Building your own irrigation system can be a simple and rewarding activity, if you know how to follow the given guidelines. This irrigation system is best suited for water-loving plants, such as lettuce.
Step
Step 1. Select the type of system you want to create
You have several options:
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Water Culture.
This system is easy to build and low cost. This system is made by floating plants on water using a styrofoam platform. The water will be mixed with liquid fertilizer. You can grow 5-6 plants per 19 liter water culture system.
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Multi-Flow.
This system is a bit difficult to build and the cost is moderate. This system relies on gravity to irrigate crop trays with water and fertilizer. You can use the timer and float switch to control the water level. You can grow many crops using this system.
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Ebb and Flow.
This system is easy to build and low cost. Plants are placed on top of a reservoir, which is connected to another reservoir with a hose attached. The water pump delivers water and fertilizer to the plants. The excess water is returned to the reservoir for later use. You can grow many crops using this system.
Step 2. Gather all the materials needed
Take a look at the “Things You Need” section.
Method 1 of 3: Water Culture System
Step 1. Prepare a container as a reservoir, such as an aquarium tank or bucket
If your container is clear, color it with black paint, or wrap it in black plastic (this will make the container reusable).
- Algae will grow faster if the walls of the container can be penetrated by light so that it can steal nutrients and oxygen and interfere with the growth of other plants.
- We recommend using several reservoirs that are the same size from top to bottom. (for example, the lip of the container is 36 x 20 cm, and the bottom is 36 x 20 cm).
Step 2. If possible, use a fish tank or similar container as a reservoir
Paint the clear tank with black spray paint and let dry. Before painting, apply the paint tape vertically from the lip to the bottom of the container. When the paint is dry, remove the tape and use the unpainted area to see how much water is in the container.
- However, this line is not really necessary because you can determine the amount of water in the reservoir by looking at how deep the plant float (styrofoam) sinks.
- This line will help you see the level of the nutrient solution accurately and easily.
Step 3. Measure the length and width of your reservoir using a tape measure
Measure the inside of the reservoir, from one end to the other. After measuring the dimensions of the container, cut the Styrofoam 0.5 cm smaller than the size of the reservoir.
- For example, if your container is 36 x 20 cm, cut the Styrofoam so that it measures 35.5 cm x 19.5 cm.
- Styrofoam must be the right size and have enough room to adjust to the water level.
- If you have a reservoir that tapers to a shallow bottom (the bottom of the container is smaller than the top), the float (styrofoam) should be 5–10 cm smaller than the reservoir (or more, if needed).
Step 4. Don't put Styrofoam in the reservoir yet
First of all, you need to cut a hole for the mesh pot. Insert the net pot on the Styrofoam according to the location of each plant to be planted.
- Use a pen or pencil to trace the bottom of the net pot. Use a sharp object such as a knife or cutter on the tracing line and cut a hole for your pot (children MUST be assisted by an adult when using sharp objects).
- At one end of the Styrofoam, make a small hole for the air to enter the reservoir.
Step 5. Plant your plants according to the size of the garden and the plants you want to plant
Don't forget to leave some distance between each plant so that the sunlight can shine on all of your plants evenly.
Step 6. Choose a pump that is strong enough to deliver oxygen to the plants
Seek advice from employees of a hydroponic supply store in your city. Indicate the size of the reservoir used (in gallons, eg 2, 5, 10 gallons, etc.) so that store staff can provide suggestions.
Step 7. Connect one end of the air hose to the pump and attach the other end to the air stone
Air ducts should be long enough to allow air to flow to the bottom of the reservoir or at least float in the middle of the container so oxygen bubbles can touch the roots. The size must also match the pump used. Usually, this air inlet hose is supplied in the pump packaging box.
To measure reservoir capacity, use a bucket or any container whose contents can be measured to fill your reservoir. Count how many times the reservoir is filled with water to find out its capacity
Step 8. Assemble the hydroponic system
- Fill the reservoir with nutrient solution
- Put the Styrofoam in the tank.
- Install the air hose in the prepared hole.
- Fill net pots with planting media and place one plant in each pot.
- Insert the net pot in the hole provided in the styrofoam.
- Turn on the pump and your home hydroponic system is up and running.
Method 2 of 3: Multi Flow System
Step 1. Place your six pots on a stable surface
Make sure the surface is not tilted for the system to function properly.
Step 2. Connect the container with PVC fittings and hose
If your container is designed for a multi-flow system, the system should turn on and off automatically according to changes in the water level in the container. Therefore, this system has a water filling and drainage system that is safer and more efficient than Ebb and Flow (see next section).
Step 3. Place the plants in the small plant tray
Make sure everything is working properly.
Method 3 of 3: Ebb and Flow System
Step 1. Choose a location for your reservoir
Place the plant tray over the reservoir. If it doesn't fit, provide support to maintain its height.
Step 2. Install the fill/drain system in the bin
Connect the hose to the water pump and place it in the reservoir. Make sure the excess liquid flows back into the reservoir, and doesn't spill around it
Step 3. Connect the pump timer
Step 4. Place the plant and its pot in the tray
Nutritional Power
Different plants, different concentrations of nutrients needed. Plant a variety of plants that have similar needs so that they can all grow healthily. Nutrient concentrations are measured based on the conductivity factor (CF). The more nutrients that dissolve in the water, the more conductive the solution will be.
- Beans - CF 18-25
- beetroot - CF 18-22
- Broccoli - CF 18-24
- Brussels Sprout - CF 18-24
- Cabbage - CF 18-24
- Capsicum - CF 20-27
- Carrot - CF 17-22
- Cauliflower - CF 18-24
- Celery - CF 18-24
- Cucumber - CF 16-20
- Leek - CF 16-20
- Lettuce - CF 8-12
- Marrow - CF 10-20
- Onion - CF 18-22
- Peas - CF 14-18
- Potato - CF 16-24
- Pumpkin - CF 18-24
- Turnip - CF 16-22
- Spinach - CF 18-23
- Silverbeet - CF 18-24
- Sweet corn - CF 16-22
- Tomatoes - CF 22-28
Tips
- Make sure the reservoir walls are opaque to prevent the growth of algae which can steal oxygen and interfere with plant growth.
- Home hydroponic systems are not suitable for large-scale or commercial production. This system does not have an easy way of replacing the nutrient solution. Usually an additional container is required to hold the float while changing the solution.
- Plant growth usually drastically reduces the pH of the water. So make sure you check it regularly with a dropper kit.
- It is preferable to use a rectangular reservoir. The size of the top and bottom of the reservoir must be the same so that plant growth and nutrient distribution takes place evenly.
- Be careful when cutting Styrofoam with a cutter or knife. Although Styrofoam is a soft material and is easy to cut, you should always be careful when using sharp objects.
- Water with a pH of 7 is ideal for growing plants with a hydroponic system.
