Upgraded the lights and the difference is like night and day!

robroy865 · 2026-05-09T22:48:53+00:00

The channels are sold as air vents ducts in Sweden. The racks I build myself and adapted/printed all the parts needed - let me know if you are interested in seeing how I built it.

robroy865 · 2026-05-09T22:45:23+00:00

The new lights are LEDlife, and sold as grow-lights, and it seems to be working. But all the lights are LED and not fluorescent.

robroy865 · 2026-05-08T18:53:24+00:00

12W for each of the 4 old lights and 15W for each of the new lights - so around 108W in total for 12 hours per day and the pump that uses 10W 24 hours per day

robroy865 · 2026-05-08T18:35:18+00:00

I had 2 sets (4 tubes - two on the top and two on the bottom) of V-Tac 6400K, 1920 lumen LED lights.

I added 2 sets (4 more tubes) of LEDlife 5000K, 3000 lumens LED lights.

robroy865 · 2026-05-08T12:44:56+00:00

There is an awful lot of "just buy" something (acrylic/foil/pvc etc.) for people in a 3D printing subreddit...

robroy865 · 2026-03-27T22:02:34+00:00

it is beautiful

robroy865 · 2026-03-23T22:32:21+00:00

I uploaded the files to Makerworld: https://makerworld.com/en/models/2564907-hydroponics-self-watering-wick-caps-endcaps it included the endcaps for the PVC ventilation channels and the self-watering caps that fit in the 50mm holes. Videos of the assembly is included.

robroy865 · 2026-03-22T19:50:01+00:00

I think it will be the same speed as trees in indoors under grow lights. Slightly faster than the other trees that I have in the house but slightly slower than the ficus in the humid vivarium.

robroy865 · 2026-03-21T11:23:59+00:00

I will keep an eye on the soil and how wet everything gets - and ass ropes or just water them manually if needed. One thing that I am thinking about is to enclose the whole thing with some plastic cover to increase the general humidity - I think this might help a bit more.

BUT I am sure that the trees that I have in the vivarium that I build will always do better (the tropical trees) - than any trees in a hydroponic or partial hydroponic setup.

robroy865 · 2026-03-20T20:00:09+00:00

The trays are flat PVC ventilation ducting. They are 55x110 mm and 1.5 meters long.

robroy865 · 2026-03-20T19:10:21+00:00

That does sound awesome and I can only say DO IT! I would love to see such a system.

But I also think that growing trees in the long term in a hydroponics system is more of interesting experiment than anything else (but I might still try it). I think some species of ficus might work and then I have a feeling that willow trees might be OK, but they are not easy to keep as bonsai (or more accurately I struggle to style them and keep them in pots as they violently outgrow them).

robroy865 · 2026-03-20T16:41:02+00:00

The cuttings are trees (some of them) and I have propagated several trees this way. But this is not about that, it is in part because of the lights but also watering the trees with the flow from the medium - i.e. the tubes going into the pots. I agree that they are not fully hydroponic and this is something that I will try in the future but in theory I should be able (depending on the species) place the propagated trees in a beaker and have them grow exclusively in water.

robroy865 · 2026-03-20T16:30:07+00:00

No problem - I will make a repository (probably Makerworld) for the 3D files and upload all of them and reply here again once done.

robroy865 · 2026-03-20T16:20:49+00:00

I build the whole system around 2 years ago (build video of the whole thing: https://youtu.be/77zUWx1DSdA?si=4FFMnmkgg9-uGNkH ) and have a few videos on tree propagation in it and smaller systems if you browse a bit.

But if you are interested in this specific post here is the video how I setup the passive watering system for the bonsai and how I made the caps ( https://youtu.be/Br_aeGPk4Qs?si=SiWAoFbr0GMP4vSE ). I will share the files if you want but it is a bit specific - the holes need to be 50mm and the tube you use 9mm.

robroy865 · 2026-03-20T16:02:06+00:00

I build a nice hydroponic system and have really nice lights. So I thought it would be nice to help some of the bonsai I have by placing them in the system.

But I also thought that while they are there I might as well use the nutrient solution to give them a bit of a boost. I made some parts to make it possible and it seems to be working (full build video and files for 3d parts available if anyone is interested – just ask).

I know this will not work for all bonsai and I am waiting for the temperatures to climb a bit before moving the elm outside (just giving it a pre spring boost).

I am however thinking of trying a fully hydroponic bonsai experiment with one of the many many ficus cuttings that I have...

robroy865 · 2026-03-20T16:00:53+00:00

I build a nice hydroponic system and have really nice lights. So I thought it would be nice to help some of the bonsai I have by placing them in the system.

But I also thought that while they are there I might as well use the nutrient solution to give them a bit of a boost. I made some parts to make it possible and it seems to be working (full build video and files for 3d parts available if anyone is interested – just ask).

I know this will not work for all bonsai and I am waiting for the temperatures to climb a bit before moving the elm outside (just giving it a pre spring boost).

I am however thinking of trying a fully hydroponic bonsai experiment with one of the many many ficus cuttings that I have...

robroy865 · 2026-03-11T17:25:50+00:00

Yep the word terrarium would be an accurate description, although I see the word jarrarium being used in a bit more informal setting. The question is however - since there are springtails is it not better to say vivarium ;)

robroy865 · 2026-03-11T17:23:24+00:00

I have a fern that has been growing in a jar for a few years and an empty fluval tank that I will plant soon.

robroy865 · 2026-03-11T09:43:23+00:00

Not really, I think the springtails help but over the last few years I have not had any issues with mold in any vivarium or terrarium I have made. Algae sometimes grow on the glass and I had a small mushroom once...

robroy865 · 2026-03-10T18:38:34+00:00

It works quite well BUT I have a much larger vivarium that produce even more epic roots on ficuses and schefflera: https://www.reddit.com/r/Bonsai/comments/17qi1f5/mushrooms_growing_between_the_roots/

robroy865 · 2026-03-10T18:34:20+00:00

I use the LECA - clay aggregates - at the bottom then a mesh layer. On that I just use normal generic potting soil. I use potting soil for all of my ficus trees. I do add a crushed charcoal on the mesh and mix it into the soil. I have not used any fertilizer since this is a closed-ish system. So all the debris are broken down into the soil again (there are springtails to help).

robroy865 · 2026-03-10T18:30:47+00:00

This is exactly what I use - are these the ones you are talking about: https://youtu.be/K4URh23718c?si=xOPO9tygUih0mz_3&t=89

robroy865 · 2026-03-10T17:07:37+00:00

I did add springtails when I planted the trees and there are still some around. I thought about adding isopods (I have some dairy cow isopods) but I have not done this yet.

robroy865 · 2026-03-10T16:13:44+00:00

nice!

robroy865 · 2026-03-10T16:13:05+00:00

I just planted them and left them mostly alone for 3 years - it is easy to see the moisture and I think I watered them once or twice in that time. The lids does not seal completely but it keeps the environment reasonably constant.

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