How to Build & Set Up a NFT Hydroponic System

Hoocho Builds and Sets Up a Nutrient Film Technique Hydroponic System for NFT Hydroponics
#hoocho #nft #hydroponics #system
00:00 - Intro & Discussion
00:37 - What You’ll Need
01:30 - Pumps
02:11 - Reservoir
02:32 - Hole Spacing
03:46 - Drilling Holes
04:06 - Reforming The PVC Ends
05:08 - Running Irrigation Lines
05:56 - Flow Rate Discussion
06:56 - OCD
07:26 - Irrigation & More OCD
08:08 - Slope/Fall Discussion
10:03 - Final Irrigation Design
09:46 - Irrigation Diameter Discussion
10:21 - First System Run
11:50 - Hydroponic Nutrients
12:13 - Rates of Application
12:56 - PH Adjustment
13:50 - Mixing Nutrients
15:21 - EC & PH Testing & Adjustment
16:51 - Introducing Seedlings
17:18 - Multi-Media Discussion
18:38 - Planting
19:33 - Outro
Nutrient EC Meter (Truncheon Clone):
ebay.us/Sa3ZKI
Bluelab Truncheon:
ebay.us/hMbBjG
amzn.to/3u76wYE
Bluelab PH Meter:
ebay.us/khOlhp
amzn.to/3nufyfP
Where to get the Nutrient and Rockwool Slabs in Australia: www.eem.com.au/contact-us/
Hoochos explores the worlds of Hydroponics, Aquaponics, Permaculture, Homesteading, Fermentation, Technology Vanlife and DIY Builds to look at the world through a larger lens that can incorporate the best of everything into a rich and rewarding lifestyle.
Through self sufficiency we can reduce consumption and increase our hyperlocal household production.
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Happy Hydroponicing!

[@kareneverling5860]

Love it when you include your unhappy moments..."I'm not happy with it, I'm changing the design"🤣 Now that is realistic when you build!!!👏👏👏❤️

[@littlejohn3209]

Love the fact you bend the pvc instead of fittings as those guys add up quick🤗

[@stevecarter913]

Love the setup. I've been thinking of growing strawberries using hydroponics for a few seasons now. Your video has convinced me. Thanks and. Keep the content coming.👍

[@hydroponicsbybrianbullock2488]

Nice build. simple , great video. I used to mix up using hot water , but don't anymore. Keep up the good work Hoocho.

[@robinsong7298]

Love your build outs there are so many different ways to do hydroponic gardening but you think it through and keep it neat ( hydroponic gardening can be so ugly) keeping lines tucked cladding your reservoir to have a pro look. Love it

[@yourfriendwill]

I just found your channel and have been binging your content, love your approach! thanks for sharing your insights, I especially appreciate the fact that you're so open about mistakes and design changes - extremely refreshing as well as empowering for those of us who are just getting started.

[@kaillra]

Thanks so much for making this video!

[@brianhvactech]

Just discovered your channel. Your videos are great and I can’t wait to start building my very 1st NFT system this week. Thank you for taking the time to create this enjoyable content.

[@TM-we6eg]

I am really in love with this system I am getting my stuff this weekend to switch over to this cant wait !!!

[@micksbackyardaquaponics1408]

That was amazing job you had dun there to your hydroponic setup 👍👍

[@robottrainer]

If you don't mind a critical comment. The ultimate point of an NFT in my opinion is to achieve the maximum conservation of yield using the least amount of resources (nutrient, water, materials, energy). The flow rate for just a 3-row system is a lot and could be conserved to less than that of 30 mL. TBH if you want the trial/error approach (scientific method), I would continue this route to see if you could achieve using the least amount of materials to be able to scale. I for one am making a 4 row / 4 column 11 plants per column (33 per row) system using less than 45 W electricity (LED lights, timer switch, etc) and hopefully less than 1G, this is the ultimate NFT IMO. Most of this is driven by cost and waste conservation. Hence, the need to scale to urban and commercial farming. Keep up the great work.

[@jeffrice4347]

Love the channel and what your doing, sorry to hear about the recent hardships your going through. Your channel is informative, good natured, and technical. I love the 3D aspect that you bring into this world of urban farming. Have you ever done a live wall before utilizing the hydroponic system? My client mentioned the show Hannibal as an example. Just curios .

[@wjm1319]

Nice! For light blocking, I'm using pond liner around my reservoir. Cut it to size, duct-tape it on, and it folds back out of the way when you need it to.

[@AdamStranberg]

Oh my word those time stamps. 👏👏

[@barbarastefani254]

Love the change you made

[@monsterofvalhalla3397]

Looking at setting up my first NFT setup in the next few months... this vid shared alot of insight into the setup and why you done things. thanks for sharing. 👍 New sub

[@chazdenross7230]

I just found this channel and I have watched six videos in a row. I like the 4:56 mark where there is a bottle of Jameson's on the gutter. #Living your best life!

[@2-trueman918]

Good idea with the PH balancing, water first

[@barbarastefani254]

Can’t wait to try building this thank you

[@danielwrightson6699]

Mate your videos are fantastic!

[@barbarastefani254]

Thank you for the information on the pump Fasola totally awesome

[@cynthiaerskine4882]

Oh, and this is a great system, I like using the rectangular pvc guttering - recently built something similar indoors using adjustable shelf brackets as the supports. I do like the scaffolds you've used here - was eyeing off the saw horses at Bunnings just the other day, but scaffolds would be much stronger and more durable 👍

[@MutedNew]

Hi, Hoocho from Ukraine :) Awesome video and awesome setup. Some of my friends have the same system in an apartment, so they could not have such bit reservoir for a solution, so the system a little bit changed for our conditions, and you could use these changes too: 1) For more aeration use a wash machine corrugated drain pipe, but it should be corrugated inside, so the low-speed flow will be more aerated by this form of the pipe. The end of the pipe should be also above the level of the solution in the reservoir. 2) Make the drain hole a little bit lower than the middle of the "pipe", so in case the pump dies or the electricity disappears, the plants will not die without a solution. And lower the speed of flow a little bit, so the drain hole will be filled for 1\3-1\2 of the diameter

[@henrik.norberg]

Thanks for all hydroponic videos! I'm a bit envious of your weather for growing as I live in northen Sweden with 6 month of snow but I have ordered everything to try Kratky, NFT, Dutch Bucket, Rain Gutter systems this year. I'm very late with the seedlings as I'n just about to start but this year is most about building and testning, not producing, so I can go all in next year. Oh, and ofc I do subscribe and like every video as I love the easy going but dead serious about the important stuff like price, results, testing AND showing misstakes (so I don't have to do them)!

[@Hoocho]

Cheers mate, I enjoy making the videos. I couldn’t imagine living without temperate weather year round. We are spoiled. Appreciate the comment!

[@ericaarseth1139]

I’m in Alaska. Same cold weather challenges. Just starting watching the videos. I figure 4-5 months outside, remainder of the year inside.

[@GlynisDance]

Thank you - very helpful video.

[@zacpackman9186]

thanks for covering your choice of hidroponic nutrent . ive found it reather difficult to find info on that . cant wait to see how this system goes.

[@atomizer2665]

The phosphorus seems low for lettuce as does the magnesium, best keep an eye out for deficiencies.

[@oztraliangrown8208]

Love your work hoocho..been sharing round a lil, hope ya don't mind 🙌👍

[@Hoocho]

Please do!

[@cheislies0012]

Thanks man! Lifesaver

[@ddeboy002]

I tried this last year and my roots plugged the system.

[@SylviaDallas]

New subscriber .very concise. Loved it

[@keifman7]

5:44 busted ;) Great video as always!

[@Hoocho]

Hahaha yeah I was originally going to use the bottle as the thing I made the lip with... but the multi grips worked better. Good eye though.

[@johnduong2710]

You are superman. Waiting for the next video mate. Cheer!

[@blackberryhillfarm941]

Amazing!

[@retpal2302]

I found that hanging my tubes with small turn buckles or pully allows me to adjust the tilt perfectly.

[@CorradoLouny]

Hi buddy farmer! I wanna thank you for your videos with so much information, this is complet guide. I love your work and results.I am indoor farmer, still using soil, but wanna change that for lettuce and strawberries amd other crops which I will produce in near future. Now I produce just microgreens, but my plans are BIG. ;) Best regards form Czech republic.

[@Hoocho]

Good luck my friend!

[@jamessssssssssssssssssssssssss]

you remind me a lot of self sufficient me, gotta be the accent, but also the delivery.

[@barbarastefani254]

I’m running a bilge pump for the solar panel works pretty darn good

[@cheflife420]

Sick

[@moosesnWoop]

2:55 I fucking love these pumps - little workhorses and they can move a lot of water real fast at low energy usage. Greetings from South Africa!

[@jacobchang4588]

Great system. You make it look easy. Queayion: wouldn't you develop problems from constantly warming water?

[@barbarastefani254]

Thank you

[@aussiesheriff7079]

The best Pucking idea I’ve seen in a looong time. Great MODULAR build mate, looking forward to seeing some great pucking grows. It’s nice see you returning to the outside Hydro grows, maybe an outdoor sound track is required ? 🍻🤙

[@Hoocho]

Yeah I’ve been super busy building the greenhouse, keen to get back into outdoor grows, minus the pests.

[@flash001USA]

This video has been really educational! Once you set up your feeding solution how to you keep the water/nutrient solution in check? I know water will need to be added as it is taken in by the plants along with evaporation losses but how often do you need to check the EC along with the pH? You mentioned keeping the light out of the water/nutrient reservoir. Is this to keep the solution cool during hot months or is this to discourage algae growth or maybe both? I seriously want to try this next year. what are the limits to growing with this setup? Can you grow stuff like okra or possibly corn if it is supported once it gets some height to it? Would it be possible to grow something like cantaloupe and cucumbers with this method? I know I just hit you with a million+ questions but you don't learn unless you ask. I've been growing killer hay bale gardens for the last 4 or 5 years with good results but this looks like it would greatly simplify things if it was set up correctly. I look forward to hearing your reply. Here is a link to this years garden. kzbin.info/www/bejne/oIjXXmaNicZkpNE

[@SteveZZZZ]

5:40 I like good Irish Whisky 🥃 when I build my NFT systems as well 😂 cheers brother 👌

[@qmoonwalker3847]

Great system! Like the idea of being able to use multiple medias. I have been watching your videos to learn how to do this. Like the square gutter pipe idea....think it would be very inexpensive. Can you tell me if that gutter tubing plastic is actually food grade? I guess thats what I would need to verify when I buy it in California. Thanks again!!

[@anitacoulton5395]

Thank you for sharing all your wonderful knowledge. Is there an alternative to using a heat gun to adjust the ends?

[@smittysfarms5914]

Thank you for the thorough detail of build. Having grown with this type of system, I would suggest not sealing the tube on the elevated end. These systems need cleaning periodically, and being able to use a ramrod makes it much easier.

[@shortcreekdairygoats9241]

Btw thank you so much for your videos! What kind of adapters do you use to hook up the 4 flex pipe the dispenser the water

[@revid64]

Great videos. You suggested 3% grade on your pipe, what does that work out to be per ft? Also do you get any shifting of the plants by just laying them in the holes, any problems with algae buildup? Thanks

[@SuperGreenLab]

Awesome build once again!! we should collab! cheers 🍻

[@lakshmishkaushik4086]

Very good demonstration. Its a great source. Thanks for your video. I have also setup hydroponic systems in my backyard. I use solid nutrients like you. Unfortunately within a couple of days there will be a thick layer of precipitate of salts at the bottom. I am not sure if this is excess salts or actually nutrient salts that had precipitated to some form. How to solve this? After precipitations can i assume that the water is devoid of any nutrients and the solution is waste? Please can you suggest what to do? Thanks.

[@ericdagenais969]

Great information in this video, can you please add the list of tubing and fitting require for the tree channel please. I am looking how you reduce from 3/4 to an half inch and cannot find the part. THank you

[@SparkyMTB]

Question.. Hi Hoocho! At the end he puts the plants into the holes but wouldn’t they want to slide down the square gutter, like a water slide. I guess the strength of the stalk keeps them hanging on. I could understand if he used the round baskets & then put the root material inside so it doesn’t slide down but he didn’t use that 🤔

[@Griffindor21]

Great video👍 Can I just ask where you got that modular bench you are using, looks like the ones used in scaffoldings?

[@mississippigardener987]

Love your videos. What do you use for pest control? Is that plastic downspouts your using? Thanks Sir

[@3110567]

Where do you find the flat channel. Live in Florida and really like your channel

[@ObiWanCannabi]

might make one of these as the balcony planter box, see what the neighbours think lol

[@angelovalerio9984]

Hello, thanks for the video, very complete information. Anyway I'd like to ask a couple of questions as I'm not completely sure about it. Do you have a on/off cycle of the pump or it runs continuously? Regarding the water tank, how often do you empty and refill? I've seen people going on with same water for several months.

[@Hoocho]

The pump is always on. Tank depends on the size. Types of plants. Stage of growth.

[@Invictum594]

In your experience, how long could plants survive in the event of pump failure? For example. Could you run the pump with solar and no battery, where the system would only be running during the day ?

[@Marcelo-yv5yq]

Hi thank you for your video. I have one question what does pooling means in hydroponic system?

[@cynthiaerskine4882]

Been reading a lot lately about people consuming chlorophyll, here in Australia there is a commercial grower of the algae it is extracted from near Bowen...I wondered whether it is the same type of algae us hydroponic growers try to limit 🤔

[@mrpeanutbutter4630]

Where are you purchasing the net pots from? They look like they have a decent edge on the top.

[@andregarnaut2194]

Hoocho, with the Diamond Special T and Nitro-cal, how often do you need to reapply as general rule of thumb?

[@Silverstar66666]

Do you have a calculation method of how big of a reservoir I need for different sizes? And also how strong my pump should be?

[@stevef.m.2188]

is there a video on the shelter you built for the NFT ,Great video ,Thanks Hoocho

[@Hoocho]

Once the walls are on and it’s finished there will be 😊

[@stevef.m.2188]

@@Hoocho Very cool Thanks

[@thack2502]

I had always thought rockwool holds way too much water to use where it is constantly touching the water. Be very interested to hear how your go. I’ve had Kraky and DWC plants fail for this reason. Using expanded clay between the rock wool and the water solved the issue for me

[@Hoocho]

At this point I expect the roots to leave the rockwool and explore the nutrient film. That would be a problem if the seedlings were added prematurely. The nutrient film will provide the plants ample oxygen theoretically.

[@hanstakani]

Thanks for your good tutos and informations. Keep on sharing more !!! I have a question: What is the average temperature of your nutritive solution in your nft system? Because I live in a warm country.

[@goactivemedia]

I have read in many places that i should never use normal PVC gutter as it can leach our the bad items it is made from into your plants. That i need to use a food grade UPVC and no gutters are make that way. What are your thoughts on that?

[@samsmusic1191]

Hellomhoocho are downspouts safe to use? They are PVC #3. I read that overtime if PVC is exposed to sun it can release cArcinogens coming from the material in PVC

[@jenkinsfamily8210]

Hi hoocho just wondering how do you keep your ph level as I’m having trouble and I’m using fibreglass square tube

[@leetpg]

My pump has become awfully noisy. I'm using a 6 manifold that you've used in the past I think it creates a lot of back pressure on the pump. Any ideas on how to alleviate this negative effect? It's a 1400lph pump.

[@stale7724]

I want to build a system like this to grow lettuce and spinach and other leafy greans. My summers get toasty at 86-90F (30C+). Would this work if I could find a partially shady spot? Worried lettuce will bolt.

[@Marco9K]

Fantastic content as always! Great system and where I live there is no square gutters but we do have ventilation channels that are the same dimensions as the ones you are using. I have been stuck in dwc/kratkyland in my thought and this was an eye-opener! I am worried about nft and pump durability though, I’ve experienced pump failures but that was in a ebb and flow so all went well. I wonder if there’s a smart way to have two pumps connected at the same time (one running and one in standby)?

[@wimveninga1714]

We might live in the same area, I've been searching like crazy here in the Netherlands. The ventilation channels here are only 1 meter long and I cannot connect them waterproof. Did you find longer channels, if so where?

[@wimveninga1714]

For the pumps you could build something with home assistant. Connect a water sensor in one of the channels, and trigger the second pump when there is no water flowing (and send an sms to your phone for instance). This guy inspired me to build home automation for my greenhouse systems: kzbin.info/www/bejne/h2rJm36bjrSsp7c

[@Marco9K]

@@wimveninga1714 Nope, haven't found anything else but 1m lengths online (or in shops), haven't asked the local building-suppliers though, they might have something. Btw, i live in Sweden så quite close (in the EU at least). :)

[@Marco9K]

@@wimveninga1714 I'll check that video out, for these things off like to keep things as simple as possible though. ;)

[@wimveninga1714]

@@Marco9K Ah, thanks for your quick reply, I found a special brand of rain gutters in NL just now, they have 4 meters: brand is Nicoll Ovation. It's from Belgium.

[@jonnyrox116]

By not using a netcup the hole in the channel allows light into the solution inviting algae growth. Netcups are cheap and last for many seasons, plus they offer the roots a place to anchor making the plant more stable

[@Hoocho]

Once the plant grows there will be insignificant light leaking

[@gijsharbers772]

Hey man, great video, im planning on building my own NFT system. Do you know if its possible to start growing from seeds (more precise radish seeds, i dont know if its imortant)?

[@risunokairu]

Is your plastic down spout that you're using as the base made of pvc? If it's made of pvc, ditch the heat gun and just use pvc cement to weld another piece on.

[@charlesjackson3309]

Hoocho, in using A & B nutrients, do you use A for vegetation, B for flowering, or do you use both during the whole grow cycle?

[@Hoocho]

Both

[@das250250]

I'd probably cover the water container with wrapped builders plastic that can easily be removed for cleaning . Uv rated ..cheap

[@Layby2k]

You should hook up with Mark from 'Self Sufficient Me', I think you could really do something cool together.

[@laura-leemurphyuta78]

You know, you have the printer that makes stuff...you should print end caps for your system and then you could cap them off, silicone them and drill the end and run tubing to your retention tank.

[@matthewearl9824]

what types of pipes are the rectangle pvc?

[@rustram3645]

Sir, I would like to know what is the slope of the pipes?

[@stefanbotma363]

Awesome, think I will try something similar. Since you are using the same reservoir for both NFT and Flood & Drain, I'm assuming you are planting something in the F&D with similar PH, EC requirements? Or am I overthinking that part of it?

[@Hoocho]

I'm considering not putting the F&D on top of the res for this reason and running a completely different F&D system

[@stefanbotma363]

@@Hoocho that makes sense. In the beginning I was really specific about adding plants with similar requirements together, now I'm gettting lazy and just adding anything together to see if it works or not...lets just pretend its for research purposes and not laziness

[@rogerg6458]

Hello Hoocho is there ant benefit in have a UV filter on the system ?

[@Irishspring1986]

Up voting simply just for the "fluid" pun and editing

[@das250250]

Does the guttering flex under weight of water and plants ? Why not use the gutter side on to reduce flexing .

[@TheEmjay19]

Hi, why would you now want light in the nutrient reservior?

[@aaronspain3387]

Question: Since scaffolding ends up being several hundred dollars for a 2m * 4m setup, is there an easy way to use star pickets to hold these rails up?

[@benrollins655]

I built a similar system using merbau fence palings, which ended up being about $30 - since there's never much water in the channels at any one time, you don't really need hardcore weight-bearing capacity.

[@fishmoding]

nice! Though I wonder, isn't that flow rate and water level a bit high? ive never done NFT so im probably talking out my arse here.

[@Hoocho]

Yeah I adjusted it down this morning with the taps

[@markchilluffo9638]

👍👍

[@seven4570]

how do you keep the water temp in the correct range?

[@michellecolledge2355]

I can never seem to follow how the tubing is set up. Where does the pump go and what is connected to it?

[@kingofkleen1]

I am finding PVC down spouts are vinyl, which is the most toxic plastic on the market. Where do you get yours, assuming they're food-safe?

[@Aldertonartco]

I bet your local DIY shops think you have an infinity house where no matter how much time you spend attatching guttering it never gets done, because you buy so much guttering so often!

[@spankytony]

Good day, i want to findout, after muxing 1gram of nutrient to 1 litre of water, what quantity of water is that meant for?

[@Freedomone153]

Is there a video on how you built your pergola?

[@Hoocho]

When it’s finished I’ll have one

[@michaelpye5972]

Can you buy the fertilisers online?

[@Sophie_519]

How do you deal with algae? Clearly you are not preventing it, do you have a regular cleaning regime, or do you just allow algae to grow through the system? Does it block the pumps etc?

[@Hoocho]

Algae isn’t an issue.

[@user-gh8wt2zi2n]

Is Irish whiskey required or can I use American?

[@nicmavrogiannis]

Hey Hooco, where did you get your rectangle pipes from? I'm in South Australia and both my major hardware store chains don't stock it. wondering it you know of any others?

[@Hoocho]

Bunnings mate

[@nicmavrogiannis]

@@Hoocho Yeah bunnings doesn't stock it down here. Super frustrating