Hydroponic Station

[Ash]

I'm so glad you guys are my roomies/annex buddies. I am undertaking a
big project with the hydro stuff however, I have no deadlines and
definitely no pressure on anyone to complete this quickly. I want
things to be done slowly, with precision and with all of our sanity
intact. That said, offer a hand whenever you can, any time/expertise
you can offer is appreciated.


I've decided after researching the topic of hydroponic gardening to go
with the Ebb and Flow System. Here's a short version of how I
understand this works--

There are two containers, the first one (a clear plastic tote) holds
plants and plant medium (in this case expandable clay) there is water
in this one

The second container (a five gallon bucket with a lid) is called the
Nutrient Tank all of the nutrients (that would normally be found in
soil/plant food) are found here and cycles in and out of the first
container.

*http://www.hydroponic-gardening.ws/build-your-system-1.html
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I need lots of help with this project as I am a bit behind the curve
on hyrdoponic/gardening lingo. Please bear with me as I am learning --
and trying to figure out the next step in the process. The website I
have used for a reference is http://www.hydroponic-gardening.ws. The
website has an easy to follow table of contents on the left side and
it has directions or references for the task list! So far here are
some specific tasks I could use help with for now. No hurry, unless
you want fresh bok choy and salad this winter. :)

1.-sterilize tubing (clear tubing lying askew in basement corner) and
a five gallon bucket from the back yard that has a tight fitting lid.
I think it said hot water with peroxide. No bleach or harsh chemicals
should be used for this step for obvious reasons.

2- Research the best small growing containers for expandable clay and
the Ebb and Flow System. Hopefully find those bad boys in the back
yard near the basement entrance where our containers rest in peace.
Give your containers to the sterilizing person or lend the sterilizer
a helping hand in getting those suckers cleaned up.

3-Research mixing nutrients for lettuce and/or bok choy. Do a fake
out run with the nutrient tank (filling it with five gallons of water)
mark the top of the fill line to indicate where the drill hole goes

4-research directions for sterilizing root systems of the transplants,
then research directions for transplanting seedlings into the system

5. Babs- we need five 13 mm rubber grommets and five 3/8" x 3/8" Watts-
PL-350 Nylon Hose Barb and Bow (its a plastic elbow), and another air
pump as well as another water pump (each container needs the set)

6-if you happen to be handy ahem Gary, with the drill lets talk about
drilling holes into some containers when the steps above are taken
care of.

7.HELP figuring out how to hang up florescent lights

FYI:I found the website for the warming mat from Hydrofarm for
starting seedlings. This is a link for the info for the :"Germination
Station" and a downloadable PDF if you want to take a look!
http://www.hydrofarm.com/pb_detail.php?itemid=1898 I plugged the mat
in and put the plastic dome over top of a tray of seedlings to see if
it really helps!

[Christo Rooster]

I love and appreciate your approach.  Look forward to making things happen with you.  I love boch choy.:)
 
> Date: Sun, 29 Nov 2009 00:07:42 -0800
> Subject: Hydroponic Station
> From: daydreaming...@gmail.com
> To: greenst...@googlegroups.com

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