Hydroponic Vertical Growing Towers - How I Made Mine

Sorry, this is a long one but it is very detailed.
Bosch heat gun (Amazon): geni.us/I9vB
The growing towers were a failure last year as I didn't have any way of testing the nutrient level - I basically killed my plants with an overdose of nutrients but this year I'm tooled up and prepared.....things are very different and all is good.
4" white pipes: Available from plumbers merchants and on ebay
Stands / shelving for system: ebay.us/FQhI7a
The stands are available in lots of variations but these are the ones I bought since they are powder coated to protect against rust.
The pump I am using is a (very) old Oase Nautalis 3000 which is probably around 25 years old - still going strong.
The USB 4-way splitter for powering the USB fans and USB lights can be found here: geni.us/pMzxIk
K1 micro media used for the mesh bags of media in the top of each tower - it supports only aerobic bacteria so processes the ammonia and nitrite but generates nitrate which is used by the plants: filterpro.co.uk/k1-micro-1-li...
The 2" solvent pipe, rubber fittings, pipe joiners, taps and solvent glue were bought from Kockney Koi as I have an account with them but similar products can be found all over the internet.
I like Kockney Koi as they don't fanny about with nonsense - they just sell stuff which works.
I recently bought an electronic test stick to make sure I get the nutrient levels correct and also picked up a couple of nutrient solutions formulated for leaf growth from North East Hydroponics: northeasthydro.com/ as I was passing one day and . Next video will discuss the nutrients, show how the test stick works and explain why it is a very important piece of kit.
When I tested the water in the reservoir which supplies the vertical growing towers it was off the scale so maybe I should have bought a test stick this time last year.....
If anyone is interested and lives local feel free to call in any time to see the systems (and share any tips) that's no worries - just give me a ring first for directions.
Richard 07772848730

[@ThousandYardStare]

Sorry, this is a long one but it is very detailed. Bosch heat gun (Amazon): geni.us/I9vB The growing towers were a failure last year as I didn't have any way of testing the nutrient level - I basically killed my plants with an overdose of nutrients but this year I'm tooled up and prepared.....things are very different and all is good. 4" white pipes: Available from plumbers merchants and on ebay Stands / shelving for system: ebay.us/FQhI7a The stands are available in lots of variations but these are the ones I bought since they are powder coated to protect against rust. The pump I am using is a (very) old Oase Nautalis 3000 which is probably around 25 years old - still going strong. The USB 4-way splitter for powering the USB fans and USB lights can be found here: geni.us/pMzxIk K1 micro media used for the mesh bags of media in the top of each tower - it supports only aerobic bacteria so processes the ammonia and nitrite but generates nitrate which is used by the plants: filterpro.co.uk/k1-micro-1-litre-24-p.asp The 2" solvent pipe, rubber fittings, pipe joiners, taps and solvent glue were bought from Kockney Koi as I have an account with them but similar products can be found all over the internet. I like Kockney Koi as they don't fanny about with nonsense - they just sell stuff which works. I recently bought an electronic test stick to make sure I get the nutrient levels correct and also picked up a couple of nutrient solutions formulated for leaf growth from North East Hydroponics: northeasthydro.com/ as I was passing one day and . Next video will discuss the nutrients, show how the test stick works and explain why it is a very important piece of kit. When I tested the water in the reservoir which supplies the vertical growing towers it was off the scale so maybe I should have bought a test stick this time last year..... If anyone is interested and lives local feel free to call in any time to see the systems (and share any tips) that's no worries - just give me a ring first for directions. Richard 07772848730

[@arcascrow4835]

If your pump is 25+ years old wouldnt it be beneficial to your viewers to recommend a modern equivalent? I can't tell you how many videos and articles I've read over the past two days with half-hearted information. You can't begin to imagine how aggravating it is to waste your time on a video to not get the information you require.

[@ThousandYardStare]

@@arcascrow4835 With regard to 'half-hearted information' for a vertical system such as the 4 tower version shown in this video a pump of 3000 lph is the important part - there are a nation of options for pumps out there so as long as you get something which shifts the water quite efficiently it's all good. Generally the more you spend the lower the wattage will be and the longer the pump will last so look for anything which lifts to around 2.8m / 3.0m with a power consumption of around 40W. Many of the 3000 lph pumps online are 60W and are cheaper but you'll end up paying more in running costs - it's fine if the pump comes on a few minutes every hour but if it is running 24/7 then a lower wattage is always better (as long as it will lift to a high enough head for your system). NFT systems are much cheaper to run, especially when the pump operates 24/7, but the footprint for those systems is much larger - each system has benefits and drawbacks.

[@joelboardgamerpger5393]

Great vid. Very clear. Good gentle humor. Down to earth. All good Thanks, lots of blessings to you, Joel

[@ThousandYardStare]

I'm glad that the video was useful for you - best of luck if you choose to make your own vertical towers.

[@Irishcream216]

Great show of genuine effort. I'll have to try one of these for myself.

[@ThousandYardStare]

Best of luck if you choose to make one - it's quite a simple but time consuming process to set up but from there it is a very easy, low maintenance way to grow plants for sure.

[@rileyjackfansmithandjones8238]

Well done video.....planning to build 2 or 3 over the winter, to expand my garden Next Spring. Big Thank You from Michigan USA. The Critters got into my stuff.....I plant to offset it,and keep them fed, but the Vertical Method is Intriguing, and might keep My Gal in Homegrown Lettuce next year.....and my herbs,.....I need More. THANK YOU SO MUCH!

[@ThousandYardStare]

No worries and best of luck with your system. Mine runs 24/7 when it has plants in it so an efficient pump is something to consider - especially when the costs of electric are out of control.

[@381rajeev]

looks like a brilliant design thank you for posting it

[@ThousandYardStare]

No worries, I'm glad you found the video useful.

[@MrRenoman2011]

Great video thanks so much you have one of the best ones on the internet. Cheers from Canada

[@ThousandYardStare]

I'm glad you found it useful. I really only use my vertical hydroponics units in the Winter since it gets far too warm in there for leafy veg in the Spring through to the Autumn. That's the drawback / benefit of making the greenhouse double glazed I suppose, lol I have smaller units for leafy veg growing which I use in the Summer and since the vertical pipes in the greenhouse can be removed in seconds that area is now used for tomatoes - the lights will help to extend the growing season. I hope you're keeping well in Canada.

[@eues803]

Very well explaining video, thanks for sharing with us Richard.

[@ThousandYardStare]

No worries - hopefully it will be of use if you decide to make a similar system.

[@victormutta1115]

Appreciate you making this video. Incredibly informative!

[@ThousandYardStare]

No worries, man - this system is really only good for Winter growing as my greenhouse gets super hot n the Simmer but for an indoor system it would be great all year. I love experimenting as it is so important to see what will grow where, when and why. We never know when we will need the knowledge we've learned.

[@howtofishcare5642]

Thanks for a great clear step by step explanation!

[@ThousandYardStare]

No worries and I'm glad you found the video useful.

[@glenjamin7]

Thanks for the video. This was very useful.

[@ThousandYardStare]

No worries and thanks for watching - I'm glad you found the video useful. Best of luck if you set up vertical growing towers.

[@raulangel4427]

Thanks mate, great work!

[@ThousandYardStare]

I'm glad you found the video useful. I haven't got the system planed up at present as the greenhouse is full of tomatoes and peppers but as soon as that crop is finished (and the weather cools down a bit) I will be planting crops into the hydroponics systems again to see me through to the Spring. Currently I have leafy greens growing out in the garden.

[@zoainat100]

Thanks Richard. You are genius.

[@ThousandYardStare]

I'm definitely no genius and just modified an idea I saw in another video. I just like experimenting with all sorts of growing methods.

[@nodarkthings]

This is excellent.

[@ThousandYardStare]

I'm glad you found it useful.

[@christodd3224]

excellent video

[@ThousandYardStare]

No worries, man - I will give updates as the plants mature.

[@pierreshasta1480]

hello, very interesting to see how you built your hydroponic towers.👍

[@ThousandYardStare]

I'm glad you found the video useful.

[@bsfl-bsfufa]

Благодарю. Очень подробная инструкция. Пошел делать.

[@pondguru]

Это приятно слышать, и я надеюсь, что система работает хорошо для вас. Всего самого наилучшего в 2023 году.

[@tysonsmith5355]

Great video very informative. Could you please send a link for the collars?

[@ThousandYardStare]

The collars are cut from 2" black solvent pipe - it's available from anywhere selling pond gear. It isn't the heavy duty type, just the normal 2" solvent pipe. It should be available from DIY stores too but often they just do push fit pipe and fittings.

[@countrymancrafts]

Alright mate, love watching your videos. Do you have another channel too?

[@ThousandYardStare]

Yes, it is kzbin.info

[@tjbrooks376]

Well done! I appreciate your revealing the problems you had and the solutions that worked to your satisfaction. Thanks for sharing. TJ

[@heatherwood2449]

🎉🎉🎉 TY

[@EddieRom]

Hi! Thanks for everything (: I started making one of these myself and ran into 2 problems. 1. In the video itself you said you use a 2 inch pipe, I bought a 2 inch pipe but it seems to be smaller than what is shown in your video. 2. After sawing and heating, I pushed the pipe 2 inches as you explained and I noticed that the edges of the hole I created do not look like yours, the edges did not open that much and for some reason remained relatively closed. Could it be related to the 2 inch pipe?

[@ThousandYardStare]

I don't know for sure - the holes I made really shouldn't rip at the edges. They should be a smooth circle but sometimes they rip a bit when the pipe isn't heated enough, or maybe heated too much.

[@jayboy1810]

I’ve experimented with your method of making holes and if you wear heat proof gloves you can pinch that little gap tight to your mould pipe.

[@ThousandYardStare]

Good one - thanks for the tip and best of luck with your systems.

[@atomizer2665]

They call the orange soil pipe, terracotta :) I made a couple of 5ft towers out of the 160mm, took me all day to form the pockets. If you only use cuttings you can get away without the collars and just use chunks of pool noodle. They will squidge into the hole and seal it up completely. Nutrients from grow shops are ridiculously expensive and not (elementally) ideal for normal veg, there are a few dry nutrients around that cost a lot less and will do a better job.

[@pondguru]

(my other channel) Yes, yes and yes - there is always numerous ways to achieve the same goal - no point spending more than you need. I've grown leafy veg in hydroponic systems where the only nutrients added were piss once a week and it still worked fine - that cost nothing although I didn't tell my family what the 'nutrients' added to the system were, lol

[@goodgoat3096]

What moves the water from the center to the perimeter of the pipe so it arrives at the net cups?

[@ThousandYardStare]

17:18 - I mention and show the bag of plastic media in the top of the tower. That ensures that the water spreads to all areas of the pipe and when it flows down it feeds all the baskets. That saves me using some sort of spray bar or sprinkler head at the top. As the holes for the baskets are alternately placed the water is always going to cover all parts as it moves down through the pipe - hope that makes sense.

[@Anthony69420]

Oi mate. You could almost paint those suckers green and have a neat living wall up along a privacy fence. Ik you're doing it all indoors but I think seeing a living green wall would be a neat outdoor scene. Wouldnt necessarily need to be veggies or anything edible but pretty

[@ThousandYardStare]

That would be mighty cool and I'd considered doing that up near my pond to hide the area under the cabin. It would need pipes around 7 feet tall but would look cool. So far that's a project so far on the back burner it's in danger of falling off, lol

[@TheRoots72]

Like your setup , just a little trick for you next time when you cut the pipe 8 cm is to much try 4.5 cm give no smilleys like you say and wont need to patch with silicone ;)

[@ThousandYardStare]

That makes sense - thanks for that. I've got a nation of different hydropnic systems now and they all seem to work well.

[@MikuXAi125]

where to buy the little one where the plants put.

[@ThousandYardStare]

Do you mean the small 2" pipe? That would be bought from the same place as the 4" pipe (DIY store, Plumbing supplies store etc.). If you're asking about the small plastic baskets the plants are in then they would be bought from suppliers of hydroponics gear.

[@Alphasig336]

You could use two ratchet straps on both sides to hold pipe

[@ThousandYardStare]

That would definitely work and a sharp saw is essential for a clean cut.

[@haydarasaad9011]

How many times should i turn the system on for watering

[@ThousandYardStare]

Mine runs 24/7 but is only really used for leafy vegetables which don't mind their roots in water. Maybe for tomatoes and other plants it would be 45 mins on followed by 15 mins off.

[@user-sk1mp8rt4q]

Hi, what is the thickness of the tube 4 inch? 1.8 / 3.2 ! ..

[@ThousandYardStare]

The tubes I used in the greenhouse systems are 110mm x 3.2mm

[@TheTORTUYITA]

Is PVC safe to grow food ? I want to do this so badly.

[@pondguru]

As far as I know these types of pipes are fine. Not sure about the orange pipes used for waste water though.

[@Alphasig336]

Put one on each and use a chalk line to mark 4 sides

[@ThousandYardStare]

Yup, that will work.