by samenrahmen
WindowfarM
1:15 pm in Getting Started, Materials and Resources, posts with pitcures!, Projects in Process by samenrahmen
Okay, here’s a hint at what my little vertical patch will look like. If I get all the glueing right…
A slightly different approach, one that will need only one straight piece of tubing from the pump to the top (bottom left to top left), and has a built-in reservoir.
The upper floors (3) are 63mm PVC-U, the reservoir is 90mm.
The only concern I would have with PVC at right angles is left over liquid when I cycle is complete. I don’t know if mold or other contaminants would build up because certain areas are essentially flat.
They are flat indeed – and have a smooth surface; apart from a little rockwool there won’t be much to “nest” on for it.
The important thing is of course for the system to be periodically flushed with fresh water,
and the reservoir water to be emptied out and refilled regularly, too.
These kinds of systems will always have 100% moisture levels in some of their parts;
I think a fan should be recommended for every indoor installation, as it lowers that kind of risk (for the room itself, too) and also leads to stronger stalks.
You may introduce ample amounts of hydrogen peroxide into your reservoir if you start having mold, algae, or bacterial pathogens in your nutrient solution or piping. From what I understand, H2O2 (hydrogen peroxide) purchased from the drugstore at $1 is typically 3% concentration (make sure it’s the clear liquid, the brown liquid H2O2 is bad as it may have toxins that you will eat). I have dumped tons of this when I was having pathogens and algae and the plants don’t seem to care at all. The reason I believe it is often not used in DWC (deep water cultures) is because it de-oxygenates the nutrient solution, but in our case the plant roots are mostly in oxygen so it’s not a problem!
I’m planning to cover the holes whenever they’re unused, so that only a minute amount of sunlight actually enters the pipe system. I guess that at least when it comes to algae the other systems will have more problems.
Pathogens are another thing, but I’m using a rather powerful motor pump, so the chances for evil things to make themselves comfortable are slimmer than in systems using air pumps.