Hydroponics system using a solar fountain pump

[Jamespeter100]

A solar fountain pump used to power a hydroponics system with irrigation tubes over scoria.

• The project
• Steps
• Tools and materials
• More inspiration for your projects

The project

I wanted to build a hydroponics system using a solar fountain pump and scoria. The stock is a branching type (marketed under the Austral name.) I've picked the picture of the stock (above) to show how good this system is for growing plants. This won the champion pot plant in show with the branching stock.

These tubs are solid.

I like to buy the packets for scoria, the sand and metal. Shops don't seem to like people shovelling scoria into tubs, with people then lifting the tubs into cars. 

Steps

Step 1

Empty the scoria into the tubs to wash the grit out. The suspended particles would cause issues with the pump components. 

Step 2

Drill holes in the bottom of the tubs to drain into one of the bottom tubs. The pump goes in the bottom tube. I use buckets with a hole drilled 20mm up, so the plants can be taken to plant shows.

Tools and materials

Materials used in the project:

• Black heavy duty crate 
  
  
• All Purpose Soluble Plant Food
  
  
• Volcanic decorative landscape stone
  
  
• Solar pump panel kit
  
  
• 13mm irrigation tube. Holes were drilled in the hose for the nutrient solution. 

Tools used in the project:

• Drill to drill holes in the bottom of the tubs that hold the scoria. 

More inspiration for your projects

Workshop community member kel built a vertical garden with built-in watering system along her side fence.

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