Making a 3d printable hydroponics system for my window sill

[@liamm347]

This was randomly recommended to me randomly but probably because i have been interested in propagation, bonsai trees, terrariums, and mainly 3D printing recently. Looks like the algorithm is on your side right now.. thanks for the quality content!

[@matoumakes]

Looks like it 😄 Thank you 😀

[@gudormr]

Awesome design well done! love it will defs try it only thing I can add is maybe having an overflow to return to reservoir so you don't need the fancy sensor

[@ebonyblack4563]

Kittens had best reaction. Also a 'greedy cup' design might work too, then it drains when it gets to a certain fill automatically.

[@matoumakes]

I haven’t heard about the ‘greedy cup’ before. That seems to be working similar to a bell siphon. Thanks for the hint :) I imagine a bell siphon would be easier to clean.

[@ebonyblack4563]

@@matoumakes I believe it's the same principle behind the two. The biggest reason to use something like that imo is it doesn't require any electronics or monitoring. Here's a simple video detailing the 'greedy cup', for anybody interested: kzbin.info/www/bejne/qZq2qmWfrbpjpZI

[@SkylerLinux]

@@matoumakes Greedy Cup is the original name for bell siphon

[@matoumakes]

That’s a funny name, though. I like it

[@miloserus]

Just be sure to have enough water in the reservoir, at all times, as it would not drain at all, before filling the siphon. A hybrid approach, with some draining holes, could solve that problem.

[@RikusNel]

Just an idea, but id replace the holes with a siphon. This will ensure that small particles wont clog the tiny holes

[@matoumakes]

I like the idea. But I guess then I’d always have some remaining water in the top part? I have no experience with siphons. Anyway, I am building a new version that isn’t based on flooding. Video will be up within a few days.

[@RikusNel]

@@matoumakes Very little if you design it correctly, the "momentum"of the water will suck it almost dry. The other thing is, evry time it floods it will mix with the left over,... And you can use the left over as a feature, not a bug.... When something goes wrong your plants still has a bit of water... :)... I am thinking of buying a 3d printer or building one myself... but i have no idea where to start. :/

[@matoumakes]

That sounds like a nice feature. I will experiment with the idea a bit. Thank you! Wow building a 3D printer still sounds a bit intimidating to me. Although I would also be super interested in learning more about that. Good luck!

[@rodfatherfishing9223]

@@matoumakes look for bell siphon they work really well it will fill then drain

[@matoumakes]

Yes, by now I really think I should design something with a bell siphon :)

[@gasser5001]

Love how the cat is like whatcha doin hoooooooooman?

[@hotrodAndy]

This is so cool! you did a wonderful job! could i suggest a bell siphon in the center, it would also leave a small pool as well kinda like a dutch bucket! best of both worlds!

[@matoumakes]

I have been thinking about adding a bell siphon. Might try that in the future. I actually didn’t know the Dutch bucket. That looks cool. Thanks for the tip!

[@MrBobWareham]

The cat was the best bit of the video

[@matoumakes]

Yes the cats are awesome 🐈

[@sumguje5917]

What a nice kitty.

[@matoumakes]

Oh yes I agree :)

[@scenepool]

I used to make these for ahhm reasons. you want a pump that can feed into the bottom end with an overflow tube at the top; run the pump for 5mins to 15mins , stop pump, it drains back out via the pump. set to flood between 2-5 times per day depending on medium. the benefit of this method is you can use a cheap segment timer (15min sgements) to automate the filling and no need to stop when its filled as it will run into the overflow.

[@matoumakes]

That's interesting. Haven't thought of doing it that way. I like the idea!

[@michaegi4717]

This is a cool design. Regarding the trashbag: I would fold it without cutting, so it's perfectly closed without tape. Hope your kittens don't use it as drinking fountain after adding nutriens.

[@matoumakes]

Oh I didn't use the tape for sealing. I actually folded it without cutting the corners. The tape only there to keep the corners in form (and to attach the foil to the print of course). And regarding the kittens: I had to put the system in a room that they don't have access to :D

[@EggCess]

I'm in love with the kittens. More! :)

[@matoumakes]

I’m actually planning to make a video each month for the remainder of 2020. And it looks like the kittens will be a thing; because they’re really curious and there’s no way I can keep them out of the camera shot 😸😸😸

[@vanissaberg5824]

A mini bell siphon, or stand pipe with a small hole at the bottom will ensure your planter floods and drains and can never overflow. For the simple standpipe design you'll still use a timer to allow it to fill then shut off the pump to allow it to drain down the hole at the bottom of the stand pipe. Bell siphons don't require a timer to flood and drain, but they take some fiddling to get them to operate properly.

[@ENaielo]

Love this, Will be putting this on my list of to dos. i will try to make one out of fiberglass reinforced concrete and a bell siphon sounds like a great idea.

[@matoumakes]

That sounds awesome! I have no experience with concrete or fiberglass but I like the idea!

[@riley.....]

cat is the main character of this video

[@uspittbullbreaders]

Pretty cool idea. Would love to see a setup for a flood and drain system using a bell siphon sitting on top of a fishbowl. Tick rock times a waistin’ :-)

[@matoumakes]

Oh yeah. Those fish aquaponics are awesome!

[@boonjabby]

I have a suggestion. Create an overflow on all 4 sides at the height you want it to 'stop' at. That way if your holes clog, that's backup. Also, you can design a tap for flow control. That way you don't need an on-off controller.

[@michaelnewsomegreen5500]

Thank you so much for the video. I really do like your work.

[@matoumakes]

Thanks so much for the nice words 😊

[@SmallSpoonBrigade]

If you drained from slightly above the bottom, the drainage rate would be easier to get right. A typical Dutch bucket allows for some water retention at the base so that there's always water at the roots and nit just in the reservoir. Adding a bell siphon would be helpful if you want to go with more of an ebb and flow style of setup.

[@matoumakes]

Ah that might be a good idea. Thanks 😃

[@SmallSpoonBrigade]

@@matoumakes I'd be curious, both systems did work.

[@VoCoZeMozna]

Love this! Great work

[@matoumakes]

Thank you 😊

[@GregoryCarrier]

Fun! My purchased flood/drain system uses separate pots filled with media, making it easy to remove or swap one or more. Flood/drain are great for root crops like radish and beets.

[@matoumakes]

Uh that sounds pretty cool. I’m thinking about purchasing one as well. Not sure if flood/drain or NFT, yet

[@mattmanandeddie]

I like the idea, try and use a bell siphon. Maybe one could be 3d printed...

[@matoumakes]

I would love to try that and incorporate a bell siphon in one of my future projects.

[@cho4d]

the roots will get anywhere they can. those little drain holes included. in time, she will stop draining and dump the water out.

[@matoumakes]

I think you're right. I'm actually not using that system any more. Instead, I designed a new one: kzbin.info/www/bejne/aJbQYYRpfdGsq6s

[@dvs482]

You should do a bell siphon when water reaches the top it will drain very quickly. And it wil never overflow

[@matoumakes]

I didn’t know about bell siphons when I built this. But yeah those things look pretty cool!

[@OldManShorty]

the cat is definitely the star of the show lol

[@lupeters213]

I'd recommend using food safe plastics or coatings for everything, if you plan on eating from your planter. Plastics can contain unhealthy chemicals and I would not run the risk of accidentally accumulating those in my food. Same goes for duct tape or any other glue. The more chemical inert the building materials are the better.

[@matoumakes]

Yes I think I need to be more careful with that

[@grahamwesson4725]

Hey I just an idea you could have used a water Cypher

Hey! Nice Video. Can you add what kind of pump you used and what sensor you used? Maby a detaild version how you can automate it

[@matoumakes]

The pump is an Exo Terra Repti Flo terrarium pump. I think the 200 version. I’m actually planning on making more videos on automation. Just not quite sure how exactly, yet.

@@matoumakes Thank you. Thank you for your design. I have also designed a hydroponics according to your model. However, I moved the plant container to the water reservoir and of course automated the whole thing. The thing now has a water sensor, an ultrasonic sensor, an RGB light to show me the status, an LCD screen and it's all controlled by the microcontroller.

[@matoumakes]

@ Wow that sounds amazing! Are there any pictures available of it somewhere?

@@matoumakes yeah, i just wrote you a message in thingiverse :)

[@fm3bb]

What's nutrition solution did you use? And where you get it?

[@matoumakes]

It’s a hydroponics solution that I found on German Amazon: www.amazon.de/GREEN24-Hydrokultur-Hydroponic-Flüssigdünger-HIGHTECH/dp/B00BZQ9ST2/

[@incarenthusiast3708]

Loved it💗 may god bless you with million subscribers ✨🙏🏻💖

[@matoumakes]

🤞

[@dansharpy]

Really liking this design! Just getting into hydroponics and been looking for a 3d printable flood and drain system so this looks perfect! One question, where did you get the water sensor from? What make is it as it looks exactly the sort of thing I want to use? Thanks and good job on the design!

[@matoumakes]

Hi. The sensor is an Aqara Water Leak Sensor. I think I ordered it from China. But you can usually get these in some more local online stores as well. It requires a smart home hub, though. My setup is a little complicated and there would surely be simpler ways of doing that. (I have a Conbee stick with deconz, phoscon app and home assistant as my smart home hub)

[@gasser5001]

Ebb and Flow.

[@MrMarzworld927]

water pump? and what mm nozzle are your walls being printed at??

[@matoumakes]

I used a small terrarium waterfall pump. I think the Exo Terra Repti Flo 200. My nozzle is 0.4mm. I think I used 3 perimeter walls for that print.

[@glouisfr]

brilliant idea and I don't have a 3D printer but fair play for sharing the plans. Maybe one day ... Love the kittens but do you have another video on your system for turn on/off the water pump?

[@matoumakes]

Thanks 😊 I don’t have a video on the pump automation yet. But I’m planning to do something about my home automation system that would include the water pump. I’m just not sure when I’ll manage to make the video. My newer hydroponics version doesn’t need an automated pump, though: kzbin.info/www/bejne/aJbQYYRpfdGsq6s

[@Analogcolor]

Is the resin food safe? Id worry about it leaching into the water

[@matoumakes]

Yeah. Some people commented on that. Might actually not be food safe. I’m not super clear on that. Someone suggested to print with PETG, which apparently should hold the water and be food safe.

[@Dmp3kL]

hi, i love the video. what is the software you use to 3d modeling?

[@matoumakes]

Thanks. I use Fusion360 for that

[@pciwant2]

ok so could you instead of having a sensor to drain the water could you do like a bell siphion ?

[@matoumakes]

Yes. That should work as well. Not sure about getting the timing right then. Then sensor is a little bit more flexible in this regard.

[@weng03plays56]

Hi there, how are you able to print a watertight container?

[@matoumakes]

I sealed it with epoxy. However, I am not 100% sure if it’s food safe. So I’m actually currently not using it any longer. But I was told that printing with PETG might get you watertight prints as well.

[@yshwgth]

I hope you got your cat a water fountain, too.

[@mmartin20tw]

What resin do you use? Is it food safe? Thanks!

[@matoumakes]

It’s probably not food safe. I wasn’t aware of that issue at the time. Would use something else next time I’m building something like this.

[@mmartin20tw]

@@matoumakes Thank you so much!

[@JohnRodriguesPhotographer]

What kind of resin did you paint this reservoir with? Was it one that had to be cured with a black light?

[@matoumakes]

No it was a two-part epoxy. It takes about 12 hours or so to cure.

[@JohnRodriguesPhotographer]

@@matoumakes Thank you

[@Nickshow1000]

It could be better with a bell siphon, this way you can leave the pump always on and whenever the water reaches the height you want it wil automatically self drain so it can star over

[@matoumakes]

Yes. I definitely want to try that :D

[@HannahWalters]

Hey this is awesome!!! When I saw the video quality I just assumed you were a massive channel, this is great!!! Is the trashbag/3d plastic foodsafe? Or is there a resin you can coat with that is foodsafe? Thank you for sharing the file!!! I look forward to trying this :D I have a lot of large outdoor NFT/kratky/DWC systems but not flood/drain yet. I love the idea of trying with a small one like this!!!

[@matoumakes]

Oh cool! How are your experiences with your systems? I might try something like that as well some time. Unfortunately I have no idea how foodsafe it is. But I expect it shouldn't be too hard to find coating that would be foodsafe.

[@HannahWalters]

@@matoumakes Really good!!! I'd say you'd be fine since you have the coating there, plus a lot of people make 3d printed parts for hydroponics and never had issues :D So for DWC I use bucket like systems, with net pots on top - super practical and easy to maintain/setup but are ugly. I use the DWC buckets for chilli peppers! The NFT I use an ebay system that was just a bunch of pre-cut poly pipe but in hindsight I should have just done it myself, it would've been cheaper and I could have made it to the size I needed! But it works really well for veggies like lettuce, chard etc. For kratky, I have some olive HDPE barrells (22liters) which are perfect. I cut holes in the lid for 5" net pots! If you're interested I can take pictures of the various systems when I get home :) I love 3d printing but so far only have a resin printer. You've inspired me to get an FDM printer!

[@matoumakes]

Hannah Walters I find the FDM printer very useful and a lot of fun. I can recommend it.

[@vaughnmonkey]

what did you use as a growing medium

[@matoumakes]

Those are clay pebbles from the garden center. But I'm not sure, I'd use them again. At least not if there is a water cycle, because it takes a long time before all the dust is washed off. Tiny rocks might actually be better.

[@captnmaim]

Cool start, but boy is it a prototype. This could be easily improved in about 10 different ways

[@matoumakes]

That’s what prototypes are for 😄

[@captnmaim]

@@matoumakes of course.

[@botonrock1]

cat ♥

[@matoumakes]

😻

[@vaibhavkarar8858]

it was A Verry Good Content

[@matoumakes]

Thank you 😃

[@thegioxHD]

What program are you using to model?

[@matoumakes]

For this project I used Fusion360. For some other kinds of projects, I also use OpenSCAD. And I want to get more into Blender as well.

[@Duraltia]

Mhh... I think a better working solution, and one possible due to it being 3D printed, would be to change the formerly open nature of the waterway at the top and close it entirely with small holes pointing inwards through which the water gets injected into the main section housing the plants ( and a large overflow siphon at the opposite end to feed overpressure water back into the system ). Regarding the filter either consider mounting it to the bottom using magnets for easy removal or relocating it to the pump inlet? Could possibly also section the bottom into a bunch of chambers where the debris filled water would fall into the first section with some debris flowing to the bottom before overflowing into the next chamber and so on until it reaches the pump. I'd also consider the installation of a floater marking the water level ( of the last tank with the pump ) or maybe a transparent wall section to show the water level like that? Ya kno'... Overengineered stuff imgur.com/gallery/ZYpHEk9 😁

[@matoumakes]

😃 I really like the ideas. Especially the debris section. I’m not sure if closing the waterway would be good, as I couldn’t clean it inside. My second version of this actually includes a floater for showing the water level: kzbin.info/www/bejne/aJbQYYRpfdGsq6s

[@Duraltia]

@@matoumakes Well you could alternatively change the in place 3D Printed and thus permanently closed waterway for one with a lid that can be bolted on - If you have the option ( lieke I do with my CNC ) to make it out of a nicely cut acrylic then you can even look inside to check what's going on. A bunch of nicely placed flat head screws to hold things in place give most things a nice professional look 😉

[@matoumakes]

I like that.

[@indigo2266]

amazing!

[@matoumakes]

🙂

[@jeremycbarnhart2305]

Printer used?

[@matoumakes]

Hi. My printer is a Creality Ender 3

[@AndreaFromTokyo]

now loose the bottom part and replace it with a nano aquarium, both your plants and fish will love it

[@matoumakes]

That would be cool 😀

[@Mister_Stork]

Nice project, I had the same idea a few weeks ago, but I lost the interest. Haha 😅

[@matoumakes]

I know the feeling 😅 Now that I’ve been using the system for a while, some flaws became apparent. Mostly that the lower part is pretty inaccessible when the top is filled. So cleaning the pump and the reservoir is quite difficult. Other than that it’s quite reliable.

[@Mister_Stork]

matou makes If you want, we can work this out together.. 😉 PS. Du sprichst ja auch offensichtlich deutsch oder? 😅

[@matoumakes]

Nico S. I’m currently concentrating on other projects. But I would love to hear of any improvements if you plan to create your own 😃 PS: ja offensichtlich 😅

[@sagen7038]

i would design 3 overflowpipes t o be sure it never overflows

[@Bambeakz]

Does anyone calculate in how much such a pump use over a year? I see so many people use that kind of things on KZbin for a couple of plants. A pump on a solar panel would make this much more economic viable.

[@matoumakes]

Oh yes! A solar powered system would be awesome. I’m thinking about creating a bigger one powered by solar. The pump is about 2 Watts. So less than a raspberry pi computer.

[@Bambeakz]

@@matoumakes If that has to run 24/7 it would cost me €12 a year over here 😅 not much but it’s one of many things. That’s why I ordered solar panels and try to make everything solar powered. Not to be green but for the money 😇

[@matoumakes]

Especially since energy is getting so much more expensive now.

[@JamilKhan-hk1wl]

power it using a solar panel

[@matoumakes]

I really like that idea. I definitely want to learn more about battery and solar power in the future!

[@rizqifadlilah2834]

Cooll!!

[@SeamusHarper1234]

Ah, its like 1,5 cm too wide to print it on my Anycubic xD

[@matoumakes]

Oh no 😄 It might work if you simply scale it down a little.

[@pandaanimator3327]

I liked when I saw cat

[@MrPanaramuh]

I started screaming at my screen when you dumped those clay pebbles in. Wash them pls.

[@TheSonbroly]

Dehner Marken- qualität

[@grahamwesson4725]

Bell Siphon sorry

[@matoumakes]

Yes! Some people have told me that 😁 Definitely wanna try a bell siphon some time :)

[@fooosters]

Hello. Try adding a Bell Siphons to your system instead of a drain hole. such as this one kzbin.info/www/bejne/f5KUc4R8icZ6bcU&ab_channel=RobBob%27sAquaponics%26BackyardFarm. You will also have to increase the size of the water reservoir equal to or larger than the size of your substrate reservoir.

[@matoumakes]

I thought about the bell siphon. But I wanted to start with something simpler to design. If I make another version, it will probably include a bell siphon. They are really cool 😀

[@catbus_driver6215]

Es gibt wohl noch deutsche die (gute) Ideen haben.

[@robertmihalyfi4901]

Cat is annoying. Good video btw.