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“The beginner's guide to hydroponic garden, plus DIY Containers and Homemade liquid nutrients” (youtu.be)

submitted 4 months ago by Blair to c/farming

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For those of you who are doing hydroponics, what do you think of this system? Is it a good system for a beginner on a budget? Or is there a better system?

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[–] Guenther_Amanita 4 points 4 months ago (1 children)

I didn't watch the video, I just skipped a few frames into it to get an overview.

The guy in the video used a DWC (deep water culture) system.
I have a few of them set up and think, that next year there will be even more!

It's as simple as an air stone thrown into the reservoir and works extremely well.

Make sure to have a cheap replacement pump nearby, in case the one used breaks. I've had that already happen this year due to water damage, and the plants got cooked quite a lot due to the summer heat.

Here are a few photos of mine on my balcony:

In general, I can't say "System X is better than system Y", because everyone has different needs.

But, the DWC is simple and works for most plants.

The only issue I had with it was the lack of hold for the roots with bigger plants, like chilies and weed. They often fall over, so I'll probably need to stabilise that with a stronger net cup and substrate.

[–] Blair 2 points 4 months ago (1 children)

Thanks for explaining that! Your system looks great(it is even cat approved).

I am thinking of just starting with some leafy greens (like Swiss chard, kale, or spinach) on a budget, but there are so many different hydroponic builds it can get overwhelming haha. I will look more into the DWC system!

[–] Guenther_Amanita 3 points 4 months ago (1 children)

For that, I'm not sure if a DWC is ideal.
It's amazing for bigger plants, because they need so much root space.

I have set one big vertical plant into the center, and 4 smaller growing ones around.
E.g. hemp in the middle, and parsley, basil, mint, etc., to the edges. Like this:

If you only grow leafy greens, then screw all the other systems and grow full Kratky with reused containers like wine bottles. Especially with a small adapter on top for easier refilling it's lovely, eco friendly, cheap and simple.

[–] Blair 2 points 4 months ago

Thank you so much! This is amazing information

[–] tburkhol@lemmy.world 2 points 4 months ago (1 children)

I have herbs and peppers growing in sections of 2" PVC pipe. Couple of holes cut in the top to hold net pots, tubing nipples for infeed and drain, with intermittent pump. It's not really deep-water, because the tubes are mostly drained, but it's not really ebb-and-flow, either, because they never fill more than 1/3-1/2 way. The water restriction keeps the roots from getting too overgrown and clogging flow. I use 3-d printed net pots and rockwool plugs. I like it because it's expandable - stack tubes on a rack, feed the drain of one section to the inlet of the next, and take sections out of the chain when the plants age out. Does require some attention keeping the drains free of roots, and I think I would use 3" pipe if I started over, but I have a pepper plant 2' tall, still going after 18 months and two round of trimming it back to 1'. I doubt it would grow bell peppers or tomatoes, but it's been great for jalapenos and habaneros.

[–] Blair 1 points 4 months ago

Thanks for explaining! I don't have a 3D printer, but maybe someday I will work up to a setup like yours!