This page shows how to build a low cost starter hydroponic system for flood and drain hydroponics. This is a good homemade hydroponics system to start growing with hydroponics.
Most of the parts are readily available at many stores across the USA.
There are a few specialty parts which are critical and are best obtained from a Hydroponics Retailer and of course, your best bet is to buy on-line from 3R Lighting.
This page shows how to set up the grow tray.
This homemade starter hydroponics system can grow three or four tomato or pepper plants with just a little work to build and run an indoor vegetable garden.
www.3rlighting.com/tutorial
Q: How can I get started with a hydroponics system? Preferably a homemade low cost or discount style system.
A: Your money is always best spent on a good quality growlight before any other piece of equipment.
It's been said that hydroponics is expensive, but after all you are playing God.
Q: Can I play St. Dominic, instead?
A: Very clever. You are referring to his vow of poverty. Actually St. Rose of Lima is the patron saint of gardeners and asking for her help will not hurt your chances. But in your case, you will have a lot more trouble with that vow of chastity that St. Dominic insisted on.
Q: Whatever. Just get back to the low cost hydroponics starter system?
A: Yeah, no problem. First, it is always better to spend your money on a growlight than on a fancy hydroponics system--even if you are growing in containers with soil. You will always get more bang for your buck with a light.
Look at this diagram again.
Obviously you need two tubs. You can use storage tubs like Rubbermaid Roughneck tubs--but any brand will do. The 18 gallon tubs work well for the reservoir and the 10 gallon tubs work fine for the growtray, but any sizes will work as long as the reservoir is larger than the grow tub. Now you have to cut and drill a little.
First install feed and drain fittings in the bottom of the grow tub or growtray.
The key to these fittings is the flat gasket.
The flat gasket goes inside the tub and the large nylon nut goes outside the tub and screws down to form a seal. Nylon threads are stronger and hold better than polypropylene. It is important that the gasket is flat and goes inside the tub because the weight of the water will press against the flat side and help seal the tub against leaks.
So, make 2 holes between 1" and 1 & 1/4" in diameter. A one and one eighth inch hole is usually best. Make the holes on a flat surface of the tub with at least two inches apart from center of the hole to center of the other hole.
There are many ways to make 1 & 1/8" holes--just be careful not to tear the plastic tub. You can use a 1 & 1/8" hole saw, a 1 & 1/8" speed bore, or whatever works for you. Take your time and do it slowly and carefully--don't force it--and you will come out OK. It is often helpful to use a piece of scrap lumber to brace the backside of the tub when you are drilling or using a hole saw. Plastic is very easy to cut, it is also very easy to tear. Try not to tear it by going too fast or too hard.
Start the hole slowly and cleanly.
Finish the hole slowly and cleanly.
Drill the second hole cleanly. You can use a round or half round file to gently chamfer and clean the edges.
Install the screw fittings, with the gasket inside.
Here's a bottom view.
Screw the stand off into the water height regulating fitting.
Screw the screen filter into the feed and drain fitting. The grow tub will both fill and drain through this fitting.
Next screw on the nipples to the bottom of the tub.
The smaller half inch nipple screws onto the feed/drain fitting with the screen filter. The larger three quarter inch nipple screws onto the overflow height regulator fitting.
