Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

I think the difference with the zip grow towers and the ones that coachchris is fabricating is that the zip grow ones are probably formed with the gap vs. cutting something that has the spring it like the pvc fence posts. just a thought

Yes, that's correct. It started out being difficult...until we figured out to cut a wider gap in the side. No, I can replant by simply holding the tower open with a wedge, and then add plants. It only takes a few minutes. My biggest issue has been getting the light to the "back" towers. All facing South, but as front towers mature, they shade out back towers. I have limited placement locations or I'll block my GB or DWC bed. If I wanted to move them further away, it would be easier to get logistics figured out. Growth has been consistent in front towers, DWC, and GB's. So in terms of what works the best, the verdict is still out. Certain crops don't do well in towers...anything that has large fruit or needs support. Leafy crops and strawberries seem best. Not sure if they're the holy grail that some make them out to be, especially if your paying 65 bucks for them. But at $16.00, I like playing with them.

How about artificial turf folded and slid in grow towers thought of trying it after I seen a article on growing turf on television they were filling this artificial turf with sand and growing turf for new stadiums ready to roll out . I think a few towers to plant with aphid or whitefly prone plants would be handy I could just unhook them take them into the chook yard and hose the bugs off and put them back again .

Not sure, it just needs to have a good "flow rate". One advantage to towers...you can easily remove them and use OMRI rated pesticides that aren't fish safe, which for a lot of insects, are more effective. Then after they dry, bring them back and hang them up. Minimal amounts of pesticide introduced this way.

Is there any reason to think cutting along a corner, rather than the middle of a side, would make these easier to work with? I'm getting close to building some as part of a system expansion.

Jake, I think it would be harder to "face" them. typically, you hang them so the side with the plants face South, and the hanger is on the East/West sides. I'm sure it's possible, but don't see any advantage. Just cut out at least 1/4- 3/8" so you have room to get the plants in. I put my media in first and then cut, otherwise the media gets snagged on the edges as you push/pull it through. Last 1 I did took less then 15 minutes start-finish. First 1 was closer to an hour.lol

I figured. Where did you get your filter material?

Wholesale filter company...about $50.00 for a 100' x 3' roll. You can make about 60 towers with a roll.

Can you give us a url? Or pm me their number?

I'll try and locate it. In Clearwater.

Funny, my grandmother has a vacation place near Clearwater, in Holiday.

We're 15 minutes N of Holiday. Small world.

Thanks for the link. Little hard without seeing them before my eyes to know which one you got. Can you tell me the details?
TIA

They carry about 10-12 different materials in rolls. the one I got was white and 3' wide. Also got a blue roll, that was courser and may end up being easier to clean...don't know yet.