Aleksandar
Last year I made a video (https://youtu.be/fBcNxiv4Pc0) of a DIY low-pressure aeroponics system design (aka sprayapoincs or soakaponics), which uses a submersible pump and PVC with spray nozzles attached. The nozzles spray nutrient solution onto the roots, then circulate back through the pump. That design worked very well, but there were a few issues I encountered.
Problems with old version:
1. Small reservoir
2. Difficult to change nutrients
3. Over-complicated design, requiring special tools
The new desgin addresse these issues. If you built the other version, you probably have most of the parts already.
I did not mention in the video, but for the nutrient solution, I used a three part mix of Masterblend, Magnesium Sulfate and Calcium Nitrate at a ppm of around 850.
Part 1 of this tutorial shows the parts needed and preparation. Part 2 shows the construction, and Part 3 shows the final assembly, operation and follow-up.
Parts needed for this system as shown in the video:
PVC parts
sched 40 1/2″ PVC pipe –
3 x 1″ long pieces
1 x 7/8″ long piece
2 x 3″ long pieces
2 x 1/2″ couplers
2 x 1/2″ caps
2 x 1/2″ slip 45 degree elbows
1 x 90 deg tee
1 x 1/2″ adapter threaded/slip (screws into the pump) – get at a Lowes or Home Depot
3 x Spray nozzles and 11/64″ drill bit – https://goo.gl/QX4u9j
Submersible pump
1 x EcoPlus 728310 Eco 396 Submersible Pump, 396GPH http://goo.gl/n4cmuL (I mentioned in the video that I had seen one by Apollo Horticulture for 10.00, but don’t see that available at the time of this posting.)
Drill bits for internal bucket – These don’t have to be exact, the 11/16″ is what I used. It needs to be either exactly the diameter of the 1/2″ PVC pipe or just under.
1/4″
11/16″
2 x 5 gallon buckets – https://goo.gl/qUS06c (You can get these cheaper at big box stores)
1 x 5 gallon bucket lid Approx. 2.00 in box stores
1 x 3″ net pot https://goo.gl/NUZKIu
1 x 3″ hole saw – https://goo.gl/TPehGL
OR
*You might want to modify this design using a 6 inch bucket lid net pot. That would offer a little more stability and save some work and money. (6 inch net pot – https://goo.gl/8nlTAS) If you use this you won’t need the regular bucket lid, 3 inch net pot or 3 inch hole saw.
Supporting media
Clay pebbles/hydroton – https://goo.gl/pKFvKk
*alternately you could use coco coir chips instead – https://goo.gl/q5k8Dl
Power cord management
1 x 1 7/8″ hole saw – https://goo.gl/dRz3GN
1 x 2″ neoprene cloning collar – https://goo.gl/sb3bMe (This also has the spray nozzles needed, listed above, but doesn’t included the 11/64″ bit)
Peter Stanley
