Hydropnic grow towers!

Anybody else make these up?? I pieced together a lot of different ideas from youtube for this one.
All together about $50 including the water pump



This mortar base has a cuplink cast into it with some welded wire reinforcement. The tower fits into this and acts as a base so everything is sturdy. I also spray this mortar with flex seal to make a separation between it and the nutrient water.

Do it!!!!!

Still working on getting the heat, and hole bending perfect. Some holes turn out great, some split. Can't find a consistent method to avoid this quite yet.

not gonna lie this looks awesome and interesting . So many ways to grow it , train the plant if everything goes to plan. Imma be looking out for a grow diary for this setup.

So how is that going to work? Are you going to have a continuous flow similar to nft from the top with the nutrient solution cascading down over the net pots? That looks like it would work great for lettuce.

xtsho said:

So how is that going to work? Are you going to have a continuous flow similar to nft from the top with the nutrient solution cascading down over the net pots? That looks like it would work great for lettuce.

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Yup! The water is pumped to the top, and pours over the back of the net pots back down into the rez.
I've seen a lot of people with similar set ups run the pump on 15 min timers on and off.

I picked up some "sewer" 4" pvc today for the towers im building (right now 6). Much, much better than traditional schedual 40 for this concept. Half the thickness material so it takes half as long to heat up, and bends substantially easier without tearing the plastic. I can whip up one of these in half the time now, and they look much cleaner.

ÒÒlegilizeitÒÒ said:

I picked up some "sewer" 4" pvc today for the towers im building (right now 6). Much, much better than traditional schedual 40 for this concept. Half the thickness material so it takes half as long to heat up, and bends substantially easier without tearing the plastic. I can whip up one of these in half the time now, and they look much cleaner.

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xtsho said:

United States Patent and Trademark Office

Home page of the United States Patent and Trademark Office's main web site.

www.uspto.gov

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Right?? Hahah unfortantly don't think I will get anywhere with that since some greenhouses already have similar systems in place

Built this today

With the latest one pictured, there is no reservoir except what water sits in the pipes? I'd watched some videos on these a while back and am very interested in making a couple. I really like your latest redesign, makes sense to use the pump more efficiently than with a single tower.

Are you planning on running small plants?

ÒÒlegilizeitÒÒ said:

Built this today
View attachment 4769654
View attachment 4769655

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Excuse my ignorance. I was born with it. But where does the pump go?

piney420 said:

With the latest one pictured, there is no reservoir except what water sits in the pipes? I'd watched some videos on these a while back and am very interested in making a couple. I really like your latest redesign, makes sense to use the pump more efficiently than with a single tower.

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Yes, I'm wondering if it will be enough water, I haven't tested how much it can hold, but it should be a decent amount. The water level can sit up about 14" before it starts to overflow out the center spout.
This one supports 60 plants in 2.77 square feet

Midwestsmoker419 said:

Are you planning on running small plants?

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More or less, yes.
These towers are pretty much designed for you leafy greens, Herbs, or flowers.
I have seen celery, tomatoes, or some other larger plants grown in them though.

xtsho said:

Excuse my ignorance. I was born with it. But where does the pump go?

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The pump slides down inside the center 4" PVC pipe. The 3/4" PVC Pipes straight down to it. It pumps water from the bottom of the system, up the pvc, and to the tops of the grow towers where is can spay out my "nozel" and down the walls of the 4" pvc tower. The plants roots grow suspended in the tower, and the water pours over the top of them. Usually at 15 min on/off intervals

ÒÒlegilizeitÒÒ said:

The pump slides down inside the center 4" PVC pipe. The 3/4" PVC Pipes straight down to it. It pumps water from the bottom of the system, up the pvc, and to the tops of the grow towers where is can spay out my "nozel" and down the walls of the 4" pvc tower. The plants roots grow suspended in the tower, and the water pours over the top of them. Usually at 15 min on/off intervals

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That's what I thought but where does the power cable for the pump go? I'm thinking about making something similar for my back patio to grow lettuce on so I won't have to worry about slugs when growing in my raised beds.

xtsho said:

That's what I thought but where does the power cable for the pump go? I'm thinking about making something similar for my back patio to grow lettuce on so I won't have to worry about slugs when growing in my raised beds.

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I need to drill a hole in the cap for the wire to feed through yet, but it will just pop out the top once I do.
I am thinking easiest, cleanest way will be to just drill a 1/4" hole in the lid, cut the plug off the pump, run the wire through the hole, and attach a new end once its ran through.

I would love to set one of these up and start growing some plants, but the problem is that Its currently winter here, and these towers are kinda hard to artificially light

You've made a nice job it looks very professional,
I'm curious to know how you got the pot sites recessed with what looks to be an insert?
Well done!