Grow tower build Aquqponics

Aquaponics grow tower build, Instructional video!---inexpensive and simple techniques---with tips on tool handling, jigs and fixtures. Cut thousands $ off your aquaponics build!
Coconut Coir here; amzn.to/2nJjqZM
Chop Saw here; amzn.to/2niuWzT
drip tube kit here; amzn.to/2zXnnRU

[@petermapp5988]

Dead is the adage ! Jack of all trades....master of none!This gentleman knows a little of everything.He turned the wood used to make the tower on the lathe himself...we saw the mitre saw and some type of welder in the background...nothing like a man and his tools who can do stuff in his own home.great video....thanks !

[@nukubu9379]

Finally someone who shows us how to actually make one instead of showing one that has already been made.

[@Houseislife]

I was expecting another boring hydroponic tower video, but was pleasantly surprised by your use of the cotton cord to create a media-free, super lightweight tower! I'm definitely glad I watched!

[@PaddyNinja]

Donald, you're a genius brother. Ancient knowledge blended with modern methods. This will be most helpful. Many thanks. 😁👍🙏

[@ALAnorthAMBERpoleSKA]

You are the Bob Ross of diy videos. I enjoyed the tutorial very much, thank you for taking the time to make it.

[@mariasimadareyes]

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[@jasondineen1469]

I love this model. The idea of utilizing the most out of space produces a big yield. It also saves your knees and back from traditional ground farming. I’m working toward building my own micro vertical farm. Thanks for posting this video. I learned a lot from it.

[@donaldporta]

That's a great idea!

[@LeonTroutskiunplugged]

Hi Donald, thanks for posting these. the wedge idea is priceless. It seems to take a lot of the fiddly stuff out of making these towers. Brilliant!

[@nathanwebb2301]

That was Awsome big guy!!! You just saved me couple hundred bucks. On buying towers!!!

[@waltlars3687]

Brillant jig on the chop saw for slot cutting !! 👍

[@najibcasa2745]

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[@hildagraham5846]

Go here now if you want the best aquaponics system online: HootAqua.info

[@1959jimbob]

@@najibcasa2745 just another scam on how to survive the food apocalypse by BUYING the only plant that works.. B.S.

[@freckspecks]

Thanks so much for the terrific tutorial, Donald!! I can't wait to give this a go.

[@donaldporta]

Hope you enjoy

[@EvilKerek]

Thank you for making this video. The drip line is genius. This is exactly what I was looking for.

[@tichuang]

This is going to save me a ton of money, thank you!!!

[@Kntryhart]

I started my first Grow Tower this afternoon. Holy-Moly! Extremely time consuming to form each hole! And...if the plastic gets too hot it starts to scorch; too little heat and it likes to tear. Definitely a learning curve! I found that drilling holes at the end of the crosscut slots helps lessen tears.

[@donaldporta]

+Kntryhart I found that after doing a number of them, I would time the heat on each slot and it was fairly reliable.

[@Kntryhart]

+Donald Porta Hopefully, towers 3 and 4 will be done today...

[@pjs-1287]

yes, I started out with 3" but went to 4", more room to work

[@dubbwoolseyjr.2958]

You have some great ideas for jigs and tools. Thanks you have given me some great ideas. I some times use a short piece of heat shrink tubing to keep the ends of line from fraying. It doesn't get sticky like tape.Thanks again.

[@TheRoseluv33]

Omg your a genius , thank you for making! 🙏

[@MichaelTilson]

I'm surprised this video doesn't have more views. It is really very good. Thank you for putting it together.

[@levino9777]

Tempek

[@XoshBitt]

This is awesome. I just built a tower today and now found this. The wicking line seems like a great addition. For sure going to give it a try. I have been thinking about how to avoid making sure the plants don't get too dry and this seem like really good addition to make sure they won't. Thanks again!

[@winstongraham3817]

⁰

[@zerohunter64]

That line idea is superb

[@donaldporta]

thank you!

[@kimvaughan2140]

Amazing, professional demonstration, thank you so much. I loved your wicking idea: no grow medium. I hope this will help me to get it right. My hydroponics system used to get stuck up and never worked properly. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. Kim from Western Australia

[@donaldporta]

Thank you for the support, your friend, Don

[@iamthekwan]

Absolutely brilliant part with the wick. Thank you!

[@donaldporta]

Very welcome!

[@claymoma]

Thank you, thank you, thank you.!!! You just saved me a ton of money. I'm a fan for life!!!!!

[@donaldporta]

Thanks for your support--- I am always looking for the cheaper and sometimes better way to do things---Don

[@LindaMcEnernybeth]

Really good video and instruction! would love to see finished project and details about using, water supply, etc....

[@umarabubakar1070]

Uuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu

[@Horizonlight]

Thank you! The best instructional video I have watched on this so far.

[@thuss5162]

Nice use of the wedges seen a number of folks struggling with a gloved hand and that's it! The wicking cord replaces the media in the tower! If you wrap your tape around your line before you cut it just cut right thru the tape it will be perfect

[@clfung2008]

Good ideas ! thanks for taking the trouble of sharing this video ! I like it !

[@fredstockberger9894]

Very helpful information, thank you for taking time for making a great video and sharing your knowledge!!

[@paullopez3298]

thank you roland for your excellent tutorial... we are building a greenhouse that will incorporate these type, diy zip tower type, and photobioreactors for growing algae.

[@Blackpink12287]

Merci. From France.

[@annyseavey8226]

Excellent Video you are a great teacher!

[@donaldporta]

+anny seavey Many thanks my friend---Don

[@dff1978]

Excellent thoughtful step by step instructions, thank you!

[@wimm1392]

Thanks for sharing your technique Mr.

[@donaldporta]

My pleasure

[@kevingill3339]

if you keep a wet towel handy you can quick cool the plastic with the wedge in it so you can move on more quickly, also you can use several of these metal spring clamps rather than the special wedges. when you get tired of paying for net pots you can use a peace of soft foam in place of them and the wickimg lines.

[@donaldporta]

Thank you for noting this, it does work very well. I had a neighbor come over and help me do these, and he worked in a plastics factory, and that is exactly what we did.Thanks for you input my friend---Don

[@fleaniswerkhardt4647]

"..also you can use several of these metal spring clamps .". Which metal spring clamps do you mean?

[@sama7930]

Thank you, your idea is really great, I like so much.

[@dudefixesstuff2153]

Excellent approach to these

[@ivlawrosheuvel9278]

Great info thanks Don, I will try that. I also like the wick system you used I too don't want to use a grow media.

[@donaldporta]

some of the plants root system is so full, no medium is needed, they make their own medium---Don

[@manielouw1085]

Excellent. Love to see further videos.

[@donaldporta]

More to come!

[@dieterditrich7520]

Very good video!

[@GaryMcKinnonUFO]

Nice build, your holes are much nicer than mine! I think my heatgun is a bit small so it's not heating up the entire area well enough so each hole is different. Instead of your tapered dowels i 3d-printed a solid version of the netpot, same dimensions.

[@donaldporta]

Cool, thanks

[@iqbalsayyed4913]

Thank you for sharing sir, information is very helpful

[@donaldporta]

My pleasure

[@rudrajayebhaye4113]

Experience speaks! Nicely done bother 🙂

[@saltybildo4415]

Plumber here love my chop saw

[@lospotrillos869]

gracias amigo por compartir tus conosimientos,saludos desde la ciudad de méxico

[@mmangla5575]

very nice my friend

[@solarforfuture]

best vid ever on the topic! subbed

[@justcallmegypsydoc]

This was so helpful. Thank you so much!

[@imaji4487]

A smart creative man

[@donaldporta]

thank you my friend!

[@irfanashraf1238]

Throughly well managed project. Excellent

[@drodriguez3935]

Great video I’ll do the hole the same but I’ll use a different method besides wicking to distribute equal amounts of water 1/4 spaghetti line with mister or drip tips off a small pump... thanks again

[@donaldporta]

Great idea

[@terrencebanks9468]

Very nice video, thanks!!

[@donaldporta]

Glad you liked it!

[@novanstanton9343]

Awesome my man I'm about to get started on my own

[@KetansaCreatesArt]

Hello Novan. Did you make? What did you do after attaching the wick? I didnt find a follow up video. Thank you.

[@harryhu6644]

Your idea of making grow tower with PVC drain pipe is brilliant. There seems to be a problem of water spilling out of the port because the shape of the PVC edge directs the water to flow out. I think that you can eliminate the problem by cutting the slot at some angle (i.e., 45 degree or smaller with respect to the normal) with a table saw or circular saw. Then, you use the same tool to shape the slot into a hole. By doing that, you can get a natural drip edge to direct the water inward. It also means that if you shape the hole in the wrong direction, you will have the same problem. Could you give this a try at your convenience and let us know whether this helps? I don't have the tools to try this out yet.

[@donaldporta]

Great Idea, I will have to give it a try---- Thank you my friend, Don

[@chevvyloverr]

Nice JOB, thank you for the info.

[@jozeortiz7396]

Nice video. My question is what is the distance between holes.. thank you

[@49Freds]

Very cool...really enjoyed the video

[@arifditlin3772]

Nice work donald..... thank you...

[@mazheruddinmohammed4237]

Excellent video.bro.

[@donaldporta]

Thanks for the visit

[@TheCaywood3]

Thanks, great video

[@mastercurrychef]

excellent job

[@MrGnidlih]

Great video, thank you.

[@seandan68]

try hockey skate laces for a wick..

[@toufikdjoudi]

well done and thank you

[@kkutube1972]

Thank you for sharing.

[@donaldporta]

My pleasure!

[@arizona111]

Solid vid. Thanks!

[@arkiankwan488]

Thanks for the tutorial ...

[@donaldporta]

You're welcome

[@jagdeepsandhu9659]

Very clear instructions , thank you . Is PVC food safe ? The roots may absorb some harmful chemicals, please share the food safety issues if you have any information on this .

[@donaldporta]

I had called the mfg. of the pvc before making these, and the same plastic is used on the drains as is used with the drinking pipes--- they just don't stamp the pipe as such, since it is made as a drain line.

[@jagdeepsandhu9659]

@@donaldporta I appreciate the prompt reply . Thank you ,the information is very helpful .

[@michaelb.2413]

Awesome videos!

[@tahanlaoboy]

Thanks

[@b.p.7794]

wow you have some great ideas . the cotten rope is a great idea as is your use of jigs. I do have a question . I noticed that you only have one row of slots . could you not put 2 or 4 in the same pipe ? staggering them of course. or is a 3 inch pipe to small for that.

[@donaldporta]

+Barry Post The recommendation for slots are on one side only--- this is because of the close proximity of all the towers to one another. the light gets even distribution to all the plants among the towers! thanks for your comment my friend. Don

[@HoangMyVu]

Thank you uncle !

[@kamalharon9687]

Thx ..im looking this videos

[@RyanCook0608]

clever ideas there.

[@NovaFarm22098]

so smart bro

[@donaldporta]

thank you!

[@MORYARTY1977]

Thank you very much

[@KetansaCreatesArt]

Hello Donald, what did you do after attaching the wick? I didnt find a follow up video. Is this a different method than filling up the pipe with grow material? Is filling up hay better than this wick? Thank you.

[@donaldporta]

this is used in place of grow medium for plants with dense root growth. hay is not a better choice since it decays too fast, use coconut coir instead.

[@KetansaCreatesArt]

@@donaldporta Thank you for reply. Thats nice to know. Wish you very good health and joy.

[@DiegoLinde]

@@donaldporta Would really appreciated another video demonstrating the above as I'm not familiar with and explanation is not entirely clear to me. You're not using a pump to drip-feed nutrients?

[@numb3rs04040]

Nice presentation. I liked that you didn't edit out stuff, but just went with it. You kept it honest. There was probably an earlier video that I missed, but can you tell me the width of the saw cut or point me to the video?

[@donaldporta]

3 inches was the cut--- you might find that you may have to adjust your cut depending on the wedge you use--- you will know where it should be after the first tower you make. good luck my friend---- Don

[@numb3rs04040]

Thank you sir for the quick response.

[@drshezy]

hello Mr Porta, if i want to use a 3inch net cup, what width should i cut the PVC before heating?.....

[@ROMANXY-nu9rj]

SEHR GUT GEMACHT

[@JTBear]

I'm glad I found your channel, your videos are very easy to follow along with. I'm excited to see how well these perform for you! Mind if I give this a try for next years garden? Happy harvests!

[@donaldporta]

JT Bear Go for it JT--- I'm next trying to use straw as a grow medium in the towers---I'll post if I have success!

[@JTBear]

Please do!

[@donaldporta]

JT Bear Straw is a bad Idea---decays too fast, drops to the bottom of the tube and can plug the water flow, right now I am using the grow tubes without any medium in it. I hold the plants with net pots or foam from a swimming noodle both work great and as the plants grow the roots become the water channel thru the tower, Its been working great this way. Hope this helps---Don

[@ЮлияЛапуцкая]

JT Bear мщэомшюр людей

[@ЮлияЛапуцкая]

JT Bea

[@davidbaker4879]

Well done

[@wadishafan2001]

Very nce thanks 👍

[@chandra0102]

When growing hydroponics strawberries outdoors in colder climates, would the plants survive if left in the towers outdoors during winter (I am in NJ, zone 6/7) , or they should be pulled out and put in the soil for overwintering. Thanks.

[@donaldporta]

When dormant, the plants and buds can survive temperatures down to 10 degrees.When temperatures rise and revive dormant strawberry plants and then precipitously fall again, strawberry plants can suffer cold injury or “frost damage.” my biggest concern would be the plants completely drying out --- dehydrating, this would kill the plant also. I personally would try to protect the plants like the northerners protect their fig trees--- cover the plants in the ground, even if buried in an indentation in the ground, covered with leaves. If you try keeping then in a tower--- please keep me informed on the results---- thank you my friend---Don

[@eduardosalcedosr1727]

Don u are a genious u save me I will try to duplicate your idea.

[@bevandittberner3147]

great vid Don -was the wicking cord successful-would be so much less maintenance than spray tip nozzle

[@donaldporta]

+Bevan Dittberner Yes it has worked, but as soon as the plant roots get of any size the cord is not needed--- I plant the towers with plants having longer roots and not concerned with the cords anymore.

[@edplow5917]

well it seems that i misplaced my lathe again?looks lite its time to use square 5 in fence post PVC covers and a 3in hole saw and go from virtical to horizontal

[@skoolzone]

Great work, nice job,but what are the chemical tolerances of your pvc if not food grade i suggest not growing food in them. Only flowers/non edibles Hydor nutrient may leach chemicals from polymer.

[@donaldporta]

I had called the manufacture of the pipes--- the material is the same as the pvc used in house pipe supply lines, just not labeled because these pipes are used as drain lines and not supply lines, I would call them also just to verify to set you mind at ease.

[@ArxtechCanada]

Hi, Could you please let me know how large/deep the cut is made for netcups. I plan to do the same on a 4'' tube with 2'' cups.. Thanks and great video!

[@Houseislife]

ArxtechCanada I'm gonna go out on a limb here and say the cut is gonna be 2" wide.... since that's how wide your net pots are ;)

[@donaldporta]

Houseislife You are right--- 2" cut and the heat during forming will allow stretch to fit the net cuts.

[@donaldporta]

ArxtechCanada 2"cut

[@ivlawrosheuvel9278]

Hi Donald, Great stuff brother. My question is about how deep those cuts for the net cups should be?

[@donaldporta]

A cut about three inches long--- the tapered wood plugs will set the holes to the right size, if too small of a cut, you will see some tearing at the ends of the cuts. trial and error on the first tower will get you there. Don

[@pjanoo6973]

I've seen a lot of these videos using Pvc but is it safe enough to grow veggies in? Are any chemicals able to be absorbed by the plants roots?.

[@donaldporta]

I had called the manufacture of the PVC, and although it is not labeled for palatable water, the PVC is the same composition,

[@anakaine]

Most new water pipes in houses and cities are made from the same / similar materials. It is stable, and talk of leachate being absorbed in enough quantities into plants to make a difference over the course of your life is nonsense. Stop and think, have you ever grown a vege plant in a plastic pot?

[@aiannar974]

I love this design. Do you run the water continuously or do you run some time on and some off?

[@donaldporta]

you can do both, I ran continuous.

[@hedinbenjamin908]

thank you very much :)

[@anakaine]

Donald: This video is a few years old now - how did the wicking hold up? Were your plants happy with the water they received? Also - how did you set the wicking to work? Did you draw out of a top reservoir?

[@donaldporta]

drip tube in top. once roots are established the wicking line is not needed--- the roots will do the wicking.

[@anakaine]

@@donaldporta Thanks very much

[@BenjasUberHobby]

Looks cool :) thanks for sharing :)

[@franciscoborges3137]

Saudações fraternas. Qual é a função desta corda amarrada pelas cavidades da torre. Tem vídeo mostrando a instalação desta torre? Grato pela atenção.

[@nyzkrk514]

very nice video but it could be better to explain what will be next too.

[@jurorx]

Donald Porta Please disregard my question I sent via private message. I just found my answer. Thank you for the valuable information and clear instructions.

[@waynecribb1108]

did you make the litter router for cutting out the trench in the native flute??? did you buy it are make it ?? do you sale them ar have the plans to make one. have started trying to make the flutes thats a pretty neat tool would love to have one.

[@donaldporta]

The router was made for cutting the flutes. makes one tough job much easier.

[@szorakatenusz7285]

Is there a part 2 to this video?

[@biancaleroux7875]

saw has a adjustable stopper easier to use

[@stevehume4451]

Hi Donald, how do you work out what angle to put the wedge on to make the holes for the cups? cheers Steve...

[@donaldporta]

I let the wedges find it's own sweet spot----Don

[@thuss5162]

That saw has an adjustable stop built into it it it doesn't adjust far enough put in a longer bolt

[@franciscoborges3137]

Fraternal greetings. What is the function of this rope tied by the cavities of the tower. Do you have a video showing the installation of this tower? Grateful for the attention.

[@donaldporta]

the cord running thru the tower will wick water to small root plants--- when the roots develop more the cord is not needed, but can still be left in the tower

[@franciscoborges3137]

@@donaldporta Thanks for the clarification.