DIY Hydroponics: System Builders Guide 3rd Addition (Paperback) (ISBN-13: 9781468072723)

John P. Hennessy began his quest for the ultimate garden some years ago. It all came about due to some physical limitations which prevented him from working a conventional soil garden. He wanted the rewards and joy of gardening without all the back breaking work. He wanted a system that anyone could use to grow lush healthy produce regardless of age, skill, space, or physical limitations. His initial goal was to develop a small system capable of supplying enough fresh produce to sustain a family of four year round. In his pursuit John spent thousands of dollars and untold hours buying, building, planting, testing and re-testing every kind of plant in multiple types of systems. He knew the ultimate gardening system would have to be affordable, compact, expandable, fully automated, modular, efficient, and one that preformed well for all type plants. Hydroponics seemed to be the answer! He read every Hydroponic books and articles he could get his hands on. Devoured case studies done by universities and research companies, studying various systems, comparing their different strengths and weaknesses. John flew to Florida to see the research being done at "The Land" Epcot Center for Hydroponic Research. He interviewed commercial growers, distributors, hydroponic experts and innovators from all over the country. After about a year of study and research he bought some systems from the big hydroponic retailers. He also began to build and test many of His own systems. He experimented with drip, ebb flow, aeroponic, NFT, and wick systems. John grew everything from 6' high stacks of strawberries to 8' high corn stalks in five gallon buckets. Some of the systems were a success and some were total failures. Three years later he found that most all of the systems were lacking in what he felt was the basic criteria for the ultimate system. Many times John thought of give up the whole idea, he experienced much frustration as he found himself spending more and more time, energy and money. However, he continued building, testing and growing. He had become obsessed with hydroponic gardening! "Diy Hydroponics Systems Builders Guide" provides the reader with the knowledge, experience and short cuts John gained in His search for the ultimate garden. The guide is a great tool that will save you headaches, time, money and will allow you to do more of what you really love. Growing, harvesting and enjoying the abundant bounty!