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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

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:

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. I have since updated the construction so watch the video just underneath this one last.

UPDATED CONSTRUCTION VIDEO AND TIPS!

In the update video I reviewed Ocean Solution Fertilizer which you can purchase on their website at a discount if you use the coupon code "tomorrowsgarden" at checkout. You can also now buy it on Amazon although you will not be able to use the coupon code.

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

This version by Gina Ragan over on YouTube is doing fantastic! She has built 4 of the towers and really have them all producing loads of veggies. This is the first video I have seen where somebody has them going in full production. MUST SEE!

Here's an update video for Gina's towers:

This version was made by Dax from ACALLTOPAUL.COM. 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.

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.

Mike made a new video on improvements he made and shows what he did to change the way the nutrients disperse.

Below is Mike's "how to" video with all the mods he's added. He's continually working on the concept and has a video where he used a cooler as a resivour if you check out his YouTube channel.

Mike shows an update here in this next video to show how well his spinach and lettuce are growing in the tower.

Mike also came up with a way to keep the tower's reservoir cold in the hot summer months. Check out the video below.

Mike just did an update showing how well his basil is doing in the tower. It looks great! Video Below.

Here is a version by Matt Wilson on YouTube. It has a different container on the bottom.

Here is a dual tower version by James V on YouTube. He put a more detailed description in the forum on this website. Here is the link to if if you'd like to read more: http://www.tomorrowsgarden.net/content/my-version-vertical-rain-tower

HydroponicsIsCool from YouTube built this version. He didn't follow up with results but said on his blog that everything died. He left the pump run without a timer and it was on all the time. It could be that or the nutrient levels.

George Wilson posted this modification video to his YouTube channel. He modified the top of the tower to eliminate the use of hinges which looks like it it more durable, a little deeper well at the top, and will keep out outside elements.

Terrence Fradet sent me a photo in my email of his aquaponic version of the tower. Looks great!

I stumbled on this version on YouTube by rcnacura. He's making a dual tower system and has 1 tower built and running.

This smaller dual tower was sent to me by Alvin W. He also built a CFL grow light from the growlight page and I have picture of his creation there.

Here's a tower that is able to rotate. Great idea. This was created by Dutchbucketsbykirklee on YouTube.





