3d Printed

Drip irrigation hydroponics offers a flexible, scalable system for growing leafy greens — and when paired with smart controllers like OpenSprinkler, you get full automation with almost no maintenance. 💧 How It Works Nutrient solution is pumped or gravity-fed through tubing to drip emitters placed at the base of each plant. The solution drains back into a reservoir for reuse (recirculating), or it can be a one-way (non-recirculating) system. ⚙️ Integration with OpenSprinkler Using OpenSprinkler (open-source smart irrigation controller), you can: ...

Deep Water Culture (DWC) involves suspending plant roots in a constantly oxygenated nutrient solution. It’s one of the most productive hydroponic methods — and perfect for DIY systems. 🌊 How It Works Plants float on a raft in a reservoir. Air stones (connected to an aquarium pump) oxygenate the water. Roots stay submerged 100% of the time. 🛠️ 3D Printable Parts Floating raft (modular plates that snap together) Net cups Clip-on air tube guides Lid holders for easy reservoir access 🥬 Great for: Kale, chard, collard greens. 🇦🇺 Aussie Tip Use in semi-shaded areas to prevent the reservoir from overheating. In warm months, monitor algae growth closely or use darkened printed parts and light blockers. ...

The Nutrient Film Technique (NFT) is a recirculating hydroponic system where a thin stream of nutrient-rich water continuously flows past the roots of plants placed in a shallow channel. ⚙️ How It Works A pump pushes the nutrient solution into one end of a sloped channel. Gravity carries the water past the roots and back into the reservoir. 🛠️ 3D Printable Components Channel end caps and elbows Plant spacers or holes with net pot slots Mini pump housing or supports Drain funnels 🌿 Best for: Lettuce, pak choi, mustard greens. 🇦🇺 Aussie Tip Use this method in cooler months or shaded greenhouses — NFT systems are more sensitive to heat and algae. Print dark-colored parts to reduce light exposure to roots. ...

The Kratky Method is one of the simplest and most beginner-friendly ways to grow hydroponic vegetables — no electricity, no pumps, and no moving parts. 🧪 How It Works Plants are suspended above a nutrient solution with their roots partially submerged. As the plant grows and consumes the nutrients, the water level drops, creating an air gap that provides oxygen to the roots. 🛠️ Components You Can 3D Print Net pots (to hold the plant and grow media) Lids for jars or containers with built-in net pot slots Spacers or supports for stacking 🌱 Ideal for: Leafy greens like lettuce, spinach, and basil. 🇦🇺 Aussie Tip Place the system in a sunny indoor spot or patio to avoid algae and evaporation. On the East Coast, late spring to early autumn is perfect for Kratky setups. ...