DIY NFT System

Eese a race and I am weeennning!!

I got it up and running today after a few trips to the hardware stores. The Rainbird products that I bought turned out to be total crap; the manifold didn't work at all and leaked like a sieve; most of the drippers wouldn't drip. So I had to go get some more parts to connect the pump hose to the new manifold I bought at the hydro store a couple of weeks ago. This manifold is a very simple, cheap molded plastic that works great, doesn't leak, no moving parts or filters and did I mention it was cheap? I left one line of drippers because I didn't feel like pulling them off and capping the ends. I pulled one line off each tube and just ran straight tubing down the edge. For the holes I got a little tool that looks like a dentist scaler like they use to clean your teeth; I think it's called a pick and you can buy them at the hardware store. It put a nice little hole in the line - very low tech - but placement of the hole is semi-critical unless you want water spouting all over and/or not getting to the plant.

The lighting is totally rigged for now. I'm not going to leave it like this; I just had to get something up so the plants wouldn't die over the holidays. Those are four 65w multi-spectrum CFL's; I have about 2 dozen smaller ones that I could add but it's not necessary at this point.

I am using the Organo pots; they are some sort of rubber mix that does not deteriorate and the roots come thru beautifully; my plants have roots out the wazoo coming thru the bottom of the stuff!! I figured I'd need about 16 seeds to germinate and get 12 to plant but 15 come up; only one was non-viable. They will stay in this medium their entire life. I set up a timer since it doesn't need to run but once or twice a day; I set it up for 15 min twice a day. I'm using the Advanced Nutrients 3 part system.

Here are some pix of it in action:

I am glad to see you got it up and running. VV

Hey potpimp

I have to say, WOW man completely pro! I'm really impressed with your setup so clean and tight
I do have a question for you, I've been to so many shops trying to find those 5" posts. I just can't find them, where did you get yours?

and, wow I can't wait to see how much your setup produces!

Actually mine are 4" pots. I got the larger ones but they fit too tight so I took them back and swapped them for the smaller ones. I got them at the hydro shop. Thanks for the kind words.

could you rehost the images? i am very interested and intrigued.

im also interested.... any chance to rehost those images?

I'm sorry but I don't have those pix anymore. I had a little scare with my photobucket account and had to delete them. As soon as I upload my pix to photobucket I delete them from my computer.

Please repost that...Im very intrested.

I was able to come up with 4 basic ones. I will take some shots a little later of what I have in there right now, although they are not anything to brag about. I'm working on installing me new 1,000w HPS light and ducting and getting my plants dug up and in there. It may be tomorrow before I remember but I will try to do it today.

Hey.. I'm new here. Mainly to research & learn.. I'm in the process of building my 2nd grow cabinet.
Wish your pictures were still viewable