How to make an inexpensive low-pressure aeroponics system - Improved version - Part 3

This is part 3 of my newer version low-pressure aeroponic system, which shows the final assembly, setup and progress after 2 1/2 months.
Part 1: • How to make an inexpen...
Part 2: • How to make an inexpen...
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 design addresses 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)

[@Johnny_Kanuk]

Those roots just blew me away. I knew there would be some but to that extent! Very nice, looking forward to seeing how well it fruits.

[@pepperdactyl]

Thanks!

[@MattGarver]

I like this the best of all three video updates on your system. Good idea to show plant growth and results alongside system design and function. Good job Peter!

[@pepperdactyl]

Thanks Matt! I put it on the porch yesterday. When I changed out the solution I noticed it had a light tint of green, so I mega light proofed it with a bunch of aluminum foil.I think it will really take off in the sun.

[@paologrisanti7865]

Personally I don't like blu and red only led light, but great great job man! I'll follow! Thanks for sharing!

[@pepperdactyl]

Thanks for watching and following!

[@garydalrymple5997]

I like this video.Im wondering if just this one pump can serve for two pots?

[@BackToBasics001]

Nice results Peter! Have you harvested many pods off of it? Thanks for sharing.

[@pepperdactyl]

Thanks! No pods yet, it's just now started flowering some. I'll put it outside this weekend. It should start producing really well then.

[@julainephillips4013]

In which part of the process was the neoprene cloning collar used, and how was it used? Also, do you think this system could work okay to grow radishes?

[@pepperdactyl]

The neoprene collar was used to hold the pump power cord. I cut a 1 7/8" hole, and the 2 inch collar wedged in there with the power cord. I don't know if it will work with radishes or not. I haven't tried it. Would be a fun experiment. If you try it please share how it does.

[@wenbohu4086]

Hello Peter, I am fresh to this field, but what you did is so great that I want to try myself lol. During the this 2 1/2 months, how do you take care of the plant? Do you need to adjust some PH or EC value of water?

[@pepperdactyl]

The way I made this one with the double bucket design, I was able to add three gallons at a time. I would let it run the nutrients down to almost empty, then add three more gallons. Periodically I would swap the bottom bucket for another one that had all fresh solution in it. Using the Dyna-gro 7-9-5, I didn't need to adjust ph, it worked out fine with the tap water I have. As far as EC, I used the same strength throughout which was around .9. The last month or so I bumped it up to around 1.2. I didn't adjust it after it was added to the bucket.

[@DuhBroadcaster]

Is it better to have the droplets that big or to have it spray a fine mist?

[@pepperdactyl]

I've only tried the low-pressure type which is more of a sprayponic/soakaponic method. This article lists out some good pros and cons of different aeroponic methods. homehydrosystems.com/hydroponic-systems/aeroponics_systems.html

[@gtsb2]

Need to seal the gap between the 2 buckets. Water will evaporate quickly and leave a higher ppm

[@pepperdactyl]

Thanks for watching. I'm working on a version 3 which will have a separate reservoir, controller bucket and growing chambers. The growing chambers will be thick mill black plastic 5 gal buckets, with 6 inch net basket lids. The pump and a float valve will be in the controller bucket. I think this will address issues of evaporation and algae. By end of the season I had great results with version 2, but was constantly (every 2 or 3 days) having to add nutrients back in. The habanero plant in it had over a five foot canopy and produced closed to 250 fruits. I upgraded my pump to 900 gph for new one I'm working on. And plan to run three plants off it.

[@dangelingjubjub]

does the pump run permanently

[@pepperdactyl]

Yes, for this setup it does. Could probably set it intermittently with a minute cycle timer, but this one has run wide open all season with no issue.

[@dangelingjubjub]

@@pepperdactyl Thanks

[@franzb69]

you can make money by becoming an amazon affiliate and using affiliate links for the parts you're gonna be using.