How to Make an Aeroponics Manifold

Aeroponics is a method of growing plants that does not use any soil or any type of medium to hold the roots of the plants. Instead, the plants are grown with their roots suspended above a misting or spraying system that periodically covers the roots with a spray of nutrient solution, providing them with all of the nutrients they need to grow. An aeroponics manifold is the part of the aeroponics system that contains the sprayer nozzles. You can easily build one from some PVC pipe and aeroponic nozzles, available from many suppliers.

1 piece ½-inch PVC pipe, 12 inches
2 pieces ½-inch PVC pipe, 5½ inches
2 pieces ½-inch PVC pipe, 4 inches
4 corner sections, ½-inch PVC pipe
1 T section, ½-inch PVC pipe
9 threaded misting nozzles, ¼-inch
Drill with ¼-inch bit
PVC cement
1 PVC adapter, ½-inch pipe to 3-inch pump outlet

Instructions

- 1
  Drill a series of five holes in the 12-inch section of PVC. The outer holes should be at least 1 inch from the ends of the pipe. Space the rest about 2 inches apart, all on the same side of the pipe. Remove any bits of PVC from the holes or inside the pipe.
- 2
  Make 3 holes in each of the 5½-inch pipes, placing one hole 1 inch from each end and another hole in the center of the pipes. All holes should be on the same side of each pipe. Clean away all bits of PVC from the holes and pipes.
- 3
  Screw a nozzle into each hole. Make sure the gasket that comes with each nozzle is in place so the bases won't leak.
- 4
  Cement a corner piece onto each end of the 12-inch section of PVC. The corners should open downwards, and the nozzles should point upwards. Cement a 4-inch piece of PVC into each corner pipe, and use cement to attach the last two corner pieces to the 4-inch pipes. The openings on these corners should face each other.
- 5
  Put one 5½-inch section of pipe into each of the corner pieces and cement in place. The nozzles should point upward; the pieces will nearly touch each other. The manifold will be rectangular with a small gap in the bottom at this point.
- 6
  Fit the "T" piece onto the open ends of the 5½-inch pipes, cementing it in place. The open end of the "T" should point down, in the opposite direction of the nozzles and away from the 12-inch pipe. Add the 3-inch pipe to the open end of the "T" and cement it. Cement the pump adapter to the bottom of the 3-inch pipe to complete the manifold. Allow to dry overnight.

How to Terrace a Hill Landscape

What Fern Is Like a Cycad?

Specialty Gardens