Upgraded Modular Hydroponics Tower - More Compact & Stable

prusaprinters

<h3><strong>Summary</strong></h3><p>This is my version of the modular hydroponics tower. It was inspired by the modular tower <a href="https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:2403922">here</a>. It has several key upgrades.&nbsp;</p><ul><li>More Stable: This tower has a wider base attaching it to the nutrient reservoir making it much more stable.</li><li>Adaptable: Most hydroponics specify a particular reservoir (e.g. an IKEA vase) which can sometimes be hard to find. The recommended reservoir for this tower is a 5-gallon bucket and they are readily available. However, this design can be easily adapted to fit any reservoir.</li><li>Compact: This tower is more compact than previous versions and can be printed on a PRUSA Mini.</li><li>Clean Look: All tubing in this tower is on the interior.</li><li>Easy to add lights.</li></ul><p>You can see the tower in action <a href="https://youtu.be/PffTNXkmDiU">here!</a></p><h3>Print Settings</h3><figure class="table"><table><tbody><tr><td><strong>Part</strong></td><td><strong>QTY</strong></td><td><strong>Layer Height (mm)</strong></td><td><strong>Supports</strong></td><td><strong>Brim</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Basin</strong></td><td>1</td><td>0.2&nbsp;</td><td>None</td><td>No</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Shelf</strong></td><td>At least 1</td><td>0.2</td><td>None</td><td>Yes</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Base</strong></td><td>1</td><td>0.2</td><td>None</td><td>Yes</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Nozzle</strong></td><td>1</td><td>0.2</td><td>None</td><td>No</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Cap</strong></td><td>Optional*</td><td>0.2</td><td>None</td><td>No</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Cap for Lights</strong></td><td>Optional*</td><td>0.2</td><td>None</td><td>No</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Port Cap</strong></td><td>Optional</td><td>0.2</td><td>None</td><td>No</td></tr></tbody></table></figure><p>&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; *Either print ‘Cap’ or ‘Cap for Lights’. Only one is needed.</p><p>Print each part with ‘Detect Bridging Perimeters' turned on.&nbsp;</p><h3>Additional Parts Needed</h3><ul><li>A suitable nutrient reservoir. We recommend using a <a href="https://www.lowes.com/pd/United-Solutions-5-Gallon-General-Bucket/1000462835?cm_mmc=shp-_-c-_-prd-_-pnt-_-google-_-lia-_-133-_-buckets-_-1000462835-_-0&amp;placeholder=null&amp;ds_rl=1286981&amp;gclid=CjwKCAjw9r-DBhBxEiwA9qYUpQNzg6ttGw7lLrmvhnuU0ceq1O3rRJWvcwjIi-dvCJrqh4QSJb83hxoCiGUQAvD_BwE&amp;gclsrc=aw.ds">5-gallon bucket</a>.</li><li>A <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0018WVNXC/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&amp;psc=1">water pump</a>. At least 158 GPH with a minimum head height of 4 feet and ½ inch outlet.</li><li>At least 4 feet of ½" diameter <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004DL0Y9O/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o08_s00?ie=UTF8&amp;psc=1">vinyl tubing.&nbsp;</a></li><li>2" netcups (3 per shelf). Buy them <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00I1OCZLY/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o08_s00?ie=UTF8&amp;psc=1">here</a>. Or <a href="https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:4804680">print your own.</a></li><li>2 feet of ¾" PVC pipe. More if you are using something larger than a 5 gallon bucket)</li><li>¾" PVC Elbow Fitting (4x).</li><li>¾" PVC Cross Fitting (1x).</li><li>Teflon Plumbers Tape.</li></ul><h3>Optional</h3><ul><li>Seeds (Kale, Lettuce, Bok Choi, Basil, and tender herbs grow well in hydroponics)</li><li><a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0838XNJS2/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o02_s00?ie=UTF8&amp;psc=1">Flexing Grow Lights</a></li><li>Hydroponics Growth Media (<a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07KBZM7GN/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o02_s00?ie=UTF8&amp;psc=1">Rock Wool</a>)</li><li><a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B017H73708/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&amp;psc=1">Hydroponics Nutrients</a></li><li><a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000BNKWZY/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o09_s00?ie=UTF8&amp;psc=1">Hydroponics pH control kit&nbsp;</a></li><li><a href="https://www.lowes.com/pd/Hillman-1-4-in-x-1-in-Zinc-Plated-Coarse-Thread-Hex-Bolt-2-Count/3011748">¼" by 1" bolt</a> and matching nut.</li><li><a href="wyze switch">Smart Outlet</a></li><li><a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00P7U259C/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o02_s00?ie=UTF8&amp;psc=1">Germination Kit</a></li></ul><h3>Material</h3><p>The print files and this prototype used PLA. However I recommend using PETG which will have much better UV resistance if used outside.</p><h3>Assembly</h3><p>See <i><strong>AssemblyInstructions.pdf</strong></i></p><h3>Link to Fusion360 Files</h3><p>If you'd like to make modifications you can access the fusion 360 files used to create this tower by following this <a href="https://a360.co/3wRzduf">link</a>. The access password is: <strong>HPTower_Conr8r</strong></p><h3>Disclaimer</h3><p>I don't profit from any of the links I have shared above. These are just the things that worked for me.&nbsp;</p><h3>Helpful Links</h3><p><a href="https://youtu.be/PffTNXkmDiU">This Tower in Action</a></p><p><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J1kt8qwuRTw">Starting Seeds for Hydroponics</a></p><p><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=43zTp9A7Td0">Prepping Nutrient</a></p>