Hydroponic Market: Tips to Build Hydroponic Unit PVC Pipe

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Hydroponic system PVC pipes

A hydroponic unit installed in your home is a great way to grow some greens and veggies for you and your family. A good pre-assembled hydroponic kit is all you need to start hydroponics. Here are the tips to build the hydroponic unit using a PVC pipe.

PVC is the Ideal Material

PVC or Polyvinyl chloride is the ideal material for making hydroponic systems. This is a durable material and can be used indoors as well as outdoor gardens. It is easy to handle, as it is lightweight. PVC can hold weight to a great extent and is non-toxic. The most favorable factor is that it is affordable and is great for DIY projects. The setup cost of a hydroponic system will be very low when PVC is used. You can find pre-designed hydroponic kits for the beginner level, intermediate level, or expert-level from the online sources.

Decide on Size and Design

Choosing a design depends on the availability of space and types of plants, flowers, or fruits you want to grow. You can decide on the vertical or horizontal design and get the materials needed to set up the system. A vertical design may need a motor to make the water reach the top of the vertical hydroponic garden. Make sure that the measurements taken are correct and any joints made are leak proof. One should also have an idea about how to keep the ideal water level in the pipes. It is also necessary to know how to clean the pipes when necessary before installing the unit.

Opt for a Convenient Method

One can opt for a simple self-contained hydroponic system that does not require a power supply. You can even look for larger systems with many pots, pumps, and reservoirs depending on their plant growing needs and DIY skills. The process of setting up the system as DIY requires many things. Some of them are making holes in the pipe, cutting the pipes, connecting them, balancing water level, etc.

DWC hydroponic kits with pipes pre-cut to size, water, and air pumps, growing medium, and nutrients will be a great choice if you are planning a DIY unit. You do not have to worry about cutting pipes and drilling holes when you have the best kit to do the job. All you need to do with these kits is to join the pipes provided in the kit according to the plan and fill it with water and the nutrients. There are hydroponic kit suppliers who can give customized kits according to your need.

Select from the Different Models

Different hydroponic system DIY kits are available from good brands near you. You can come across kits for the re-circulating type of units, deep flow style, and flood and drain style, etc. Plants also need lights, fans, timers, nutrients, etc., available when grown the hydroponic way. Select the kits that also include these items or select suppliers who can provide these items along with the basic growing kit.

Tools Needed

Any DIY hydroponic system installation requires the right tools and materials. You will need tools like a tape measure, hack saw, markers, whole saw, power drill, soldering iron, etc. Apart from the materials like PVC pipes, elbows, PVC glue, submersible pump, plastic cups, reservoir tank with lid, hose, clay pellets, etc. It is ideal to build a system with a water holding capacity of at least 15 gallons and a reservoir capacity of 15 to 20 gallons.

How to Glue the Pipes?

First, connect the PVC elbows to the pipes to make the U-turns in the system. After applying the glue, hold the pieces together for a few minutes to ensure that they fit properly. Once U-turn fittings are ready, glue the remaining pipe pieces. Apply the glue nicely on the surface to be glued covering at least 1.5 inches. Slightly twisting the pipe pieces will help in removing any trapped air bubbles. If you are using a hydroponic kit, you can just follow the instructions to make the system easily. Once the pipes join, allow it to dry overnight before you start making any holes.

Clean and Maintain the System

After you have made the holes to place the plant holding cups, it is necessary to clean the system. If not cleaned properly, the tiny bits of PVC can clog the water pump in the system. It is better to use a powerful spray nozzle to clean the hydroponic system to remove any debris. Once you install the hydroponics system, it is necessary to maintain the supply of nutrients so that the plants will receive the required nutrients for their optimal growth.

Conclusion

Hydroponics systems are useful where soil and water availability is a problem. One can reduce water usage by about 90 percent by opting for these systems. You have good control over the nutrients supplied to the plant by using the hydroponics method. Though homemade hydroponics systems are cheaper, there are chances of leakage and algal growth if the system is not full-proof. The pre-assembled hydroponic kits are much easier to set up and maintain.