Well, First of all: SORRY for my english! as you can see from my pics this was my homemade hydroponic system. I've started small, but next spring I would like to find a better and larger solution. I'm thinking about aquaponics, but it doesn't matter because I want to focus on plant containers/pot (not water reservoir/tank)
7th May

17th June

I've spent some moneys (more than a single hydroponic cloner/system) but as you can see i could update it very easily without spending to much money. pump sicce syncra 3 2700L/h (714gph)= 50€ air pump Tetratec 300L/h + air stone= 35€ 50watt tank heater = 13€ Reservoir 70L = 8€ 100 sprayers = 10€ PH & EC test = 25€ Cyclic Timer 2-2000sec = 20€ Net pots = 15€ Connections & Others = 30€ 2nd pump 2000L/h for emergency(chinese low cost XD) = 20€
Total 226€...for system.
Pros - My system is low pressure aeroponic, and I've got very good results and I like aeroponic - pump is on 1 min and off 3-5min (in depends on weather), so saving money - Easy to move around - less space - perfect for cloning
The cons was: - problem measuring ph and ec and look inside the tank especially when plants are big -it's impossible cleaning it when plants are in - it's impossible remove a plant because roots are mixed up with others
I've seen many solution on the web and I've excluded - systems with Square/round chambers. They are beautiful, and I've read good ratings but it will be very hard for cleaning all chambers spending lot of time and roots problem is obvious: 10x10cm or 15x15cm isn't adequate for plants that grows more than 90cm (for me 60cm). Also here's in Italy 1meter 20x20cm cost about 20€....too much..And will be better to add a tank to mine and use my current tank as a chamber. ---it's overestimate for me - raft system: with aquaponic i think it's fantastic, but i need large chamber and it's good (only) for lettuce. - Ebb&Flood: very good, but...siphon problem and the same as raft
I think the best solution not only for my purpose is using 8-9Liters (2,3gal) pots (1 per plants) changing mine with a dripping system or keep my sprinklers and put 1 on each pot (net pot inside pot, so no need vermiculite or expanded clay) I could manage every single plant and theoretically add extra pots easily, but technically I don't know if the last sprinkler can get enough pressure and how many pots can water my pump. I'm uncertain about making waterproof set up, but pots and connection are very cheap.
Another more easy solution could be using coco grow bags: it doesn't need to clean ...just throw away it XD
- I could make big chamber with wood (osb), cover it with pond liner and create an irrigation system inside it. But si like raft system or ebb&flood = much space, mixed roots
I'm oriented on 1st and 2nd solution: cheap and versatile, easy to manage. The third is good but need many space and other set up. What do you think?
Edited by evenlock (10/13/13 11:33 AM)
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