New hydroponic Veg Projects

[GnomeGrown]

Love the broccoli pic.

[FreyaFL]

I love where you're going with your yard/garden! Definitely inspiring to see all these wonderful pictures. Also, nearly choked at the prices for the various purchased systems. Maybe they're not marketed for the diy veggie gardener? (Don't get me wrong! I love going to my local hydroponic store. Very helpful and fun. But, of the 4 customers the last time I was there, my poor mini van probably cost at least $20,000-$50,000 less than any of the others. )

Anyway, here's my REALLY CHEAP alternative for growing lettuce hydro/aquaponically. Just a piece of styrofoam (about 2" thick) that I used a 2-3/4" round cutter, 6oz yogurt containers with holes, and expanded clay balls. I did start the lettuce and transplant. (These aren't growing as well as they could be because I have 4 gold fish in the basin that eat any roots that grow out of the containers. Even so, the lettuce has been producing enough for sandwiches and salad additions for the past month. Oh, the red romaine hasn't done anything since transplanting. I'm going to move them into the growbed.)

Keep posting updates! I'd love to see how it all develops.

[Muslickz]

Thanks Freya!

Your setup looks cool, the one thing I would do is to add a small airpump ($7.00) and a small airstone($2.00). More oxygen in the water will help the Plants AND The goldfish.

If you think about it the fish are likely using most of the available oxygen in the water, so you gotta put some back

But it looks cool, I hope my lettuce comes out as good as yours!

-Mus

[FreyaFL]

Originally Posted by Muslickz

Thanks Freya!

Your setup looks cool, the one thing I would do is to add a small airpump ($7.00) and a small airstone($2.00). More oxygen in the water will help the Plants AND The goldfish.

If you think about it the fish are likely using most of the available oxygen in the water, so you gotta put some back

But it looks cool, I hope my lettuce comes out as good as yours!

-Mus

Got all that covered! Here's a better picture of my starter system. I've recently pulled many things out and really all that's left are two tomatoes and some basil. (Along with the raft in the middle.) The goldfish started as sacrificial fish for cycling the system. Well, that didn't work. Now I have six very healthy, big, fat goldfish and no tilapia. Oh, and two jumped into the tank below.

[Crandrew]

I like that Feaya, nice!

[Muslickz]

Mini Update!

Here's a look at some of this years Starts!

Watermelon, String Beans, Cantaloupe and Peas.



Yellow Crook Neck Squash and Zucchini.



My Bibb and Red Fire Lettuce...





And here's a tray about to pop...







I'll update again in a few days!

-Mus

[FreyaFL]

Very nice!

[Crandrew]

Nice Mus! What kind of watermelon are you growing?Im trying some for the first year.

[Muslickz]

I usually grow Jubilee Watermelon, it just seems to do well here. That is if I can get past the aphids early on...

Citrullus lanatus.
Jubilee Watermelon Seeds (95 days)

Jubilee has long been one of America's most popular melons. It was introduced about 1963 by the Florida Agricultural Experiement Station. Jubilee was said to have been created by crossing together the varieties Africa 8, Iowa Belle, Garrison Hawkesbury and Leesburg.

Jubilee watermelon produces melons up to 35 lbs and can be well over a 1'long. They have light green skin with dark green stripes. The flesh is read and very sweet. Disease Resistant: Tolerant to Fusarium Wilt and Anthracnose

TIP: Most watermelons love and need heat, but disease problems can arise from such hot and humid conditions. Jubilee was specifically bred to handle such problems. If you live in the Southern United States where conditions are hot and humid this is the watermelon for you!

1979 Twilley Seed Company Catalog says about Jubilee Watermelon....
"Released by Florida AES. Resembles Garrisonian, but is wilt resistant with high eating quality. the melons are long with well rounded ends; bright red flesh with interior quality equal to Charleston Gray; grows 25-40 pounds; black seed. Because of wilt resistance and fine appearance Jubilee is in second plane in our sales across the country."




-Mus

[Muslickz]

Just got done building a small four tray ebb and flow tray system for a buddy of mine. Total cost $250... Took about 4hrs to build and fill as well as get water right and nutes right. 4 hrs from store to plants in!









Just thought I'd share!

-Mus

[Crandrew]

Awesome Mus. Its fun to build the setup's I remember building my DWC's and they were fun. My next project was going to be NFT but I never started.

[Muslickz]

Yea, I love building em.

Working on the pool ATM, should have it filled by tonight and swimming in a day or two! I love going out early and swimming for a while then tending the garden.

-Mus

[Cole_Robbie]

Neat.

How did you plumb your fitting to the bottom of the rubbermaid tub?

Won't the clear tub grow algae?

[Crandrew]

Originally Posted by Muslickz

Yea, I love building em.

I love going out early and swimming for a while then tending the garden.

-Mus

Or even backwards that sounds great!

[Muslickz]

Cole: Yea, I picked up a few cans of white spray paint just in case alge shows up. I used a 1/2" bulkhead fitting available at any hydro store for my water inlet and a 3/4" bulkhead fitting for the water drain.



They come as a set for about $7.00 HERE

Yea Cran, luv me some swimin an gardinin no matter what order.

-Mus