Putting together a small hydroponic grow system is easy. Local hardware stores have most of the supplies. Everything else can be found at Wal-Mart or gardening stores.
Get the right size pump to start with. Find a smaller size aquarium pump. Professional grow shows consider a 250 gallon per hour pump small. They're too big for what we're planning, though, so avoid them. Get a smaller aquarium pump that runs at about 80 gph.
Next come the hoses - there are two types. The first size is the hose the fits on the pump. Spaghetti tubing is the next type of hose.
It's best if you can connect 1/2" plastic hydroponic hose right to the pump. Get adapters to attach it if you need to. As far as type and size this is your best choice and the easiest to work with. Get about a foot of this and stick it on the end of the pump. Put a shut off or a stopper in the other end|Plug the other end with a stopper or put in a valve.
Cut 12 pieces of spaghetti tubing in 18 inch lengths. Get the little black plastic nipples and the tool that you use to insert them. Install the nipples in two rows of six nipples each in the header hose. Put a piece of spaghetti hose on each nipple.
Now you need a reservoir. A Rubbermaid tub works well. Get a hole saw and drill out six holes in the top for the pots. Then, drill 12 smaller holes for the spaghetti tubes to come through. Drill a hole for the pump plug, and another to access the tub to check the water.
Put the pump and tube assembly into the tub. Slide the little tubes through the holes in the top. Stick the pots into the holes, top them up with hydroton and arrange your drip tubes. Plastic alligator clips and drip emitters make this easier.
Fill the tub with hydroponic solution. Fire up the pump and make sure the emitters are working. Check carefully for leaks - if there are none you're ready to put in plants and go.
Get the right size pump to start with. Find a smaller size aquarium pump. Professional grow shows consider a 250 gallon per hour pump small. They're too big for what we're planning, though, so avoid them. Get a smaller aquarium pump that runs at about 80 gph.
Next come the hoses - there are two types. The first size is the hose the fits on the pump. Spaghetti tubing is the next type of hose.
It's best if you can connect 1/2" plastic hydroponic hose right to the pump. Get adapters to attach it if you need to. As far as type and size this is your best choice and the easiest to work with. Get about a foot of this and stick it on the end of the pump. Put a shut off or a stopper in the other end|Plug the other end with a stopper or put in a valve.
Cut 12 pieces of spaghetti tubing in 18 inch lengths. Get the little black plastic nipples and the tool that you use to insert them. Install the nipples in two rows of six nipples each in the header hose. Put a piece of spaghetti hose on each nipple.
Now you need a reservoir. A Rubbermaid tub works well. Get a hole saw and drill out six holes in the top for the pots. Then, drill 12 smaller holes for the spaghetti tubes to come through. Drill a hole for the pump plug, and another to access the tub to check the water.
Put the pump and tube assembly into the tub. Slide the little tubes through the holes in the top. Stick the pots into the holes, top them up with hydroton and arrange your drip tubes. Plastic alligator clips and drip emitters make this easier.
Fill the tub with hydroponic solution. Fire up the pump and make sure the emitters are working. Check carefully for leaks - if there are none you're ready to put in plants and go.
About the Author:
Get info on ways to grow marijuana. Visit www.growyourownstone.com to learn how to grow marijuana
