My Journey with Hydroponics

[Szymon]

Hi Friends,

I'm excited to share that I am beginning my journey into hydroponics. I have a strong desire to grow my own food and, after exploring various options, I believe that hydroponics is the best way to pursue this goal. I plan to use this thread to document my experiences, challenges, and successes as I venture into this new and fascinating field.

Cheers,
Szymon (the farmer):happythumbsup:

[Szymon]

Hi Friends,

So, when starting with Hydroponics, there is definitely a high cost involved in setting it up.

I'm aiming for 6 x 3.0m x 90mm pipes, using a Recirculating Deep Water Culture (RDWC). Additionally, I want to grow using the Kratky method.

Here are some photos of the setup in the making.

Powerpoints, almost done.

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RDWC setup.

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Still waiting for other parts to arrive from local and international suppliers.

Cheers,
Szymon

[wondering]

I love this! Hydroponics has always fascinated me and I look forward to following your process, Syzmon.

[Szymon]

Hi Friends,

Here is an update. Here are some more items that are required for hydroponics.

This is a reliable, quiet, and efficient pump that operates at 45W on 240 volts. It's designed for the main solution tank. The pump will circulate the solution through the 6 x 3 metre x 90mm pipes a couple of times an hour, 18 hours a day.

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The seedling propagation trays—this is where the magic happens. One tiny seed turns into a little plant.

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Clay Pebbles - 45 litre bag - These are reusable clay balls; this is my growth media.

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And these: When you're mixing your own fertiliser solution, you need to ensure it is balanced and has a pH around 6 to 6.5.

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I will post the next lot tomorrow.

Cheers,
Szymon

[wondering]

Are the clay balls the actual nutrition for the plants, is that the same as growth media?

[Szymon]

Are the clay balls the actual nutrition for the plants, is that the same as growth media?

The clay balls support the plant and its root system. They allow air and moisture to pass through without drowning the plant, and over time, the roots will find their way to the solution—the food the plant needs. These balls also block light from entering the solution, preventing algae growth. That's why everything needs to be black so light doesn't pass through.

The plant solution is the nutrition. I will post these in the next set of photos.

[Szymon]

Hi Friends,

Here's an update. Things are gradually coming together.

Here are a few more items needed to get this underway.

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Hydroponic net pots in various sizes will hold the clay balls and the plant once it's passed its seedling stage.

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A reliable, affordable meter that can measure the solution's pH, ORP (Oxidation-Reduction Potential), EC (Electrical Conductivity), TDS (Total Dissolved Solids), SALT (Salinity), S.G (Specific Gravity), CF (Conductivity Factor), and Temperature.

In hydroponics, the most important measurements are pH, EC, and temperature.

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These are my tubs for my solution. They're made of virgin plastic, which they say is food safe. The largest one, the bottom one, will be part of the RDWC system, while the rest are for the Kratky method.

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Rockwool for the seedlings. I will swap this for cotton wool next time.

Check out my next post.

[Szymon]

Hi Friends,

Continued from my last post.

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These are the air pumps. They are used to increase the dissolved oxygen content of your nutrient solution. I'm planning to use one for the RDWC and the other for the Kratky method.

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This is the artificial light for the seedling.

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This is the complete seedling setup. The lights should be on for about 18 hours a day. I have a WIFI plug-in IoT power adaptor, but the WIFI doesn't reach the garage, so I will need to find a solution.

I'm still waiting for a few more parts to complete the RDWC. For now, I can start a small batch of seedlings that I bought during the COVID era. The process should be straightforward. I'll write it up in my next post. I think, for now, I'm ready to start growing using the Kratky method.

I also need to write about the solution. This is the most important part of the whole setup.

Cheers,
Szymon