Building a Aeroponic Prototype -- Need Help!

Hello fellow Growers!

I'm begining a prototype Aeroponics setup to grow a large Tomatoe (And soon Marijuana) plant from seedling to flower.

I will be using a 5+ Gallon bucket for the initial Resevoir, and a smaller bucket which will sit on top to house the misters/sprayers/grow chamber for the plant (Or Visa Versa - 5 Gallon on top, Bigger bucket on the bottom)

The resevoir will hold the pump, an airstone, and said outfits for wiring as well as tubing. The nutrient will be pumped up from the direct middle of the top of the res, to the direct middle of the growth chamber bucket. Is this a good plan: Or should I run the PVC piping from the bottom outside, to the top inside?

I've already purchased the Misters, 4, 360 Degree knozzles which will sit in the grow chamber..Not sure on the pump capacity yet, I know more is better -- Input is greatly appreciated!

What I wanted to know was what would be the best way to construct the PVC for housing the Misters? Should I create a bar type pipe where they sit in a row, or maybe like a Cross, 1 mister on each end so the roots have room to grow down, and out and not interfier too much with the plumbing? Or possible make a flat-laying Field goal post where 2 misters on each side of the PVC spray and the roots grow down, in between them.

A Fogger system will later be incoperated upon completion and thorough testing of the prototype.


Any Feedback is much needed! Thank You! :thumbsup:

Hello WeedTree's,

I really like your thinking here, aeroponics plus fog. It is the direction I'm headed in a new indoor grow set-up.

Small PVC tubing drilled to accept your misters will work. I have also seen misters mounted to the lid or top of the grow chamber directly thru the top, and smaller plastic tubing connecting them together and to a pump.

As to a pump, you don't need anything too big here, you are only using 4 misters, so a samll aqua pump of abt 250gal/hr (cost abt $25) is all you need.

I would suggest going to fogponics.com and in thier forums you'll find some DIY projects that should give you some good ideas. You'll also see what I built, it's called "fogfognugen" uses both high pressure misting nozzles plus a fog generator from Frapaplas.

Good luck with it, and keep us posted on your build.

WeedTree's,

I just remembered there are some pics of "fogfognugen" on this forum, on a thread that Opie Yutts had, plus pics of what he was building.

I don't know how to put the link to it here, I never was or will be any good with a 'puter....but if you google "fogfognugen" you'll get the link.

Hope it helps too.

Man you are putting a lot of thought into this. I like that but i don't think you need both. Be carefull with the misters and like said not a big pump. I was looking at an ez clone at the hydro shop. It had just a short riser on the pump and a tee pipe with 4 misters. Too much pressure and it will blow the roots right off. I started with drip and then added air. Now I want to go fog. I got a mistic cloner I'm dieing to try out. I looked all over and found,

MainlandMart(dot)com for the small fooger in the cloner but they have many sizes. With the fogger you need to keep the water level to just the right depth. I sovled that cause they have floaters that keep the fogger on top if you have deep water. Check it out.

If I can grab some I use 10 gallon tubs with 4 to 6 netpots and an air stone with a fogger in each. You can use less water nute mix but may need to be changed more often.

I would try one of each at first and compare. Then go with what works.. Now you got me going. I will have to start a fog log.

I keep reading and I would go with a 5 gallon bucket with the netpot lid a small pump a riser pipe and maybe a tee pipe with 2 misters maybe even just one mister for a bucket an airstone. In another of the same bucket a fogger and an airstone. The bucket at the hydro shop with 8 inch netpot lids are about 10 bucks. The fogger with float about 30 bucks. I get small pumps for 10 bucks and a little pipe would be 25 bucks for mister bucket and about 40 bucks for the fogger bucket.

Peace and keep us up it's very interesting.

Hey there Loc Nar,

Good idea for a 5 gallon bucket set up, using the 8" net pot lid!
For growing single large plants that is an excellent way to go, plus you could easily make it expandable by just adding more buckets.

Also MainlandMart is an excellent source of pond foggers. I have not seen a source that is cheaper.
Not too long ago I built a small 3'x3' grow tray with fog and areo for someone and I used a 5 gal bucket, plus a 3 head pond fogger in a bouy (like you said the water level to the transducers is important) and a plastic "splash guard" and moisture proof muffin fan and a flexi plastic hose. A real "bucket of fog", but it works real good.

The idea behind using two methods is redundancy, and that is a good thing when your growing a high value crop. Hopefully a well designed system would work with either the fog or the areo alone so that if one of them decided to crap out on you, theres no catastrophy or major panic to try and get something fixed.

So come on Loc Nar, I think you have a decent plan for an inexpensive fog set up. I'd love to see you do a "fog" grow log, don't think there's been any of those here yet, you could be the first!

oldmac

Quote:

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Originally Posted by oldmac

Hey there Loc Nar,

Good idea for a 5 gallon bucket set up, using the 8" net pot lid!
For growing single large plants that is an excellent way to go, plus you could easily make it expandable by just adding more buckets.

Also MainlandMart is an excellent source of pond foggers. I have not seen a source that is cheaper.
Not too long ago I built a small 3'x3' grow tray with fog and areo for someone and I used a 5 gal bucket, plus a 3 head pond fogger in a bouy (like you said the water level to the transducers is important) and a plastic "splash guard" and moisture proof muffin fan and a flexi plastic hose. A real "bucket of fog", but it works real good.

The idea behind using two methods is redundancy, and that is a good thing when your growing a high value crop. Hopefully a well designed system would work with either the fog or the areo alone so that if one of them decided to crap out on you, theres no catastrophy or major panic to try and get something fixed.

So come on Loc Nar, I think you have a decent plan for an inexpensive fog set up. I'd love to see you do a "fog" grow log, don't think there's been any of those here yet, you could be the first!

oldmac

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I hear ya, I'm going to be ordering some things this week. I may not use the buckets because of space but I think 10 gallon tubs with 4 or 6 netpots in each. I'm thinking a controll rez and a rez tank on top of that, all hooked together like 4 units. I will put the air stone in the controll rez. Papaya city here I come.

Oh and don't tell the wife, it's easier to ask forgiveness than to ask permission.

WeedTree's , sorry I didn't mean to hijack your thread. Let us know what your plan is. We will compare and I will start the fog log. I already ordered most of what I need. Just had to relocate my grow and work on the room or build it I should say. It's like buiding the nursery for the babies. LOL

Peace man and let us know what you decide to build. It's all very interesting to me and I love a good success story.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by LOC NAR on probation

WeedTree's , sorry I didn't mean to hijack your thread. Let us know what your plan is. We will compare and I will start the fog log. I already ordered most of what I need. Just had to relocate my grow and work on the room or build it I should say. It's like buiding the nursery for the babies. LOL

Peace man and let us know what you decide to build. It's all very interesting to me and I love a good success story.

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Hey Loc No worries! I think I have enough space to continue..;)

Well my plans are pretty much in place..almost.

Have/Purchased so far:


(1) Aqua Air Pump w/ 2 outlets
(4) 360 Degree Mister Knozzles


I still am awaiting the Misters in the mail, and have decided to go with a 5 Gallon on the bottom -- the problem is I cannot find a suitable Bucket to go on top of that 5 gallons lid (Everything I've looked for is non-stackable). And a 5 Gallon bucket is pretty large..So i'm wondering if I should just use 1, 5 Gallon bucket for the main res. as well as the plant housing. But that leaves me with more res. changes, and less space for the roots to grow, as well as potential problems for cloging/space reduction.

Here is a little picture of what I had in mind:

http://img401.imageshack.us/my.php?i...oponic1vn8.jpg

Now there is MUCH room for variation, expansion, and change. This is just a sketch. I can have the 1/2" PVC run from the outside up and through the side of the top bucket instead of directly up. I can also adjust the formation of the misters. They are 360 Degree Sprayers so I'm not sure if 4 is overkill in one system, or 2 or 3 might be better..

Here is an overhead view of possible Mister installs (Nothing to scale..the lines are piping, red dots are misters):

1 - http://img24.imageshack.us/img24/605/mister1uc9.jpg
2 - http://img8.imageshack.us/img8/5486/mister2pk0.jpg
3 - http://img8.imageshack.us/img8/4598/mister3hv9.jpg
SideView
4 -http://img4.imageshack.us/img4/3444/mister4ek2.jpg
TopView
http://img7.imageshack.us/img7/8977/mister5bt0.jpg


Feedback please! I'll update this post/post again with further information later

EDIT:

- I Also have the option of using all hard PVC piping for the nutrient lines, or using all soft Rubber tubbing. OR, using hard PVC piping for the pump fitting and mister housing, and using soft Rubber tubing where bends/turns would be needed.

- For the containers, I have the option of using SQUARE Buckets instead of ROUND ones, which may stack better depending on which kind I get. I'm browsing Plastic Tanks, Plastic Buckets, Plastic Bottles, Labware, PVC Pipe - United States Plastic Corporation ® and am seeing what would work well together. Is it a good idea to buy a lid with a spout on top for possible irrigation lines or possible Fogger addition?

Just got done building my aero setup, used all pvc line except from pump to pvc. I'm gonna throw some pics up tomorrow (no batteries for camera:() in a new thread check it out.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by socialistpete

Just got done building my aero setup, used all pvc line except from pump to pvc. I'm gonna throw some pics up tomorrow (no batteries for camera:() in a new thread check it out.

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Great! Can't wait to see what it looks like!

On the pump -- I was recomened 250GPH by Oldmac, but is 400GPH overkill? If I plan to expand to other buckets?

The bigger the better!!!!!!!!

I have seen a stack kind of like that. However all could be in just one bucket with 2 misters on a tee pipe and air line going in near top of bucket. The roots would soon hang down into the water. If you use the bigger pump try an inline shut off valve and you will be able to adjust the flow. Only thing I would want on the outside is a clear line that elbows out the bottom with maybe a drain shutoff and back in near top to be able to see water level. And be able to drain easy. You could also just use one bucket for mister setup and hook another bucket next to it. Pipe runs near bottom to hook the 2 together and one be control rez..

Tell you what. Go to stealthhydro(dot)com and look a the system with the rez's hooked to 4 units. The control rez is cool and you could put your mister tee's in each grow container. All could be done with buckets and expand all you want or just start wit one or 2 units.

For the fog mine will look like the four unit with the rez setup. Only fog and I can put it all together real cheap. If I had more room I would go all bucket. But I can get 4 plants to a 10 gallon tub.

The only thing I would stack is for ebb and flow or nutrient film. A control rez bucket right next to your mister is easy to look in and keep the water level just the same in each or milti units. Water seeks it's own level.

hey WeedTree's,

The larger pump is fine, like socialistpete said "bigger is better"....but LocNar has a good idea. Regardless of what size pump you use it's a good idea to be able to conrtol the output.

I would suggest that you put a "tee" in the pump output with one side going to your misters and the other side having the valve, and that valve output staying in or going back to your rez (depending if you use the pump submerged or inline). That way when you open the valve to lower flow to your misters you are not putting to much load on your pump. Plus the flow to the rez will keep it mixed well.

That was great advice locnar and oldmac I never even thought about using a flow valve but now it only makes sense to use one. Thanks guys:thumbsup:

Weedtree I got half my shit together will upload pics sometime between now and 4 am. lol;)

Yea I like that, stir up the rez. On the real small pumps aqua they have a valve to put in line and says it won't hurt the pump. I know back pressure is not good on larger pumps. The skies the limit.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by oldmac

hey WeedTree's,

The larger pump is fine, like socialistpete said "bigger is better"....but LocNar has a good idea. Regardless of what size pump you use it's a good idea to be able to conrtol the output.

I would suggest that you put a "tee" in the pump output with one side going to your misters and the other side having the valve, and that valve output staying in or going back to your rez (depending if you use the pump submerged or inline). That way when you open the valve to lower flow to your misters you are not putting to much load on your pump. Plus the flow to the rez will keep it mixed well.

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Thanks for the response!

I've got in sights a Aqua 400GPH Subermisible pump w/ filter.

I've decided to buy 2, 5 Gallon buckets and stack them. That way I can utilize a large res. as well as a large grow chamber and stack them to conserve floor space.

The pump will sit at the bottom of the res., next to a 10" Bubble stone (Bucket bottom diameter = 10.33 so it will be a tight fit). This will feed off an air pump on the outside.

I'm a little confused on your whole idea of the T piping -- I understand having the 1 outlet on the pump outlet split into a T crossing, one to the misters above and that other to a valve, but where exactly is the valves access to? Outside the res.?
Like so?:

http://img24.imageshack.us/img24/717...alveoc8.th.jpg

Also, I am going to drill small elbows at the bottom of the res. with an attached clear PVC rubber tube going to the top of the bucket where it will meet another elbow to show nutrient height/level.

What do you think of the new, revised Mister cage? It will have 3, 1/2"( Is 1/2" Too Big?) PVC pipe lines, about the height of the bucket, in a triangle formation, which will surround the roots growing downwards, and will also incorperate a Mister at the very middle where the pump outlet first feeds into the growth cage to spray the very tips of the roots.
Like so: Red dots are misters - Blue lines are irrigation

http://img7.imageshack.us/img7/9184/mister6bl1.th.jpg
http://img25.imageshack.us/img25/9461/mister7uh3.th.jpg

The whole Mister housing irrigation piece will screw onto a connection where the pump outlet line reaches the top of the res./bottom of the growth chamber. So it will be a completely seperate piece. Easy to remove for maintenence, as well as disasembly from the res. for res. changes/cleaning.


Are you guys still with me? :stoned::thumbsup:

What am I forgetting here?

Netpot lid or drilled hole for netpot. Probably will be a 6" to leave space from the misters instead of a huuge 10" (Overkill IMO).

Rockwell cubes as medium.

Go with hydrtron for your medium. It gets wet but won't hold waterbad. Rockwool has a rep for holding to much water and causing root rot.

I'm with ya, I see this is like a modified nutrient film with mister. On the pump in the bottom rez, the pipe coming straight up just above the pump inside the bucket put a tee pointing to the side of the bucket. Now put a 1/2 shoutoff valve there. The overflow pressure will blow out into rez and keep it stirred up. It won't be great pressure and will most likely only need to be adjusted one time to get the pressure of the misters right. No need to put any more holes to the out side than needed. Maybe just another spot to leak.

Other than that I think your plan is coming together nicely. Can't wait to see it. without doing the tube out side to see rez level you could make a control rez to hook as many of these together as needed and then easy to keep control rez checked and filled.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by LOC NAR on probation

Go with hydrtron for your medium. It gets wet but won't hold waterbad. Rockwool has a rep for holding to much water and causing root rot.

I'm with ya, I see this is like a modified nutrient film with mister. On the pump in the bottom rez, the pipe coming straight up just above the pump inside the bucket put a tee pointing to the side of the bucket. Now put a 1/2 shoutoff valve there. The overflow pressure will blow out into rez and keep it stirred up. It won't be great pressure and will most likely only need to be adjusted one time to get the pressure of the misters right. No need to put any more holes to the out side than needed. Maybe just another spot to leak.

Other than that I think your plan is coming together nicely. Can't wait to see it. without doing the tube out side to see rez level you could make a control rez to hook as many of these together as needed and then easy to keep control rez checked and filled.

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Something like this?

ImageShack - Image Hosting :: aeroponic2la2.jpg

So, I will have a seperate rez. on the outside of the 2 buckets, which will hold ALL the nutrients. The pump in the rez. will split and go to both of the buckets where each bucket will house a Misting unit (1 for each bucket/plant). Is this what you had in mind? That way, I can change/clean the rez. much easier than having to remove the lids of the buckets with the plants and easily top it off as needed?

That's it man. the level in the rez is the level in the misters. If you put a control float valve at the hieght you want your water. you can then stack another bucket on top of control rez and feed the float vavle and make the rez 5 gallons bigger. The control rez is the thing either way and easy to clean and top up. My part for that come tommarrow. I'll see if I can get pic's of the setup.

Your on the right track.

Hello WeedTree's, I myself am constructing an Aeroponic system. I've attached my design.

So I've decided to go with the rez. on the outside of the plant chambers/buckets. How should I go about fixing the problem of draining used nutrients from the buckets holding the plants after being misted? Or will the roots soak all of that up?

The most I think I'll be spending money on is the PVC plumbing and the misters -- Should I go metal/brass construction or stay plastic?

What size Orifice should I be looking for for 1/2" piping and 400GPH?

Orbit Full Radius Nozzle Plastic Pop Up Sprinkler - 54027 at The Home Depot

Quote:

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Originally Posted by WeedTree's

So I've decided to go with the rez. on the outside of the plant chambers/buckets. How should I go about fixing the problem of draining used nutrients from the buckets holding the plants after being misted? Or will the roots soak all of that up?

The most I think I'll be spending money on is the PVC plumbing and the misters -- Should I go metal/brass construction or stay plastic?

What size Orifice should I be looking for for 1/2" piping and 400GPH?

Orbit Full Radius Nozzle Plastic Pop Up Sprinkler - 54027 at The Home Depot

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You can put a drain low in your rez and as you drain the rez that will also drain all buckets. Water seek it's own level. I hope those are not the misters for your setup.Look at these. They have all different kinds.

Ok couldn't get the link on that page.

[URL="http://www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn?action=productDetail&productId=71214-1029-MLM-05&lpage=none"]

Loc Nar - how is that Lowes' sprayhead, as far as clogging ? ... do they require frequent cleaning, etc.. ? thx

Am currently waiting on:

(2) 5' Gallon Buckets
(4) 360 Misters
(2) 10" Netpots

Still Need:

Hydroton (Pick up locally)
Air Tubing (Pick up locally)
Plumbing fittigns (Buy online/find locally)
Nutrients (Buy online)


What is everyones thoughts on using clear plastic tubing about 1/2" in diameter for the entire irrigation piping? This way i'll be able to see the flow of nutrients to verify that its working properly, also giving me room to customize and add/subtract/move around things without having to drill more or finding tricky corner/connecter PVC pieces.

Most would say stay away from clear tube. If light can get to it it can grow algea but then you would see that and know it. I was just looking at waterfarm buckets and they have tranlucent blue line connecting thier buckets.You can see the water. Just keep as much light out of the rez and buckets as you can.
sounds like it's almost there. As far as nutrients go all that are sold for hydro are formulated for one plant only. So more money doesn't mean you always get more. General hydroponics 3 part are what most all use. Yes peeps like canna and I would like to try dutchmasters when I get a chance.

Hang in there and good luck.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by LOC NAR on probation

Most would say stay away from clear tube. If light can get to it it can grow algea but then you would see that and know it. I was just looking at waterfarm buckets and they have tranlucent blue line connecting thier buckets.You can see the water. Just keep as much light out of the rez and buckets as you can.
sounds like it's almost there. As far as nutrients go all that are sold for hydro are formulated for one plant only. So more money doesn't mean you always get more. General hydroponics 3 part are what most all use. Yes peeps like canna and I would like to try dutchmasters when I get a chance.

Hang in there and good luck.

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Hello all! Quick Update:

Materials I have:

(2) 5 Gallon Black buckets
(1) 4" Disc Airstone for the rez.
(1) Aqua Air Pump (2 outlets)
(1) Length Air Tubing
(1) WP1500 520GPH Water Pump w/ adjustable flow knob

Still waiting on:
(2) 10" Net pots (Coming Monday)
(4) EZ Clone 360 Degree Misters (DO NOT BUY FROM GARDEN STATE HYDROPONICS.COM! 17 Days to deliver a USPS Package from NJ! I LIVE IN NY! WTF!)
Nutrient hosing
Nutrients (Picking up Last)
Hydroton (Picking up w/ Buckets)


I'm going to pick up 2 more 5 Gallon buckets tomorrow. So I will have a total of 3 very large plants going with 1 bucket for the rez. Placed sitting in a square together.

I've decided to stay away from using PVC as the irrigation -- I believe i'll run into construction problems, as well as the Roots will most likely get clogged in them. So i've decided what will be the easiest way, easiest to dissabsemble and clean (KEEP IT SIMPLE, STUPID!) would be to drill the Misters into the Net pot lids and have them spray downwards from the top, so the nutrients drip downwards on the roots, so no clogging is possible.

The pump will sit in the rez. and pump upwards out the top lid and the nutrient lines will spread to the other 3 buckets.

I have yet to buy nutrient hosing, cause i'm not sure the size of the Misters. I know I need more Misters/Lids but am waiting til I can put together a test bucket before I order the rest.

QUESTIONS:

I need a way to keep the buckets in a perfect square position when they are sitting together. Any ideas to connect them? Either from the bottom or another way?

How should I go about diverting nutrient lines to the different buckets?

How should I go about draining used, sprayed nutrient from all the plant buckets?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by the image reaper

Loc Nar - how is that Lowes' sprayhead, as far as clogging ? ... do they require frequent cleaning, etc.. ? thx

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I have a bro running some and he likes them. He is in the middle of a grow and has not cleaned them yet. I will get him to look and see if output has declined.

Is a bubble air stone in my rez. necessary for an Aeroponics setup?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by WeedTree's

Is a bubble air stone in my rez. necessary for an Aeroponics setup?

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No, but it ain't gonna hurt!

UPDATE!

I've got most of the parts for the Aeroponic bucket setup. I'm still waiting on my Net pots in the mail. I'm going out tomorrow to pickup the now 12 pack of180 Degree misters, vinyl tubing, as well as the other 2, 5 Gallon buckets w/ 1extra lid.

I've been searching around the Internet looking for a manifold that will spread the mister lines to each bucket. The pump will have a line that feeds to a backflow preventer, and then up out the top of the lid to where it will be spread to the different grow buckets misters via nutrient line. I looked and found a Dripper manifold with 8 seperate 1/4" connections that can be adjusted seperately from 0-30 PSI. The bottom connects via 1/2" Male connection I believe..

It is called the "Raindrip 13800B 8 Outlet Adjustable Manifold"

http://images.lowes.com/product/conv...71138002md.jpg

Is this suitable to deliver nutrient from my res. pump to the other grow buckets? It is a 520 GPH pump that is flow adjustable, so I will need to do some adjusting as not to let too much water through at a time.

I feel if all else fails, and the Aeroponic misting system doesn't work, I can switch to a top feed drip system instead and salvage many if not all the parts.

Instead of having a whole seperate misting unit inside each bucket grow chamber, I'm going to place 2, 180 Degree misters in each bucket. One on each side of the lid across from each other so they cover both sides of the net pots below. They will hang about 2.5-4" below the top of the lid, as to make contact with the growing roots below instead of just soaking the Hydroton. I'm going to buy rubber gromets that will fit in the wholes in the lid, then slide the tubing through with the misters connected at the other end for a light tight, snug fit.


Comments/criticism greatly appreciated! I'm going to start a new build thread as soon as all the parts are in hand --

this is what I have been useing

6 buckets with 4 spray heads fed with a 633gph pump
1/2" feed lines 3/4 drain to a repump bucket,that has a float switch on at 3" off at 1" maintaining a low water level

feed schedule 1-3min on 30-60min off

also a 6"airstone in res.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Daddynobucks

this is what I have been useing

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That's awesome! I wish i saw this earlier. I just bought stuff to do a 3' x 5' Aero SOG. I was doing DWC buckets before. This would have been a nice move.

Skeet.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Daddynobucks

this is what I have been useing

6 buckets with 4 spray heads fed with a 633gph pump
1/2" feed lines 3/4 drain to a repump bucket,that has a float switch on at 3" off at 1" maintaining a low water level

feed schedule 1-3min on 30-60min off

also a 6"airstone in res.

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That looks great!

Where did you get that tubing that is fitted with an outlet to house your misters? Did it come in a pre-formed ring like that?

No its 1/2 poly from Lowes, its raindrip tubing,stuck on a T fitting held in place with GOOP brand plumbers sealant.
the lids are 6' net pot lids with the pot cut off so a seperate 6' netpot can be set in it,easy replant on a continous harvest system.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Daddynobucks

No its 1/2 poly from Lowes, its raindrip tubing,stuck on a T fitting held in place with GOOP brand plumbers sealant.
the lids are 6' net pot lids with the pot cut off so a seperate 6' netpot can be set in it,easy replant on a continous harvest system.

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Great, Thanks!

Sorry for the flurry of questions! :)

How does your drain lines function? How is the remaning nutrient in the bottom of the buckets drained from them and into the other, semi-holding bucket? And where does it go from there -- back into the res?

there is 1.5 " tall stands the grow buckets sit on,the drains are all interconnected with one line going into the repump bucket on the floor,it pumps back to the res. in another room.there are two 6 bucket systems returning to the repump and res.
the pump is submerged and the output line rises to about 16", with the inlet to the buckets at 10". this riser is to prevent the res. from siphoning over when the pump turns off.I figured this out the hard way but really quick.
the repump is a condensate pump with float switch(little giant)
picture is the repump bucket
I can send more detailed pics if needed

More pictures would be amazing!

I just noticed the buckets sit on stands like that -- That is what I was most confused about. Getting the small amount of nutrient at the bottom out of the bucket but I see now it will drain from the middle using gravity. I will have to make some sort of stand to incorperate sitting the buckets on, and keeping them in place.

Could you explain this a little more..

"the pump is submerged and the output line rises to about 16", with the inlet to the buckets at 10". this riser is to prevent the res. from siphoning over when the pump turns off."

I googled the Little Giant switches, they seem pretty large, where is yours in your re-pump res? Could I somehow pump the nutrients back into my main res, instead of having another seperate one..i'm tight on space as of now!

the res. is a 20 or 40 gal. depending on number of plants,6 or 12, there is a 633GPH pump submerged in the res for each group of 6 buckets.first photo shows the 3/4 hose in the center rising 16"befor it goes thru the wall,other hose is 1/2" return from repump,others are air,heater
there is a 5 gal. bucket that the plants drain back into,the bucket in the corner with the fan on it.see the small 1/2" hose coming from the top,it is the outlet hose from the condensate pump in that bucket Wholesale Pumps - Fountain, Pond, & Waterfall pumps at wholesale prices! model #1-ABS.
dead batteries in cameria tomorrow on the pics.