How to Build a NFT Hydroponic System: 2 Popular Examples

NFT-build

How to Build a NFT Hydroponic System with Trays/Channels

We cheat a little by purchasing prefabricated trays from the manufacture for the easiest NFT set up here. When compared to the Nutrient Film Technique Build with PVC pipe it’s actually about the same cost overall but the channels are already made for you so you’ll save big on the labor! In the image, we show a table we purchased to use for our setup. You can easily do the same or you can follow our guide on how to make one very easily out of a few concrete blocks and some wood planks.

 

Take a step back and learn more about the system or check out some other NFT designs before you jump in to start your build.

 

How to Build a NFT Hydroponic System
How to Build a NFT Hydroponic System with trays/channel, GrowWithoutSoil.com

 

Materials

Table structure options

Option 1

  • Provide your own table of approximately 18-24” x 8-10’

Option 2

  • Purchase a plastic shelf system and use part of it now with the option of using the rest of the pieces to expand vertically later.
    • Home Depot- Gray 5-Tier Plastic Garage Storage Shelving Unit (36 in. W x 72 in. H x 18 in. D)

Option 3

  • Build your own (you will need the following list of materials)
    • (6) 10’ sections of 2” PVC pipe
    • (8) 2”  T  PVC fittings
    • (8) 2″ Schedule 40 PVC Side Outlet Elbow

Reservoirs

  • (2) 17-25 gallon Containers with lids

NFT trays/channels

  • (4) 10’ sections of NFT channel
  • (4) NFT channel dead end caps
  • (4) NFT channel 1” pipe end caps

General plumbing

  • Return line
    • (1) 10’ section of 2” PVC pipe
    • (1) 2” PVC end cap
    • (1) 2” 90 degree PVC fittings
  • Supply line
    • (1) water pump with standard hose fitting on the outlet
    • (1) water pump filter
    • (1) 2’ section of garden hose (not clear hose)
    • (2) 10’ sections of 1” PVC pipe
    • (1) 1” PVC end cap
    • (3) 1” 90 degree PVC fittings
    • (4) 1” T  PVC fittings
    • (4) 1” valves
    • (5) 1” nipple fittings (glue in type)
    • (4) 16” sections of black ¼” hose

 

 

Tools

  • Circular saw, preferably a power miter saw (with a plastic or plywood blade)
  • Drill or Cordless Drill
  • Razer knife
  • 2-1/8” hole saw
  • 1” drill bit or hole saw
  • ¼” drill bit

 

 

Instructions

If you plan to make your own Table structure

  • Cut the following sections of 2” PVC pipe
    • (6) 30” sections
    • (6) 18” sections
    • (4) 10’ sections (check that they are actually full length from the store)
    • (4) 36” sections
    • (4) 24” sections

 

  • Glue 2”  T  PVC fittings as follows
    • Diagram here

 

  • Glue 2″ Schedule 40 PVC Side Outlet Elbow as follows
    • Diagram here

Reservoirs

  • Clean and Place 17-25 gallon Containers with lids
  • Drill holes in the lid as follows
    • (1) 2-1/8” hole (for nutrient solution return pipe)
    • (1) 1” hole (for nutrient solution supply hose)
    • (1) 1/4” hole (for air hose)

NFT trays/channels

  • Place 10’ sections of NFT channel as follows
  • Glue NFT channel dead end caps
  • Glue NFT channel 1” pipe end caps

General plumbing

  • Return line
    • CUT the following sections of 2” PVC pipe
      • (1) 18” section
      • (1) 24” section
    • Drill the following holes in one 18” section of 2” PVC pipe
      • (4) 2-1/8” holes
    • Glue 2” PVC end cap
    • Glue 2” 90 degree PVC fitting
  • Supply line
    • Place water pump with standard hose fitting on the outlet in the active reservoir
    • Attach water pump filter
    • Attach 2’ section of garden hose to pump outlet
    • Cut the following sections of 1” PVC pipe
      • (1) 10’ section
      • (1) 18” section
      • (1) 12” section
      • (1) 6” section

 

  • Glue 1” PVC end cap
  • Glue 1” 90 degree PVC fittings
  • Glue 1” T  PVC fittings
  • Glue 1” valves
  • Glue 1” nipple fittings (glue in type)
  • Attach 16” sections of black ¼” hose

 

Learn more 

Nutrient Film Technique Designs

Buy this system

Build this system

 

Install your Accessories

Set up your system

 

 

 

 

How to Build a NFT Hydroponic System with PVC pipe

If you have done any research online you have seen deviations of this design everywhere on the internet! It’s no wonder it’s so popular, this system is one of the easiest to get parts, set up, and maintain.

 

In this section, we show you how to build a NFT hydroponic system with PVC pipe right down to the last detail. You can easily run to your local home improvement store with our list of materials and walk out with a complete NFT PVC system. 

 

How to Build a NFT Hydroponic System with PVC pipe
How to Build a NFT Hydroponic System with PVC pipe, GrowWithoutSoil.com

 

Materials

Table structure options

Option 1

  • Provide your own table of approximately 18-24” x 8-10’

Option 2

  • Purchase a plastic shelf system and use part of it now with the option of using the rest of the pieces to expand vertically later.
    • Home Depot- Gray 5-Tier Plastic Garage Storage Shelving Unit (36 in. W x 72 in. H x 18 in. D)

Option 3

  • Build your own (you will need the following list of materials)
    • (6) 10’ sections of 2” PVC pipe
    • (8) 2”  T  PVC fittings
    • (8) 2″ Sch 40 PVC Side Outlet Elbow

Reservoirs

  • (2) 17-25 gallon Containers with lids

NFT pipes

  • (4) 10’ sections of 3” PVC pipe
  • (8) 3” PVC end caps
  • (4) 1” 90 degree PVC fittings ( street elbow type)

General plumbing

  • (2) 10’ sections of 2” PVC pipe
  • (2) 2” PVC end caps
  • (4) 2” 90 degree PVC fittings
  • (1) water pump
  • (1) 2’ garden hose section (not clear hose)
  • (1) water pump
  • (1) water pump filter
  • (5) nipple fittings
  • (4) valves
  • (4) 16” sections of black ¼” hose

 

 

Tools

  • Circular saw, preferably a power miter saw (with a plastic or plywood blade)
  • Drill or Cordless Drill
  • Razer knife
  • 2-1/8” hole saw
  • 1” drill bit or hole saw
  • ¼” drill bit

 

Instructions

If you plan to make your own Table structure

  • Cut the following sections of 2” PVC pipe
    • (6) 30” sections
    • (6) 18” sections
    • (4) 10’ sections (check that they are actually full length from the store)
    • (4) 36” sections
    • (4) 24” sections

 

  • Glue 2”  T  PVC fittings as follows
    • Diagram here

 

  • Glue 2″ Sch 40 PVC Side Outlet Elbow as follows
    • Diagram here

Reservoirs

  • Clean and Place 17-25 gallon Containers with lids
  • Drill holes in the lid as follows
    • (1) 2-1/8” hole (for nutrient solution return pipe)
    • (1) 1” hole (for nutrient solution supply hose)
    • (1) 1/4” hole (for air hose)

NFT trays/channels

  • Place 10’ sections of NFT channel as follows
  • Glue NFT channel dead end caps
  • Glue NFT channel 1” pipe end caps

General plumbing

  • Return line
    • CUT the following sections of 2” PVC pipe
      • (1) 18” section
      • (1) 24” section
    • Drill the following holes in one 18” section of 2” PVC pipe
      • (4) 2-1/8” holes
    • Glue 2” PVC end cap
    • Glue 2” 90 degree PVC fitting
  • Supply line
    • Place water pump with standard hose fitting on the outlet in the active reservoir
    • Attach water pump filter
    • Attach 2’ section of garden hose to pump outlet
    • Cut the following sections of 1” PVC pipe
      • (1) 10’ section
      • (1) 18” section
      • (1) 12” section
      • (1) 6” section
  • Glue 1” PVC end cap
  • Glue 1” 90 degree PVC fittings
  • Glue 1” T  PVC fittings
  • Glue 1” valves
  • Glue 1” nipple fittings (glue in type)
  • Attach 16” sections of black ¼” hose

 

 

Learn more 

Nutrient Film Technique Designs

Buy this system

Build this system

 

Install your Accessories

Set up your system

 

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Bobby

Bobby

HI! I'm Bobby, an entrepreneur, inventor, green builder and urban farmer. I've been a custom home builder since a kid and an avid gardener. The critters, bugs and climate outside our new home forced me to check out some new ideas in gardening. I found out about Hydroponics and have spent years learning the best techniques to build the best, most efficient, home hydroponics systems. I built one of the first ever, small scale, mobile hydroponic systems. Would you like to know how I did it?