| The main problem I have always had with building | | | | with an end cap. The other end may be sealed or |
| a homemade aeroponics system is the clogging | | | | left open, depending on how drainage back to the |
| spray nozzles. I was in a hydroponics supply store | | | | reservoir is to be accomplished. 2 1/2 or 3 inch |
| the other day when it occurred to me the | | | | holes are cut every 6 to 8 inches in the channel |
| aeroponics system I was looking at did not use | | | | to accomodate netted pots (or other planting |
| any spray heads. As I looked over the new | | | | containers). |
| hydroponic gardening system, I marveled at how | | | | At one end of the homemade aeroponics |
| simple the design really was. With the right pump | | | | system, the 1/2 inch lines elbow out of their |
| and correct assembly, the following homemade | | | | channels and are joined together by a series of |
| aeroponics system is relatively problem free. | | | | "T" fittings. This is known as the manifold. One |
| There are four main parts to this simple system. | | | | end of the manifold is left open to connect to the |
| There is a 20 gallon (75 liter) reservoir. There are | | | | pump. Your pump may be an external pump or |
| several channels 4 or 6 inches in diameter and | | | | you may use a submersible pump. Either way, the |
| several feet long. Every 6 or 8 inches there is a | | | | pump needs to be able to deliver a water |
| hole drilled into the channel to accomodate a plant. | | | | pressure of 45 to 60 psi to each of the 1/2 inch |
| The channels are pitched to allow drainage back | | | | lines coming from the manifold. |
| to the reservoir. Next is a 1/2 inch line, run down | | | | Finally, any large, cheap, plastic storage tote may |
| the center of each channel and capped at the | | | | be used for the nutrient reservoir. A homemade |
| end. All the lines are connected at the other end | | | | aeroponics system with 24 to 36 plant sites |
| by a manifold. Finally, the manifold attaches to a | | | | would require a 20 gallon (75 liter) reservoir. It is |
| pump. At any point along the 1/2 line where spray | | | | always best to choose a dark tote, to keep as |
| is desired a 1/16 inch drill bit is used to cleanly | | | | much light from the nutrient reservoir as possible. |
| make a small hole (usually one between each plant | | | | This will prevent algae growth and therefore help |
| site). | | | | prevent fungus gnats. Whenever constructing a |
| First, 1/2 inch PVC is cut to length and capped at | | | | homemade hydroponics system you should |
| one end. Spray locations are marked and drilled | | | | always use PVC, and not CPVC. CPVC is known |
| into the 1/2 inch PVC. A 1/2 inch line is run | | | | to slowly leach harmful chemicals. To prevent |
| through the length of each channel, which is made | | | | leaks, be sure to use PVC cleaner on all parts |
| from 4 or 6 inch PVC. The line is held in place by | | | | BEFORE you apply PVC glue and join the parts. |
| drilling two small holes and fastening a zip tie | | | | With systems becoming this simple, it is no |
| every few feet. | | | | surprise many people are interested in the faster |
| One end of each channel will have to be sealed | | | | growth rates aeroponics has to offer. |