Okay, so I built one one of these (June 2020) as close to their specifications as possible but there were several differences between the one shown and mine. My costs were less than $300 compared to their $500. They made several recommendations for pieces that you won't need. There is no need to buy 4 PVC couplers for the 4" rails because the 4" to 2" reducers will do the same job of capping off the ends of the 4" rails. If you have difficulty finding 4" to 2" reducers you may have to get 4" to 3" reducers instead like I had to do and then reduce down to 2" from there and then down to 1". The biggest problem was fitting the vinyl to PVC barbed fitting to the 1" end of the PVC going into the upper rail. I had to grind the barbs off to get it to even insert into the 1" pipe which leaked, so I used a great product called "Rescue Tape" that I bought at Ace Hardware for about ten bucks to wrap around the connection and stop the leak. . The pumped solution from the sump barrel was the next consideration. I don't know why they used a 50 gal barrel because I used the solid geometry formula to determine the volume of two 10' long , 4" diam cylinders to determine that the that the actual volume of the rails is about 10.44 gallons but since they will always be half filled at level, total volume of flowing nutrient solution for the two rails is actually about 5.22 gallons so you can get by with a much smaller reservoir barrel. I bought a 14 gal FDA approved, food grade barrel for $43.39 instead of the one they used which now costs $150 on Amazon. I used black electrical tape to block out light through the clear vinyl hose to prevent growth of algae. Of course, I didn't locate the rails next to an electrical outlet but had I needed to, I would have installed a GFIC outlet. Since I had a 1" PVC elbow draining out of the lower rail, I used a smaller 1" PVC pipe to drain the system instead of a larger 2" PVC and fittings which would never have fit the !' exit.. I cut holes for the drain and vinyl hose and filled the system with 16 gallons of tap water mixed with Aerogarden Liquid Nutrient from Amazon (1/2 cap per gallon). My holes were cut with a MIlwaukee Dozer 2" hole saw (Home Depot) two inches apart (or 4" center to center). A similar Bosch hole saw burned out. Get the Milwaukee. Be sure and reverse the drill after you get your hole started to make a cleaner cut for your 2" baskets. My total cost of the hardware was less than $300 for everything. The $23 grow lights are a great buy and very inexpensive. Plug off the smaller outlet on the pump and don't use it . It is only for aquarium purposes to simulate a current for fish in a tank. The nutrient solution returning to the barrel will generate bubbles to stir up the barrel's solution. It has been two weeks now, and we are growing everything on a timer and with a cheap $20 box fan to cool down our garage here in Arizona! Good luck and thank you for bearing through this essay!

I have a tip being a former irrigation tech. Give whatever PVC you are gluing a 45 degree twist to help distribute the glue evenly and producing a better, longer lasting seal.

Is there an update video showing how this setup is working?! Would love to see the system after several years of use.

The cool thing about growing inside in winter is it gives one a little hope and eases depression

I built a similar unit for outside summer growing. Had excellent results. Need to try indoors for this winter. Great video.

Great job fellas! I appreciate your encouraging words for us novice builders. Well done.

I have been watching so many videos trying to decide what type of system I wanted to put in my basement. I think I have finally found the perfect system! Thank you for the video!

Replace the chemicals with fish in the barrel or even use a Fishtank underneath their waist will feed the plants known as Aquaponics. Some people even use the fish as a food source in your case you could perhaps have more exotic fish as pets the kids would love it. This is a great versatile system with so many possibilities love it

great thats how we do things around here lol enjoyed watching and learning thank you guys

I just love how that boy doesn't seems to know how to build anything, but in the end he's an artist! Good on him.

#askhomesteady Hey guys! One thing I was hoping you’d cover (but didn’t) was how to establish the right balance of nutrients in the water initially, how to monitor and maintain the proper pH and nutrient levels, recommended nutrient sources, etc. Maybe an idea for a future video given how critical this is to the success of any hydro system. Thanks! Keep drawling out the great content. Cheers!

love the water outlet 1inch from the 4 gang wall lights switch panel

My favorite video so far in 2018! This brilliant!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I like to suggest to keep a glass fish tank may be 4 to 5 feet long then u have aquaphonic system. Nice video

Jonathan! What a great system!

Thank you this video was really helpful!

Thanks for sharing! Awesome ! Dont have 500 now but may start with something smaller

I think the dance party was my favorite part 😉 and I've actually been wondering about those pink/purple grow lights

Great video I enjoyed it !

Great Video, easy peasy :-) Definitely Going to make a custom one ASAP

Love the fact that your kids were involved in the build!

I like to use flat end caps on the horizontal pipes so that I can put the drain hole lower down in order to get more of a thin film than a water culture. I use a skin fitting with non-parallel threads so I can take the whole thing apart for maintenance. I hate the permanence of PVC glue.

Great video, thanks. I'm really curious about how you would end up cleaning this system?

Thanks for the links very time saving :-)

Very cool man!

Hey my dude! Might I suggest that you use a black (or paint your) vinyl tube, instead of a clear one. You will eventually get algae growing in the tube otherwise!

Woah, i’m like #1000. Keep up the great work, this stuff is sooo cool

I love that kid, who show you that system and tell him lot of kids was hungry in East Africa, tell you thank you for show your system to me, my name's Micha Marley and I make difference in life, to helped children in need, thank you my friends we are helped all those children. I will make video about the system y'a provide to me, I did y'a way for those kids

Love this but before putting on the cement use some PVC wash to brake down the plastic some so the glue holds tighter this is the way water company’s and plumbers do it I should know I have to help my grandpa all the time with PVC.

how do you stop the moisture from getting into your electric system, where the switches are at and the outlet below, along with mold.

Would you recommend an incline to help drainage?

Great build, where do I go to learn about the nutrients, cleaning the system, etc?

Awesome video, cannot find Pioneer Library..

Consider putting a reverse durso stand pipe going into barrel to reduce the noise of flowing water x1000

The LIGHTSWITCH!!

I didn’t understand how you made the end caps. What size piping did u use and exact materials other than the glue. Thank you! Awesome guys!

DId you tilt the pipes ever-so-slightly so the water runs in the proper direction and doesn't backup?

I have one question. In your text description it states to use PVC Reducer Bushing - 2-Inch to 1-Inch, but in the video it’s said to use PVC Reducer Bushing - 2-Inch to 1 1/2-Inch. Does it matter 2” to 1” or 2” to 1 1/2”? Thanks.

your kids are cool!

Is it possible to make a non-circulating kratky system with the same technique?

This rain barrel is WAAAAAAY overkill.

no pvc primer?!...you absolute madman!!

Great idea here but I have a few questions. #1 What are the 4 PVC couplers for? A 4" reducer will fit over the ends of the 4" pipes making the couplers unnecessary. #2 The total volume of the two rails is approximately 10.44 gallons. Why did you need a 50 gallon water barrel? #3 Why do you need a 4th 1" adapter for the 2" drain pipe going back down into the barrel? #4 Do you really need a 2" PVC pipe as a drain? Can't you use a less expensive piece of 1" tubing? I am going to wrap all my tubing with black electrical tape to prevent algae from the light. Thanks.

power switches at the left near the tube?

Cool idea. One thing on gluon pipe though. You need to use cleaner first. PVC has a uv protective coating that needs to be removed. It also preps the pope for better adhesion. You should also put glue on both parts. Great video though. I might do this.

Is it still working and have you had any issues? Can you update?

I like the idea. But, having had lots of houseplants before, I am aware of the tendency for mold and mildew to grow on walls that are in close proximity to dampness. I would suggest putting up on the wall that you intend to use for the tubes some paneling or something that can be wiped down with a mild bleach solution from time to time.

What about nutrients in the water to feed the plants?

Oh all I could see is the danger from leeks right on top that switch ☹️ love hydroponics used it for years but please move that lower pipe down 4" away from the switch

Man, the idea is really good. Just tell me you did not pumped water right next to electricity points.

Any update on result?

is it ok to be next to the light switches?

How do you maintain it? Do you need to clean it once in a while?

im hooked

I have a really high ceiling, could I use LED strips in order to grow things?

Did you mean to block the light switch or was that just an ooops?

Thank you for the video! I plan to start smaller than this because I live in a small apartment and it’s just me. Do you think this setup would grow a small tomato or pepper plant?

Is this a NFT type system? Do you run the pump 24/7 in this type of hydroponics?

Is the glue food grade?

So, I've seen a few different build styles, one like this that uses the one-inch PVC to drain between levels... but given it's elevation, that leaves water in the pipe. Is that an issue when it comes to rotating nutrients or root rot? (this compared to full width pipes draining so that the roots can be dry occasionally based on timers.

A ratchet strap around the barrell will help keep the kiddos out!

I've been wondering if UPVC over PVC is safer for growing food, due to the chemical make up and "possible" leeching of chemicals from the tubing, into the water/ plants??

is there an after vid?

Wowo!!! make the money back in like the first five months or better depending on where u live!

Is there an update video?

OK, you got me.

heyy.. can you grow lettuce all year round in that system ?? and how many times do u turn off the light

For lettuce you shouldn't be using red light, you should use blue as it promotes leafy growth.

Would this work in a basement? Our basement is not heated or cooled. We are in Tennessee.

This is a very cool video. I do have a couple questions. #1 I thought the lights needed to be closer to the plants. So how is it going to be close enough to the lower tier of plants? #2 When will you do a video on how to plant up the cups. Comment: Lights should be on for 16 hours a day. I use a timer for my seedlings.

That's good stuff! Will you be posting an update video on what you are growing???

Hi y'all. We just subed because we are in the family milk cow-laboration with you and want to support your channel.

Never cross your arms when using a chopsaw. Also water fittings next to wall switches bad idea. The uv in those lights is bad for your kids to be looking at.

What do you plan to plant? Also, do you put soil in the net pots?

Would anyone recommend anything on the wall first to prevent moisture and mold? Just looking to set up a system in Canada and we don't have very dry weather. Moisture can be a problem. Thank you!

Not sure I want to consume what’s in pvc or pvc glue

Very interesting. How does one of these cost to operate on a monthly basis - particularly in terms of electrical usage?

That dude looks like a knock-off Joseph Gordon-Levitt lmao

How many lamp needed for 1000 plants

Really cool setup. What all will you be growing?

too many mistakes out here, 1- the huge container , 2- the clear hose, 3- distance between the holes ,4- lightning position 5-pipes touching the electric socket and much more.

The future.

Can you do a followup? Are you getting 34 heads of lettuce each month?

Awesome. What water did you use?

Is there a reliable way to complete this without permanently cementing the two pipes together? Just for ease of transport, etc.

At 1:33 did i see what i thought i saw.

Fun idea, but the whole thing could be waist high rather than at your head. It'd be easier to hang the lights and not have them so close, evenly distribute the light. The drainage doesn't look super effective. It'd have to be at least half way full before any excess water drains off from that huge pipe. Maybe fitting a drain at the bottom of the pipe would be better. That huge barrel in your room would be a pain to fill up and hide. Seems a bit big. Trying to fill the pipe with dirt would be interesting. Scooping it through those 2 inch holes looks like a pain.

are your grow pipes level or slightly slanted?

Nice concept, poorly executed, but thats how all of us learn. Thanks for the video.

FFA Alumni also

That's his 3rd appearance on your channel.

Yeah I have a Dutch bucket system I would not do it if he in my house talk about always feel like you got a pee.

What are you planning on growing?

Those amazon lights are *ugly* I'm gonna try to substitute it for some elongated, fixed position lights. Full spectrum because it can double as a room light

Hi Jonathan, the LED light must be in purple color?

What’s the energy usage per setup per month?

Is the plastic piping food grade, though?

Water next to electrical switches is no bueno.

How to the plants get their nutrients?

He made some mistakes but I consider all mistakes a learning opportunity, further more it’s youtube ! Never react to the first video you see. I want to set up a similar system but put a UVC aquarium light for mold control in the water tank, as a small spring forms in my basement when it rains very hard...