HYDROPONIC DRIP SYSTEM
Simply Explained- Free Plans

Hydroponic Drip System...

Top Drip Systems are probably the most common hydroponics system in the world. They are often used in large commercial greenhouses. Once the network of feeder lines is set up, operation is simple.

We like to use the popular Bato® buckets for our top-drip systems, as they are very inexpensive, come with a safety reservoir in the bottom, and are easy to set up on a drainage pipe.

 

Hydroponic Drip System

HERE'S HOW IT WORKS:

The nutrient solution is held in a reservoir. A pump comes on periodically and pushes the solution through a network of "spaghetti" tubing which trickles out at the base of each plant. The excess drainage out the bottom of the pot is collected and returned to the reservoir, where it is reused for the next "watering". The feeding cycle repeats 2-4 times daily and promotes lush growth.
 

• Ready At Last!  Learn to build a large Top Drip Bucket System [4X4 growing bed with 8 or 16 pots!] Read all about it here:  Simon's Simple Hydroponic Plans.
   
• Not ready for a large garden yet?, Get started below with our small top drip mini-farm [3 pots] free plans! (* Note, there is a link at the end to a nice printable booklet of the process!)
  
  
                     
  
   

HOW TO BUILD A SMALL TOP DRIP SYSTEM USING BATO BUCKETS

Hydroponic Drip System

This system is by far the most ambitious of the 5 “mini-farms” we present in this series. You must follow the assembly directions carefully and pay attention to details. Why go to the trouble? We have found that our top drip systems have produced the most lush and prolific plant growth of all. Also, once it's built, it's pretty low-maintenance.

We have designed here a small unit that supports 3 large growpots (Dutch Bato Buckets). We love Bato buckets because they are inexpensive and have a built-in safety feature. A small reserve of nutrient solution is always held in the bottom of each pot. In the event of a power failure, the plants will not die, but can live off the reserve for a couple days.

Top drip Batos form a great, dependable hydroponic unit. This garden cost about $135 in early 2009 (not including a lamp and food). Most of the materials are available from Home Depot or Walmart. A few items must come from a hydroponics supplier (but we give you a good cheap source).
 

SUPPLY LIST:

• Rubbermaid Black Storage Tote Bin with lid- 18 gallon [Walmart]
  (Or similar sturdy tote bin of 16-20 gallon volume)

• 3 Bato dutch buckets [try www.bghydro.com]

• Small submersible pond pump- 120 gph [heres one cheap: http://www.hydroponics-simplified.com/cheap-hydroponics-supplies.html#ebb

• Timer, mechanical garden; 15 minute increments [Walmart]

• Aquarium air pump, 6 feet of airline tubing, “T” connector & 5” airstone [Walmart]

• PVC pieces: 1½” schedule 40 pvc pipe: Two 10 foot pcs of pipe; 8 elbows; 1 “t” piece; Tip: (buy 2 extra elbows and 1 extra T-piece in case of gluing mistakes [Home Depot])

• One 4 oz. can of PVC cement (gold label) [Home Depot] Don't get blue glue.

• Small tube aquarium grade silicone sealant [Pet shop]

• Black irrigation tubing, ½ “ I.D. (inner diameter) about 6 feet long [Home Depot]

• 1/4” irrigation “spaghetti” tubing, 10 feet (for drip lines) [Home Depot]

• Six 1/4” irrigation barb connectors (smallest bag) [Home Depot]

• Small bag of perlite [Home Depot]

• One brick of coco coir & small bag of LECA (Hydroton or clay balls). More on this and ordering info later in the Tips 'N Techniques section.

TOOLS NEEDED:

• Power drill; 1-3/4” or 1-7/8” & 2-1/4” hole saw drills & 7/8” and 1” spade drill bits (Borrow a hole saw kit or buy one, you will definitely use it again).

• Hacksaw, pvc pipe cutter or power saw to cut the PVC pipe.

Hydroponic Drip System

The heart of the Bato bucket is the built in safety “reservoir” for nutrient solution which rests at the bottom of the pot. The bucket has a “cutout”, allowing it to sit on 1-½” PVC pipe, into which you drill some drainage holes. A special port which comes with the bucket allows excess drainage to leave the pot via these drainage pipes. (This will all make more sense to you during assembly of the unit.)

           LET'S CUT SOME PVC