Hydroponic Setup

A strange start to the New Year but a little project that I started today.  But before I forget - - A HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ANYONE READING THIS.

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Hydroponic Setup

On December 29, 2014, I transplanted some lettuce and basil sprouts that I had started on 09 December into a Krakty hydroponic setup.  And because of the results of this I transplanted the remaining lettuce and basil to a modified Krakty system.  I did quite a bit of research on hydroponics and from what I read found that the Krakty system seemed to be not only the best but also the easiest to set up and also the least amount of after setup work.  There is an abundant amount of information on this system on the internet.  The official site http://www.hemmaodlat.se/kratky.pdf gives several different options.

The Krakty Hydroponic System
It is a closed system meaning that there is no moving parts, i.e., water, air stone , etc.

Parts
light proof plastic/rubber storage tub with top
hydroponic grow pots (which ever size you think you need)
perlite or clay balls — for support
growing medium (I started in peat pots then transferred)
Hydroponic grow solution

December 29, 2014 setup

• purchased 8, 2” hydroponic grow pots, Optimum grow solution and perlite from Brite-Lite Indoor Gardens in Ottawa ($32.91)
• purchased 19 litre tub from Wal-Mart ($4.00)
• drilled  8, 2 1/8” holes in tub top (only size of hole cutter)
• added paper clips to make hole diameter smaller
• 2” pots have a lip which will hold them in a 2” hole
• place pots in holes (paper clips hold ok)
• added small amount of perlite to bottom of pots
• added lettuce 4 in peat pots, 3 only roots, 1 basil in peat
• topped up with perlite
• mixed and added hydroponic water solution

Because the growth of the lettuce in the hydroponic solution seems so vigorous I decided to add the remaining lettuce, basil and beans to a hydroponic system on 01 January 2015.  You can see the difference in growth.

January 01, 2015 setup

• Because I did not have another tub decided to use a modified Krakty system where the solution would not be completely light proof 
• I used an old seed tray by cutting out two triangles in the bottom
• added a sheet of paper over holes in bottom to prevent perlite from falling out
• added small amount of perlite
• added lettuce & basil peat pots
• added new peat pots and seeded with lettuce & basil
• added perlite over peat pots
• cut bamboo stakes to use as supports to keep seed tray off the bottom
• put seed tray & supports in tinfoil baking pan
• added Optimum solution

The problem with this system is that because it is not light proof there may be a problem with algae growth.