DIY Hydroponics

By Jim Logue

When Im not doing digital stuff as part of the Sheds digital group, one of my other interests is horticulture. Inspired by the shed’s recent hydroponics project I decided it was time to do my own. I’ve been an allotment holder for nearly 20 years and been an allotmenteer for all my life, it’s been a family thing. But Id never taken steps to trying hydroponics, the idea of growing things in chemicals had gone against the very idea of the organic way of horticulture Id been brought up on. But things have changed, cleaner, greener and more organic.

In any case I’d done all the research, looked out what actual stuff I had to put the thing together and took the leap. Here’s a breakdown of what I’d need and price:

 45mm Pipe, fittings  and Bucket: Free (left over from various kitchen and bathroom projects)

12mm Tubing (garden hose): £7

12v submersible pump: £11

240v to 12v voltage converter: £10

Hydroponic feed and planting items (kit) : £13

Salad leaf seeds: free

I had to 3d print some parts too.

If you give it a go you also may need something to restrict the flow of water if it gets too fast, I used a clamp on the piping. This also doesn’t account for electricity for the system running 24/7. My initial idea was that at 12v I could make it solar if it works out but then night time is an issue.

For about £40 it was going to be an expensive mistake but I thought I could just about take the hit if it didn’t work out or at least I’d be able to have multiple shots at it.

In the end it seemed to have worked out ok, the plants grew and the system is still functioning after about 8 weeks. A few days ago, we had our first salad bowl to which my partner who was sceptical at first remarked how fresh and flavourful it tasted.

In conclusion there are things I’d do differently and mark II is already on the go as you can see from some of the images, the size of the Mk1 piping is to small I’ll use 68mm pipe instead and I think the 12v pump isn’t made to be run for 24 hours a day but we’ll see.

Thanks to the shed.

Give it a go and ask me If you need a pointer and hopefully, I might be around to help too.