The 30 minute 6 plant aero build

FilthyFletch · #1 08-09-2007, 12:49 AM

Again Im trying to catch up on my promises.I just posted the how to build the homemade a/c unit and now Im going to do the how to build a 30 minute 6 plant aeroponic grow setup for around $40 ( pump used will be the main money anywhere from $12 -30 or more).This is a simple setup I just went down stairs and built it and timed myself and also made 2 different options for misting to give you a choice and I finished it with 2 misting system so you ll have no problem or I'll build ya one if you wanna buy 1 .Any ways heres what it kinda will look like at the end and here we go...

FilthyFletch · #2 08-09-2007, 01:01 AM

Ok this tutorial will give you the basics to build any system you want to fit your need.This little 6 site setup is perfect for a small grow area like a closet.Here are the basics you will need.I will show 2 methods of setting up the mister so pick which way you like and use and adapt it...

1 20 gallon rubbermaid tub with lid darker color is best no clear roughly $4
1 10ft 1/2 inch pvc pipe $ 1.67
4 1/2 inch pvc end caps $.28 each
2 1/12 pvc "T" $.38 each
1 1/2 inch threaded pvc "T" fitting $.45 each
1 can pvc cement $2.65 each
1 piece 1/2 hose about 1 foot is more then enough $1
1 1/2 inch threaded barb with 1/2 inch hose barb on opposite end ( $1.86)
6 3 inch net pots ( about $.40 each)
either 6 360 mister micro sprayers ($.65 each) or 1 2" pop up lawn sprinkler with 1/2 inch thread ($.6

1 submersible water pump 350 gph or bigger (varies in cost ebay good to buy from)

These items area your basics for the setup and can all be found at Home Depot or Lowes. Tools that you will need are few such as.....

1 drill
1 3 inch hole saw
scissors or razor knife
hack saw to cut pvc or other cutter
1 drill bit ( varys on misters you buy I used 7/32 for the red ones in this)

FilthyFletch · #3 08-09-2007, 01:08 AM

First lets get the top done as its the quickest and easiest.This is where you will use your 3 inch hole saw of if you dont you will have to trace you net pot and use your razor knife but cut 1/8 inside the outline so pots dont fall in. I like to use this spaceing for my setups.I hook the left side of the tube with the lid on at the top about 3 inches down the side and then pul my tape measure and mark a dot at 4 1/2 inches , 12 1/2 inches and 20 1/2 inches.I then hook my tape from the top of the lid above each of those marks and come down 3 1/2 inches then where each mark crosses is a center point for your net pot.Repeat this on the other side of the lid so you have a total of 6 marked centers in 2 parallel rows across.Then take your hole saw and center the tip on each mark and dril all the way through the lid ending up with this ...

FilthyFletch · #4 08-09-2007, 01:26 AM

Next we are going to make the sprayer setup. I will show 2 ways 1 way is very quick and takes aboyt 2 minutes the other is a little more classic and takes some cutting and fittings so 1 at a time.The first way is so simple I just kind of thought about it walking around home depot blowed last week (this is a hobby for me when I got time to go).Ok so you have your pump and have a 1/2" hose barb on it (get 1/2 barb if it didnt come with one).Place your pump next to your res outside you will then need your piece of 1/2 hose.You wanna cut the hose so your sprayer head will be out of the water but about 2-3 inches lower then your net pots( you can add 2 or 3 of these if you want by using T barbs and more hose).My hose length from my large pump was about 2 inches.Now take your 1/2 inch threaed hose barb you bought and screw it into the female threads on the 2 inch lawn sprinkler head. This is a large sprikler that sprays in every direction in large amount of fine mist like the one you see watering yards.1 is enough 2 is great 3 is the limit.Take the hose and use it to connect the barb from the pump to the barb you just screwed onto the mister head and center it in the rubbermaid tub.Thats it for this misting setup. Just pop the top on make a mark on the edge where your pumps power cord is and cut a small notch so your lid closes.Insert your net pots and add your young plants in 2 inch rockwool cubes and fill with hydroton clay pebbles and plu it in.Simple huh heres som pics to show this particular setup and the lawn mister head to give a btter visual..Next will explaint the more common mister setup..

FilthyFletch · #5 08-09-2007, 01:30 AM

Heres a couple of the power cord notch before I show the second sprayer option.I also suggest using duct tape around the lid edge to help prevent any spray leaks as these heads put out some serious spray

FilthyFletch · #6 08-09-2007, 01:35 AM

Ok now we will make the second mister option which is a little more classic and probably more popular for smaller pumps.This is where your 1/2 inch pvc pipe and fittings will be used.First cut 4 10 inch lengths of pvc pipe.Then cut 1 piece of 1/2 inch pvc pipe at 7 1/2 inchs.You will need the 4 end caps, the cement, the 2 regular 1/2 in pvc T fittings, 1the 1 threaded 1/2 inch pvc T,the 6 misters and the 1/2 inch threaded hose barb.Here is the basic layout of what this manifold will look like after having everything cut

FilthyFletch · #7 08-09-2007, 01:46 AM

Make sure all excess filings are out of the pipes and the burs cleaned off each end. You will take the pvc glue which has a brush in th can and swab 1 end of each of the 4 10 inch pieces 1 at a time then twisting the end cap onto the end then tap it on the ground seating it firmly.You should have 4 10 inch lengths with caps on 1 end.Next you will use 1 of the 1/2 inch regular T fitting apply the cement to the other end of each of the 4 10 inch pieces 1 at a time.You will slip the end you applied the cement to into the T fitting.Then repeat this with the other 10 inch long pieces using the second regular T fitting tapping them into place tightly with cement on them.You now have 2 lenghths with end caps on each of the ends with a T fitting in the middle of each length.Now using your hack saw cut the 7 1/2 inch pice in half which is 3.75 inches giving you 2 pieces.Next you will need the Threaded 1/2 inch pvc T fitting.Put the pvc cement on 1 end of each of the 2 pieces inserting the glued end into the threaded T fittings non threaded ends.You should now have what looks like a T with an open threaded end on the T fitting.You will now put cement on each of the ends of this new middle bar 1 side at a time.It is important that the threaded opening in the middle is pointing straight down when you glue the 2 ends into each of the 2 longer pipes you made as the thread will go directly to your pump barb.You will now have what looks like an H with the cenetr having a threaded T fitting pointing directly down...

FilthyFletch · #8 08-09-2007, 01:50 AM

Next you will use the 1/2 inch threaded hose barb and screw it into the threadedT fitting in the center of the H you made looking like the pictures below

FilthyFletch · #9 08-09-2007, 01:52 AM

Next we will need to drill the holes for our twist in mister head,You will use the drill bit 7/32 or what ever is slightly smaller then the mister threades you chose. I use these which you can get online at Alternative Garden Supply - Hydroponics and Indoor Gardening Supplies and Equipment ..Dont use the round cylinder heads with holes as they clog to easy.

FilthyFletch · #10 08-09-2007, 02:02 AM

Ok I like to use 6 mister heads I lay my H on the ground and use my tape measure to pull down from 1 end cap and mark the center of the pvc pipe at 6 1/2 inches and 15 1/2 on both of the H's legs.I then like to make a mark on the center of each of the 2 small lengths of pvc on either side of the center T fittings so there are 2 in the middle bar totaol 6.Thes middle marks are about 3 1/2 inches in from the outer T fittings.This allows misting to all the net pots and all roots.You should have something like this after you drill each marked hole and twist the mister heads in to the 6 holes...