The first attempt.
2:53 pm in Getting Started, made from scratch (without a kit), Projects in Process, pumps, questions, Seeking Advice, Water flow by Natalia Medina
Now I have finally got my windowfarm up and running.
I made the structure last year, sowed the seeds several months ago, and planted the tomato plants in the structure about one month ago. So far I have watered by hand, but today I managed to build the pumping system.
However, I have encountered some problems. The two biggest so far:
1. The system will not start up again when it has been switched off. I wanted to have it on a timer but every time it´s on standby I have to rearang the air needles to make it start. I will try to find a solution, but if you have an idea, please write a comment.
2. The air pump I am using is not the quietest. I have tried to put the pump in a box with towels to muffle the sound. But it still sounds too much. And I’m a little afraid that it will overheat in there. Maybe I´ll pick it apart and check what it is that makes the sound, or I´ll try to change the box or I´ll just buy a new pump. Some other suggestions?
Column to the left: Chili pepper, tomato, chilli pepper.
Column to the right: Chili pepper, basil, chili pepper.
Today I also started watering with a nutrient solution adapted for hydroponics. I hope it will make the plants a little stronger with time.
Since the windowfarm hangs in a window with little natural light I have put up an extra lamp. A fluorescent light fixture with a light that simulates daylight.
@natalia – Hi – I also use extra light in my window which simulates dayligh – my plants love it and grow toward it. My experience with the air needles was that my first setup worked great but before I was able to get my system running it got lost. My second setup did not work properly for me and I went to the T connection. With a fish tank for my nutrient supply I can go deeper with my T. Later I discovered that there was not a good seal in my second needle setup and this leak caused the problem. BUT, I LIKE the T connection so well I have stayed with it. Some people have gone to a deeper supply tank to help with flow. I hope you find out what works for you and maybe someone can help you with air pump suggestions. Your plants look happy and healthy to me Happy Windowfarming! sylviawoerner – Manchester Indiana USA
@sylviawoerner – Hi!
Thanks for all your good suggestions.
My water tank is not so big, that could be one of the problems. But I think it could be the same as your second needle setup, maybe the air needle is leaking!?
The T connection sounds interesting. Perhaps I will test it.
Lots of love from Stockholm, Sweden.
@natalia – I agree with Sylvia. I had the best success with the T connector. I particularly liked the set-up described here: http://our.windowfarms.org/2011/04/05/how-high-can-you-pump-water-with-the-airlift/
As far as the sound of the pump…Do you have a dial to control the airflow? If not, you may want to add an air control valve to your air line. You should be able to find these where fish and aquariums are sold. My pump was so loud before I did this. With the T-connector set-up (described by Brian in the link above) and the air control valve, I have plenty of lift and very little noise. I can also get it to cycle on/off without assistance from me.
Thank you! The T connector might be the solution then
I don´t have a dial to control the airflow. I just have a lever switched between low and high. Right now it´s on low.
I don´t know if we are referring to to the same sound. I mean the noise of the pump, not the sound of the pipes. I think the drip and the gurgelling sounds pretty nice. But the monotonous noise of the pump sounds awful. Is it this sound you think is possible to reduce with the control valve?
Thanks for your help!
the box might actually be acting as an akoustic amplifyer
does it still produce that sound when you lift the pump by hand when it runs? if not, just put it on a small table instead.
(I’AM ALSO A BIG FAN OF THE T JUNCTION!!) but for this set-up you could try to set the pump on high and at a flow reducer valve, that way the presure will build up when the flow is small pushing out the initial blob of water after which it should return to normal.
@Natalia – Yes I am referring to the noise the actual pump makes. My pump was louder till I put the air control valve on. I like the gurgling sound too, but when I reduced the air flow I found it actually pumped more water up to the plants. This may not be the case with the needle set-up, but it works with the T Junction. I also found putting the pump on a foam block to help the sound. It still has a little noise, but no one seems to notice it but me.
@brammist Haha, no, the box does not function as an amplifier.
The box reduces the noise significantly. However, it may be that the plastic shell of the pump does function as an amplifier. That’s why I’m thinking of opening up the pump.
I´ll try the T-connector as soon as the pet shops open here again. Everything has been closed due to midsummer.
Thanks for all the good advice. It´s going to be fun trying it out. I’m really curious about the legendary T junction
Okay, that settles it. I have to test he T Junction.
Thanks!