How to Build & Set Up a NFT Hydroponic System
This Video is from the Youtube channel: “Hoocho”.
Hoocho Builds and Sets Up a Nutrient Film Technique Hydroponic System for NFT Hydroponics
00:00 – Intro & Discussion
00:37 – What You’ll Need
01:30 – Pumps
02:11 – Reservoir
02:32 – Hole Spacing
03:46 – Drilling Holes
04:06 – Reforming The PVC Ends
05:08 – Running Irrigation Lines
05:56 – Flow Rate Discussion
06:56 – OCD
07:26 – Irrigation & More OCD
08:08 – Slope/Fall Discussion
10:03 – Final Irrigation Design
09:46 – Irrigation Diameter Discussion
10:21 – First System Run
11:50 – Hydroponic Nutrients
12:13 – Rates of Application
12:56 – PH Adjustment
13:50 – Mixing Nutrients
15:21 – EC & PH Testing & Adjustment
16:51 – Introducing Seedlings
17:18 – Multi-Media Discussion
18:38 – Planting
19:33 – Outro
Nice! For light blocking, I’m using pond liner around my reservoir. Cut it to size, duct-tape it on, and it folds back out of the way when you need it to.
Oh, and this is a great system, I like using the rectangular pvc guttering – recently built something similar indoors using adjustable shelf brackets as the supports. I do like the scaffolds you’ve used here – was eyeing off the saw horses at Bunnings just the other day, but scaffolds would be much stronger and more durable 👍
Thanks for all hydroponic videos! I’m a bit envious of your weather for growing as I live in northen Sweden with 6 month of snow but I have ordered everything to try Kratky, NFT, Dutch Bucket, Rain Gutter systems this year. I’m very late with the seedlings as I’n just about to start but this year is most about building and testning, not producing, so I can go all in next year.
Oh, and ofc I do subscribe and like every video as I love the easy going but dead serious about the important stuff like price, results, testing AND showing misstakes (so I don’t have to do them)!
Cheers mate, I enjoy making the videos.
I couldn’t imagine living without temperate weather year round. We are spoiled.
Appreciate the comment!
I’m in Alaska. Same cold weather challenges. Just starting watching the videos. I figure 4-5 months outside, remainder of the year inside.
Nice build. simple , great video. I used to mix up using hot water , but don’t anymore. Keep up the good work Hoocho.
Great system! Like the idea of being able to use multiple medias. I have been watching your videos to learn how to do this. Like the square gutter pipe idea….think it would be very inexpensive. Can you tell me if that gutter tubing plastic is actually food grade? I guess thats what I would need to verify when I buy it in California. Thanks again!!
I had always thought rockwool holds way too much water to use where it is constantly touching the water. Be very interested to hear how your go. I’ve had Kraky and DWC plants fail for this reason. Using expanded clay between the rock wool and the water solved the issue for me
At this point I expect the roots to leave the rockwool and explore the nutrient film.
That would be a problem if the seedlings were added prematurely.
The nutrient film will provide the plants ample oxygen theoretically.
Love it when you include your unhappy moments…”I’m not happy with it, I’m changing the design”🤣 Now that is realistic when you build!!!👏👏👏❤️
Hi, Hoocho from Ukraine 🙂
Awesome video and awesome setup. Some of my friends have the same system in an apartment, so they could not have such bit reservoir for a solution, so the system a little bit changed for our conditions, and you could use these changes too:
1) For more aeration use a wash machine corrugated drain pipe, but it should be corrugated inside, so the low-speed flow will be more aerated by this form of the pipe. The end of the pipe should be also above the level of the solution in the reservoir.
2) Make the drain hole a little bit lower than the middle of the “pipe”, so in case the pump dies or the electricity disappears, the plants will not die without a solution. And lower the speed of flow a little bit, so the drain hole will be filled for 13-12 of the diameter
Love the setup. I’ve been thinking of growing strawberries using hydroponics for a few seasons now. Your video has convinced me. Thanks and. Keep the content coming.👍
In your experience, how long could plants survive in the event of pump failure? For example. Could you run the pump with solar and no battery, where the system would only be running during the day ?
I just found your channel and have been binging your content, love your approach! thanks for sharing your insights, I especially appreciate the fact that you’re so open about mistakes and design changes – extremely refreshing as well as empowering for those of us who are just getting started.
This video has been really educational! Once you set up your feeding solution how to you keep the water/nutrient solution in check? I know water will need to be added as it is taken in by the plants along with evaporation losses but how often do you need to check the EC along with the pH? You mentioned keeping the light out of the water/nutrient reservoir. Is this to keep the solution cool during hot months or is this to discourage algae growth or maybe both? I seriously want to try this next year. what are the limits to growing with this setup? Can you grow stuff like okra or possibly corn if it is supported once it gets some height to it? Would it be possible to grow something like cantaloupe and cucumbers with this method? I know I just hit you with a million+ questions but you don’t learn unless you ask. I’ve been growing killer hay bale gardens for the last 4 or 5 years with good results but this looks like it would greatly simplify things if it was set up correctly. I look forward to hearing your reply. Here is a link to this years garden. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jWt-3WTa1no&t=11s
Love your videos.
What do you use for pest control?
Is that plastic downspouts your using?
Thanks Sir
Very good demonstration. Its a great source. Thanks for your video. I have also setup hydroponic systems in my backyard. I use solid nutrients like you. Unfortunately within a couple of days there will be a thick layer of precipitate of salts at the bottom. I am not sure if this is excess salts or actually nutrient salts that had precipitated to some form. How to solve this? After precipitations can i assume that the water is devoid of any nutrients and the solution is waste? Please can you suggest what to do? Thanks.
Love your build outs there are so many different ways to do hydroponic gardening but you think it through and keep it neat ( hydroponic gardening can be so ugly) keeping lines tucked cladding your reservoir to have a pro look.
Love it
Love the channel and what your doing, sorry to hear about the recent hardships your going through. Your channel is informative, good natured, and technical. I love the 3D aspect that you bring into this world of urban farming. Have you ever done a live wall before utilizing the hydroponic system? My client mentioned the show Hannibal as an example. Just curios .
Looking at setting up my first NFT setup in the next few months… this vid shared alot of insight into the setup and why you done things. thanks for sharing. 👍 New sub
Just discovered your channel. Your videos are great and I can’t wait to start building my very 1st NFT system this week. Thank you for taking the time to create this enjoyable content.
Thank you for sharing all your wonderful knowledge. Is there an alternative to using a heat gun to adjust the ends?
Great videos. You suggested 3% grade on your pipe, what does that work out to be per ft? Also do you get any shifting of the plants by just laying them in the holes, any problems with algae buildup? Thanks