Nice setup ... probably been mentioned below but for uniform bucket hole-punching if they are unmarked. Take a strip of firm cardboard - crease towards the tail to create a flap. The flape goes under the bucket and the longer piece easily leans-up the outside of the bucket and of coarse it would have a hole in it so a permanent mar ker could easily mark at the correct height ... a 'Kratky7 jig". 🙂
If you replaced the valve with a check valve (1 way valve) you wouldn't need to monitor the level in the buckets. While the plant buckets are fuller than the float valve bucket the check valve would prevent backflow, once they were lower the check valve would allow nutrients to flow towards them. Actually, now that I think about it you don't need anything there, just fill up the float valve bucket to your desired height and once the level drops below the float it will refill, no valve needed, the float serves as a one way valve.
Awesome mate! And the roots looks very healthy. Could you make more videos on getting the right PH and if possible with all product you can get access at Bunnings. Cheers mate.
Great questions! Flat-faced inlets/outlets can work on circular buckets, but ensuring a proper seal is crucial to avoid leaks. A rubber washer or gasket, combined with careful tightening, does the job for me so far. If you’re concerned, fittings designed for curved surfaces might be worth considering, if you can find them! As for stagnation, the Kratky method, developed by Dr Bernard Kratky, is designed to be completely passive. It doesn’t require active aeration like Deep Water Culture (DWC). Instead, as plants absorb nutrients and water, the level naturally drops, creating an air gap that provides oxygen to the roots. This design, combined with proper monitoring of nutrient levels, prevents stagnation and keeps the system running smoothly.
@@GrowthEquationAu could stagnation not occur in the large reservoir? Do you do any measuring of your ppms and how do you ensure the water and nutrient are consumed in equal parts?
Great follow-up! Stagnation in the reservoir is unlikely with proper monitoring. I use EC (electrical conductivity), pH, and PPM (parts per million) readings to keep the solution balanced. Plants take up water and nutrients at different rates depending on their growth stage and environmental factors. This can cause changes in the nutrient concentration over time, which is why regular monitoring is so important. This might be a bit advanced for just this video, but it’s a great concept to keep in mind as you explore hydroponics. I’ll be making a video shortly to explain these ideas in more detail-stay tuned!
Nice setup ... probably been mentioned below but for uniform bucket hole-punching if they are unmarked. Take a strip of firm cardboard - crease towards the tail to create a flap. The flape goes under the bucket and the longer piece easily leans-up the outside of the bucket and of coarse it would have a hole in it so a permanent mar ker could easily mark at the correct height ... a 'Kratky7 jig". 🙂
Only concern I’d have would be roots migrating into the tubing and plugging it up. Make sure you keep it clear by checking it every so often
If you replaced the valve with a check valve (1 way valve) you wouldn't need to monitor the level in the buckets. While the plant buckets are fuller than the float valve bucket the check valve would prevent backflow, once they were lower the check valve would allow nutrients to flow towards them. Actually, now that I think about it you don't need anything there, just fill up the float valve bucket to your desired height and once the level drops below the float it will refill, no valve needed, the float serves as a one way valve.
The tossing of the valve filter sent me 😂❤
Awesome mate! And the roots looks very healthy. Could you make more videos on getting the right PH and if possible with all product you can get access at Bunnings. Cheers mate.
Glad you liked the video, and great to hear the roots look healthy to you! I’ll add this idea to the production list!
Is it a good idea to use these flat faced inlets/outlets on circular buckets?
and is no aeration going to cause stagnation?
Great questions! Flat-faced inlets/outlets can work on circular buckets, but ensuring a proper seal is crucial to avoid leaks. A rubber washer or gasket, combined with careful tightening, does the job for me so far. If you’re concerned, fittings designed for curved surfaces might be worth considering, if you can find them!
As for stagnation, the Kratky method, developed by Dr Bernard Kratky, is designed to be completely passive. It doesn’t require active aeration like Deep Water Culture (DWC). Instead, as plants absorb nutrients and water, the level naturally drops, creating an air gap that provides oxygen to the roots. This design, combined with proper monitoring of nutrient levels, prevents stagnation and keeps the system running smoothly.
@@GrowthEquationAu could stagnation not occur in the large reservoir? Do you do any measuring of your ppms and how do you ensure the water and nutrient are consumed in equal parts?
Great follow-up! Stagnation in the reservoir is unlikely with proper monitoring. I use EC (electrical conductivity), pH, and PPM (parts per million) readings to keep the solution balanced. Plants take up water and nutrients at different rates depending on their growth stage and environmental factors. This can cause changes in the nutrient concentration over time, which is why regular monitoring is so important.
This might be a bit advanced for just this video, but it’s a great concept to keep in mind as you explore hydroponics. I’ll be making a video shortly to explain these ideas in more detail-stay tuned!