DIY Aeroponics System [Hydroponics]
Winter blues have you longing to do some gardening? Maybe it’s time to give hydroponic gardening a try. I’ve used various types of hydroponic systems in the past this year. I decided to give Aeroponics a try and it has not disappointed. Check out my video below showing how you can build your own DIY Aeroponics system. This system uses a storage bin and a few plumbing supplies. While not all plants and vegetables are suitable for growing hydroponically there are many that thrive indoors. Using a hydroponic system may satisfy your itch for growing in the off season.
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This DIY Aeroponics system was easy to build and fairly low cost with the pump being the biggest expense. If you already have some grow lights give this system a try, you won’t be disappointed. After just 30 days I was able to harvest 140g of leafy greens. Using the “cut and come again” method I was able to leave the, now mature, plants growing and increase future harvest times.
What kind of plants are best for a DIY Aeroponics System
This type of aeroponics system can grow a wide variety of plants and vegetables. Things like leafy greens will likely give you the best return on investment due to the quick harvest times. In my DIY Aeroponics system I’m growing the following, mostly leafy greens.
- Genovese Basil
- Bloomsdale Longstanding Spinach
- Slow Bolt Arugula
- Grand Rapids Leaf Lettuce
- Parris Island Cos Romaine
- Thai Basil
- Marjoram
- Amish Paste Tomato (experimental)
- Green Onions (experimental)
The leafy greens really start to grow fast after a couple weeks in the DIY Aeroponics system. Especially once I finished tweaking my nutrient levels and pump cycle times. The Bloomsdale Longstanding Spinach has been the slowest grower. It seems to have taken hold and appears to be ready to produce better now, fingers crossed.
I have some green onions in the 2″ net pots as well. So far, they have continued to grow and look healthy but are dropping over and I’m not sure why?! Another thing I’m growing experimentally is an indeterminate tomato plant which I intend on growing horizontally. More on that in a future post.
We’ve tested these nutrients on many types of vegetables with great success. The powder has an indefinite shelf life and is easy to store. If you’re looking for the best hydroponic nutrients for vegetables, then look no further. This is a complete solution with the same mixing ratios for the entire life cycle of the plants NOTE: This does take a few minutes to mix vs liquid forms but we found it worth the time.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best nutrients for growing vegetables using aeroponics?
We love the Masterblend nutrients. They come in a dry powder form and are easy to reconstitute. Excess can easily be stored away until they’re needed. They contain a complete nutrient regimen for all types of vegetables. We’ve used them for everything from lettuce to peppers. They also work great in our outdoor hydroponic system.
How long do I spray the root for aeroponics?
At first, I tried various intervals of having the pump come on for a few seconds and offer for a few minutes. The results were ok but as the plants grew it didn’t seem sufficient. This was also putting additional wear and tear on my pump (startup is hardest on the pump). In the end I decided on 15 minutes on and 15 minutes off was working well. NOTE: I may end up just leaving the pump running 24/7 as I don’t see any downside to it.
What size pipe diameter should I use?
For a single or double tub system this size I would recommend using 1/2″ inside diameter pipe. Either PVC or sprinkler irrigation pipe. The DIY Aeroponics system relies on pressure to effectively spray out the nozzles. If you use too large of a diameter pipe the pressure will be lower. This will cause the mist coming out of the nozzles to be weak.
How many sprayer heads should I use in my DIY aeroponics system?
When building a DIY Aeroponics system everything is trial and error. I don’t think you could have too many sprayer heads. I would put enough that multiple is covering the same area. The holes in the sprayer nozzles are small and can easily become clogged. With multiple spray nozzles covering the same area it won’t be a big issue if one of the nozzles becomes clogged. Your plant’s roots should still get saturated. Once the plants are growing and have large roots it will be difficult to get into the system to unclog a nozzle. You can find the sprayer nozzles on Amazon or at your local hydroponics store.
What size pump should I use for aeroponics?
On my DIY Aeroponics system I’m using an 800 gph pump to feed both of my tubs. That said I would recommend a submersible pump that can provide 300-400 gph for a single tub system.
What type of pump should I use for my DIY aeroponics system?
You’ll need a submersible pump. In my system I used an aquarium/pond pump but any food safe submersible type of pump should work just fine. These can be found at a local fish store.
How often do you change the water in aeroponics?
Generally speaking, you should change the water every 7-14 days. The various nutrients will be consumed by plants at different rates. Simply adding more Masterblend nutrients to the reservoir could lead to a nutrient imbalance.
Conclusion
I hope you enjoyed the video and this post. I’ll be sure to post more info about my DIY Aeroponics system so be sure and check back. While you’re here, take a look at the rest of our posts on hydroponics.