The Rain Tower Vertical Hydroponic System

The Rain Tower Vertical Hydroponic System

I was looking for a way to grow vertical using hydroponics and after seeing some larger and expensive aeroponic units I came up with what I call the rain tower.  I used a 5 gallon bucket and lid from the local hydroponics store.  The main tower is 5" x 5" PVC fence post and there is 3" PVC pipe that holds the net pots diagonally into the tower,  The pump is an ECO 264 pump on a timer that turns on every 15 minutes and runs for 15 minutes.  The most difficult part of this whole unit was getting the right shape for the net pot holes in the tower.  I created templates and a video with step by step directions which are now added lower in this article.

Below is a video I made explaining how it works with results of my first test run growing hydroponic lettuce.

 

 

 

How To Build The Rain Tower:

 

Items You Need to Buy for this Project

• 1 each -  White Vinyl Fence Post  5” x 5” x 8
• 2 each -  White Vinyl Pyramid Post Top
• 5 gallon black bucket with lid for the bucket (link not exactly the same as in the video)
• 3” pvc pipe
• ECO264 submersible pump with attachments
• LEDwholesalers GYO2102 Hydroponic Grow Light 24-Hour Timer
• Veranda 5/8 in. x 5/8 in. x 8 ft. White Vinyl Blind Stop Moulding - cut into twelve 4" pieces
• Spray adhesive
• Loctite PVC epoxy
• 12 3" net pots (The ones I used were made by Sunlight Supply)
• 1 silver 1”  Narrow utility hinge
• 2 brass  1 ½” Narrow utility hinges
• #6 32 x 3/8” machine screws with nuts (8 pc)
• Clear silicone for aquariums
• ½ inch nylon hose barb Tee
• 10 foot length Vinyl hose inner diameter ½ “ -   Outer diameter -  3/4”
• 4X24 ALUMINUM PIPE for Dryer vents
• medium grit sandpaper

 

Tools Needed for this Project:

• Miter saw
• Tape measure
• ruler
• Drill
• Various drill bits : 
  • 1/2" for cut out pilot hole and also for Tee barb,
  • 5/32" hole for hinges
  • 1/8" holes for water tray
• Jig saw with fine blade
• Soldering iron
• 2 clamps
• Exact-o knife
• File

 

Things to Gather that Will Make the Job Easier:

• Pencil
• Rubber bands
• Scissors
• White out
• Paper
• Tape
• Paper or plastic plate or piece of cardboard for mixing epoxy
• Plastic knife for applying epoxy

 

PDF Templates to  Download for this Project:

• Square tower template for bucket
• Net pot hole template
• Template for intake hole at bottom of tower
• Template for water splash shield

 

The video below should explain everything but I will be adding to this page over the next few days with even more information to make it as complete as possible.

 

 

 

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Below I will be sharing videos and photos of systems that other people made from the Rain Tower System.

 

This first version was made by Dax from The Daily Paul.  This is the first aquaponic version of The Rain Tower.  He made it very fast....within 10 days or so of the original rain tower video.

 

 

 

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Mike Walker on Youtube created this version of The Rain Tower which is 6 feet tall and has even more openings for net pots.  I also think the top is a neat touch.  Here are two of his video posts to give you and idea of what he did.  Very cool.