I used to do clandestine hydroponics indoors several years ago but not any more...Have decided to grow legal stuff now and am currently designing a patio greenhouse out in the back yard, size 12' X 16'.

My hp system will be somewhat different...flow through rain gutters via airlift tubes of 1" PVC and soaker hose for aeration in the gutters which will maintain 1" of flowing solution. Reservoir is a gutted chest type deep freeze.

Aeration and lift is provided by General Hydroponics Dual Diaphragm Compressor. No recirculating pump is required with this system but close eye on the reservoir level is needed since airlift is diminished with water loss. Big reservoir vs. not many plant runs (five 8 footers with 12"-24" spacing) means not much of a deal though...probably need to add water every couple of weeks max, maybe every week.

Two gutters fit together makes a nice dark enclosure for root growth without algae. This is somewhat a NFT in that no media is used and bigger plants are supported by wire to the rafters. Inner-tube rubber pieces cover the plant holes with a hole punched in the center hold each plant base in the grow runs and expand with stem growth...also keeps foliar sprays out of the solution that may run down the mainstems.

I start building the patio greenhouse this week and am itching to get my hp system up and running again...this time with great veggies, lol! Will surely have pictures as we go...

I haven't messed with Hydroponics in about 20 years or so but after doing a lot of catch-up study I see not much has changed. A lot of companies still trying to rip people off with high priced systems that are basically worthless! Well, not all of them and there looks to even be a few new good ones. Kinda like the looks of "The World's Greatest Growing Machine" at http://www.nahydroponics.com/ but think it's still way over priced for what's in it.

I started experimenting with hp in 1982 with the then "Hydropot"...tub full of expanded lava rock ebb and flow system. It worked ok I guess but was way heavy and not big enough for more than one plant if you was wanting to grow big plants...

Then after many trial and error, I designed the system mentioned. Cheap and very effective. Actually it was an aquaculture based nutrient system fed from a minnow tank. No minnows now so I'm gonna try some Eco-Grow nutrients and see how it goes.