Perfect Fit System

sarsnavy05

Until I can get a real house of my own with a little bit of external space, I'm forced to confine my HP/AP enthusiasm to a single 10'-10"x9'-4"x8' bedroom inside my townhouse (by order of the wife) :shifty:

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Given that challenge, I'm doing what I can to make the most of those few square feet. My solution for the second phase of integrating all of my hydroponic systems in the room was to replace my single 2'x4' flood tray and reservoir (120 cu ft claimed: 38 cu ft production volume) with a system that would take advantage of AP and at improve the percentage of space employed.

Based on the above vision, this system was planned with the general guidelines of fitting a 98"L x 30"x 96"H profile, able to be non-destructively disassembled, ready for future expansion, splash-resistant, and capable of supporting the weight of the final growbed arrangement.

Here is the system design plan that was developed:
<coming soon...>

The system specs are as follows:
Structure: 1 1/2" Sched 40 PVC (Lots of it...)
Plumbing: 1" Sched 40 PVC
FT Volume: 100 Gal Stock tank @ 80% fill
GB volume: 75gal (2x 29Gal F&D Trays + 4x Leech Trays) or 116gal (4x 29Gal F&D Trays)
I still wish I could get/fit one of those 500L BYAP beds... :-P

Pump: Eco 1267 Submersible (1267 gph@0')
Lights: 2x 4x48" T5 + 4 x 2x48" T8 flourescent (0530-2330)
Schedule: 15min Flood&Drain cycle w/ 105min rest (0600-2200)
Media: 2" Pea Gravel base layer, 1" LECA (Hydro Rokx), 1"Rockwool Granulate, 2" LECA (Bottom)
and 1.5" Pea gravel base layer, .5" rockwool granulate, and 2" LECA (TOP)
Regardless of opinions on rockwool, it's saved a number of harvests, including the Bell Peppers currently in the system, during "technical droughts."

The planting plan is to put all of my shorter plants, like lettuces, onions, and chards, up top where they'll have ~24" of grow height, and the larger cucumbers, romanesco, tomatoes and peppers down on the two bottom trays with up to 38" of height. This improves my previous 32% space usage to about 70% (theoretically) and offers more flexibility for planting.

Here is the final product(still need to install lights in upper right side):

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File comment: Almost finished product

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Cycling this system started 12APR after initially running a few gallons through to leak test and pull out any leftover grit from the media/plastic crumbles from the pipes/excess residue from the pvc cement.

Hopefully, the dozen fingerlings on order will arrive soon, so I can fatten them up in my other system prior to transfering them to this one... Once this gets settled, I can start in on Phase III, connecting the 3 lettuce rafts across the room, into this one. :drunken:

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File comment: Lettuce!

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Maybe this'll give some of the other folks here with limited space and idea or two... :geek:

thorn

Since it is an indoor system, light and air movement are more essential to provide. Stick a light and air pump on a battery backup. Turn on a fan in that room too so the plants can harden enough to support produce.

sarsnavy05

Guess I can't edit my previous posts. Anyway, please find attached Mod III to the original plan.

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File comment: The plan...

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swanberg

Am I the only one who finds the blue font hard to read?
:glasses1:

abdul

That is a beautiful grow room! Did you make that all yourself?

sarsnavy05

@swanberg: Damn, I was kinda enjoying the BLUE txt...

@abdul: Thanks! This was my way of keeping out of trouble and passing the time until my fiance moves up here with me.

The newest setup took 4 weeks to plan, source, and build, but the room is a constantly evolving project that I've been working on for the last 5 months.

earthbound

Nice detailed drawing there.... :headbang:

sarsnavy05

Phase III complete... ahead of schedule. Insomnia is a wonderful thing! :coffee:

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File comment: Phase III

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@earthbound: Thx! Figured I give planning a try instead of just doing, for a change..

RupertofOZ

Looks good Sarsnavy05... but that clear tubing is probably going to grow greeny/black algae on the inside....

sarsnavy05

Too true... at some point I may have to pull the top section out and roto-rooter it clean. If worse comes to worse, I can put just cover it up completly.

I'm willing to sacrifice a small degree of efficiency for aesthetics, since its located in a somewhat visible area.

-SAR

swanberg

sarsnavy05, re: the blue text: eh, I'm probably just getting old, getting harder to read stuff on screen, especially with blue text on the blue/gray background here on BYAP.

It really is up to you, but I've found myself skipping your posts because of the difficulty. So maybe the blue text is a good thing! :lol:

:getoffmylawn:

swanberg

Heehee, here we go:

sarsnavy05

LOL, I wouldn't rule out the first possibility! However, Its an extra step to change the color, anyway...

REGARDLESS...
My cucumbers are sprouting and my fish still havent arrived! :-x

wth, man?!

Urban Auqa Man

Looking GOOD my friend!!! I love the garden knome hiding in the corner... :thumbleft:

FloridaChris

sarsnavy05 - I know it's been a while and you have probably changed your system since these last posts, but I had a question in regards to it. How much was this system running you on electricity? I am in Florida and a few things I want to grow (tomatoes, lettuce, and strawberries) don't hold up well in our hot, humid, and almost year-round weather. I have some space inside to do a small indoor system, but not sure if the benefits (produce) outweigh the costs.

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