my new hydroponic system

[dmb2002man]

Here is my new hydroponic system that I am starting up. Its a 3 gallon container, 4 3.5" net pots, 2 bubblers, dual pump, 400 watt led light and stand. Of course the stand is adjustable as when i start planting I will lower it to 6" away to start. I will run the light 16 hours a day and the dual pump 24 hours. It consist of 2 27k, 1 65k, 1 50k bulbs. I have been germinating tomatoes, Habanero peppers, spinach and kale. The picture doesn't include the tomatoes and spinach as i have them in another bag and just never took a picture yet. I should have this kit up and running in about a week or so. I have rock-wool, rocks and 6 months of nutrients. Still have to pick up a timer and ph kit. Hope you enjoy.



http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s62/dmb2002man/hydroponic%20system/Northeast-20110903-00213_edit.jpg

http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s62/dmb2002man/hydroponic%20system/Northeast-20110905-00227_edit.jpg

http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s62/dmb2002man/hydroponic%20system/Northeast-20110905-00224_edit.jpg

http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s62/dmb2002man/hydroponic%20system/Northeast-20110905-00225_edit.jpg

[dmb2002man]

2 27k led bulbs, 1 65k and 1 50k. 400 watts

http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s62/dmb2002man/hydroponic%20system/Northeast-20110906-00236_edit.jpg

[MysticTree]

you need to use code with these brackets [ ]

[dmb2002man]

Here is more pictures of the setup. I went and got a ph reader and a 24 hour timer. I got it all hooked up last night and added the plants that have been germinating. More pics to come as the plants grow. The 400 watt led light is sure bright. I added 3 tsp of the nutrient to this setup as well. Water changes will come every 2 weeks and new nutrients will be added. Reverse osmosis water is what im using. I got a extra 5 gallon bin that i will go and fill up with 3 gallons every 2 weeks.

http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s62/dmb2002man/hydroponic%20system/Northeast-20110906-00229_edit.jpg

http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s62/dmb2002man/hydroponic%20system/Northeast-20110906-00230_edit.jpg

http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s62/dmb2002man/hydroponic%20system/Northeast-20110906-00235_edit.jpg

http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s62/dmb2002man/hydroponic%20system/Northeast-20110907-00240_edit.jpg

I hope you all enjoy.

[dmb2002man]

Here is another picture of the setup. Enjoy! More pics will come with the progress of the plants.

http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s62/dmb2002man/hydroponic%20system/Northeast-20110907-00238_edit.jpg

[MysticTree]

what are those round red things?

[dmb2002man]

what are those round red things?

Its Hydroton. Hydroton hydroponic growing media is a substitute for normal plant-soil and is mainly used in hydroculture/ hydroponic systems as well as for decoration. The squares in the middle where the plant goes is rockwool. Which is a great starter for starting the plants in the hydroponic system.

[MysticTree]

I recognised the rockwool. Never seen the red things before!

[rpage]

Super cool! Will be exciting to see how your plants do. Where did you get the light stand? Looks like the perfect stand for your setup.

[dmb2002man]

Super cool! Will be exciting to see how your plants do. Where did you get the light stand? Looks like the perfect stand for your setup.

http://grow-green.org/ Its adjustable to 40" also for when the plants start growing. I will modify it if i need to if the plants grow bigger or just keep trimming.

[rpage]

http://grow-green.org/ Its adjustable to 40" also for when the plants start growing. I will modify it if i need to if the plants grow bigger or just keep trimming.

Awesome! thanks!

[bananafish]

Great stuff, this is something I want to do.

[dmb2002man]

Here are some more pictures of my setup. Learning so much. Its day 9 in my hydro system with my tomato plant and its growing fast. Im also germinating cucumber, peppers and spinach now. Added a fan to my setup and a used dell box from work and put aluminum foil around it so the light will stay on the plants. I covered the clear container with pc paper around it so algae wont build up. It shouldn't need it but wanted to be safe. Also ordered more 1.5" grow blocks as this kit came with 1" which i didn't think was big enough for 3.5" net pots. Anyone need help with building a kit then let me know. I have learned so much with this and will easily build my next one including the stand and led light. I have to do my water change this Friday as it will be my 12th day.

http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s62/dmb2002man/more%20hydro%20system%20pictures/Northeast-20110910-00254-edit.jpg

http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s62/dmb2002man/more%20hydro%20system%20pictures/Northeast-20110917-00273-edit.jpg

http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s62/dmb2002man/more%20hydro%20system%20pictures/Northeast-20110927-00313-edit.jpg

http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s62/dmb2002man/more%20hydro%20system%20pictures/Northeast-20110927-00315-edit.jpg

[dmb2002man]

Here is 2 more images.

http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s62/dmb2002man/more%20hydro%20system%20pictures/Northeast-20110928-00317-edit.jpg

http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s62/dmb2002man/more%20hydro%20system%20pictures/Northeast-20110928-00318-edit.jpg

[damandamn68]

hey dmb2002man be careful. Wires + cardboard seems like a problem to me. It can easily catch on fire if there is a power surge. Also try and cover the outside of the reservoir the roots dont like light they like darkness. Hope this helps :)

[dmb2002man]

hey dmb2002man be careful. Wires + cardboard seems like a problem to me. It can easily catch on fire if there is a power surge. Also try and cover the outside of the reservoir the roots dont like light they like darkness. Hope this helps :)


hey thanks but the reservoir has now been covered i just never took the picture. I am hooked to a power strip and timer so im not worried. The light fixture does not get hot at all and i am confident in this setup and making it better daily. Thanks though with the concerns.

[damandamn68]

No prob! :)

[dmb2002man]

My cucumber plant that i started germinating in the grow block in the window has come alive and its growing fast. A few more days and i am adding it to the system. I hooked up a second fan last night as well so all plants will be getting the fan and i can adjust the fan on what volts i want to push to it. 4, 6, 7.5, 9, 12.

[dmb2002man]

Update of my system. This is my 3rd water change. I am doing them every 12 days. All plants are growing. Cucumber, tomato, ghost peppers and spinach. These plants are growing at a very very fast pace. Im designing a wire cage for the tomato and cucumber so they don't take over my whole system. Also joined a aquaponics forum now and going to learn to use fish instead of organic nutrients. Very Very happy with this setup and its basically 0 maintenance. The only problem i see is figuring out what to do when they get 3 foot. Enjoy.

http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s62/dmb2002man/hydroponic%20system/IMG-20111016-00352_edit.jpg

http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s62/dmb2002man/hydroponic%20system/IMG-20111016-00350_edit.jpg

[dmb2002man]

The roots are getting so huge. My tomato plant is flowering now so i should be getting tomatoes soon. The plants are very much bigger than they look in the picture as i had to tie them down with string or it would of taken over my whole system. I believe my pH level is starting to change with all the huge plants in there so I'm looking at getting a digital pH reader and pH + and -. The roots of the cucumber and tomato are taking it all. The ghost pepper is coming alive and slowly the spinach is growing. I am debating at moving out the cucumber to a large pot but not sure how to with the roots wrapped in with the tomato. I just did a water change on it last night after 10 days and added new nutrients. Also added a spearmint plant in a 10" tray. Enjoy!

http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s62/dmb2002man/hydroponic%20system/IMG-20111025-00371.jpg

http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s62/dmb2002man/hydroponic%20system/IMG-20111025-00372.jpg

http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s62/dmb2002man/hydroponic%20system/IMG-20111024-00368.jpg

[jeryjohn12]

The squares in the middle where the plant goes is rockwool. Which is a great starter for starting the plants in the hydroponic system. I will modify it if i need to if the plants grow bigger or just keep trimming.