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-   -   Nutrient film technique rail system (http://www.tomatoville.com/showthread.php?t=48717)

Tomzhawaii February 17, 2019 08:51 PM

Nutrient film technique rail system
 
1 Attachment(s)
Aloha,
So my space is very small. I tried using 4" downspouts , it cannot be cleaned good enough. So after checking some premade systems. I decided to make my own.
I chose 5" vinyl fence posts. The plus is the endcaps. Since they need to be able to be cleaned, I cut them lenthwise. Put some 2 5/8 holes on the topside and 1" drainholes.
Here is what it looks like
Tom

Cole_Robbie February 17, 2019 08:53 PM

Neat! I like those rails, too. I had an aquaponics planter on my deck made from them. The hard part for me was keeping the water cool enough for my fish in the reservoir

Tomzhawaii February 17, 2019 08:58 PM

1 Attachment(s)
Another shot.
I love how fast lettuce will grow.

Worth1 February 17, 2019 09:19 PM

Nice:yes:

shatbox February 17, 2019 11:12 PM

I've been thinking of putting something like that together. Great job and please keep posting

Tomzhawaii February 17, 2019 11:38 PM

Thanks,
I started using a downspout and a small fountain pump, pool noodle and a micro towel.
Popped in some lettuce seeds and watched lettuce growing enough for a salad in 15 days.
I think any basic liquid nutrient at 1/2 strength will work.
Good luck and get ready for a new addiction.
Tom

shatbox February 18, 2019 12:07 AM

what's the pool noodle and micro towel for?

Tomzhawaii February 18, 2019 10:37 AM

Seed holders
 
[QUOTE=shatbox;727280]what's the pool noodle and micro towel for?[/QUOTE]

I happened to see a video of someone chopping up a pool noodle to hold a plant upright. And a T'villan righand uses microfibre towels to wick water in buckets of giant tomato plants.
I cut the towels into 1x4 inch strips roll them up stick em inside a 2 inch piece of noodle. Put the whole thing into the rail, enough to touch the water inside. Put a seed in center and there you go. The awesome part is the towel holds water great , the roots can actually grow through the towel. This combination works really good for starting any seeds . And when transplanting it will not disturb the roots. Just dig a hole, put em in and again there you go. Viola

Tomzhawaii February 24, 2019 03:57 PM

Cabbage & Manoa lettuce
 
2 Attachment(s)
Getting ready to pluck these so I can install my new system.

Worth1 February 24, 2019 06:37 PM

Mine would be ate up with holes by now.

Looks nice.


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