Hydroponic Bin System

thingiverse

Build an affordable small hydroponic garden using a $3 plastic bin from IKEA, a handful of 3D printed parts, and some inexpensive purchased components. -- Check out these Youtube videos that explain how to build this system: -- * Part 1: I show how to modify the Ikea bin. The 3D printed tools I use in the video are available here as "drill blocks." https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gUQ236HlwN0 * Part 2: I show how to assemble the finished product. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TtmLA_urcFY The complete bill of materials is available on this shared Google spreadsheet: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/140NJgnDm5aTWNqSGU7r5p_UNfO09xHHKGXLjrYhKuko/edit?usp=sharing -- ### Update 2022-04-20: I have added a new float gauge used to monitor water level. There are three printed parts. The float is designed for a ping pong ball (1.5 inch diameter) to snap into it. This works really well, and I strongly recommend adding a float gauge to each bin so that you can easily monitor the water level. Printed parts breakdown -- * Mandatory * Pump cap (black TPU or other flexible) * Recommended * Hole cap 2 inch (black TPU or other flexible) * 2x Ikea bin clip (PETG) * Optional * Hole cap 1.25 inch (black TPU or other flexible) * Hole cap 0.625 inch (black TPU or other flexible) * Aerogarden adapter (black PLA or PETG) * Float8 bushing, cap, and float (PLA or PETG) Strictly speaking, everything printed is optional. You can run this system with an air pump, a water pump, both, or neither. You can print an Aerogarden adapter to use Aerogarden pods, or you can just print or buy some 2 inch net cups and put your plants in those. The lid clips are nice but once your plants grow and gain some weight, they will probably hold the lid closed well enough. -- I have also provided "Rigid cap" models that can be printed using non-flexible material. --