How to build a 3D Printed hydroponic garden

How to build a 3D Printed hydroponic garden

Today i’m putting together a 3d printed modular hydroponic tower garden. It’s an exciting print, and just in time to get your backyard garden ready for summer. Below you will find all of the parts used so you can get started building your own.

Hydroponics tower 3d printer files: https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:3405964

5 Gallon bucket adapter files: https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:4580194
The lid uses 18 M3x6 bolts and nuts to fasten everything together.

General Hydroponics Maxigro and Maxibloom Fertilizer: https://geni.us/BI1hrD

VIVOSUN pH and TDS Meter Combo: https://geni.us/ZB8V

General Hydroponics pH Control Kit: https://geni.us/0N8XhRP

Rockwool Grow Cubes: https://geni.us/bKYaVm

3000 Pre-Fed Live Ladybugs: https://geni.us/8u8z

Infinite repeat cycle timer plug: https://geni.us/oAtH

VIVOSUN 800GPH Submersible Pump: https://geni.us/y8krA

3/8″ ID 1/2″ OD Clear Vinyl Tubing-25 Ft: https://geni.us/VgmElP

5 gallon bucket: https://geni.us/UIAAhJl

OVERTURE PETG Filament: https://geni.us/g1sC

50 Comments

  1. Broguss on August 5, 2022 at 1:47 am

    i would not put tomatoes or peppers in this system, i would use it for things like lettuce and cabbage



  2. Josh K on August 5, 2022 at 1:48 am

    What about a printer? I haven’t bought one yet because I don’t know what will meet my needs for doing something like this.



  3. Lloyd B on August 5, 2022 at 1:49 am

    It’s a great system but your pump is definitely too much if you have to seal it off with the solid cap…I’m definitely needing to sort out my print settings because changing from PLA to PETG it added an extra day and comes in just under 3 days a module.

    Happy hydro’ing…



  4. Namit Maheshwari on August 5, 2022 at 1:49 am

    Sir, can u plz share your 3D printed hydroponic setup printing file or mail it on my mail.
    Coz I want to make some correction in it.
    Sir, I want to make dft system cum vertical tower.



  5. Nerys on August 5, 2022 at 1:49 am

    you can probably get away with PLA. it does not melt but it can SOFTEN. there are ways to mitigate this. use light colors (DO NOT use black) ideal white/natural/tan etc.. and next as long as the water is flowing that alone should keep the temps under control.

    Next. Any suggestions for a HARD WATER COMPATIBLE pump? if I have to BUY water to use this I will quickly far exceed the cost of just buying the veggies. so I need to use tap water. but my tap water is insanely hard. so much so it MURDERS little pumps in days (yes days) desktop evaporative coolers? cat watering fountains? last about 5-7 days before the pumps just give up the ghost and die.

    suggestions on more durable mineral/hard water tolerant pumps?

    ALSO how well would the plants hold up if I turn off the water each night and only run the water flow in daylight hours? (I want to solar power it)



  6. Peter Enis on August 5, 2022 at 1:50 am

    Your cheap Chinese filament is propably not food safe and the plants will accumulate all toxic lekages in time. Think twice if you Plan to print this. Also we produce a lot of plastic waste with our Printers, and if you throw it away after your second run because algae have run over your uncleanable print theres no real benefit in this print though its an awesome Design. I will go for a pvc tube (maybe 3d printed hybrid) design instead of this, because im looking for a solution that is more sustainable than this



  7. midknightmist on August 5, 2022 at 1:51 am

    Great video thanks…do you have a version for larger plants like tomatoes or cucumbers (I know you said no cucumbers for this version)? Like one large center pot?



  8. Mario Sahlani on August 5, 2022 at 1:54 am

    How much did the entire construction cost?



  9. kylmavery on August 5, 2022 at 1:55 am

    If you would like to manufactory this from Vietnam, I can help. I have a plastic injection molding factory in Vietnam.



  10. Jesse Johnson on August 5, 2022 at 1:56 am

    What kind of 3D printer are you using?



  11. Marcin M on August 5, 2022 at 1:57 am

    The whole reason why I picked up a 3D printer…. 😉 Thank you!



  12. Susumo Fabian on August 5, 2022 at 1:57 am

    Quick question, should the water be turned on/off for a few minutes? like 15minutes on, and then 30 off



  13. CHARITO GASPI on August 5, 2022 at 1:57 am

    is this available online?



  14. Jim Rogers on August 5, 2022 at 2:00 am

    You might have pushed me over the edge to add an FDM printer to the shop!



  15. TwoTreesStudio on August 5, 2022 at 2:02 am

    0:51 hmmmm I don’t think neti-pot means what you think it means :p



  16. Alan Shipley on August 5, 2022 at 2:05 am

    I was hoping in your follow-up video for this you could going to some of the settings that you used and maybe recommend a good printer for this as this will be my first printer for me and my son



  17. Minds of Greatness Shorts on August 5, 2022 at 2:09 am

    As far as nutrients go, seaweed concentrate is all you would really need. If extra nutrients are needed you can buy mung beans for pennies on the dollar sprout them until the tail is 2x the size of the body, blend them up and strain out the pulp and mix into the water too aka Sprouted Seed Tea



  18. XXMatrixFlames on August 5, 2022 at 2:10 am

    Question : how do you put the plants into the net pots. Like do you just stuff dirt into it then plant a plant and put it into one of the 9 holes or will the dirt just be washed my the water?



  19. Keith Forbes on August 5, 2022 at 2:12 am

    Great stuff brethren!



  20. Joe Comet on August 5, 2022 at 2:13 am

    What was the cost of 3D printing this?



  21. Polskie YT on August 5, 2022 at 2:13 am

    #cool



  22. Polskie YT on August 5, 2022 at 2:14 am

    whats the model of your 3d printer? can you have a video while demo on printing setup. Thanks!



  23. Bruce Kirk’s outdoor adventures and wood working on August 5, 2022 at 2:16 am

    Where can I buy one?



  24. Vincent Graziano on August 5, 2022 at 2:16 am

    The like count was at 999 when I got here. Feels good



  25. John Osman on August 5, 2022 at 2:17 am

    It will only provide water to each selected plant, so an umbrella top, will be required, so that the top does not need to look like a bridge to no where, if there is a diffuser, (like the head in your bathroom tub/shower), … & it must diffuse the water, in a drip methodology, … so, incorporating sectional pieces of the shower head options, will greatly insure that each plant gets the desired amount of feed precipitation, to create really great plant growth, …



  26. Consulting Joe on August 5, 2022 at 2:18 am

    I’m printing my first part now with a light brown so it looks like a tree trunk. Printing at 100mms/sec.



  27. Chris Z. on August 5, 2022 at 2:18 am

    What size net cups do you think would fit on there?



  28. Mark Collins on August 5, 2022 at 2:22 am

    The lid I printed didn’t have the little holes did u drill yours out



  29. TROOTHSEEKER on August 5, 2022 at 2:22 am

    800 gph is too large a pump. 160 gph works great and it sounds like you’re sitting next to a spring.



  30. Mr God on August 5, 2022 at 2:22 am

    I doubt the plants drinks those water THAT FAST and THAT MUCH per moment.



  31. by Decko on August 5, 2022 at 2:26 am

    did you printed as they where? or did you scaled up/down?



  32. Son&Dad Gaming Duo on August 5, 2022 at 2:28 am

    Hi, i know this video is a little old, but i am buying an ender 3 v2 and I was wondering if this print can be edited to make the diameter of the planter wider?



  33. skolker9 on August 5, 2022 at 2:29 am

    This is so awesome! Going to make this for my mom and for me 🙂 Two things:

    the link to the 5-gallon bucket does not work, will any 5-gallon bucket work or is there a specific product link you can re-share????

    Also, I see you used OVERTURE PETG filament. Do you know if this company’s product is FDA approved? I couldn’t find that info online so I thought id ask



  34. Mary Richter on August 5, 2022 at 2:30 am

    But is the material used for the 3-d printer food grade? Would they leach chemicals into the water which will go into the roots and plant?



  35. Kike Cueva on August 5, 2022 at 2:30 am

    awesome design! , do you have the stl file to print it? =)



  36. Waldemar Hamm on August 5, 2022 at 2:30 am

    So how did your plants end up? I’m curious on how long you can actually keep something like a tomato plant in there until it becomes too big.



  37. FM Vel on August 5, 2022 at 2:31 am

    Hi! Just wondering do you sell this? Coz look more easy than buying pvc



  38. muffdriver69 on August 5, 2022 at 2:32 am

    Is it food grade?



  39. John Hoth on August 5, 2022 at 2:34 am

    Did I miss the update video? I was wondering how it all went?



  40. Amber Knowlton on August 5, 2022 at 2:35 am

    Firstly, Thank you for this video. It inspired me to start this & many more 3D print projects, as well as expand on my gardening projects.

    I know this is an older video but I am currently trying to print this myself, I’m having trouble with the print & getting thick strings in any over hangs.

    Do you have a PETG ".cureprofile" that helped you gain success in printing this?
    Did you have to use supports?

    I am also using the same brand of PETG, Overture. I am also using the Ender 3 pro. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks =D



  41. Araw Gabi on August 5, 2022 at 2:36 am

    what printer do you have there?



  42. LalallaSN on August 5, 2022 at 2:36 am

    I’m curious what plastic is consider safe for this? Because we have to eat the plant after, would this contaminate the plant?



  43. Ian Ham on August 5, 2022 at 2:38 am

    I like to guess to the area by the trees I see the back yard. 4 season you see snow!???



  44. Mark Guiragossian on August 5, 2022 at 2:38 am

    hi , how many sections 1 roll of filament can print??



  45. TheOzembuch on August 5, 2022 at 2:40 am

    Hi, nice system and great video work. What if my pump has 1/2" ID outlet, can this be used with 1/2" hose?



  46. Kirk Guindon on August 5, 2022 at 2:42 am

    So I am having problems printing the jiffy pots in prusa, I flipped in prusa slicer so the mouth of the pots was on the build plate, the issue is it lays a little down instead of doing a complete circle it does a quarter moon at the front then starts moving to the back by the time it has met up to make a circle it is thick at the fornt and thin at the back so its off the bed at the back but adhering well at the front, any ideas?



  47. hisham slamah on August 5, 2022 at 2:43 am

    How much total cost of this project please
    Thank you



  48. Jose Rubio on August 5, 2022 at 2:47 am

    I’m super interested in doing a similar setup. In fact, I’m printing a 4-way plant module as I write this. I’m curious what speeds you print the PETG at. It appears you’ve dialed in your settings pretty well. Any tips/info will greatly be appreciated.



  49. Cordelish on August 5, 2022 at 2:47 am

    I keep a reef tank, I would recommend hitting a pet store or pet section of a store and getting a pump built for a 55g or 75g tank at max. Since you are going straight up, you could probably get away with just the 55g.



  50. Off Grid Mike on August 5, 2022 at 2:47 am

    Does the pump have to run all the time?