A how to presentation on how to construct the racks for a vertical hydroponic system. Find ZipGrow towers here: http://shop.brightagrotech.com

1. ASSEMBLING A VERTICAL
HYDROPONICS SYSTEM
WITH ZIPGROW TOWERS

2. ASSEMBLING A VERTICAL HYDROPONICS SYSTEM
Required Tools
Tape measure
Square
Screws
1-1/8” spade bit
Drill
Skilsaw
Pipe cutter
You Will Need…

3. ASSEMBLING A VERTICAL HYDROPONICS SYSTEM
Parts & Pieces
55 Gallon Sump Tank
2 x 5’ Gutters
8x 5’ ZipGrow Towers
3 x 10’ Steel Conduit
2x 12’ 2”x4” lumber
4 End Caps
8 Hanging Hooks
3/4” or 1/2” Black Poly Irrigation Tubing
4x 10’ 2”x4” lumber
2” PVC Return Pipe
3/4” drain fitting
Pump

4. ASSEMBLING A VERTICAL HYDROPONICS SYSTEM
Cutting Lumber to Size
Cut 3 x 10’ boards & 2 x
6’ boards in half
6’ Lengths
3 X 5’ Lengths
Step 1
Remaining 10’ board
(uncut)

5. ASSEMBLING A VERTICAL HYDROPONICS SYSTEM
Initial Frame Construction
5’ Piece
6’ Pieces
Screw 5’ piece to face
of frame (2 screws)
Make sure the frame
is square
2 Extra 5’ Pieces
Step 2
Step 3

6. ASSEMBLING A VERTICAL HYDROPONICS SYSTEM
Initial Frame Construction Cont’d
Screw second 5’
board to back of
frame (2 screws)
Step 4
Remaining 5’ cross brace

7. ASSEMBLING A VERTICAL HYDROPONICS SYSTEM
Frame Construction
Bisect remaining 5’
board at a 45 degree
angle to make the
cross braces
Step 5
2.5’ cross braces

8. ASSEMBLING A VERTICAL HYDROPONICS SYSTEM
Strengthening the Frame
Step 6
Insert cross brace in
between base boards
Step 7
Ensure 45 degree angle is
married up to 6’ frame and
between base boards
Insert screws at base
boards and cross brace
Step 8
Remaining cross
brace

9. ASSEMBLING A VERTICAL HYDROPONICS SYSTEM
Completing the Frame
Step 9
Repeat steps 6-8 to
complete the frame.

10. ASSEMBLING A VERTICAL HYDROPONICS SYSTEM
Drilling the Holes for Steel Conduit
Bore holes into 6’
supports using
1 1/8” spade bit
Step 10
Step 11
Repeat steps 2-10 to
construct second rack

11. ASSEMBLING A VERTICAL HYDROPONICS SYSTEM
Creating the In-Ground Sump Tank
Step 12
Dig hole for sump
Make sure the tank rests
below ground

12. ASSEMBLING A VERTICAL HYDROPONICS SYSTEM
Running the Return Line
Place 2” return pipe
to drain into sump
Step 13
*Optional to dig trough for
drainage pipe to keep drain
level

13. ASSEMBLING A VERTICAL HYDROPONICS SYSTEM
Rack and Sump Construction
Step 14
Place first side of
rack toward the
sump tank
Rack is perpendicular to
return pipe

14. ASSEMBLING A VERTICAL HYDROPONICS SYSTEM
Rack and Sump Construction
Place second side
of rack opposite of
sump tank
Step 15

15. ASSEMBLING A VERTICAL HYDROPONICS SYSTEM
Cutting the Conduit to Size
Gather 3 X 10’ steel
conduit
Step 16
2 x 10’ conduit
2 x 5’ conduit
Step 17
Cut 1 conduit into 2 x 5’
lengths

16. ASSEMBLING A VERTICAL HYDROPONICS SYSTEM
Inserting the Conduit
Run steel conduit
through rack
holes
Step 18
*This may require forcing the
conduit into the holes

17. ASSEMBLING A VERTICAL HYDROPONICS SYSTEM
Completing the Rack
Step 19
Fasten conduit cross
pieces with zip ties

18. ASSEMBLING A VERTICAL HYDROPONICS SYSTEM
Getting the Gutter Ready
Step 20
Bore 3/4” drain hole
in gutter
End caps X2
Add drain fitting;
(may require PVC
glue)
Step 21

19. ASSEMBLING A VERTICAL HYDROPONICS SYSTEM
Constructing the Drain
Place gutters (with caps)
perpendicular to return pipe
Step 22
Bore hole in 2” return pipe
to match gutter drainage
hole
Step 23
leveling
2”x4” (varied
size)
Place 2”x4” leveling piece
on opposite sump tank to
ensure draining gradient
Step 24

20. ASSEMBLING A VERTICAL HYDROPONICS SYSTEM
Hanging the Towers
Hang the towers so
they drain into the
gutter
Step 25

21. ASSEMBLING A VERTICAL HYDROPONIC SYSTEM
Running the Irrigation Line
Run 3/4” poly tubing into
sump
Step 26
Step 27
Place pump in bottom of
sump
Insert tubing in pump
Step 28

22. ASSEMBLING A VERTICAL HYDROPONIC SYSTEM
Running the Irrigation Line
Run line across bottom 5’
board
Attach line with zip ties
Step 29
Step 30

23. ASSEMBLING A VERTICAL HYDROPONIC SYSTEM
Running the Irrigation Line
Run line up adjacent 6’
board until connected to
conduit
Step 31
*Optional valve
placement

24. ASSEMBLING A VERTICAL HYDROPONIC SYSTEM
Running the Irrigation Line
Step 32
Run irrigation line
along conduit and
turn it along the end
without kinking the
tubing
!
*Snake along the
conduit in a
serpentine pattern

25. ASSEMBLING A VERTICAL HYDROPONIC SYSTEM
Running the Irrigation Line
Step 33
Step 34
Punch holes into tubing
directly above towers
(about 18” apart)
Add drip emitters (7-10
gal/hr) into punched
holes

26. ASSEMBLING A VERTICAL HYDROPONIC SYSTEM
The Completed System
Congratulations! Now
you are ready to produce
fresh, healthy, vertically
grown food!