NFT Microgreen Rack Build Update | | Indoor farming | Indoor Gardening | Hydroponics

[@friendoflife2416]

Wow- you two are always cutting the edge of growing!

[@danb1285]

Genius. Great job bringing it all together! Not too savy on NFT, but I know those integrated LEDs are really nice for cost. I hope it works out well for y'all. Thanks for the videos, very good information.

[@OnTheGrow]

Thank you so much for the support Dan! We really do appreciate it and we hope we can continue to provide useful content for everyone!

[@AlteredState1123]

Great work! Love this setup. Share as much as you can about this.

[@OnTheGrow]

Thank you so much! Lol, we actually just took the system down the other day :( It is amazing for growing commercially, but since we do so many experiments, we didn't really use the system because you can't really experiment on it. We posted an update video on the system just the other day! I'd love to answer any questions you may have about the system though!

[@AlteredState1123]

Thanks! Got the specs from the fellow who followed your plans but added a few of his own ideas. Great potential for teaching students about germination, pH, systems, and hydroponics.

[@OnTheGrow]

@@AlteredState1123 Can't wait to hear how your system turns out!! I think its a great idea!

[@bovornsakaom]

Smart and beautiful System. I’m interesting your technology for microgreen

[@OnTheGrow]

Thankyou so much for your interest and support. Our book will be available soon, along with our first cookbook! Checkout our new web page for more details!😊

[@TheBoomBoomRoomStLouis]

I want to know. Where did you get the white trays. And fricken love the structure very high teck. I want to create a system with minimal work for our restaurant. I like flood and drain personally. I was never able to get water to pump through multi tubes evenly I did better letting one shelf drain to the next personal.

[@dskochhar1]

Will you do me a favor and share the stl for the 3D print file? Loved the original video and this one. Thanks for sharing such good info!

[@kevinsam3]

Hey CJ, great job putting this together.

[@OnTheGrow]

Thank you 🥳

[@thomaspeitsmeyer3110]

Can you show us a picture of the insert trays that go in your continuous flow water system!

[@idjmic]

Can we get an update on this rack? How well did the NFT work out or did you go back to manual watering?

[@tmtforlife]

Looks like a great design! Please give long term updates. Will the water always run down the center or does it have a higher flow rate at times to force water to side walls, Just wondering if even watering is a concern. Also what will/do you use to keep algae under control?

[@OnTheGrow]

The water does run down the center, but once it touches the trays, it spreads out under the trays... so far we haven’t had any issues with too little water on any of the trays we’ve grown. We will clean the system between plantings... so far no algae development or residue from over a week of running... we will still clean between harvests and it goes really quick with a squeegee! Thanks for the support! 🤗🌱🌱

[@samanthastone2732]

What are you doing to treat the water? Do you add anything? What’s your metric to follow?

[@dwayne7542]

Hello, definitely interested in learning how to build a system like this. Good job, looking forward to more videos.

[@OnTheGrow]

Thank you for the support! We are going to start shooting the tutorial this week so it shouldn’t be a long wait! Thanks again!

[@ClownfishDepot]

Another awesome video guys! Thanks for doing and the experiments and sharing. It’s all very much appreciated 👍

[@OnTheGrow]

Thank you so much for the support!!

[@yes2fx]

Two thumbs up. I am a new subscriber and thanks for sharing your knowledge generously ....

[@OnTheGrow]

Thank you so much for the support!!! That really means a lot to us!

[@verticalaart]

Love the videos guys. Well done. Look fwd to seeing the build on this unit

[@OnTheGrow]

Thank you for the support!! We’re actually finishing up the how-to on this unit this week! Waiting on some parts to arrive today to finish it out!

[@verticalaart]

Wonderful guys, thank you. Love the setup with the vehicle transporter setup as a grow room. Do you use to take to markets. Thanks Craig NZ

[@OnTheGrow]

@@verticalaart That's the plan! We still haven't moved it around too much yet because we are developing all the systems inside of it first... It should be touring more next year! Our local farmers market is wanting us to bring it next year to the markets to show how we grow and everything!

[@conrankule7462]

Awesome video-Optimising solution systems is key to enterprise- Delighted with your unit designs and agree there is room for next -step development with your design. Would be wonderful to learn of your construction and design costings for the unit. next video pleas. Thanks Ck London

[@aravind.c1546]

Great video, I am glad I found your channel, if you do a video of basic step by step building of microgreen grow setup it will be a good guide for beginners, thanks :)

[@OnTheGrow]

I will put that on our video list!! Thank you for the support!! 🤗🌱🌱

[@OnTheGrow]

I will put that on our video list!! Thank you for the support!! 🤗🌱🌱

[@thomasenglish1]

Great video man!! I have a couple of questions though. Not to get into the whole debate about whether or not micro greens need nutrients or not, but are you adding nutrients to the water? Also could you put a link for your medium and your (channel) trays?

[@OnTheGrow]

Thank you so much for the support!! We are currently adding an organic liquid nutrient to our water, it is very mild compared to most hydroponic nutrients. We are using OceanSolution nutrients because it is derived from minerals in the sea and OMRI listed for organic use. As for mediums, we bought most of ours from CropKing and that's also where the channels came from as well... and below are the trays that we are using inside of the channels: amzn.to/2zZyqve Let us know if you have any other questions and we'd love to help as best we can!

[@davitsargsyan600]

Do you use the reusable steel grow mats in this system? Will it have a problem with the water being lead down the middle of the channel?

[@RussCritendon03]

Hi CJ looks great, I have learned so much from you. My question in this system it looks like the water flow is only about 2 inches wide in the middle of the channel. is that enough to get water to all of the plants? Thanks for your answer.

[@paulbrinon8676]

You're awesome mate! Such a nice system! I'll be here for the "how to" videos! For sure! :) Congrats!

[@OnTheGrow]

Thanks so much!!! Your support really means a lot to us!!! Excited to share everything with the community!

[@davidstovall7646]

Wonder why you don't use smart plugs to set up lights, fans, air pump and pump to be able to use an App to manage the run times.

[@OnTheGrow]

Never even really thought of that 😆 My only concern would be we’re prepping the space for travel on the road... would they work without Internet signal? Any smart plugs that you’ve used and would recommend?

[@davidstovall7646]

@@OnTheGrow Most work on a wifi signal and some with bluetooth. Might look on Amazon tomorrow for Cyber Monday Deals. You can set up hours on/off per day with unlimited settings.

[@OnTheGrow]

David Stovall I’ll check tomorrow! Thanks for the suggestion!

[@RawbornJamaican]

I am interested in seeing a video on how to setup Microgreen shelf using the wire chrome shelf

[@OnTheGrow]

We have an overview video of the wire rack we have! Here is the link to the video! Feel free to ask us any questions and we will do our best to help! Basic Microgreen Rack Setup!! kzbin.info/www/bejne/sKGsqq2PebKXmNU

[@jrmint2]

This system looks freakin amazing!! 👍

[@OnTheGrow]

Thank you so much!!!

[@johnreefervermont4874]

Great video. Can you share what is the materials used to create the shelves structure?. It is some kind of tubing?

[@OnTheGrow]

Yeah, it is 3/4" EMT Pipe which is electrical conduit pipe from most any hardware store! It's held together with products from "MakerPipe". Thank you for the support!

[@swapnilnemade]

As always awesome🤘👍. Will be waiting for how to?

[@OnTheGrow]

Thank you!! Starting the filming for it this week! 🤗🌱

[@marksanders6271]

Hi, great NFT design. Could you either describe or point me to how you connected your PVC piping drains to your trays and it looks like you were able to virtually get them flush with the bottom of the water tray?

[@tfor2617]

Hi, very nice and well built setup. Could you tell where did you find your colored shallow trays ? Thx

[@OnTheGrow]

Thank you so much for the support!! Below is a link to the colored shallow trays we use! amzn.to/2N3V7H8 Let us know if we can help you any further!

[@TheSergecormier]

I was wondering if you considered draining the channel into the lower channel and so forth until you reach the reservoir? Which would only require 4 lines feeding but increase the water cycle time.

[@cvblackbird]

Hey great video and awesome rack and system, but I’m hoping you can maybe breakdown the water distribution in more detail, do you run one pump and split it to each rack, looks really Interesting I’ve been trying to do something similar.

[@tearl42]

Hey Guys. Great channel! Could you do a video of the water system or where did you get the horizontal water distribution that feeds the little black lines that feed water to the tray? Thanks, Tom

[@OnTheGrow]

Yeah! Absolutely! So basically it is 3/4” tubing found at most hydroponic shops... pretty sure the brand is hydrofarm. I’ve got that hooked up directly to the top of the pump (1,000 gph) in my reservoir and I use a series of elbows and “t” connectors to run it from the pump over to the high side and up the back rail! At each shelf the line t’s off and runs along the shelf support bar and has an end cap placed on it. Repeat this all the way up and put some shutoff valves if you want them in between and that’s the basics. I’ll try and get a video for that soon, but let me know if you have any other questions and I’ll do my best to answer them!

[@tearl42]

Thanks for you reply. When you come up the back side you T off at the shelf. What it it that you are running into on the short side? It looks like something black. It’s the same thing that the little hoses that feed the trays come out of. If you want, I can send you some screenshots of what I’m seeing. But if you look at Time index 0:06 there is a good shot of it. It’s black with a octagonal end cap. There is a quick side shot of it at 0:24, 0:30-0:33,0:45-0:48,1:06! Etc... and a prefect shot at 1:38. Just can’t seem to make out what it is.

[@OnTheGrow]

Thomas Earl yeah, so the hexagonal piece is an end cap for that shelf’s “feeder line” I guess you could call it. Do you have Instagram? If you send us a message on there, I can send you a video in the morning showing it in detail! Otherwise, go to our website and fill out our contact form so I can get an email and I’ll send you the video through email. Whichever works best for you!

[@OnTheGrow]

Thomas Earl forgot to say :) our website is : onthegrow.net and our Instagram is @onthegrowfarms

[@tearl42]

On The Grow Thank you! I’ll hit your contact form in the morning.

[@fragartyparty]

Thank you for your video, super helpful and informative. I do have one question, where can I get those long white trays in which the water flows in?

[@OnTheGrow]

Thank you so much! We got ours from Crop King. You can also find some at Farm Tek and a few other hydroponic companies. Here is a link to the page where you can see some of the supplies: www.cropking.com/catalog/nft-system-components

[@junyang1710]

Hello. I just want to know, which is better for microgreen? (NFT vs Flood and drain)

[@OnTheGrow]

We prefer NFT as flood and drain is really overkill... too much water in our opinions, but you can also set your flood height to be lower... Both work, but we prefer NFT!

[@johnreefervermont4874]

I think you guys are awesome and can't wait for your videos. I am starting a system in my house and have learned so much from you both. You are a good looking couple. Well, him more than her...lol...I would really be interested in seeing a test with Promix MP. I understand that it may be better than most products and it is organic. You can find it in local grow stores. If that is possible, I could even contribute to some of the cost and then you have a lot of the product left, even if you have to use a 60 lbs bail. Deal?

[@OnTheGrow]

I will reach out to our local grow show and see if they carry or can get some of that in and I'll let you know! I would like to get my hands on some to test against everything especially because that's what most professional growers tend to use. That would be awesome! I'll let you know! Thank you again for the support!!!

[@johnreefervermont4874]

@@OnTheGrow Great. Looking forward to it. I did call the company that makes the clamps and order a set for my shelves. I told them where I heard about them and they made a discount coupon called "OnTheGrow" for me. Nice huh?. Hope they give you a really good price when you order for the next system. And I hope your video results in many sales for them.

[@OnTheGrow]

That’s awesome!!! I’m glad to hear that, I’ll post it in the video description later today! Thanks again!!

[@bradleywhite8694]

Hi, I'm new to all of this and trying to learn, so forgive my ignorance. Because the water is re-circulating, how do you know when you need to add more nutrients? And how often do you change out the water (if ever)? I'm really enjoying your channel and learning a lot!

[@dealershift]

Great video! Where did you get those channels? Cost?

[@OnTheGrow]

Thank you!! Sorry for the delayed response. We got them from a company called CropKing. I think we have the cost breakdown either as the first comment of this video it's in the video description. It's been so long now that I can't remember the exact price haha

[@asifalam6846]

Hi, I would love to make one of these for micro greens, but I wonder, as the film of water runs in the middle, would if feed the whole tray? All the best and thanks for the wonderful videos.

[@junyang1710]

Change the angle to zero, the water would fill the tank equally.

[@malaplauso]

Hi, I have two questions. Which is the angle that you setup for watering flow? Which can of 10x20 tray are you using (holes, mesh…) and which base (coconut, nothing…)? Thanks a lot.

[@123chillaxin]

Fantastic your videos & insta are very inspiring ! I definitely want to set this up at home! Would be great to know financial costs.. Like cost per month for production, cost of production vs profit, etc? Thanks again ! 👨🏼‍🌾

[@OnTheGrow]

Thank you so much!! That really means a lot to us! We are actually going to be digging down into the financials soon! To be honest, we haven't even started tracking it yet :) I will begin tracking that so I can share that info with the community! Thank you again for the support!

[@TPSDmike]

Recently stumbled upon your channel. I LOVE what you are doing. We are currently in the process of transitioning from a soil to a hydro system, hence the lack of content on our own channel over the past couple of months. Seeing your your hydro vs soil trials has helped ease our mind. Looking forward to more content!

[@OnTheGrow]

Thank you so much for the support!! We couldn’t hardly find any videos on these kinds of experiments so we had to do it ourselves and figured we’d share what we find!! Excited to see what y’all build for systems!! Thanks again for the support, it really means a lot to us!

[@ad0130]

Love the video! Thanks for sharing. What's your room temp and humidity?

[@OnTheGrow]

Thanks for the support!!! Room temp stays between 75-80F and humidity is always 50% or below! Usually about 35% humidity is average. Let us know if you have any other questions!

[@darfusmoore2075]

It mentions we can screen shot the dimensions of the rack at the end of the video. I didn’t see this… Ia there a link that has all of the measurements?

[@premmirissage4409]

i really like your videos and have a question , how to prepare the microgreen base for NFT system. what material you use to grow microgreen in NFT. fiber mat, cocopeat, or other hydroponic materials. ??

[@OnTheGrow]

🙂Prem Mirissage Have you signed up for our Master Class yet? Please get ready to take advantage of all the information we've assembled for you!!!

[@cultivatednzurbanfarm7682]

hi - you mention your rack there is for NFT, and then mention making a vid about flood & drain....can you show what you guys are doing differently between those two methods, e.g. a comparison pros and cons thing?

[@OnTheGrow]

Yeah absolutely! The main thing is that NFT uses a lot less water and waters more frequently, whereas flood and drain fills up an entire flood tray and really over saturates the greens. We use Flood and Drain for more adult crops that can tolerate the heavy saturation. I’ll put it on our list to do a video about!

[@riciaswebb406]

I'm definitely interested in the how to!

[@OnTheGrow]

Finally started filming it today! Hopefully soon we will have that posted for everyone! Thank you for the support!

[@johnreefervermont4874]

One more question. Who is the make of the lights and what is the distance, from EMT pipe to EMT pipe?. I was thinking of using 24,000 luminous per 8 10x20 trays but don't know if it is too much or too little.

[@OnTheGrow]

We have our shelves currently spaced at 9.5” Top of EMT to top of EMT... which makes it a tight 8 inches between the bottom of the trays and the lights... we have used lights that put out about 20,000 lumens, but we found that 6,000 lumens is sufficient enough to provide the best growth in our space... so we use a single 6,000 lumen bar per channel in the new setup and 3-2,000 lumens LED’s per shelf on our old system... Here’s the lights we use on our old shelves: amzn.to/2LE4Oc2 Here’s the lights we just got for the new NFT and have not tested out yet: (Pack of 12) 6FT LED Tube Light... www.amazon.com/dp/B07SPZ77X1?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share Let me know if you have any other questions and I’d love to help!

[@OnTheGrow]

Forgot to say, 6,000 lumens is for the 4-1020 trays...

[@johnreefervermont4874]

@@OnTheGrow In another video you had, you mentioned that 6,000 gave you a better color and form for microgreens (on instagram). That is why I was thinking of using no more than 3x6000 for 8 trays in a 4x4 setting. You guys are simply the best.

[@policani]

Some of your racks from older videos feature racks with three rows of 4 foot LED Barrina T-8 shop lights whereas this features two rows of 6 foot LED lights. Did you re-think whether you needed three rows, or are these just brighter lights?

[@OnTheGrow]

These are brighter from what I recall! We’ve done so many lighting experiments 😆 We have farmer friends who’ve used these lights to grow mature lettuce and peppers and stuff so they are definitely bright!

[@federicoperdomo1666]

Great job! I have a question, the fans are on 24/7? or theres a moment when they are shut down? Thanks

[@choconut74]

Amazinggg :) Thanks so much for sharing!

[@OnTheGrow]

Thank you so much for the support! We really appreciate it!

[@sharonroque957]

So informative!

[@OnTheGrow]

Thank you so much for the support Sharon!

[@miguelfrutos7850]

Amazing!!! Where can I buy the NFT tray?

[@OnTheGrow]

We got them from a company called CropKing. We are trying to find other sources as well!

[@gameenders5017]

Nice job! You guys use any soil additives, or just decent potting soil? I was thinking about adding maybe mychorizal or azomite, but not sure if it's necessary and would just increase cost.

[@brocwilkerson1683]

I would like to know what folks are doing with additives as well. I was thinking of starting a small vermicompost bin to produce enough "worm juice" to add in (maybe via spray bottle) while filling the trays.

[@ethanramsey6964]

At some point could you put links or product names in the description. For people who what to buy the diffrent materials you use. Would greatly appreciate it you could also get some affiliate links to make it worth your while.

[@OnTheGrow]

We use so many components that most people would get lost in the list 😆 we will send you whatever you’re wanting to know about though for now! We’re putting together the products to make “stores” so you can easily find the links you’re looking for, if that makes sense... should be ready soon. Thanks for the suggestion and the support!

[@tearl42]

Ethan Ramsey I have just about completed the BOM for a 4’ rack. As soon as I’m done I’ll hit you for your email and I’ll blow it to you.

[@dhmspector]

Would it be possible to get a copy of your 3D model or the STL files for your light clip?

[@OnTheGrow]

Yeah! The design ended up failing over time due to the PLA plastic slowly loosening, but I don’t mind sending it over! Send an email to [e-mail] and I can reply with the STL or even the source file if you want to modify it. I can give tips on how it failed so you know what to do to fix.

[@OnTheGrow]

If you still would like information, please ask again!😊 David Spector 😉Hello again from "On The Grow"...We apologize for not being timely on your last request or comment!!! We've been blessed to have so many welcoming responses as well as questions from the "MicroGreen Community". 😄Fear not for the future...we have two new grow team members here to assist with all aspects of your grow needs and questions. Please feel free to jump back in to sharing and looking to us for assistance!!

[@andrewbrock4636]

are you using this with soil or coir or equivalent?

[@OnTheGrow]

It’s possible to use this with a soil medium, but we prefer hydroponic mediums like jute mats because they’re much easier to handle and don’t put dirt into the system so it stays super clean... again, it is possible, but the water would get murky quickly.

[@MrSun4ever]

Moc pěkné a originální video :) thx :)

[@OnTheGrow]

Děkuji za vaši podporu! Pokud máte nějaké dotazy, dejte nám vědět!

[@dustinh20yaker]

How has this system been working for you? I purchased a system very similar to this from Crop King, and have been having trouble getting it to water evenly. I also ran into issues with temperatures in my greenhouse early in the season so I haven't really worked on it much. Just curious to see your process. Seems like you use 10/20 trays with biostrate or burlap. Do you find that you are getting even watering this way?

[@OnTheGrow]

The deep mesh 1020’s actually work quite well with the Biostrate. The way I built it, it almost waters too well 😆 we had some issues with dampen off in the beginning because there was too much water getting into the trays when it would only water 5 times a day for 15 minutes each. I used it quite a lot when it was first built, but I honestly do too many experiments to justify using it. It would be a great system if I sold to restaurants... but really I just love building systems and experimenting so it’s mostly collecting dust till I build it into something else! I’m curious how they had theirs built? Perhaps they don’t have enough watering lines in the channels? Or maybe a pump that isn’t big enough? I bought the channels from them, but everything else I built myself. That’s also why I prefer to build my own systems, I get a bit more control on how it will ultimately function for my space. I’d love to help you troubleshoot your system to make it a valuable asset to your business!

[@nicktrader]

Did you guys ever figure an optimal nutrient schedule for your nft?

[@prontohorty1866]

Sou do Brasil e gostaria de fazer uma compra dessa estante completa

[@Domith81]

I can't find the EMT connectors in your Amazon sore. Are they in there?

[@OnTheGrow]

They aren't on our Amazon Store! The MakerPipe connectors can be purchased from makerpipe.com/discount/OnTheGrow (for an additional 5% off your order!) kzbin.info/www/bejne/mWLVooKghaqHpa8

[@samanthatruong8390]

Wow

[@vikasvarma29]

Are 1020 flats sufficient for 10" NFT channels?

[@OnTheGrow]

💚Thank you so much for the support vikas varma!! We found they fit perfectly!! We could place 3 length wise and have room fro 2x1010 trays as well.

[@gregm4482]

@@OnTheGrow what about the low profile (1.25” high) 10x20 microgreen trays? Will they reach the bottom of the channel for water?

[@OnTheGrow]

No, they won’t… I was hoping they would, but you need the 2.5” deep ones. The edges in the shallow trays catch and make it so it cannot go all the way to the bottom of the channel.

[@chrismorrison3750]

Are you guys still using this system?

[@antoniofazzini6959]

You offer sone franchising? I m interested about start a microgreens business

[@gregpayne4]

Hi id love to have a conversation. Where are you located?

[@somenonamefarm5682]

Soooooo, when are you going solar?

[@OnTheGrow]

Hopefully soon! :) I think it's going to be a project for Q1 of next year, but I am really excited about it!

[@somenonamefarm5682]

@@OnTheGrow I'm looking forward to those videos!

[@hapsterable1]

i don't think your new system will service all your plants

[@OnTheGrow]

🙂Thank you so much for the support messy mathews!! We are going to be making new content soon! 😄 You're right we have two more shelves...we are growing most of our "recipe crops" in Coco Coir filled trays.

[@AhmonHarris]

the case fans lmaoo

[@OnTheGrow]

They do a great job of preventing micro climates! We have one large fan in the center of the room that circulates the majority of the air. We don’t want a lot of airflow directly on the crops, just near it.

[@dantefuego]

What kind of lights are these? mine are unpractically bright and purple i cant stand it in my eyeballs