Modular Hydroponic Tower Tweaks and Addons by cptnbeard

Last crawled date: 3 years, 3 months ago

First off, big thanks to @archipelagourbanfarms. You said you want to empower and educate people to grow their own food, and you have.
Without further ado, info about my own tweaks to the recipe!
Ok this text looked alright in Notepad++...
Bucket Stabilization System
Stabilization of the tower in a 5gal bucket consists of two systems. You only really need one, or it'll be a headache come bucket change time.
This print is sized to use a 1.5" Schedule 40 PVC pipe as the 'drain' tube for the tower.
-STANDALONE SYSTEM-
This system will stand in the bucket in a secure manner with no requirement for rope attachment to the top.
Hydro tower bucket fitting and pipe stabilizer
The bucket fitting applies to the bucket lid as shown in the photos, with the smaller piece on the interior side of the bucket lid. These pieces can be pressure fit, or you can add holes for bolts as you please. Be sure to pre-cut your bucket lid holes using the bracket as a template.
Hydro tower stabilizer
The stabilizer is to be attached to a flat surface above the lid of the bucket as shown in the photos. Print with PETG for best flexibility as you may be pushing the pipe out during bucket changes.
Drip catch funnel
Please don't complain at me about the messy print file just yet. It sucks at the funnel join. I know it sucks at the funnel join. Be on the lookout for an update as I'm going to tackle it from the ground up.
This funnel is required for standalone, but in its current iteration, you can use it for hanging as well since you can attach a 1/2" vinyl tube for exit flow.
Importantly, the funnel will recycle any water dripping down the exterior of your modules back into the reservoir. 3D prints sweat. Plants suck water up to the tops of the net cups and then drip. Catch that water falling down your tower so it's not lost.
-HANGING SYSTEM-
Self-explanatory, and probably most common.
Hydro tower rope guide
You can thread a long zip tie or thin rope through these and tie them around the tower, 3 per zip tie or rope. Use at least one set at the bottom of the tower and one set at the top, below the net cups of your topmost module.
3 point rope hanger
A misnomer. There are 4 points. Attach your three ropes from the tower to the outer holes of the hanger, and attach another rope (not connected to the others) to the middle hole, then run that one to your hanger. This will provide more flexibility when/if you need to turn your tower.
The Great Silencer
Vertical NFT is loud. The original build was loud. This is ok for outdoors, but mine is in the dining room. These components and tips will go a long way towards silencing your system. I'm standing about ten feet from mine and just hear a soothing gurgle, usually softer than my pets' water fountain.
-PRINTABLE COMPONENTS-

Hydro tower distributor cap
The water ingress point is below the water line in this modification, stopping the initial splash sound. The water is then distributed from perimeter holes into the drip basin for even water distribution in the tower.

Hydro tower exterior circumference drip basin
First off, shoutout to @andyk_ as my design is based loosely on his. This drip basin targets the water at the inner surface of the hydro tube, so it really is a 'nutrient film' and not a 'nutrient downpour'. If you've got a lot of flow, overflow coverage is the hole in the center of the piece.
-OTHER TRICKS-

Cut a piece of dual density aquarium filtration and stuff it into the drip basin and lowest module in your tower with the 'coarse' side face-up. Be sure to cut holes in the middle in case of clogging so your water can always flow. The filter cloth will distribute and cushion the sound of falling water.

If you are using the PVC pipe standalone method, be sure to drill at least 1/4" inch holes at 3-4" intervals into the pipe below the bucket lid line. This will ensure that the drain splashing sounds will not be transmitted through your tower. I have these holes drilled around the circumference of the pipe, 3 per set.
Done
I think. There's a lot going on. I probably missed something. Anyways, enjoy!