Two things... if you want something to grow your tomatos for you... don't bother. YOU NEED TO CARE FOR THEM! It doesn't happen like magic. Sure automatic ph adjustments are simple, but you still have to change nutes every 2 weeks. You still have to raise lights when they grow (and that happens every 2-4 days.) You have to check temps, make sure your pump didn't fail, it's not just close when their small, and open when it's time to pick your fruit...

But...


That's not an easy setup! That 11 spot POS. The main problem is that you'll get root bound plants BIG TIME! It's great for plants that have small root systems... but the tomato plants your planning on growing have massive root systems. The system you were pointed to also just plain sucks trying to put it together, more hassle than it's worth.

Don't get me wrong though... you will get them to grow, and it does work somewhat well... but I suggest a differant approach.

You want simple... here's simple. Food/Drain... Total cost with pump about 50 bucks.

Get a 44 QT low profile tupperware, the kind you fit under a bed. 4 - 2 Gallon pots to sit on top. I use smaller 1.5 gallon pots to grow in (while I could go and should go bigger to just a 2gal inner pot), I've enjoyed getting 4.5 oz of tomatos from each plant if I veg them out big time.

Drill a hole towards the top 90 degree fitting and 1/2 hose to a hole in the cover of the tupperware. This is your overflow.

Then pump up from your res (300GPH works fine) to a T and another set of T's to each pot in the bottom side of it with a straight 1/2 in coupler... all connected to your 2 gallon buckets with 1/2in grommets! DONE Nice 4 plant setup kept about 1.5' apart.

Simple, easy, cheap!