Hydroponic Tower, Aeroponic growing
Welcome to my page about my Hydroponic/Aeroponic Tower I printed and built. I'll list all the components I used here. If you have any questions, I'm getting pretty good, so feel free to message or comment on my Instagram or YouTube and I'll reply pretty quick usually.
May 11, 2023
I printed the Modular Hydroponics Tower from Thingiverse. I used most of the same products they suggested, but i went ahead and added Amazon links to everything anyway.
The BOLD is the product and below it I try to explain what it is.
In addition, I added a section of products used to maintain the plants and I also added the final section of products I purchased to get the plants growing awesomely.
I'll try to constantly update this, but be sure to check out my Instagram for the latest. I also will try to document some of the growing on my Youtube too.
https://www.instagram.com/3dprinteroo
https://www.youtube.com/nealrapoport
Here's the FULL Amazon Product list with prices
(I listed some items with multiple options since they go out of stock often)
https://amzn.to/3LWTUO2
PART 1. Here's the tower components to get the tower up & running
Barrina Plant Grow Light, 252W(6 x 42W, 1400W Equivalent), Full Spectrum, LED Grow Light Strips, T8 Integrated Growing Lamp Fixture, Grow Shop Light, with ON/Off Switch, 6-Pack
(These were the suggested ones, and fit perfectly in the printed mold, so I suggest these. Get the 6 pack long ones)
NAGA PETG Filament 1.75mm,Durable 3D Printer Filament,White PETG 1kg Spool(2.2lbs),Dimensional Accuracy +/- 0.02 mm,Fit Most FDM 3D Printer
(You can probably get away using any filament, but get PETG, it's food safe and durable enough that it won't melt outside like PLA. I probably used 4 or 5 spools for all the parts)
1200 Pieces M2 Screws M3 Screws M4 Screws M5 Screws Metric Stainless Steel 304 Hex Socket Head Cap Screws Bolts Nuts Washers Assortment Kit
(This was just a comprehensive cheap set of screws I had and used for most parts.. I did go to the store for a few other longer screws too)
EcoPlus 290 GPH (1098 LPH, 17W) Submersible Water Pump w/ 6 ft Power Cord | Aquarium, Fish Tank, Fountain, Pond, Hydroponics
(This was the suggested pump, but I assume you can get away with any cheap pump as long as it can get water to the top.... I'll probably try an even cheaper one for my 2nd tower I'm printing now)
3/8" ID 1/2" OD Clear Vinyl Tubing-50 Ft, 60PSI, Flexible Plastic Tubing, BPA Free and Non-Toxic, Multipurpose Clear Tubing Reinforced with 2 Stainless Screw Clamps
(This is super long, so you'll have a lot extra, but it works great and now I have enough for my 2nd Tower)
304 Stainless Steel Woven Wire Mesh #120 Mesh - 30 X 100CM Roll - for Air Ventilation, Cabinet, Vent Mesh, Window Screen Mesh Filter Screen Filtration Cloth Fine Wire Mesh
(This just keeps the roots out of the botom tank. good to have)
PART 2. Here's the tools used to test/maintain the tower
2PCS 10ml Glass Graduated Droppers Lab Pipettes Dropper Liquid Pipette with 2 Rubber Caps 2PCS 20CM Glass Stir Rod and Droppers Brush
(If I had to do it again, i'd get something even cheaper, but this does the trick. I use it for the pH-Down Solution. Works great though)
pH Meter and TDS, EC, Temperature Meter (Accuracy: pH: ±0.1, TDS: ±2-5%, EC: ±2-5%, Temp.: ±0.1°C) | for Water, Hydroponics, Aquariums, Pools & Spas, Soil, Brewing, Aquaculture, Kombucha, etc.
(I am no pro at using this and I only have used the pH Meter, and it seems to do good, because my lettuce grows like crazy)
TOMVYTER Upgraded 10PCS Seed Starter Tray with Full Spectrum Grow Light, 120 Cells Seed Starter Kit Plant Germination Kit, Reusable Seedling Starter Trays with Humidity Dome, Base, Plant Tags & Tool
(I had gotten a different one they don't make anymore, but this looks nearly identical but less $, and more trays (I only got 6)
PART 3. These are the consumables used for the plants
HydroDynamics Clonex Mist 750 Milliliter
(I spray the seed cubes when they're starting and then never use it after. I assume it works, because my lettuce is awesome)
BIOMAND 1.5” Rockwool Starter Plugs for Hydroponics, Rockwool Grow Cubes, 4 Sheets of 49 Plugs, 196 Plugs Total
(Buy this or the next one... this has smaller cubes; they fit the grow boxes great, but a lot of space in the tower)
1.5” Rockwool Starter Plugs for Hydroponics, Rockwool Grow Cubes, 1 Sheets of 28 Plugs (Small)
(This or the previous one.. don't need both to start, these fit the tower perfectly but for the grow boxes, you probably can't use the inserts)
NEW Hydroponics Set of MaxiBloom for Flowering & MaxiGro for Vegetable Nutrients
(I was using Aerogarden nutrients, but ran out and this was way less $, and works just as good or better. I am growing flowers too, but I will put them in my 2nd tower with those nutrients)
Halatool 2 LBS Organic Clay Pebbles- 4mm-16mm 100% Natural Expanded Clay Pebbles for Hydroponic Gardening, Orchids, Drainage, Decoration, Aquaponics
(These are nice, it just gives more filler in the compartments for the rockwool to fit, and then I put a few on top, and I haven't seen mold yet.)
Salad Greens Seeds Kit – Bulk Leaf Lettuce, Bibb, Romaine, Kale, Arugula, Spinach, Swiss Chard Seeds for Planting – Leafy Greens for Indoor Hydroponic or Outdoor Organic Vegetable Garden, 100% Non-GMO
(This was just the first set of lettuce I grew. I realize I hate Kale, and love Romaine and Butter lettuce, so I mostly grow that now.)
Bloom City Professional pH Up + Down Control Kit for Optimal Nutrient Uptake (Two 1/2 Pint Bottles) 16 Total oz
(I haven't used the pH-Up yet, but the pH-Down works great. A little goes a long way. I assume vinegar would probably work too, but that'd smell like... well... vinegar).