I am a few weeks into my build of an automated hydroponic system, directly inspired by and trying to emulate the system designed by Kyle Gabriel and featured in this YouTube video

Once the system is complete or nearly complete I will add a more in -depth post on each component of it.

Some of the main challenges I need to face to get this done:

I have not worked much with the Raspberry Pi before, particularly not wiring up multiple sensors, outputs, and control circuitry and interfacing it with the Pi
I am in the UK so I have to source every component in the UK, which can be tricky and sometimes more expensive
I need to figure out how to do it as cheaply as possible, without skimping on things like sensors which need to be high quality
Making sure the “plumbing” is high quality and will not leak - I have to be able to leave this system for several days a time, perhaps longer.
Figuring out how to build a website to display all the “vital signs” and images in real time from the system, whilst also letting me log in and control it remotely.

Another thing which I would like to do is to make some improvements on Kyle’s version, in particular in the following areas:

Making it more aesthetically pleasing, so that it could be an attractive feature in a main room in a flat - in short, make it to be seen.
Make it more eco-friendly. Investigate materials which may be used instead of PVC and other plastics for some of the components. Can bamboo be used for the channels? How can I reduce the overall energy consumption of the project?

Overall I want the system to be able to supply me with all the leafy greens and herbs that I use in my cooking and salads. I want it to have a lesser impact on the environment that buying the same things in the shops, and to be as good or better as what is readily available. I would also like to be able to make a modular system that, once working well, can be scaled up in a straightforward manner, with much reduced cost with respect to the initial system.