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HYDROPON.001
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1992-12-23
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HYDROPONICS
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Well,the simplest one that I can tell you about is this....(This is one that
I personally have,you can use whatever size containers you want) Take two three
gallon plastic buckets...The top one drill about a hundred 1/4 inch holes about
a 1/4 to a 1/2 inch apart.Drill a 3/4 or 1/2 (whatever size plastic tube you
can buy...1/2 inch will give you more flow) hole through the bottom on one side.
Set this bucket into the other one,take the 1/2 inch tube and insert it into the
hole all the way to the bottom of the second bucket then pull it back up about
2 inches,cut it about an 1 1/2 inches below the top of the top bucket.When you
have it where you want it use silicone caulk and seal it to the side of the
bucket.Now you need a 90^ elbow that will fit into the tube.Drill a hole into
the top of the elbow just big enough for the aquarium air line to fit into.Slide
enough air hose into it so that it is between an inch and 2 inches above the
bottom of the 1/2" tube. You will need a T fitting and some flexible tubing that
will fit the 90^ elbow.Cut about 1.5" and connect it to the elbow.Take the T and
enough flexible tubing to make a circle without any kinks(you might need to heat
it so that it will bend without kinking....It needs to be about 2 to 3 inches
inside the diameter of the bucket)...The drill some very small holes along this
round tube,about a 1/4 to 1/2" apart,small enough that water will drip out but
will not run out.....Buy some medium to small smooth lava rock and fill the top
bucket to within about 3 inches of the ring.The ring might take some adjustment
to drip evenly...Before I forget you need to drill about a 3/4 inch hole in the
side on the bottom of the bottom bucket.Insert a grommet and a 90^ elbow with a
clear piece of flexible tubing.This is your sight glass to tell you how much
water/nutrient solution is in the unit,also when you drain it all you have to do
is twist the elbow to lay flat and all of it will drain out of the tube..
You will need to change the nutrient solution once a week,and if it gets low
during the week add CLEAR water only.Otherwise the chances of overfertilization
are much greater...You will need to check you local plant store to find
fertilizer for Hydroponic units,or experiment with various concentrations of
regular fertilizer....Fill it till there is about 8 to 12 inches of solution in
the sight glass,plug in the air pump and your off!
I usually start and grow the plants in foam rubber(the kind that soaks up
water....Grin) Just cut slits in it and drop the seeds in....Use halve
concentration of fertilizer when starting seeds.
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Subj : indoor gardening
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->> equipment. Are these prices pretty average? If so, how can anyone afford a
->> set-up unless they are yuppies or growing something illegal? Somehow, I
->> of the smallest, simplest hydroponic setup. What gives? Are halogen lights
->> the only way to go?
You don't have to go to all that trouble and expense. I grew wonderful lettuce
in my basement for years before I had a little greenhouse with fluorescent shop
lights. They usually go on sale around here for $15. or so, and I used one warm
white bulb and one cool white in each fixture. I put shelf brackets on the
wall, and attached the shop lights to the bottom side of the shelves. That way,
I could adjust the spacing between the shelves to the crop I grew. I usually
grew lettuce in those little plastic troughs that you wet wallpaper in before
you hang it. I had great luck with Tom Thumb, and the other small types of
lettuce. Main thing was keeping it cool enough, so even in the basement, I kept
a fan or two blowing to dissipate the heat off the lights.
I grew up lots of my transplants that way, too.
No, I never grew anything illegal, but that seems to be the first thing
everybody asks when they find out you have a greenhouse....
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Subj : indoor gardening
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HF> I could buy many years worth of premium poison-free
HF> lettuce at the ritziest natural food market in the area and
HF> still not approach the cost of the smallest, simplest
HF> hydroponic setup. What gives? Are halogen lights the only
HF> way to go?
Rest Assured, halogen lights are not the only way to go, neither are "grow"
lights. I have a small setup in my computer room consisting of one "warm"
fluorescent light and one "cool" fluorescent light in a shop light holder. Each
light costs about $3 a pair at a hardware store. The shop light holder was less
than $10.
My plants over-winter wonderfully under this setup, and I've raised hundreds of
seedlings under them as well. "hint".... hook a shower curtain around it, and
the cats won't sleep (or other ghastly things...) on your seedlings.) plus, it
keeps a bit warmer.
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