Project Parts (in the works)

What you see listed in GREEN worked, what you see in YELLOW hasn't been installed yet, and what you see in RED did not work or work as planned.

15'x15' Pond Kit

The pond kit that was made for 15'x15' is perfect for my use. The recomended depth per level on a traditional back-yard pond is 6"... Even if I wasn't using it for my ponics, I'd want it deeper than that, so 15'x15' worked perfectly for my 10'x12' pond.

Aquatic Plant Media

This may simply look like brown aquarium rock, but it works. As of right now, I have two planters sitting inside my waterfall that are filled with this. My Elephant Ears are loving it. I've even taken what I had left of it and mixed it with worm dirt (the dirt left in the fishing worms cups) to plant seedlings in and they like the mix.

Complete 100 Watt Solar Panel Kit with 1500W VertaMax Power Inverter

I plan to run my waterfall off this when it's set-up. As of right now, I want my edging to the pond complete before setting this up, so I don't have to move anything.

Sept. 15, 2014 Finally set it up. Took a bit since the only real instructions were online (so I went by the pictures for other parts. Almost shocked myself a few times, but it's working.

Water Plant Basket

These are great for plants that you want to sit in the water. They hold gravel well (or Aquatic Plant Media) and let water flow freely through them. Large pots. I currently have two sitting inside my waterfall with Taro aka "Elephant Ears" in each. They are loving it!

Solar Battery

I'm pretty sure a traditional car battery would work too, but being my first big solar system, I wanted to do things "right". These (bought two) are for linking to and storing power coming from the large solar panel.

Hydrofarm Net Cup, 3-Inch

I bought these to plant the veggies within the hydro part of the system. Haven't built it yet, but will probably in Spring by the looks of the upcoming fall and winter. At least I have them ready.

20w Pond pump kit with light

This will be the pump that'll be for the main hydroponics system in Spring, but this fall (2014) will pump the hydro-tub. Bigger than I thought. The origional plan for it was to just be the tub, but this will be powerful enough for the main hydro.

Yard Benches

This particular type poses two purposes. It's for sitting obviously, but the seats lift up to offer storage under them. There is a plastic liner so items inside do not sit directly on the ground. I've got two different sizes.

3w Solar Pumps (2)

These just arrived 09092014. Will install on a good day. Busy week ahead at work.

Sept. 11, 2014 Set one at sunset. Will have to wait for more sun to see if it works. No battery for this.

Sept. 15, 2014 Moved them to the pond to pump the solar heater. Heater only works with sun and so do these, so they compliment eachother.

Storage Bin

The storage bin has holes drilled for the water pipes in and out (if you'd like to see how I designed it, go to my gallery). The out looks the way it does, due to inaccurately guesstimating on the number of fittings I needed... The out was supposed to link to a second box, which then drained into the pond. I was missing one joining connector (wasn't going all the way across to the other side of neighboring town for one fitting). It's starting to chill down already this year (now Sept. 2014 nights are already mid 60s), so will wait until next Spring to install the second bin.

I have it sitting on the corner of my pond that gets most of the Fall sun diffused by my neighbors trees. I've learned with my raised garden, that lettuce doesn't like to have too much sun or get too hot. I will have to pick a different crop to plant here in Spring due to my Summer sun being direct in this location. I'm planning to use this strong pump for my main hydro-setup in Spring anyway, so may hold the tubs for Fall crops only... still thinking on that.