VIVOSUN Hydroponics Growing System 108 Plant Sites, 3 Layers 12 Food-Grade PVC-U Pipes Gardening System Grow Kit with Water Pump Timer, Nest Basket and Sponge for Leafy Vegetables

Works great! Wanted to try out hydroponics for some kitchen herbs. You could try to build this yourself out of PVC piping but you’ll probably spend just as much if not more, plus all the time, in DIYing something like this. Built a frame around it with some lights and it’s a beautiful addition to our kitchen!

The Pro'sIt's easy to assemble, however modifications are needed to make it a true NFT style hydroponics system . With a few changes ( this is Design#3 after hours of experimentation), you can get this going really well.Cons: Whats the problem with the base assembly ?The pipes in each of the 3 sections are at the same level .This prevents a steady flow of water ( necessary in an NFT hydroponics system) . Also if you are using a pump timer, water stays stagnant in each of the pipes when the pump is off , which could lead to root rot. After all, in NFT, the roots need to aerate well and just dip into the nutrient flow rather than be immersed in the nutrient 24x7The Solution1. First raise the base by around 18" . This lets you place a standard 5 gallon bucket comfortably below the base. These are metric PVC pipes, however I found a 1/2" PVC fits in nicely .2. Use PVC cement to strengthen the base structure. This is an important step, else you'll be frustrated with the cross pipes coming off and collapsing your hard work constantly3. I used 1/2" PVC to raise the pipes at the topmost level by around 10" ..you'll see why4. Put some top bars as shown in the image on top of the raised base.. These are to provide a foundation to slope the pipes. I used nails to peg them in securely5. Now the main part ..To give the pipes a gradual slope ( 1:40 recommended for NFT..this translates to a 1" drop for each pipe), I tried various designs.. first a cardboard prototype, then I tried drilling holes in the base and using hangar wires ..it was a mess... finally I decided to use the power of gravity as the most stable design.. once you figure it out, the rest is easy .. just use some strong string to provide a constant 1" slope for every pipe in each level, and suspend each pipe from the top.. hence the top bar extension . I used an old flex garden hose that had broken down.Through calculations on the ideal NFT slope, I figured out the best positions on the front side was at 7", 4",3" and then 0"; and on the rear end, it was 6",5",2" and 1". This gives a zig-zag pattern that slopes all the way, with the slope being around 1:30Have patience, and check the water flow after you finish each level. You may need to trim the connectors between levels . A PVC pipe cutter is needed .That's all. You will need to fine tune the level of each pipe at each end to ensure the water is flowing smoothly .. if you hear the sweet sound of gurgling water coming off the bottom pipe ( that drains into the bucket) and see a steady flow , you know you've got it right .Now I'm off to plant some lettuce!!** Update after 3 weeks of use **I planted lettuce as well as some broccoli and arugula . After 2 weeks, the plants seem to be growing steadily . See tips for more pointers;Tips1. Ensure that your base is level to the ground, or your water flow will get impacted .2. Place in an area that gets plenty of sunlight as well as part shade, depending on what you plan to grow3. Important : plant your seedlings separately and wait for the roots to grow at least 1" to 2" long before transplanting to the NFT system. Also, the pots that come with the system are open at the base, so you will need something to hold the little seedlings in securely . I used Grodan Rockwool, as the 1" size of the rockwool fits in very well inside the pots, and can securely hold the plants with the roots dangling down into the water4. Rather than liquid plant food, I used "MaxiGrow" as the nutrient solution . Its water soluble and for 5 gallons, you need around 10 tsp.. there's plenty to go in the 2 lb bag that I bought .. I change the water every 2 weeks5. The pump that comes with the system is not dry-burning safe.. last week, one of the connecting pipes between levels got knocked loose probably while mowing , and the next day, I found all the water had drained away and the pump was busted . This manufacturer does not currently offer a pump in the same GPH and size category , and luckily I was able to find some other manufacturers that offered a similar pump ( the tubing that comes with this kit is 5/16" , and you need a pump that supports 5/16" tubing as well as is 12V DC , so that the pump timer can fit . The third is GPH rating - you need something that is around 80 GPH or less ) . My plants did not have flowing water for almost 24 hours before the replacement got here. Highly recommend you keep an extra pump on hand , or get something that is rated dry-burning safe ( wont bust if the water runs out for any reason)6. I fitted a ball valve adapter in the tube ( look for 5/16" size) so I could control the pump flowThat's all for now.. I'll post some more pictures soon.

Bought 2 of these to install in a 4x4 grow tent with a 500w bar style led grow light. I hung them in the tent and ziptied them at the bottom to form a V and expose each rail to the light. Before assembly I added black shrinkwrap to exclude light and prevent algae growth. I also added the red plugs to block unused sites. Making the system perfectly level is key to uniform growth. Otherwise water levels would not be uniform from end to end resulting in dried out plugs. I started seeds in peat pellets not the silly sponges included. Plugged these into the rails 2 weeks before these pictures. I have Japanese Chijimisai and Spinach sprouting too. Very happy overall. The price was actually pretty cheap for what you get. Not exactly plug and play but perfect for a tinkerer like me. Highly recommend.

This was pretty easy to assemble and we haven't had any leaks at all. However, after several months and multiple attempts, we still can't get anything to successfully grow. I have other hydroponics that do great for us, so I would say I'm an intermediate level hydroponic gardener.It's difficult to light because the top rows shade the lower levels. The water doesn't flow evenly. The bottom level floods the seed trays while the top layer doesn't always have enough water in it. The tubes are pretty shallow and we haven't seen good root growth. The few seeds we've sprouted are scraggly, even after adjusting fertilizer and moving the light closer. After a week or two, they shrivel up and die.We've also had an issue with mold growth in the seed sponges because the water never fully drains back down to the reservoir, but it also isn't being agitated when the pump isn't running and there's no way to set it to run constantly with the provided pump.Pretty disappointed given the cost. I would have been better off getting another few smaller ones I already own.

Having initially approached this brand with a fair bit of skepticism, I must admit I have been totally won over! This product has genuinely exceeded all my expectations and has left me thoroughly impressed.For those out there hesitating due to worries about installation, I assure you, it's far from complex. The manual accompanying the product was crystal clear, providing easy-to-follow instructions that made the whole setup process more fun than frustrating.The installation, contrary to some opinions, is anything but hard. In fact, I found it to be an enjoyable little project. As long as you ensure the PVC parts are properly pushed together, you should not experience any leaks - I haven't had a single one!The only question I found myself pondering was whether the pump is sufficiently powerful, or if an upgrade might be beneficial. Other than this minor query, this product is top-notch and well worth considering for anyone in the market for one. Highly recommended!

After great excitement of growing hydroponically, we are disappointed. Even though there are 90+ spots we chose to start with about 20 plants. The piping is too thin to support all the hungry roots. The roots clog the pipes impeding the flow of water and nutrients. We resorted to bypassing the pump timer so that pipes stay wet so that our plants would not die. We are in Zone 11. Maybe there is better success in the northern zones.