How to make an inexpensive low-pressure aeroponics system - Improved version - Part 1

Last year I made a video ( • How to make an inexpen... ) of a DIY low-pressure aeroponics system design (aka sprayapoincs or soakaponics), which uses a submersible pump and PVC with spray nozzles attached. The nozzles spray nutrient solution onto the roots, then circulate back through the pump. That design worked very well, but there were a few issues I encountered.
Problems with old version:
1. Small reservoir
2. Difficult to change nutrients
3. Over-complicated design, requiring special tools
The new desgin addresse these issues. If you built the other version, you probably have most of the parts already.
I did not mention in the video, but for the nutrient solution, I used a three part mix of Masterblend, Magnesium Sulfate and Calcium Nitrate at a ppm of around 850.
Part 1 of this tutorial shows the parts needed and preparation. Part 2 shows the construction, and Part 3 shows the final assembly, operation and follow-up.
Parts needed for this system as shown in the video:
PVC parts
sched 40 1/2" PVC pipe -
3 x 1" long pieces
1 x 7/8" long piece
2 x 3" long pieces
2 x 1/2" couplers
2 x 1/2" caps
2 x 1/2" slip 45 degree elbows
1 x 90 deg tee
1 x 1/2" adapter threaded/slip (screws into the pump) - get at a Lowes or Home Depot
3 x Spray nozzles and 11/64" drill bit - goo.gl/QX4u9j
Submersible pump
1 x EcoPlus 728310 Eco 396 Submersible Pump, 396GPH goo.gl/n4cmuL (I mentioned in the video that I had seen one by Apollo Horticulture for 10.00, but don't see that available at the time of this posting.)
Drill bits for internal bucket - These don't have to be exact, the 11/16" is what I used. It needs to be either exactly the diameter of the 1/2" PVC pipe or just under.
1/4"
11/16"
2 x 5 gallon buckets - goo.gl/qUS06c (You can get these cheaper at big box stores)
1 x 5 gallon bucket lid Approx. 2.00 in box stores
1 x 3" net pot goo.gl/NUZKIu
1 x 3" hole saw - goo.gl/TPehGL
OR
*You might want to modify this design using a 6 inch bucket lid net pot. That would offer a little more stability and save some work and money. (6 inch net pot - goo.gl/8nlTAS) If you use this you won't need the regular bucket lid, 3 inch net pot or 3 inch hole saw.
Supporting media
Clay pebbles/hydroton - goo.gl/pKFvKk
*alternately you could use coco coir chips instead - goo.gl/q5k8Dl
Power cord management
1 x 1 7/8" hole saw - goo.gl/dRz3GN
1 x 2" neoprene cloning collar - goo.gl/sb3bMe (This also has the spray nozzles needed, listed above, but doesn't included the 11/64" bit)

[@Joshuavanalst]

Underrated

[@pepperdactyl]

This is part 1 of 3. I'll publish parts 2 and 3 tomorrow and the next day.

[@edgarstiltins]

Hello Peter Its really nice to see your videos since I wanted obtain aeroponic from GH, but change my mind due to high price tags in Europe. How ever I also found out about fogoponic (aeroponic 2.0 -high pressure aeroponic) it also have been made by "multiponic" company in USA Now Im trying to make one by my self, is there chance u have been experimented on that one?

[@susangarza7818]

Looks great.. can't wait for part 2 and 3!!! =)

[@pepperdactyl]

Thanks! Part 2 is queued up and ready, except for doing the closed captions. Hope to have that done early this evening, then will publish it.

[@ohiogrowncannabis]

Subbed!

[@pepperdactyl]

Thanks!

[@larryhotelling3373]

Peter, I was wondering what your on off cycle was for your pump

[@pepperdactyl]

I started out running it 5 minutes on/off for a few weeks, then later switched to run 24/7. It seems to be doing fine so far running continuously.

[@wenbohu4086]

Hello Peter, I am wondering how you select the type of pump? Any specific reason for 300+ GPH pump?

[@pepperdactyl]

for one bucket it's overkill, you could get by with a smaller pump, a 200 GPH would be plenty. I don't have a formula for figuring the size, but the 396 GPH are relatively cheap and it's what I have. Next year I'm going to link three buckets together and run off of one pump. I might need to upgrade, but I'll try the one I have and see if it works. I do have a smaller pump, around 100 GPH that I picked up for 7.00. I'm planning to use it on a DIY recirculating aerogarden type system.

[@chiefgetmhigh3461]

@@pepperdactyl I asked a question on your 1st vid. My question has been answered sir.

[@xtrainerchronicles2085]

Peter,, I wa wondering how you deal with water temperature.what is the appropriate water temp for peppers?

[@pepperdactyl]

Thanks for watching and asking this. I don't know what the water temp tolerances are for peppers. The ambient room temp for this system has been around 70 +/-5 degrees. I haven't checked the water temps on this system but I did on last year's version, which had a smaller reservoir and temps were barely above the ambient room temp. A larger pump in a smaller res running 24/7 might increase temps to an undesirable level, but putting in on a minute cycle timer would probably fix that. I'm going to move this system outside on my porch, and temps will be higher than in my basement. I'll report how it does as I post updates throughout the season.

[@carlanucup5160]

Hi! What kind of pump are you using?

[@pepperdactyl]

Thanks for watching! It's a 396 gph submersible. There's a link to it in the description.

[@carlanucup5160]

does it lifts the water upward well?

[@kristiecarr9567]

Shouldn't you use food grade buckets? Big box store buckets usually have BPA in them.

[@pepperdactyl]

Thanks for watching! You certainly could use food grade buckets. The same principles to build would apply. Recycled 4 gallon icing containers are great.