Can this be done?

[Mickymouse]

OK this is a hydro question but not about pot its a vegatable garden.I had a freinds dad do this years ago, Not sure what his set up was.I want to go to a tractor supply and get some 6"x100' solid flexable drain pipe.snake it around until ends meet.Bury a 55 gal drum. cut holes for net cups.Build a trellis.pump water in one end it will drain back in to drum out the other end.

 

[Capn]

Is this outdoors? If so id think the sun would heat the water to above 75F. Would take a good chiller to take care of that I'd think.

Besides that, sounds like a nice huge NFT.

 

[Mickymouse]

Yea outside for a veggie garden.Like I said I saw it done before.Just not sure how. I would use Hydro guard.Hopfully everything would be shaded by garden and resivor in ground for some heat relief.The average temp where im at in the summer is only 70/75 .

 

[rootfingers]

Hey Mickymouse, although I haven't actually done it, I have thought about taking hydro outside too. The only thing I'd be concerned about with a setup like you described is that the PVC is going to be tough to get clean if something were to happen in the root area but this sounds like it would definitely work. The kinks are going to show themselves after the system is going.

Another option may be to look into aquaponics and dig out a small pond instead of burying a barrel. If using this I would think you might want to change your media too. Maybe have a pump running water to the top of a ? gutter ? or something like that that contains ? chunky coco ? and letting gravity work it back down to the pond.

I suppose if you wanted to throw some money at it you could build a small shed to house your 55 gln drum and run electricity to it for a chiller. Although you know your climate better than any of us so if its not necessary to cool the res then its not necessary.

-RF

 

[Mickymouse]

I have a book coming on outdoor hydro.I was thinking shorting the leingh to maybe 3or4 15/20 foot runs. Im using 6" flexable Drain pipe on a pvc stand easy to mow around..I could make a clean out hole anywhere along the top.Doing a RDWC.Pump water in one end back to middle.

 

[Sticky Scissors]

Yo Micky Mouse, you could paint the black pipe white to help reflect the suns rays instead of absorbing them to help beat the heat. Just a thought.