Here's how I built this amazing container that you can use for Kratky style setups and small DWCs.
Step 1: Get everything you'll need.
This includes:
- The container protein powder is stored in. It has a volume of 3 liters and is already colored black. Just ask your gym buddies if they can save up a few for you.
- A water level indicator. Mine is 18 cm long, and I bought it for two bucks in my local garden center.
- A drill, circular saw (3 inch diameter) and a drill tip that's the diameter of your water level indicator.
- Optional: a deburrer
- 3 inch Netcup + some LECA + a wick
Step 2: Drill the holes After drilling them, deburr the edges
Step 3: Fill it up
For the start, I place the netcup in a tray with diluted nutrient solution. When the seedling has reached a height of a few centimetres, I place it into the container.
In the beginning, I recommend an EC of 1 mS, and the water level should reach the bottom of the netcup.
Here's how it looked like after a few weeks:
And here's how it looks now:
Step 4: Cover it (optional)
Since the container is black, it can get pretty hot in full sun. Oh, and it also looks bad.
You can wrap some fabric around it, or crochet a "sock" for it, which I will do soon.
The great thing about this container is that the indicator has its optimum on 1/3 fullness. That way, you don't have to worry about the reservoir running dry or having it filled up too high, suffocating the roots.
Good Job!