3D Printed Mini Hydroponics System

[@malanct]

You can always run the pump cable via the overflow pipe.

[@ChilliChump]

Good call

[@dubcindub15]

@2:01 That clip noise when you use a snips, so satisfying! If you're using it out in the greenhouse you could try connect it to a solar supply to make your greens greener :)

[@ChilliChump]

Check out some of my other videos! I have a full solar setup for my greenhouse. And this setup is actually in the greenhouse now connected to my off-grid system. I will update on that on my next video!

[@dubcindub15]

@@ChilliChump Ah I'm subscribed but haven't seen that yet Shaun, will check it out later. Having no joy with the carolina reaper or other hot ones I'm germinating in rockwool, think I'm gonna go for plain old compost germination then try root out and transfer to my expanded clay DWC self-build. Also regarding germination, gonna try an off-shoot of using cold tea to weaken the seed shell before planting - plant the seed directly into a used teabag! Great water retainer, and I work in science....that's how new stuff happens - people say "I wonder what would happen if" then shit happens! :D Enjoy your Easter weekend man, have a good one.

[@davidnewton3064]

Very cool printed parts. Its really cool being able to design your own parts. One suggestion I would have for you is to modify your bulkhead fittings to use rubber o-rings. Makes cleaning, storage, and transportation easier compared to using adhesive. After using Arduino for years on automation projects I made the leap to Raspberry Pi. No need to uninstall, plug into your USB, unplug and reinstall your controller when the code needs to be modified. Just do it over wifi. That feature alone is worth the change in architecture. Looking forward to your next project!

[@ChilliChump]

Hi David, the reasons for using Arduino and ESPs is mainly down to power consumption. I do use raspberry pi for other projects where I have them plugged into mains. But these devices are used in my off-grid solar setup in the greenhouse. They use a fraction of the power a raspberry pi uses. Also I find them far more reliable

[@stephkera9976]

Thank you for your educational content. I learned a lot from you. I just lack a garden and have to please my girl every season to get more room on our balcony. Keep going. Always entertaining to watch. Greetings from Berlin, Germany.

[@ChilliChump]

Thank you! Glad you are enjoying it. And you should be able to get a decent little garden on your balcony! Good luck with your season.

[@linaso9739]

I see that you like playing with tech. It used to be electronics, and now you added 3d printing to :) Great video, thank you!

[@ChilliChump]

Since I was 10! I love tech, computers etc. That's also the industry I work in. Definitely where one of my passion lies!

[@Mr19hannes84]

Great idea. I copy this for my own home use. Thank you! Good Job.

[@EugeneShamshurin]

May i suggest drilling a few small holes in the growing tray bottom border? That does not materially slow down fill-up process, but helps eliminate last bits of standing water, that are inevitable even with a small elevation profile of drain tube...

[@designworksdw1949]

Pretty neat nice and compact. Something like this would work good for my grow tent.

[@simplifygardening]

That is a brilliant way to get into ebb and flow mate. Thats awesome great job.

[@GoldenHat333]

I love and tried hydroponics once and I just got a 3d printer, thanks for the awesome video choice

[@greatdragonofra]

Awesome, can't wait to move into my new apartment that seems like an option for me, to grow my very own Madam Jeanette Peppers, nice man!

[@Tokiareinke]

This is perfect for a small setup. I want to make this so bad. Great video as always, can't wait to watch them grow in it.

[@ChilliChump]

They are already pretty large. Can't believe how quickly they are growing.

[@katecoombes1000]

That’s a cool little system. Very nice.👍

[@ijfdejong]

Quite the handyman! Great video!

[@schrabbels]

Very good idea! It would be awesome if you could do a timelapse video, so we can see how the plants behave when they get flooded. Thank you.😉

[@ChilliChump]

That's a good idea. I will have a look at doing that!

[@Mailmartinviljoen]

This is a really neat way of doing it. Well done dude. Would have been nice though if you could feed the wire back up into the top bucket. But i guess there isnt enough weight to pinch the wire. I currently have this really nice looking system mounted agains the wall using 110mm pvc pipes. I find that the roots are cloging the pipes and they then run over. So maybe if i drain them and pump water in a cycle like you do will solve the problem. Cheers and keep em comming.

[@ChilliChump]

For the wire I clipped a little corner out of the lid underneath the flood bed. That does the trick. I considered hot gluing it in but I wanted to be able to switch out the pump if I ever needed to! Btw the system is really working great, I have it outside now...and the plants are just growing like crazy

[@SmartGrowAutomation]

Awesome work, thanks for documenting! Will you be able to fruit out those peppers in this small space or do you plan on moving them when they get bigger? If you are keeping them in there did you have to select a smaller variety to ensure they'd fit? Do you have any update videos on these two plants?

[@ChilliChump]

Check out my more recent videos you can see how they are doing in my large greenhouse!

[@SmartGrowAutomation]

@@ChilliChump Ok I just looked at your latest video update and wow, those things are huge! Didn't know you could fit them in such a small space.

[@davidjobe9876]

Looks great, I gonna make my own one thanks for sharing Chillichump ;)

[@PepperWolverine]

great idea, love it. Very clever and ingenious.

[@ChilliChump]

Thanks Jeff!

[@HappyPepper]

Nice little setup!

[@geewizwow4889]

Hey, just a quick correction, the ID of the tube needs to be 8mm, not 9mm as you linked.

[@CliftonChilliClub]

Great video and we love the concept of 3D printing the parts.🌱🌶👍😀

[@ChilliChump]

Thank you! By the way, you guys have been smashing it with your videos the last few months!

[@CliftonChilliClub]

Cheers@@ChilliChump yep defo been smashing up our vids, just a mo we don't use video tapes anymore, it's all digital......lol 👍🤣 You're doing very well to and all looking great, keep the great work up.👍😀

[@rebel4466]

Was wondering if you ever measured the pH of the system. Clay balls in a wet/dry cycle usually tend to build up some of the fertilizer salts inside, pushing up the pH over time, decreasing the plants ability to get their nutrients out of the water mixture. Not totally sure how much of the buildup is released per cycle though. Might not be enough to affect the system long term. Great build by the way!

[@ChilliChump]

I tracked the pH and EC every day. It stabilised after about a month. But never really had readings that were alarming

[@BobGrows]

Awesome video! I love my hydroponic system

[@ChilliChump]

I'm loving the "tech" side of it so far. The big decider will be at the end of the season when I get to compare my soil Vs hydro peppers!

[@BobGrows]

@@ChilliChump I love the "automation" aspect of hydro. Feels like a micromanagement/clicker game "farmville" in real life

[@davidhalldurham]

Excellent video as always. You're right to be proud of that system! Very impressive and very well done!

[@ChilliChump]

Thank you!

[@THX..1138]

Nice. I like the IKEA trays, though you may want to redesign the drain so it leaves a little bit water in the bottom of the grow tray at all times. Should you have a power outage or pump failure the water in the bottom of the tray will keep your plants alive until the problem is fixed.

[@ChilliChump]

The way the bottom of the tray is designed it leaves about 200ml of liquid at the bottom....a happy accident really!

[@Taargkrizzt]

Not sure to ask here or on the appropriate video but here goes. First time grower and I just rewatched your "Beginners Guide to Growing Peppers" playlist - wich is fantastic btw - and now that I actually have some kind of succes (first batch, not so much) I wonder how I know when its time to pot on for the second time and onwards? My super chillies are currently in a 9x9x9cm pot and the next step up for me is a round 13cm diameter 11cm deep pot. As allways, appriciate the videos!

[@ChilliChump]

Hello and thanks for watching! The way I decide to pot up is largely by feel. But basically you are potting up when the plants roots have taken up most of the existing pot without becoming rootbound. This may result in very different size plants depending on your seeds you are growing. But with a 9cm pot .I would say wait until you have a plant that has at least 6 pairs of true leaves before potting up. If you wanted to be 100% sure...wait until you need to water then again. If you are following my beginner's guide then that would mean the pot would be quite dry. Carefully life the plant out the pot and have a look at the roots. If they are very visible around the sides, then it is time to pot up!

[@Taargkrizzt]

@@ChilliChump Thanks again for you help, I really appriciate it - and happy holidays!

[@gavinvd1]

[@JustinR82]

Awesome video! What ideas do you have next for the 3D printer?

[@ChilliChump]

I have quite a few ideas! It is amazing how creative you get when you buy one of these! I just wish I bought one sooner

[@MrLP10o]

Hey Chilli! Great video and really nice little setup !! Have you shared your code somewhere or is it available on your Patreon with the 3D files ? Thanks ! :)

[@ChilliChump]

Thank you! I shared the base code in this video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/opXZpXeorMqmpdE

[@MrLP10o]

@@ChilliChump Thanks for the quick answer and for the code !!

[@426superbee4]

HAPPY EASTER

[@ChilliChump]

And to you as well!

[@gettingair]

Thank you for the video. How do you feel about pla and situations like this where you want to use it for food related use? Looking for information on that.

[@ChilliChump]

PLA is biodegradable. So from that perspective it is fine. It can release lactic acid when exposed directly to food stuff, but that is fine too. However because of lots of little ridges and gaps etc on the printed parts, it can collect up dirt and bacteria etc, so need to be careful of that.

[@gauchette]

Thank you, very good video as usual. Just my 2 cents - the wet, cool and shady space in the peebles is the bottleneck resource, especially in such a miniature systems; please consider filling the table with peebles to the brim and a bit more!

[@TheStenfelt]

Thank you! U just got a new subscriber. ;)

[@inventanew]

this is so awesome!

[@peejayw]

After growing the chilies to a suitable size, is it possible to then transfer them to the garden or do they have to stay in the hydroponic system?

[@ChilliChump]

You can move them to the garden from a hydro system, just be prepared for the plant to be in a bit of shock for a week or two. In fact a lot of my plants this year started in a hydro system before transplanting them to their final pots.

[@GeoAeroponic]

@@ChilliChump The best option is to move them into a bigger hydro system in the garden ;)

[@devlaminckw]

Hey man, nice setup. I just got one remark about this. You hardcoded the time the pump should stay on based on a test with a clean setup to 22 seconds. What will happen when the plants start to fill the container with roots? They might slow down the draining. At the end of the video it seems the water drains as fast as it fills. If the drain gets clogged it might overflow the bucket since it will fill a lot faster. Maybe an open contact at the top of the container could be used as an off switch for the pump. When the water reaches the contact it will short and close the contact? Just my 2 cents.

[@TheBendixSA]

He has an overflow built into the center red pipe so that the water will drain back down if it overfills

[@gatovillano7009]

Wow, that is an interesting system you got there. :-)

[@antonk27]

Hey Shaun, I'm considering this setup in the greenhouse for next season.. Would you recommend leaving those 2 plants in that same size bucket for the whole season? (in other words no need for "potting up")

[@ChilliChump]

There wouldn't be a need to pot up with this system. The foliage may get a little crowded later in the season though

[@antonk27]

@@ChilliChump Thanks. Also, how long would you use the same water in the reservoir before it needs changing? This does seem to be a lot more water efficient than standard pots with soil...

[@ChilliChump]

Depends on the stage of the season...but at worst, I will change it out after 2 weeks.

[@antonk27]

@@ChilliChump Thanks, I will get into the details as we get closer to next season and I've finalised a design.

[@davyboy555]

Great video. Dumb question, but where do you get your plant tags from?

[@ChilliChump]

Thanks David. The plant tags were off ebay. These were the best priced ones I could find, took a little while to get to me though: bit.ly/planttags

[@owiela]

Good video. Good descriptions! Too bad there is no Ikea in NZ just yet. I've been trying to figure out how to do this sort of system with my fish tank. But it didn't click that water runs back through a pump when it is off! Thanks for the heads up, and now I have another project to sink my time in :] Gained a sub and will keep an eye on your updates!

[@mdugan1990]

Why stop there, print your own containers! 8" x 8" would be big enough for a single pepper plant... Ideal for an herb garden, really. Love how easy swapping the nutrients is with this!

[@mdugan1990]

...Now i'm designing how i'd do it in my head. I'm loving my new 3D printer, if that isn't obvious already...

[@Eli-uj8de]

Just growing peppers this year (not hydroponics) would like to know if there is an easy way to do hydroponics like this without the 3-d printed parts and the custom automation. Would still like automation though.

[@ChilliChump]

You can definitely do this without the complexities. I just enjoy tinkering. Have a look at the article I link in my description to Fataliis system. It is a lot more simplified buy the same idea

[@mikeg8319]

Great video as always. I have a question about the basin used, did you find that it was large enough to support both pepper plants once they grew to full maturity?

[@JoeMosfet]

Great video! I love the inclusion of 3d printed parts! One question though, are you worried about algae growth in the lower container? From what I understand, if any light gets in, algae will grow in your nutrient solution. Maybe wrap the lower container in a opaque tape, or maybe paint it in a dark paint?

[@ChilliChump]

If you see towards the end of the video I have some opaque containers. IKEA had a variety of them. I was using the clear one just to be able to show the levels of water easier

[@jimjh2671]

Awesome time to tinker :)

[@Tyrone-Ward]

It's always a great time to tinker.

[@thecub6012]

Loving the videos and keeping up with your projects! My sister and I tried 9 different chillies I have and found the chocolate bhut jolokia to have the best flavour of any chilli I've eaten to date! Weird thing is my naga vipers kicked our arses even more than the 7 pods and the reapers no idea why. Was instant tears and drool. Going off the scoville scale of the 9 we tried they didn't seem to match up with the heat of the chillies I'm wondering if the way they measure SHU isn't consistent with how hot it actually feels to eat them, I'm not sure if other people have thought the same thing. Anyway I'm going to try making your style of fermented hot sauce with the brine as you did but using choc bhut jolokia, choc habaneros and red savina habaneros and was wondering is it better to leave it 6 months as you did or a few weeks is fine? I don't mind waiting 6 months of its beneficial to flavour but I get a bit keen to try the sauce as soon as I can once I've made it lol keep the videos coming man they're awesome! 🌶🌶🌶😁

[@ChilliChump]

Hey Dustin! Really chuffed you are enjoying my videos! Agreed the bhut jolokia have fantastic flavours! Gotta be one of my favourites. With regards to a 6 month ferment...I would say that you will have diminishing returns after about 2 to 3 months. The changes will be a bit more subtle after that unless you were fermenting in an oak barrel or something! But definitely would recommend going longer than 3 weeks. Come join us on Reddit ( reddit.com/r/chillichump ) would be great to see some pics of your chilli's and sauce

[@thecub6012]

I went out today and got a 1 litre jar with a metal lid for 2 bucks, then I got an airlock and rubber gromits from the home brew section for 6 bucks. After drilling 1 hole I have a chilli fermentor it was so easy and only 8 dollars! I followed your recipe except the types of chilli's are different I've never bought the Chinese 5 spice before it smells amazing! I'll leave it 2 months then make the sauce im really keen to see how it tastes 😁 I've made sauces before, the last batch i made is amazing! This is my first attempt at fermenting chilli's and making Sauce this way hopefully it works out well🤞

[@LuisFCorreia]

this Växer product range is not available in Portugal :(

[@ChilliChump]

Thats unfortunate! I would have thought the range would be in all the IKEAs.

[@LuisFCorreia]

@@ChilliChump They do have living plants for sale but nothing fro growing them Seeing as we are a warmer country they probably though it wouldn't make much sense to have that range

[@Xeromorphic]

Great setup! Really nice, but toss the växer, switch to ghe and your peppers will love you

[@ChilliChump]

I use GHE in my main system. Want to experiment with Vaxer to see how long I can go without switching. I did it this way to help people who don't want to have things too complicated. I think it's a good step into hydro for beginners. Will see how it goes through the season

[@di5gustipated]

You should put your arduino projects on github. Love your content.

[@ChilliChump]

I did start doing that...but then realised how much work that would be to maintain! I just need to find the time. But I will do it in the future. Thank you for watching!

[@jasonbenjamin1464]

Have you considered putting the code up on github? much easier to scan through and read.

[@ChilliChump]

Hi Jason, I need to just find some time to do that. But hopefully soon

[@picsi-software]

do you have the 3d printed parts on thingiverse?

[@ronwatkins5775]

Do you have details on the arduino timer?

[@ChilliChump]

Hi Roy, have a look at the his video I did on it: kzbin.info/www/bejne/opXZpXeorMqmpdE

[@SuperKillerkarnickel]

careful, the IKEA containers fall apart if exposed to too much UV light. dont put them out in the open.

[@ChilliChump]

If I get a season out of them then I will be fine with it. We will see how it goes through the season.

[@gavinvd1]

May be old advice, but a black container would work better ;)

[@NotYourAverageFishKeeper]

Just finished your other video lol how did I know you were about to be uploading.

[@pinkypete6079]

Have you ever thought about putting your hand to growing other hydroponic plants? Lots of money in it lol 😉

[@ChilliChump]

If it ever becomes legal in the UK, I am up for the challenge! 😊

[@jrgenmadsen8773]

Why all that tecnik to grow chilli plants ? It can be done with much less. I know I do !!!

[@ChilliChump]

If you have a look at my other videos you can see I do it simply too. Doesn't mean we can't try a techy approach too. I've been growing chilli's traditionally for many years with great success. Just nice to try something different

[@Tyrone-Ward]

Shut up!

[@icecreamtruckog3667]

Those containers are not perfect. The containers need to block out sunlight so that algae doesn't start grooving in your nutrient solution, or they can't be see through.

[@pcurtis987]

Bruh, is there anything you cant do?

[@ludjlu1]

First