DIY DIY 16oz Party Cup MiniDro

[Scott817]

Ok Folks there has been a little interested on how I put my setup together. I started with the water garden setup that was battery powered and wired it to a 3v power source but the motor died a few days later. Having to rebuild I changed what I didnt like about using the water garden but I did like the basic design.

OK Here is what you need

a few feet of 1/4" plastic line

1 1/4" easy connect control valve
1 1/4" 90 degree 1/4" easy connect elbow
1 short piece vinyl hose

16oz bud light can. Do not use any other beer you could have different results

Cut the top out and drill a hole in the neck

Stick a 90 degree 1/4" easy connect elbow through the hole and use some aquarium silicon to glue it up. Drill 4 holes 1/3 way up from the bottom for your drains. THen fill the can with perlite.

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1 1 gallon plastic coffee can. I knotched the side for the power cord

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1 water pump like a rio or maxi jet. You want the smallest you can find since water flow is so minimal. You can find them in the aquarium store or section at walmart also called a powerhead.

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1 Plastic strainer basket. Cut the sides off all you need is the bottom so get one that has a good flat bottom. Knotch a hole for the water line to come through.

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OK now on the pump attach your vinyl line to the pump with the aquarium glue. You will want to drill 4-6 good size in the vinyl line first. Then stick the 1/4" line into the vinyl line but dont go so far to block the holes. Use some glue here too and I added a platic tie as well.

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Ok we are ready to hydro now. Assemble by sticking the pump into the coffee can

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Now add your premixed and ph'd water and stick the strainer top on

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connect the rest of the parts

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Plug it in and adjust your value until you have a very slow flow

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And you are now ready to grow with your own MiniDro setup

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One of the cool things about this setup with the holes drilled for pressure relief they create motion in the resivuor and this helps stablize the ph really well.


**Warning this thread was created by someone who knows nothing about hydro**


Enjoy everyone. :howdy:

 

[realcarlos]

Thank you very much!
This is all perlite correct?
Drilled only 1 hole in the can to let the water flow out?
The water is in the jug?
Also the hose would any aquarium hose work?
For some reason I thought it was in the coffee canister

Thanks a lot +rep

 

[KindredSpirit]

Outstanding Scotty!! You got the MacGyver skills :thumbs:

 

[UHF]

Pretty cool

 

[TshirtNinja]

this is by far the most epic thing i have ever seen in my life.............. i bet that cost you like 10 dollars as long as you get dibs on some coffee tins from some people you know. if only i could support this system but i wan to run my tent at 85-87 so i can try a run with and without co2.

 

[Scott817]

Thank you very much!
This is all perlite correct?
Drilled only 1 hole in the can to let the water flow out?
The water is in the jug?
Also the hose would any aquarium hose work?
For some reason I thought it was in the coffee canister

Thanks a lot +rep

Yes I am just using perlite for media. I drilled 3 drain holes in the sides of the can the same height up in case one got plugged so you will need them. You dont want water coming out all the holes just one slowly. Any tubing or hose can work really.


Thanks everyone else. Yeah I tried to use stuff I had at the house already as the water garden had failed while I was at work and time was critical hehe

 

[realcarlos]

Thank you sir

 

[Scott817]

No holes in the bottom in case you were wondering.

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[Dr.Trich]

I can now afford to experiment with a simple dro setup!

 

[ggsm555]

thanks scott for the info, will be trying this in the near future