Are you interested in building a simple hydroponics system to grow vegetables, flowers, or fresh herbs? Learn how to measure and mark pipe lengths, cut and drill holes in PVC pipe, attach flex couplings, and tighten hose clamps, all key skills used by plumbers on the job. Big thanks to Emily Schmit (plumber) and Andrea Durdle (pipe trades instructor, Camosun College) for their help designing this project!
The hydroponic garden is designed to be taken apart after the first build, enabling instructors to save the pieces and re-use for future classes or for general school use. This may help with accessing additional funding sources for purchasing the materials, as well as enable younger builders to assemble the parts using screwdrivers or nut drivers (once the holes in the pipe are cut).
Ask a local horticulturalist to help you choose some plants to germinate from seeds, or buy some small starter plants. When the plants are about 2" long from root tip to leaf top, you can nestle them in the foam and plant them in your new garden.
Explore Related Trades Careers: Plumber, Horticulturalist
The hydroponic garden is designed to be taken apart after the first build, enabling instructors to save the pieces and re-use for future classes or for general school use. This may help with accessing additional funding sources for purchasing the materials, as well as enable younger builders to assemble the parts using screwdrivers or nut drivers (once the holes in the pipe are cut).
Ask a local horticulturalist to help you choose some plants to germinate from seeds, or buy some small starter plants. When the plants are about 2" long from root tip to leaf top, you can nestle them in the foam and plant them in your new garden.
Explore Related Trades Careers: Plumber, Horticulturalist
Tools & Materials
Material List
- aquarium/pond pump, 4' vertical lift and adjustable flow rate
- 3' - 2" PVC schedule 40 pipe
- two 2" x 1 1/2" flexible couplings (Cremco, Fernco, or similar)
- two 1 1/2" x 1/2" FIP ABS dishwasher bushings
- thread seal tape (Teflon)
- two 1/2” MIP x 1/2” barb adapters
- 6' (minimum) 1/2" plastic tubing
- three 1/2" hose clamps
- Plastic tote or bucket (~5 gallons)
- ~2' - 1/2" foam pipe insulation
- one 2" pipe strap
- two 1" wood screws
- ~1"x1"x6" scrap wood
- ~2’ - ½" foam pipe insulation
- water or hydroponic nutrient solution
Tool list
- safety glasses
- protective gloves
- ear protection
- measuring tape
- felt pen
- pipe cutter (2" PVC cutting capacity)
- vise or clamp
- file or coarse sandpaper and block
- hand drill
- 1" hole saw and arbour
- 1/8" twist bit
- flathead screwdriver
- hacksaw
- 5/8" nut driver
- adjustable crescent wrench
- scissors
- level
- screwdriver
Procedure
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Turn the pipe cutter once around the pipe, then tighten the blade down again. Repeat this step until the pipe is cut through.
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Use the edge of a table as a straight edge, and draw a line down the length of the pipe with the felt pen.
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Assemble the drill with the arbour, 1/8” drill bit, and 1” hole saw.
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Reposition your pipe in the vise and repeat the previous two steps for each mark along your pipe. Clear the pipe of all shavings when you are done.
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Use scissors to cut your ½" tubing in half (so you have two 3’ pieces).
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Repeat the previous step with the second piece of tubing on the other barb adapter.
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Place the free end of the ½" tubing into the bucket to complete the drainage.
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Choose a surface or structure to place your garden onto, close enough to an outlet so you can plug in your pump. Use a bubble level to make sure the surface is level.
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Fill your bucket with your solution, plug in your pump, and lower it into the bucket.
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Turn on the pump. Adjust the flow rate and/or the height of the pipe ends as needed until the water is flowing through your pipe without splashing out the plant holes. You may have to place thin scraps of wood or objects under either end of the pipe to achieve this.
Make the PVC pipe component
Prepare your hydroponic garden for seedlings:
Extension Challenges
- Try hooking up multiple garden pipes to make a living wall: attach the end of one to the start of another by connecting them with ½" tubing. Secure the pipes to a large piece of plywood using pipe straps. Make sure you test it first to make sure the pipes are at an appropriate angle for water to flow through the system. Connect the final pipe end back to the bucket of solution.
- Read up on how to use the water from a fresh water aquarium (with fish!) to circulate through your plant garden.