add bracing?

encore · May 3, 2016

here's a pic of my rain gutter grow system framework there will be 7 buckets in each row, total of 14 buckets, my question is now that it is level should i add 2x4 bracing down to the patio in the middle between the leveling jacks, on the long runs inside and out,and also on the cross pieces? just wondering if the weight of the buckets will cause it to sag. the long runs are a total of 9foot 7 inches long.---thanks tom

Gerardo · May 3, 2016

That sure is pretty. I see you have small pieces to support the tube and that's important, cool.

I'd give it some support under the short cross ones, since you'll never really see those.

It gets heavier as the season progresses, but with 7 buckets I doubt it'll be enough to bend the 2x4s.

A few unsolicited tips:

Cal Nitrate is your friend. Plumber's Putty is your friend too.

Make sure your mixing tank/reservoir is at least 3 times the volume of the water inside your circuit, that way you can walk away for quite a few days and still be ok. The 27 gal dark totes with yellow top from Costco are good candidates, only 8 bucks or so.

The Economy Flood and Drain Valve used for Ebb/Flow systems (non-barbed) work like a charm for daisy chaining the tubes, about 2.50 at hydro stores. Cheaper than uniseals.

The lowest price for kerrick float valves is Amazon, 1/2 inch threaded male goes right through the tube end caps.

2 7/8 hole saw is important. Ship to store HD will get it to you fast, since they usually don't have it on display.

There were two holding the flame, I got a piece of it, and now there's another. Go RGGS!

encore · May 3, 2016

i'm going with the regular gutters instead of the drain pipe, landscape fabric in buckets, and many holes in the the sides of the buckets for air pruning, also going with the float valves, water line hooked to the house faucet which is only 2 feet at most from the end of the gutters.

ricman · May 8, 2016

Hello Encore,

I love your RGGS setup very clean. I'm a huge fan of Larry Hall's RGGS. I have 65 tomatoes growing in my system right now. Best of luck to you and your RGGS, you will love the ease(once set up) and the production.

Rick

encore · May 27, 2016

well here it is all planted! hoping for the best!

pixlpush · May 27, 2016

Looks Great!

encore · June 6, 2016

what a difference a week makes! plants doing great.

encore · June 18, 2016

still going strong!

May 8, 2016	#4
ricman Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Ardmore,Oklahoma Posts: 172	Hello Encore, I love your RGGS setup very clean. I'm a huge fan of Larry Hall's RGGS. I have 65 tomatoes growing in my system right now. Best of luck to you and your RGGS, you will love the ease(once set up) and the production. Rick Last edited by ricman; May 8, 2016 at 11:32 PM. Reason: spelling

May 3, 2016	#2
Gerardo Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: San Diego-Tijuana Posts: 2,598	That sure is pretty. I see you have small pieces to support the tube and that's important, cool. I'd give it some support under the short cross ones, since you'll never really see those. It gets heavier as the season progresses, but with 7 buckets I doubt it'll be enough to bend the 2x4s. A few unsolicited tips: Cal Nitrate is your friend. Plumber's Putty is your friend too. Make sure your mixing tank/reservoir is at least 3 times the volume of the water inside your circuit, that way you can walk away for quite a few days and still be ok. The 27 gal dark totes with yellow top from Costco are good candidates, only 8 bucks or so. The Economy Flood and Drain Valve used for Ebb/Flow systems (non-barbed) work like a charm for daisy chaining the tubes, about 2.50 at hydro stores. Cheaper than uniseals. The lowest price for kerrick float valves is Amazon, 1/2 inch threaded male goes right through the tube end caps. 2 7/8 hole saw is important. Ship to store HD will get it to you fast, since they usually don't have it on display. There were two holding the flame, I got a piece of it, and now there's another. Go RGGS!

May 3, 2016	#3
encore Tomatovillian™ Join Date: May 2015 Location: wisconsin Posts: 536	i'm going with the regular gutters instead of the drain pipe, landscape fabric in buckets, and many holes in the the sides of the buckets for air pruning, also going with the float valves, water line hooked to the house faucet which is only 2 feet at most from the end of the gutters.

May 27, 2016	#6
pixlpush Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Manhattan Beach, CA Posts: 99	Looks Great!