My DIY Bounty Sized Unit

[Sher]

My goals in attempting this project were to create a Bounty sized unit with more space between the holes at a very affordable cost.

I wanted it to use about the same amount of water as the Bounty (1 gallon) for easy lifting and carrying. And I wanted to be able to move plants from the Harvest into the new unit when they outgrew it.

I didn't want to try to recreate AG's drip system (although I believe it is a superior system), so decided on deep water culture.

The Coleman 6 can cooler holds 1 gallon, is sturdy, and was cheap. I also like the handle, so I chose it for my container.

Then I cut the lid and hinges off with a hacksaw, and made holes to fit the AG pods with a hole saw.

I smoothed the holes with a sharp knife, and also trimmed the inner layer of plastic.

I knew the white deck would be prone to letting in light and promoting algae growth, but the cooler is of a type of plastic that paint will not adhere to.

The interior corners were really bad about leaking light, so I cut black neoprene cloning collars in half and stuffed the corners with them.

The regular AG hole covers were a bit too small and fell through the holes. So I stuffed the cloning collars into the unused holes to block light. I also used a cloning collar to run the air pump line into the center of the unit.

The way it is designed, I can lift the lid with the plants and the air stone and set them in a large bowl, then carry the base by the handle to the sink for R&R.

I read that 2 liters of air per gallon is about right for DWC. The pump I have has 2 lines (for 2 units) and is adjustable. The minimum setting is 2.2 liters per minute.

My theory (and hope) is that will provide plenty of oxygen without roiling the water and damaging the roots.

I'm not sure that is true, as the plants have wilted a bit since I placed them in the unit. I hope it is just transplant shock and they will recover.

Info on the plants will be in another thread -- if they survive!

Edit: The plants have perked up!  I think this project is a go!!!!

[Sher]

Since the plants perked up and this project appears to be a success, I have materials to make 3 more units!

[Shawn]

Following!

[akivalocal]

This is amazing! So cool that you built this! Following.

[clumsythumbs]

This is really cool and quite inventive! Definitely going to be following! 

[Sher]

The plants are loving this!

[Shawn]

I am happy it is doing well.

[Sher]

I was too optimistic about how the DIY unit would work.

The first eggplant became diseased, so I removed it.  The second one recovered and started growing nicely. But in recent days it was become more wilted and droopy each day. It is not diseased. It just does not like where it is growing.

With my outdoor gardening, I don't have time to fuss over the fine points of learning a new system.  So I am terminating this experiment for now.

But those containers will make wonderful Kratky lettuce gardens, so all is not lost!

And I see two new Bounties in my future this winter.

[Shawn]

Sorry it did not work out.  But glad to hear you will resume in the future sometime.

Yes, you found a way to reuse now.

[akivalocal]

Too bad about the DIY unit! But I'm sure the knowledge you gained from this will prove useful later on.

[Sher]

Just wanted to update this thread without bumping it to the top.

As of 6/21, switching to Kratky was a complete success. Updates will appear on my Purple Thai Basil thread.

He's the latest picture which is newer than the one below:

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Original post

Cross posted:

After I unplugged the airstone and one plant died, I gave this project up for dead. I removed the airstone line, effectively turning these into a Kratky system.

It looks like it is going to make it after all, although it is not really thriving.

I am planning to change the nutrients every 2 weeks.

[akivalocal]

Amazing how it’s hanging on! It might be a success yet.