Vertical Flooded Tube Dual 600w - Hash Plant

Hey guys, got a new vertical setup going, finally. It's been like 3 months, such a waste of time. Here's the beginnings of it:

like this.like this.

I hope to keep it interesting.

Holy shit, this looks fucking amazing! + subscribed and + rep for the plans! She's a work of beauty.

so how does the hydroponic system work

Thanks vh13, it took a while, but all credit has to go to heath robinson and jigfresh for inspiration.

bluntman123 said:

so how does the hydroponic system work

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hey bluntman, its pretty simple. The water is recirculated quickly to each level, separately, by using a heavy duty pump. The key with this system, as i've found from my 2 previous failures, is to keep a constant fast flow rate. As you can see from the pics, I have a pump connected to a homemade manifold with a bypass valve and separate stop valves for each level. These 4 valves are all used to adjust flow rate so the water isn't gushing out of the tubes onto my floor. One thing I think is key, or at least will improve the system, is it has no 90 elbows. These seem to interrupt the flow rate and leave you with slow running water, which can stagnate. If you look in the second to last pic, you can see the turbulent water flowing through the pipes. This is essential or else the whole sytem is not going to reach its potential. The concept is a combination of nutrient film technique (NFT) and deep water culture (DWC). The roots constantly have a fresh, aerated solution passing over them and are constantly suspended in water. The turbulence and mixing caused by the fast recirculation and the bypass valve from the pump, keep the solution consistently mixed and oxygenated. I've never completed a grow employing this method, but I believe using what I've learned on my other 2 tries, as well as inspiration from heath robinson and others who've tried this, I've got this shit.

My other 2 attempts failed due to a design flaw. I used 4 sides on 3 levels, with 90 elbows. This also made the whole shape less "round" so the plants were not all equidistant from the light. The elbows caused slowed water movement, the roots got a little slimey, and i tossed them. I guess I shouldn't say it failed because it would have technically worked, they were blooming, but I don't want it to just work, I want it to work correctly like the grandiose delusions I'm having in my head of 3gram/watt.... haha just kidding. Well, I'm not, I'd love 3g/w but 1.2-1.5 should be more attainable. Right now I'm about to go purchase a slightly less powerful ActiveAqua (hydrofarm) 1000gph pump which uses only 99w/.9amp instead of my current Mondi Sump Pump which is rated to 1595gph and 5.0amps! Ouch. Basically running another ballast full time. Peace.

snowgrow19 said:

Thanks vh13, it took a while, but all credit has to go to heath robinson and jigfresh for inspiration.

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I thought I saw Heath Robinson inspiration in there! I love his work, and I am quite envious of your execution.

Interesting, no 90 degree elbows... I'll have to remember that when it's time for me to do my own Heath inspired vertical.

Could you have joined all the root chamber coils for a continuous spiral, like some of Heath's other designs? Or did you decide against this for some reason? Like maybe a separate intake line on each level would guarantee maximum oxygenation for the lower levels, or some other reason?

vh13 said:

Interesting, no 90 degree elbows... I'll have to remember that when it's time for me to do my own Heath inspired vertical.

Could you have joined all the root chamber coils for a continuous spiral, like some of Heath's other designs? Or did you decide against this for some reason? Like maybe a separate intake line on each level would guarantee maximum oxygenation for the lower levels, or some other reason?

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Hey,yeah I could have done the cascading levels like Heath did, I just chose to have separate feed lines for each level because it was actually a bit cheaper, and simpler as far as the design goes. The cascade element throws in a whole new set of problems when constructing, especially when cementing the tubes together, because you have to make sure each fitting is lined up properly and level or else it will throw the whole structure off, and once you slip the tube with cement into a fitting, you've got like 3 seconds to get it right, then its stuck for good. With separate lines, you only have to worry about leveling each section separately which makes it easier. If you build one of these, you'll find out quickly what I'm talking about. Other than that, I can't see how it would be better or worse, just more convenient for me I used this method the first 2 tries, but then found this to be easier for my current design. Either should work well.

So I changed pumps to an ActiveAqua 800gph instead of 1000gph. Because of this, I had to redesign the manifold as it was meant for a bigger pump, when combined with the lesser pump there wasn't enough flow. So, I just made the manifold smaller and eliminated the return valve because it caused an unnecessary, and unwanted pressure drop. Here is the new design compared to the old one. Simpler... I like it.

wow, hates off to you sir!!!! that is very impresize, i was going to try something like this, but with soil in like a BOG i guess it called? but im very very interested to see how this goes for you happy growing!!!

The design looks incredible! very cool grow, much respect for the craftsmanship. are the tubes built from metal duct, or is that pvc wrapped in reflective tape, other? again, the setup is beautiful

Thanks guys, I appreciate it. It's in my bedroom, so I didn't want it to be an eyesore, ya know?

medicalsb420 said:

The design looks incredible! very cool grow, much respect for the craftsmanship. are the tubes built from metal duct, or is that pvc wrapped in reflective tape, other? again, the setup is beautiful

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It's triple wall pvc, it's got a rubberized inner surface which is conveniently light proof, but I wrapped it in foil tape for reflection, mainly. Plus, it looks cooler.

I like the new manifold as well. Fewer points of potential failure.

vh13 said:

I like the new manifold as well. Fewer points of potential failure.

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Exactly! Ive tried to think through every possible scenario short of the apocolypse that might cause a failure in this system, so if you think of anything I haven't mentioned, feel free to point it out. Unfortunately, I was just informed that the end may be upon us on the 21st, so I guess we may never know how this would have ended.

snowgrow19 said:

Exactly! Ive tried to think through every possible scenario short of the apocolypse that might cause a failure in this system, so if you think of anything I haven't mentioned, feel free to point it out. Unfortunately, I was just informed that the end may be upon us on the 21st, so I guess we may never know how this would have ended.

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Well, I don't have as much experience with this stuff as you, but if I think of anything, I'll be sure to mention it.

looks like a nice setup. where did you get the tube for the lights? and whats it made out of?

teamgreen2010 said:

looks like a nice setup. where did you get the tube for the lights? and whats it made out of?

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Thanks, teamgreen. The tube i ordered from hydrofarm through my local hydro store for $260. Google dual air 48" cool tube. Although, after having one, the smaller, single bulb cool tubes are more manageable as far as hanging and maintenance, and you can still stack them vertically. My opinion.

Here's some more teasers...


Up top is the heat exhaust fan, also wrapped in reflective tape. It's set to a day/night thermostat for 84 - 72 respectively

On the floor level I have some 6" clip on fans, taken apart to just the blade for better flow, and aimed upward. Also, you can see the 1/4" tubing running around the light, this is the co2 line.


Almost done, finishing touches tomorrow...

so water just flows through the pipes or are there sprayers????? new to vertical growing sorry. and what size are the plants going to be when u flower and are u going to be use any training

hey let me start by saying i love your grow room, i was actualy designing basicly the exact same setup myself but with dual 1000W. anyways i got a few questions if you dont mind, how exactly did you plan for how far to put the plants away from the light and how do you know when you start growin em they might not get to big and close? and if they do how do you plan to compensate for it? also kinda same question as before but the height from 1 level to the other, im just tryna get a better idea of how to do proper measurements for when i actualy make mine. and 1 more question should i top my plants on a vertical grow?