Hi everyone,

I've been working away on building an automated hydroponics system and am pretty close to having everything up and running, however I'm experiencing issues with fluctuating pH values once I turn on the pumps and circulate water in the system. I'm guessing that this is due to stray voltage leaking from the pumps, but am unsure. I have pH and EC probes from Atlas Scientific and they are quite stable otherwise (the EC doesn't move at all most of the time, pH fluctuation in the 0.0x range), but as soon as the pump goes on the pH jumps around up to 0.5 within a few seconds, which is obviously no good for precise controls. You can see it in one of the images I attached where pH fluctuates a lot, then has much smaller swings (me turning the system off) then goes off again. The pump is in the main reservoir (black), while the probes are in an additional container on top of the reservoir (white). I tried putting the Pi (and sensors) on a different power circuit by running an extension cord from a socket that's on a different breaker but that didn't seem to do anything. Any ideas how to best rectify voltage/current impacting on my pH probe?

For reference, in my system I'm planning to measure pH and EC continuously, and use a self-built control box to automatically run several pumps hooked up to ph up/down, as well as nutrients a/b/c. I am also installing a camera for image analysis of the plants and am aiming to introduce AI algorithms to take over controls. Additionally, I can control fans, lights, humidifiers, and temperature control via Zigbee and smart sockets I have placed in the tent. For now I have a custom built Flask dashboard with a Python back-end that lets me collect data and interface with the system. A lot of this is probably overkill, I know, but it's for my MSc thesis so I decided to go all out :-)

Look forward to your suggestions!

https://preview.redd.it/g8fuzhskohge1.jpg?width=4000&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=c39e52496e989161ac5398a5b7341f3b000df58d

https://preview.redd.it/ow07icrkohge1.jpg?width=6000&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=ab977386e786b1dd6f42b28186a86a73f62101cf

https://preview.redd.it/3z5axzt5ohge1.jpg?width=4032&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=f9f6ddba2a4528e4a223d2a2329e32ddad7018a7

https://preview.redd.it/bt7pxovmohge1.png?width=2640&format=png&auto=webp&s=5c8ae969cf7e2686c5fb809e0e6d07287e263d73

https://preview.redd.it/n6wmhdvmohge1.png?width=2640&format=png&auto=webp&s=ff5ee7cc424a67c3dea9d79a7d6348e3f56d1923

https://preview.redd.it/esqgzh0pohge1.jpg?width=4032&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=7fae8f53a0bd2c218d32b721ccb33e4025753f7e

You know those packets they send with some testing meters you can mix and use to calibrate with? Can the liquid be saved and reused? And if so how are you all storing it?

I received 1.7cu Danby Herb Grower today and found the temperature was reading in the 80s, which shocked me given that the fan on the unit was going and the ambient room temp was in the mid 70s. I let it run for a few hours to see if it would change, and after reaching 82 degrees, it stayed there. I placed a Govee thermometer on the shelf to see how it would read, and after an hour, it has consistently been at 76 degrees, which seems more accurate to me.

Does anyone know how and if the thermostat that comes with the unit can be recalibrated? Also, ignore the dimness of the “8” on the control box; it’s not like that in person.

Thanks!!!

Hello! My boss is interested in growing her own food, but is a multiply-disabled woman who cannot set up or maintain a system herself. She is a wheelchair user and cannot lift over 10 pounds regularly. She would like to set up an indoor greenhouse large enough to grow enough vegetables to provide for her vegetarian family all three meals every day with as little physical work as possible. DIY would not be feasible, but price and space is no object. She can arrange for at least light maintenance help from her kid. Which system would you recommend? How many sets would she need? Thanks in advance!

Just asking because TSC has the slingshot ammo on sale right now, but I figured I would ask experts first

Just gonna let everything go wild definitely overplanted but seems to be doing alright with the extra grow light I have. Day 27

I got this for Christmas and have had a bunch of fun with it. The lettuce I used put grew everything. How do I know when to harvest the leaves? I’d like to clear some out so my other stuff can grow 😅 I’m also totally clueless to how this all works so any advice is welcome!

I ordered 2 meters from Amazon (TDS & PH) and I had no idea how complicated the calibration of them would be! I had to go out and purchase distilled water, cups, etc. I’m just trying to hydroponically grow some nice indoor veggies (cherry tomatoes, basil, dill, lettuce)…so far, I’m using Aerogarden-type kits and they seem to work great…just scared to transfer my plants and mess it up…

Am I better off returning them and using PH paper strips? This is my fun escapist hobby and I was getting ready to transfer my month-old baby plants to larger Kratky containers. Is there a more intuitive approach, or do I have to learn how to calibrate these meters?

Can I just follow the instructions for adding nutrients to water and hope for the best?

There are different videos explaining the meters and they all have different approaches, and the written instructions are really confusing. Feeling discouraged…!

I didn’t want a balcony (too high in the sky, feels scary) but oh well, now I have one so if I’m paying for this balcony, may as well use it for something. I’ve never done hydroponics but want to dip my toes in the water with something cheap, not too involved, simple and beginner friendly to somewhat reduce my grocery bill. I was thinking of getting a Click and Grow 9 but that’s basically just a fancy bucket of water and so expensive that it defeats the purpose.

Any suggestions on what setup would strike a balance between those things (beginner friendliness, cheap, simple and easy to put together)?

I most certainly do not yet have the bandwidth to do anything fancy like setting up pumps, grow tents, pipes, or grow lights. I was thinking perhaps just starting with a kratky method (sorry that’s the only setup that didn’t overwhelm me) bucket with a regular tomato or bell pepper plant. Correct me if I’m wrong but I think I’d just need:

• a bucket
• hole saw
• net cup
• clay pebbles
• nutrient mix
• a tomato/bell pepper plant from a nursery

Is this the best approach or is there a simpler method you’d recommend I try first as a beginner? If this works, I could add a bell pepper/tomato (whatever I don’t have) kratky bucket, and then maybe a bucket with 6 or so holes and a few lettuce, arugula.

Edit: hole saw not circular saw

So this is a pretty embarrassing question - we got one of those pod systems and just put some seeds in to see what happens, didn't really have the time to properly read into what we're supposed to be doing. In the last few days, our cress and dill have grown a lot, and it seems that the weight is getting too much for the pod? We probably should've reduced the sprouts to one, eh? What... do we do now?

So, I want my growing of veggies to be very cost effective. I ordered this fertilizer online because it was way more cost effective than every brand out there. But then I began to wonder if it's any good. Has anyone used this brand or its formula 10-5-10 for hydroponics. I am growing lettuces, balls, dill and celery mainly. But I am also nursing hopes for a Roma tomatoes (on my indoor soil diy)

https://preview.redd.it/2yhz2i49jage1.png?width=412&format=png&auto=webp&s=dfa1e731bc9134317d539bd46ce4c97064e17c65

I have a bell pepper and a jalapeño plant going and the roots and foliage are great. They put out a ton of flowers about 3 months ago with a fair amount turning into fruit. The fruit was going strong, and then it just... stopped. pH is good, nutrients are the correct strength (thought admittedly they're a shitty brand, they're just the only brand I can get in my country.) It's just like the plants have been stuck at 80% loading for a month.

Hey everyone!

I recently got into hydroponics and got myself a personal rise garden.
Absolutely loving the hobby so far but it just seems like I can't get past a certain growth stage.

Currently I am planting celery (working great so far), strawberries (one seedling already died), tomatoes (started okayish, looks like I am gonna lose them) and rocket (looking great so far). Before that I had a mix of basic veggies that came with the garden (lost all plants).

Here is my routine:

1. Put the seed pods in the nursery (with a PH of ~ 5.8)
2. Wait until two set of leaves pop up, put the pods in the garden (PH of ~6.0)
3. Add nutrients (I am following the app instructions and add the Rise nutrients)
4. After I add the crops in the garden, they all slowly start getting worse mid growth

I really enjoy the experience so far and already did a lot of research but it always is so sad to see the crops fail after a while. Room temperature is around 24C most of the time and the light is on for ~ 18 hours per day. Already did a lot of research but can't seem to pinpoint what is wrong.

Would appreciate if you can take a look at the attached pictures and share with me your opinion on what you feel is happening ~

Thanks so much everyone and happy growing!

Early stage, was looking okayish but curl starting.

The leaves felt like they have to much water inside them but I still thought its okay.

https://preview.redd.it/15u2ar5w5age1.jpg?width=4032&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=0a3ae7db3f7013bac184a71977c62dd74e0683d9

This is where my last batch of crops also went downhill. The leaves looked the same when I last tried.

This was today, spotted some brown spots on the leaves as well.

https://preview.redd.it/mbzu5m7w5age1.jpg?width=2268&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=5663d85bff005dd0d11ee642eed2542dbeb3cf2e

Today I did science. I balanced the PH, PPM, and uS/cm levels in my hydroponics system. Sounds more complicated than it is lol

Also, one of my cats ate some of my cat grass. It's ok. I got it for them!

Gday my brother has a diy DWC he's totally dialed in 15lt. Should and how often should he change the water? Is there a general rule? I run NFT so I'm no help to my broh. It's more I just would like to know. Cheers all 🍻🇦🇺

I have several questions. I plan on using masterblend nutrients. Do I need to pollinate plants grow in an indoor hydroponics system? I definitely want to grow tomatoes and jalapeños peppers. Can I use the same nutrients for both plants?

Hello! I’ve been really interested in growing my own food and in particular hydroponics for a while I tried with actual soil, but I somehow killed all my plant😣. So I gave up for a year but started researching hydroponics recently, my birthday is in two months and I want to get a hydroponic machine I need help deciding. I’m looking into different types of hydroponic towers and when I looked at the price of the gardyn tower system and it was like $500, my parents have no problem spending that much, but I would like to increase my options to see if there’s anything better and possibly find something cheaper bc 500 seems ridiculous since it’s a bunch of plastic and a light I feel like I can make that myself for less, maybe I’m wrong… but does anyone else have recommendations of indoor hydroponic systems? Whether it’s a DIY or something I could order? I definitely want some sort of tower but I’m open to other recommendations . The price does not matter.

I just really like how the model 9 looks but I’ve heard it’s overpriced and just a bucket of water, nothing advanced. For a total beginner is this a good starting point? I’m not yet into the whole DIY stuff so something easy appeals to me.

Reasons I’m interested in it:

• looks good, gives a relaxing vibe, adds greenery to a home, a centrepiece to look at.
• could provide me with lettuce and arugula to try eat healthier
• could provide fresh strawberries year round that are hopefully sweet
• could provide tomatoes that are significantly better than store bought ones (are they?)
• could give me a fragrant flower as an indoor plant that doesn’t need to be thrown away every few days

Cons:

• expensive
• perhaps I’m overestimating the degree of involvement and work needed for something like a LetPot?
• the veggies and strawberries are not permanent, I’d need to keep buying pods (is there a way to keep them going?)

Would you recommend getting a Click and Grow 9 as a starting point to dip my toes in the water? Are my expectations realistic in terms of what I will be getting from the system? Or is it worthwhile to get some other system?

Has anybody bought one of these older refurbished Babylon MF units? There is one of these at the Botanical Gardens that I see all the time. I could totally fit this in my garage.

https://www.igrowpreowned.com/inventory/p/smart-timer-microfarm

Hello, I am new to hyrdoponics , i want to start small growing lettuce. I didn't know which light to use. I do not have access to buy grow lights where I am from and importing can be hard.
Any ideas what light can help lettuce thrive and grow ?

I bought a tray with (i think) oasis cubes last week. I planted a lot of pepper seeds in it and a couple melon seeds. I placed it on a heating mat and letting it get fresh air twice a day.

A lot of seeds started germination already but im not sure what are the next steps. should I let them sit and grow at least a couple of leaves before transplanting it to pots with ground? Or should i transplant them already after a little stem showed up.

Here is an image of my 10 day old Kale in my indoor hydroponic growing system. This one pod has about 11 stems (omg this is terrible).

What would you recommend? Has anyone been in this predicament before?