Building a Aeroponic Prototype -- Need Help!

[dexxxus]

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

[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

[LOC NAR on probation]

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

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.

[LOC NAR on probation]

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"]

[the image reaper]

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

[WeedTree's]

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.

[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.

[WeedTree's]

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.

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?

[LOC NAR on probation]

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

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.

[WeedTree's]

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