Backyard Growing System Pdf
Tools- power drill, 2 3/4 inch hole saw, hack saw or sawsall, soldering iron, tape measure, marker, and chalk line.Materials- four 10 FT lengths of 4 inch PVC pipe, eight 4 inch PVC elbows, PVC primer, PVC glue, 30 gallon plastic storage tote with lid, 240-400 gallon per hour hydroponic pump, four feet black hydroponic pump hose, two or three fish aquarium air pumps with 6 inch air stones, forty 16 OZ plastic beverage cups (disposable kind), 20 liter bag of expanded clay pellets, two sawhorses, and duct tape.General System Info. This homemade hydroponic system is 3 1/2 FT X 8 ft. Fully loaded it can hold 36 plants. Plants are added to the system when they are about 6 inches tall. The system itself holds about 15 gallons of water and the nutrient reservoir holds another 15-20 gallons, for a total of 30-35 gallons of nutrient solution (slightly less than 1 gallon per plant).Cutting the PVC PipesFirst, cut the four PVC pipes into 7 FT 6 inch lengths.
When cutting PVC it is important to make our cuts nice and straight, otherwise one side of the pipe will be longer than the other (this could cause problems later). With your fingers or a thin piece of metal, scrape off any burred PVC from the cut so you have a nice clean edge.Next, cut three 6 inch pieces making sure the cuts are straight and cleaning the edges.
These pieces will be used to make u-turns out of the PVC elbows.Gluing PVC Parts. When a piece of PVC is glued into a fitting, it needs to be held in place for several seconds (it tends to pop back out).
Mike's Backyard Growing System
Before gluing PVC, make sure all PVC burrs have been cleaned from the cut pieces. Clean the inside of the fitting AND the end of the pipe with PVC primer.
Go around 3 or 4 times on each. Next, apply glue to both the fitting AND to the end of the pipe. Go around 3 or 4 times on each, making sure you haven't missed any spots. The glue should cover 1 1/2 inches on the end of the pipe. Twist the pieces a little as you push them together to smear shut any air bubbles.Immediately after pushing each u-turn together, set it upright on a flat surface (open ends down) to make sure it sits perfectly flat. If not, adjust the piece while the glue is still wet.
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Make sure to hold the piece in place for several seconds before letting it go. Make 3 u-turns this way.Assembling the PVC PipesOnce the u-turn pieces are sufficiently dry (a few minutes), I recommend gluing together the rest of the system BEFORE cutting the holes for the plants. First, locate a large, flat area upon which to work. The area must be large enough to fit the entire system. Your finished homemade hydroponic system will only be as flat and level as your work area.Glue an elbow to one of the long pipes, following the gluing guidelines above. This will be where water enters the system (see the diagram). Glue the other end of this pipe into one of the u-turns, making sure the elbow is facing up and the u-turn is lying flat on the ground.
Into the other end of this u-turn, glue another long pipe. To the other end of this pipe glue another u-turn, making sure it is sitting flat on the ground when finished.Into the other end of this u-turn glue another long piece. On the other end of this pipe glue the final u-turn, making sure it is sitting flat on the ground when finished. Into the other side of this u-turn glue your final long piece. On the other end of this piece push on, but DO NOT GLUE, your final 90.
elbow. For now, this elbow should point up in the air and will keep your final long piece level as it dries.Cutting the Plant Holes. I recommend letting your system dry overnight before trying to cut the holes for the plants.
It is important to make each hole precisely at the top of the PVC tube- a little off center to either side and THAT will be the spot your homemade hydroponic system is likely to leak. It is helpful to use a chalk line (and a friend) to snap a line down the very top center of each tube, or to mark it with a permanent marker before you begin marking out the plant holes.Then, with a marker or pencil, measure 3 1/2 inches in from the elbow (at either end of a long pipe) and mark it with a dot over the center line.
Next, measure every 10 inches along the pipe (starting from the first dot) placing dots for each plant hole. Each long pipe should end up with 9 dots. Drilling a pilot hole into each dot with a small drill bit (i.e. 1/8 inch) will prevent the hole saw bit from 'walking'.Use a 2 3/4 inch hole saw with a 1/4 inch guide drill bit and begin cutting out the plant holes.
Be sure to keep the disc shaped pieces of PVC.they come in handy later to level your homemade hydroponic system! Once all of the holes are cut, take a thin piece of metal (like a short sawsall blade) and clean the PVC burrs from each hole. This is actually very important- these little pieces of PVC will clog your water pump and burn it out! Before you move the system and finish cleaning it, you will want to reinforce it.Reinforcing Your Homemade Hydroponic System. The long pipes of the system make great levers- if moved up or down, left or right too much from their resting position, it can crack the system at the u-turn joint. Measure the distance between your long pipes.
Cut three sections of PVC to this length. Wedge these sections in between your long pipes (at opposite ends of the u-joints) and duct tape them in place. Make sure the duct tape runs in between plant holes rather than covering them. This will splint your long pipes into relatively safe positions.Thoroughly Clean the Hydroponic System. Once the homemade hydroponic system has been reinforced to prevent breaking, it's time to clean it well and flush it out a couple of times. Lift the system off of the ground and set it on a couple of sawhorses. Place the reservoir at the end of the system to catch the rinse water.
Use a hose with a good spray nozzle to shoot water and PVC burr debris from each pipe. A new toilet brush also comes in handy for this. Start at one end and work your way from hole to hole through the entire system. Rinse several times, making sure you have gotten all of the PVC bits out.Making Homemade Netted Pots.
The water level within the system needs to be kept as high as possible without causing any leaks. To do this, a dam is constructed at the end of the system just before the water pours back into the reservoir. Simply find a piece of thin plastic, such as a milk jug. Using a scrap piece of 4 inch PVC, trace a circle on the plastic and cut it out.Cut a flat side off of the circle representing the height you would like to keep the water level inside the pipes. Cut two slits into this flat side, giving you a flap you can bend down to fine tune the water level. Now wedge it into place using the last 90.
elbow to test things out. This last elbow remains unglued to facilitate water changes in your homemade hydroponic system.
Instead of gluing the elbow, simply coat it with a thin layer of Vaseline. Fill the system with water and fill the reservoir about 1/3 full of water. Turn on the hydroponic pump and wait until there is just as much water returning to the system as there is being pumped into the system. Ideally, the water level should be 1/4 inch or less below the edge of each plant hole.
Using the PVC discs (saved from cutting out the plant holes) level the system, raising sections until the water level is the same distance below each plant hole. If the water level needs to come up or down on the entire system, simply adjust the dam.
Pre-soak the expanded clay pellets overnight. If they are brand new, soak and rinse them several times before using. Take the 16 OZ cups (with holes) and place one in each plant hole. Add enough clay pellets to each cup to just make it above the water level in the cup. Jiggle them around with your finger to settle them. The top layer of pellets should be 1/2 in the water and 1/2 out.Take 6 inch clones or seedlings and place one in each cup, adding presoaked clay pellets to each cup as you go to completely cover the roots and any cloning medium (i.e. Rubber dirt plug or rockwool).
Once plants are in the homemade hydroponic system, it is important to add the air bubblers! Turn the water pump off to add nutrients to the reservoir. Bring the nutrient strength up to the level you have established in your feeding plan. Turn the pump back on (very important). Check the nutrient strength/pH again in an hour as your nutrient solution will become diluted with the plain water from inside the system. In an hour, check and adjust the nutrient solution one final time.
Afterward, place the lid on the nutrient reservoir and follow the regular routine for maintaining a nutrient solution. While you could start seeds in this homemade hydroponic system and grow them start to finish, it is much more efficient to start seedlings in a smaller area under regular fluorescent lights and transplant them into this system when you are ready to flower them. By using this garden as a flowering area, you can start another batch of clones or seedlings under your fluorescent lights and have them ready to go in as your last crop finishes up.Once you have 6 inch tall seedlings or clones with roots, put them into the system and grow them vegetatively for one week (just long enough to get situated).
Backyard Growing System Pdf 2017
If any of these plants die, remove the plant and it's roots but leave the cup and clay pellets in the plant hole. Then, cut the light cycle to 12 hours on/12 hours off using a digital timer and allow them to flower.Problems with this SystemThis homemade hydroponic system is prone to leaks because the water level in the system needs to be kept close to the spilling point in order to give the plants' roots enough area in which to grow. Also, half way through flowering, the volume of the root mass in the system became a small problem. The hydroponic pump placed 360 gallons per hour into the system; however, because of all the roots, the water could no longer flow through the system at 360 GPH.
So the water slowly backed up and began to leak out.To solve this, I put a 'T' in the water pump line. I left one side in the nutrient reservoir (recirculating the nutrient solution) and fed the other side of the 'T' into the homemade hydroponic system. This cut the GPH running through the system to 180 GPH, stopped the leaking, and caused no ill effects to the plants. Because of these issues, I suggest running this homemade hydroponic system on an unfinished basement floor with a drain (or perhaps in a garage with a gravel floor). You could also figure out some way to contain the small leaks, like strategically placing a plastic sheet under the system to funnel leaks back to the reservoir.
Better yet, read about.a re-design of this system that eliminates the problem with leaks altogether.Benefits of this Type of Homemade Hydroponic SystemA lack of drip/spray emitters make this system reliable and easy to maintain. The pump is a low pressure pump, eliminating any risk of catastrophic failure like bursting pipes (which spray everywhere until the reservoir is empty, putting your lights and electrical equipment at risk and posing a fire hazard). A leak in this system is not likely to spray (just drip) and it would be nearly impossible to empty the whole system.This system design minimizes light exposure to the nutrient solution, which prevents algae, which prevents fungus gnats, which prevents root damage. In the event of a power failure, the standing water in this homemade hydroponic system will prevent damage to your roots/plants for quite some time.
Finally, it is relatively easy to check, adjust, and change the nutrient solution in this system. Hi everyone, Jason from Jason's Indoor Guide here. When I got startedwith hydroponic gardening more than 24 years ago, my first garden usedrockwool cubes and B.C.
And, regarding the cost of the nutrients.I experimented for about 3years with making different compost teas and nutrient teas, but there isstill a lot of expense $$$ associated with making high quality nutrientteas.like kelp meal, liquid seaweed, rock dust, bat guano,un-Sulfured molasses, worm castings. You can eliminate a lot of thisexpense by becoming an expert at making high-quality colloidal humuscompost, and use your properly made compost as the basis of yourhydroponic nutrient solution.Unfortunately, I have been gardening for over 24 years and I have onlyjust recently mastered this difficult skill.and even then, onlybecause I happened to find a very easy to follow, high quality techniqueand decided to follow the instructions to the letter. I produced morehigh quality compost in just one week than I was able to use in a wholeyear! If you can master the technique, I highly recommend it. Besides mastering how to make high quality compost, learning aquaponicsis one of the top 3 things you can do to increase your gardenproductivity, reduce your total costs, and reduce your total work. Theproduct that I learned from is called.With all of my hydroponic gardening experience, the first time I came acrossthe Aquaponics4you product I knew immediately that it was something veryspecial!
Place an aquaponics system outdoors and use the sun instead ofgrow lights, and you have reduced every garden expense to nearly ZERO!
Here we have provided you with different information sources, so that you can go and search for more information yourself. Please be aware that aquaponics is growing very quickly around the world, because of this rapid growth it’s very difficult to keep this list updated with the newest information, however we will try to keep things as up-to-date as possible.Firstly you will find links to free information, these are either PDF or Microsoft Word Document files that you can download, as well as large depositories of good information. The IBC of AquaponicsThis is the first release of a manual designed to introduce beginners to Aquaponics as well as inform and inspire experienced Aquaponics enthusiasts. The IBC of Aquaponics manual is an interactive PDF; with links to Youtube and Google Sketchups of up to 20 systems and an interactive menu. All systems were designed and created by contributors of the Backyard Aquaponics forum across the globe, from the USA to Hungary to Australia. It provides a comprehensive photo library of the systems and information on the process involved in their creation.Backyard Aquaponics MagazineThe first edition of the Backyard Aquaponics magazine is available as a free download. The issue was put together by the administrators and moderators of the Backyard Aquaponics Forum, as an informational source to explain the basics of aquaponics, and how aquaponics works.
It was also the forerunner for the continuing editions of the BYAP Magazine, that can be bought through subscriptions in both an electronic format as well as a printed glossy magazine, which we have just started to produce.The first edition of the magazine is free, and available for download by clicking on any of the sample pages above, it is a 5MB PDF file with 36 pages. Further information about the BYAP Magazine and subsequent editions are available on theTravis HugheyTravis Hughey’s Barrel-Ponics manual has been a tremendous help to people around the world. Travis wrote the “How To” manual about the aquaponic systems he developed using barrels / drums, he then released it to everyone, free of charge, so that they could build their own aquaponics systems from cheap recycled materials.His 101 page manual comes in the form of a 3 MB PDF file that can be downloaded fromTravis also has a website that he keeps updated with lots of information, and he writes frequent articles for the Backyard Aquaponics Magazine. You can visit hisATTRA Aquaponics – Integration of Hydroponics with AquacultureThis informational paper was put together by Steve Diver of NCAT, the National Centre for Appropriate Technology, which is funded by the United States Department of Agriculture. Steve wrote a paper about aquaponics during the 1990’s but with the rise in populartity of aquaponics over the past decade, he felt that the paper needed to be rewritten to include the latest information and references.This is an extensive reference paper, considering it’s only 28 pages long.
Filled with links and information it’s well worth downloading and having a read through.It can be viewed online through the attra site.Or it can be downloaded as a 1.2 MB PDF through their website or by clicking the sample pages above.ATTRA Aquaponics – OriginalThis informational paper was put together by Steve Diver, an NCAT Agriculture Specialist in February 2000. This is Steves original paper on aquaponics, and contains a variety of information, it is quite different from his above paper.This article can be downloaded as a 0.4 MB PDF through our website or by clicking the sample pages above.It can be viewed online through the attra site.Integrated Agri-Aquaculture SystemsA very interesting and substantial paper produced in Australia, by the Rural Industries Research & Development Corporation in 1993, this document was presented as a report of different methods being practiced by some farmers, in combining agriculture and aquaculture. Various examples of working integrated systems are sighted in great detail.This is an extensive paper well worth reading, especially if you are interested in the commercial side of aquaponics, and the different methods of integrating aquaculture and agriculture. RIRDC are an Australian government organisation, that help to research and establish new technologies within the rural sector, there’s lots of interesting information on theirThe Integrated Agri-Aquaculture system paper, is 189 pages long, the 1.2 MB PDF download is available directly from their site or by clicking the sample pages above.Aquaponics – Common Sense GuideThis document is a summary of months of researching and experimenting with aquaponics. The author Michael Tezel, who is based in San Antonio, TX, USA, is a member of the BYAP forum and shares his insight with readers. This PDF is a great tool for the novice and experienced alike, as it provides up-to-date information, from a wide variety of sources. The author provides great detail on various methods of draining and siphoning water from the growbeds.
Michael also provides readers with a highly detailed troubleshooting page which can be used as a quick reference, if you encounter any problems with your system.The Common Sense Guide to Aquaponics, is 28 pages long, the 0.5 MB PDF download is available directly from our site or by clicking the sample pages above.Aquaponics – Integrating Fish and Plant CultureThis 16 page paper, is about the University of Virgin Islands aquaponic systems and research. This paper was predominantly written by Dr James Rakocy, who is commonly known as one of the leading experts in the field of aquaponics, in the world today. This is essential reading for anyone interested in the commercial side of aquaponics.The PDF is a 300 Kb download that can either be downloaded by clicking on the sample pages above.Alternatively you can visit theirSmall Unit AquaponicsThis 15 page manual, is an interesting read for those wanting to build their own system from recycled materials, like 200L blue barrels. Written by Dr Paul and Bonnie Range, from. Paul and Bonnie have been involved in aquaponics for many years. They’ve also been involved in many other areas of intergrated and alternative agriculture, and alternative energy production. This is a must read for the DIY aquaponics enthusiast.This PDF is only a 1.7 MB download and can be downloaded by or clicking the sample pages above.On-Farm Food Safety – AquaponicsThis eight page guide demonstrates how all commercial aquaponics businesses should handle produce, to maximise health and safety of the consumer and employee.
The paper was put together by the College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources, which is based in Hawaii. It is a very useful and informative document for anyone thinking about operating an Aquaponics Business.This PDF is only a 0.6 MB download and can be downloaded by or clicking the sample pages above.Alternative you can visit theirUpdate on Tilapia and Vegetable Production in The UVI Aquaponic SystemThis is a PDF version of a PowerPoint presentation, about the UVI aquaponic systems. The 49 page PDF has some fantastic pictures of their aquaponic system, along with detailed production figures.
This is essential reading for anyone who is looking into the commercial aspect of aquaponics.This PDF is only a 1.5 MB download and can be downloaded by or clicking the sample pages above.Alternative you can visit theirCabbage Hill Farm – AquaponicsThis is a PDF version of a PowerPoint presentation, about Cabbage Hill Farm and their aquaponics system. They are an organisation that is dedicated to the practice of sustainable agriculture, particularly focused on aquaponics. This PDF gives a comprehensive view of their system, and is a vital tool for any commercial grower.This PDF is only a 7.8 MB download and can be downloaded by or clicking the sample pages above.Alternative you can visit theirEvaluation and Development of Aquaponics and Product Market Capabilities in AlbertaThis is an extremely indepth document.
A 190 page report on commercial aquaponics based in Alberta, Canada, an extensive study by Dr Nick Savidov, of the Crops Diversification Centre. Dr Savidov has worked extensively in aquaponics for many years now, and this paper is a testament to his work. This report includes many tables and graphs, giving details to the production levels achieved, with their aquaponics systems. Essential reading for anybody looking at commercial capabilities of aquaponics.This PDF is only a 3.4 MB download and can be downloaded by or clicking the sample pages above.Alternatively you can visit theirSimplified Aquaponics ManualAnother aquaponics manual by Dr Paul and Bonny Range.
This is another essential read for the DIY enthusiast. 16 pages with lots of pictures and diagrams, as well as instructions on building, initialising and operating an aquaponic system, made from predominantly recycled materials.This PDF is only a 1.5 MB download and can be downloaded by or clicking the sample pages above.Alternatively you can visit theirAquaponics And Food SafetyThis is very interesting read from Gordon Chalmers, about aquaponics, and how it can help solve many of the food production issues we currently face. If your after colourful pictures this probably won’t be for you, however if you like lots of information, then this 114 page document is definitely worth a download.This PDF is only a 0.5 MB download and can be downloaded by or clicking the sample pages above.Primeron Solar Aquaculture – AquaponicsAn in-depth article on the emergence of alternative Aquaculture practises, that lead the way to more advanced production of fish. The research put forth the idea that certain chemistry within the water, directly affected the growth and health of fish. This document outlines the basic findings and theories, and discusses the Zweig Pond – which uses plants to filter the aquaculture water.This PDF is only a 4.5 MB download and can be downloaded by or clicking the sample pages above. Master Aquaponics ReportThis lengthy PDF focuses on Aquaponics in Barbados.
The document outlines relevant fish species, plant crops and commercial production information. It also outlines alternative ways of practising aquaponics, such as using coconut husks as a medium. There is also some detail about specific plant nutrients and the requirements for commercial crops.This PDF is only a 3 MB download and can be downloaded by or clicking the sample pages above. Courtesy of Damien Hinkson and the students at McGill University.International Specialised Skills Institute – AquaponicsA very detailed document, outlining various developments in the aquaculture and hydroponics industry; some of which can be used in aquaponics systems.
Andrew S de Dezsery, was sponsored by the Australian Government to put together this report, and these are his findings.This PDF is only a 1.7 MB download and can be downloaded by or clicking the sample pages above.Aquaponics DesignAn indepth look at various aspects of an aquaponics system. This document follows on from the. A fair amount of detail and some great diagrams and pictures make this document a good read.This PDF is only a 2.8 MB download and can be downloaded by or clicking the sample pages above.Bill Mollison PermacultureBill Mollison is the founder of permaculture, and has released hundreds of articles, books, DVDs, CDs and information packages to help promote more sustainable practices. Bill is a fantastic presenter and speaks with such passion and enthusiasm.
We have been able to source a fairly good quality recording of one of Bill Mollisions’ presentations for you to download.