider to address growth inside the system would be to use food grade hydrogen peroxide in addition to the nutrients.
Have you thought of adding a smart home water sensor so that when water gets low , the water can be topped up automatically using a tap with a smart valve.
It’s all about that base.
What silicone to use for the rings in the holes?
Well done!
What I love about your presentation is the clarity, directness and no nonsense. Also, it appears to me that you are moving along at a good clip in terms of refining your system. Thanks for your videos.
I have 3” pvc, do you foresee that smaller pipe would be an issue just sizing everything down?
Thanks for sharing your tower builds, Chris, they’re great! Love that you’re experimenting and modifying. Try rockwool for the seeds in the netty pots.
How long does it take to soften the pvc? Am I using the wrong thickness?
Once you have made the one-tower system shown at the end of the video. Is it easy to convert it to the four tower system after you have cemented the PVC tubes?
18:25 use silicone (not caulk) to hold that 1” piece in there better plus it’ll seal it to help hold it all
Where can I buy the towers? Please?
Why don’t you try getting a grow lamp and keeping your tower in your garage so it’s cooler and warm in the winter? You could yield crops all year long
The level and quality of guidance is pro !!!
Good work! Do you have a watering cycle/schedule or is the pump running 24/7? Thank you for your excellent videos.
Im gonna do this indoors. Thanks for sharing Chris.
Also lettuce hates hot weather, they love cool and cold even close to frost temps but not frost, also what about using 6” pipe so there’s more air room?
did something similar only as a base i used a small very rigid 12x 14 tote with a toilet float switch to maintain water level for evaporation great work keep it up i think ill try a vertical wall grower next
fail! pvc. is toxic. good luck with that…
The man is an artist.
It’s perfect design but how good is PVC for growing food?
Excellent
Great idea!! Have you considered adding copper wire to the system? Apparently, copper wire not only helps in the growth of plants, but it could also help in the bacteria level in the water (or other issues regarding insects etc). Just a thought!
Dude, if you are worried about Volatile Organic Compound gasses during heating the pipe the please were an ANSI standard RESPIRATOR with the proper cartridges instead of that "coffee filter" on your face!!!
Do this in a well ventilated area with a fan.
Ciao. Io sono Billy Foster e questa è "storie"
DO NOT BUY THAT PUMP IT IS AMAZON CHINESE GARBAGE AND EXTREMELY LOUD! Buy a quality self-priming external pump (it will be a fair bit more expensive) but it will be a lot quieter and you can get stronger pumps
Thank you!!!
Cool design! Curious how you clean out the reservoir base?
so no feedback about the growth… imo its a well imaginated design that just doesnt work :/
Chris, this is awesome. Theres a thing called " kofi" it takes zero money from you when people buy you a coffee. Why dont you put a coffee link for people to donate to you in any amount in your video. Maybe you can make one of these on a turnstyle. Great Job !!.
Hi Chris, love your vids and ideas, we’ll done, when using solvent weld and plastic piping, it’s not a glue, the correct way to use is apply, then when u marry the two pieces, u put it together 1/4turn out, so when joining u give it a 1/4 turn, as the solvent weld, is acting with the quarter turn it forms a seal, hence water tight, its actually a solvent, so its actually melting abs plastic, I also wondered why you don’t solvent weld the 2" cup holders in, instead of using a Hest gun and silicone. Also on 3d prints use an acetone wash to smooth imperfections, and micro holes. Hope this helps mate, keep up the vids, love watching. Speak soon, Scott….
How did you put your pump in that 4” pvc pipe ? Did you buy a different pump to fitb?
Maybe drill a small hole at the end of the slots before you saw the slots. Then you’ll have a radius to help eliminate the cracking