DIY Hydro, Would this work?

I want to make my own hydro system as alot are very expensive. I was thinking of getting a 18 Gallon plastic tub, cutting out about 8-10 hole in the top big enough for some net pots, place the net pots in the top.

I will then buy a fish tank block, and a puamp, I will place the block in the bottom of the tub, poke a hole through the top of the tub and train the tube out to the air pump.

I will then fill tub with water and nutes and turn pump on, fill the pots with stones or cocoa.

I think this would work but Im just thinking how I would change the nutes over from veg to flowering. Would I have to drain the whole tank and then refill?

Would this work?

JuniorBuds said:

I want to make my own hydro system as alot are very expensive. I was thinking of getting a 18 Gallon plastic tub, cutting out about 8-10 hole in the top big enough for some net pots, place the net pots in the top.

I will then buy a fish tank block, and a puamp, I will place the block in the bottom of the tub, poke a hole through the top of the tub and train the tube out to the air pump.

I will then fill tub with water and nutes and turn pump on, fill the pots with stones or cocoa.

I think this would work but Im just thinking how I would change the nutes over from veg to flowering. Would I have to drain the whole tank and then refill?

Would this work?

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It will work but be tedious. You can drill some holes at the bottom of the butcket. Place a tap in the hole and seal it off so it wont leak. Turn the knob when you want to drain it. I did this on a micro scale with the air stones and it works but i had to pour the nutes out.

Do you have to clean the nutes out often? like once a week or just till the nutes need changing over/the plant needs no nutes

JuniorBuds said:

Do you have to clean the nutes out often? like once a week or just till the nutes need changing over/the plant needs no nutes

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Once a week sounds normal. I had tupperware for mine so i did it every 4 days. I did not finish the plant this way though. I cut clones, and raised them.

You change your nute solution out every couple weeks or so, it really all depends on the size of the reservoir.... in the meantime you'd top off the res with water and check the pH in between changing your nutes. Also, if you want a nice little DIY DWC setup like you described for the cheap.... then just pick up a couple of 5 gallon tubs like I did. Tubs+net pots+air stone+air pump+nutes = $40

I'm using it to grow my Big Boy Hybrid tomatoes and California Wonder bell peppers. In fact, I just transplanted my seedlings into it last night.

I spent sometime checking the res temp throughout the day while it was inside and out on my patio (cause I have outlets out there) and the res temp tends to stay a little cool, about 65F when kept inside. I used a second 5 gallon tub to "insulate" the one I'm using as a res, but I don't think it's making shit bit of difference. However you are encouraged to experiment and get a little mad scientist like when coming up with a setup.

So Would 18 Gallon be too much, and would 18 gallon still need chaning every 2 weeks? If so id defernetly need to think of a solution for that as it will be in the loft, not very conviernent lol

JuniorBuds said:

So Would 18 Gallon be too much, and would 18 gallon still need chaning every 2 weeks? If so id defernetly need to think of a solution for that as it will be in the loft, not very conviernent lol

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Use multiple smaller buckets. Maybe use larger 3-5gal plastic totes with only a couple sites in each, that way you can carry out smaller containers at a time and position the plants around in groups instead of them sort being "locked" there in the same single container... check my signature, Im only using two totes and they are pretty small but you can just add more and make them larger if you are thinking more plants or more space..

There's no harm in starting in smaller bins. You just need to keep an eye on them daily.