DIY QUICK & EASY Aeroponics bucket system for Growing or Cloning plants
Making your own DIY growing units is not only fun but can save you hundreds of dollars, while earning you the bragging right of “I made that”. One great way to get started, especially if you are crammed on space, is by creating an Aeroponics Bucket system at home for growing and/or cloning plants, fruits, vegetables, and herbs! The best part is this build only takes 6 simple steps and a few parts from your local hardware to make it!
First, if your unfamiliar with what Aeroponics is it’s basically the process of growing plants hydroponically by misting the roots with a fine mist for at least 15 mins every hour of the day (to keep them from drying out and killing the plant). Of course, keep in mind that the duration of time needed to mist may vary depending on your climate and where you are putting your grow system.
Gather materials.
- 5-gallon bucket
- Water pump
- 6” of ½” PVC pipe (although we recommend 2’ or more in case of error)
- 5/32” drill bit (in the case that you use the exact nozzles included below)
- 3 water nozzles
- Pipe cutter (saws or Dremel tools work too, just not as easily)
- 2 ½” end caps (we also recommend more in case of error)
- PVC T coupling with thread on middle appendage
- ½” Male coupling nipple
- Hole saw
- Some additional parts you will need is a timer, net cups, and rock wool cubes.
Step 1: Drill holes in the lid
Holes need only ¾” of spacing between. We also recommend your strongest drill for this.
Step 2: Cut a 5” and 1” section of PVC.
It is better to be on the generous side than on the stingy side with your cuts. The exact size is not necessary.
Step 3: Drill 2 holes in the PVC and one in the end cap
Pay close attention to the angles on the nozzles. This is why we recommend extra materials as these are very easy to drill incorrectly. If you have a clamp, that makes life much easier. Drill the two holes on the longer PVC staggered around the middle of the pipe. If you are using different nozzles, make sure they are a very snug fit, experiment with drill bits increasing in 1/64” increments to ensure a proper seal.
Step 4: Combine the pieces.
Take your two pipes, T brace, two end caps, coupling, and nozzles, and assemble them like such and screw them into the pump. DO NOT GLUE YET.
Step 5: Test: Place the pump in your bucket and fill with water.
Fill until right before the nozzles are submerged in water. Then plug in and ensure that you are happy with the water dispersion. If not, take your extra materials that you definitely have and repeat the last two steps. A good way to test this is to place the lid on, be careful not to crush the wire, and notice the collection of droplets on the lid.
Step 6: Cut a notch on the edge of the lid and bucket.
Take anything from a Dremel tool, wire cutters, even a tree trimmer like I used to cut a notch for the wire to run through, and now your Aeroponics Bucket system is ready for use!
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The net cups will rest in the holes of the lid, keeping the plant roots held above the misters and the plants on top of the lid.
Generally, you will sow your seeds into rockwool cubes and then allow them to sprout and grow for a bit prior to adding to the system, or if you’re using the Aeroponic Bucket System to clone plants, you can take your clipping from your plant and allow it to get rooted prior to adding to the system, once rooted - get a rockwool cube and tear it open just enough to get the stem in the middle of the rockwool cube, leaving the part of the stem with roots coming out through the bottom of the cube, and then place it into a net cup and into your system where it can get watered and start growing.
There are also other method of cloning, so be sure to look up different ways and try them out, some plants are pickier than others!
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Written by: Zach Parish
Edited by: Mandi Warbington
Published: July 19,2021
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