The first type of Hydroponic system we will discuss is non-circulting fixed position tank culture as demonstrated by Dr Kratky of Hilo, Hawaii. Professor of Horticulture University Hawaii. You can find several of his personal videos on youtube. You can also find a lot of poorly designed "kratky" systems done by folks that don't understand the method. I will provide a link to his video. This simple setup will allow you to grow 6 lettuce plants in a sunny window in about 6 weeks. It would be helpful to have a small grow light but it's not absolutely necessary. Cost of production per plant will be less than 10 cents each. I will provide a compete list of materials and links to where to purchase the items needed. Almost no tools are required but a drill with a hole saw would be helpful.
Materials needed
Apparatus
This tote. Its the right size for 6 plants and food safe. The only issue is it's clear. We will paint it to keep light out.
https://www.walmart.com/ip/Sterilite-7-Gallon-28-Quart-Storage-Box-White/15442447
Paint
https://www.walmart.com/ip/Krylon-Fusion-For-Plastic-Spray-Paint/21066000
Net cups. Spend the extra to get a bunch... You will do more.
https://www.amazon.com/HydroplanetTM-Orchids-Aquaponics-Aquaculture-Hydroponics/dp/B01EQFGSA0/
Postal/food scale. That reads in grams. Needs to be fairly accurate.
https://www.amazon.com/Ozeri-Digital-Multifunction-Kitchen-Elegant/dp/B004164SRA/
This is all the "equipment" that is needed.
Cost 25 dollars
Light for year round growing, or for growing away from a window. While not cheap. It can be used for up to 4 tanks providing daily lettuce or greens for a family. cost is about 80 bucks. Stay away from the cheap lights. They are cheap for a reason.
https://www.amazon.com/MarsHydro-Spectrum-Certification-Hydroponic-Greenhouse/dp/B00XC3LBI2/
timer
https://www.amazon.com/15076-24-Hour-Plug-Mechanical-Timer/dp/B002HEY300/
Nutrient, media and seed.
Fertilizer This is top shelf professional fertilizer. While expensive it will produce hundreds of lettuce heads.
https://hydro-gardens.com/product/lettuce-formula-5lbs-box-8-15-36x5/
Calcium You will need 2.
https://www.amazon.com/Calcium-Nitrate-Fertilizer-15-5-0-0-2lb/
Epson Salts. Get it at your local store.
Jiffy pots, you can get them local or here. Local they will be cheaper, but only available in season.
https://www.amazon.com/Jiffy-7-42mm-Peat-Pellets-Count/dp/B00IFYVJJY/
seed, these are very tolerant. But you can use any lettuce you like.
http://www.johnnyseeds.com/vegetabl...-boston/rex-pelleted-lettuce-seed-2967JP.html
To create,
Use 2" hole saw to saw 6 holes in the lid make them as far apart as possible. Pretty simple.
Paint tote with two coats of paint on the outside. Let dry. If you don't have a hole saw you can cut the holes with a razor knife. Just take it slow.
To plant.
Fill tote nearly full with water. Put lid in place with a net cup. Check the water level. You want it about 1/4" above the bottom of the net cup. add or remove water if needed.
Add nutrient. Do not do this in one step. It will cause nutrients to precipitate out and fail to work.
Place cup or bowl. zero scale.
Step one
to bowl add
15 grams of fertilizer
and
8 grams of Epson salts.
Add this to the water and gently mix till disolved.
step two
then to bowl add 15 grams of calcium. mix tank till dissolved
Place net-cups in hole.
Place peat pellets in net cups.
Place seed in hole in peat pellet.
Set light about 2' from the lid.
Set light timer of 18 hours a day.
Your seeds should be up in a week.
The lettuce will be ready in 5-6 weeks.
With this system you harvest the whole plant a one time. With 4 tanks you would get 24 heads of lettuce every 5 weeks. Plenty for most.
Here is a link to Dr kratky's lecture.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pZZO1tYqcwk
Materials needed
Apparatus
This tote. Its the right size for 6 plants and food safe. The only issue is it's clear. We will paint it to keep light out.
https://www.walmart.com/ip/Sterilite-7-Gallon-28-Quart-Storage-Box-White/15442447
Paint
https://www.walmart.com/ip/Krylon-Fusion-For-Plastic-Spray-Paint/21066000
Net cups. Spend the extra to get a bunch... You will do more.
https://www.amazon.com/HydroplanetTM-Orchids-Aquaponics-Aquaculture-Hydroponics/dp/B01EQFGSA0/
Postal/food scale. That reads in grams. Needs to be fairly accurate.
https://www.amazon.com/Ozeri-Digital-Multifunction-Kitchen-Elegant/dp/B004164SRA/
This is all the "equipment" that is needed.
Cost 25 dollars
Light for year round growing, or for growing away from a window. While not cheap. It can be used for up to 4 tanks providing daily lettuce or greens for a family. cost is about 80 bucks. Stay away from the cheap lights. They are cheap for a reason.
https://www.amazon.com/MarsHydro-Spectrum-Certification-Hydroponic-Greenhouse/dp/B00XC3LBI2/
timer
https://www.amazon.com/15076-24-Hour-Plug-Mechanical-Timer/dp/B002HEY300/
Nutrient, media and seed.
Fertilizer This is top shelf professional fertilizer. While expensive it will produce hundreds of lettuce heads.
https://hydro-gardens.com/product/lettuce-formula-5lbs-box-8-15-36x5/
Calcium You will need 2.
https://www.amazon.com/Calcium-Nitrate-Fertilizer-15-5-0-0-2lb/
Epson Salts. Get it at your local store.
Jiffy pots, you can get them local or here. Local they will be cheaper, but only available in season.
https://www.amazon.com/Jiffy-7-42mm-Peat-Pellets-Count/dp/B00IFYVJJY/
seed, these are very tolerant. But you can use any lettuce you like.
http://www.johnnyseeds.com/vegetabl...-boston/rex-pelleted-lettuce-seed-2967JP.html
To create,
Use 2" hole saw to saw 6 holes in the lid make them as far apart as possible. Pretty simple.
Paint tote with two coats of paint on the outside. Let dry. If you don't have a hole saw you can cut the holes with a razor knife. Just take it slow.
To plant.
Fill tote nearly full with water. Put lid in place with a net cup. Check the water level. You want it about 1/4" above the bottom of the net cup. add or remove water if needed.
Add nutrient. Do not do this in one step. It will cause nutrients to precipitate out and fail to work.
Place cup or bowl. zero scale.
Step one
to bowl add
15 grams of fertilizer
and
8 grams of Epson salts.
Add this to the water and gently mix till disolved.
step two
then to bowl add 15 grams of calcium. mix tank till dissolved
Place net-cups in hole.
Place peat pellets in net cups.
Place seed in hole in peat pellet.
Set light about 2' from the lid.
Set light timer of 18 hours a day.
Your seeds should be up in a week.
The lettuce will be ready in 5-6 weeks.
With this system you harvest the whole plant a one time. With 4 tanks you would get 24 heads of lettuce every 5 weeks. Plenty for most.
Here is a link to Dr kratky's lecture.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pZZO1tYqcwk
