I've been considering some sort of vertical or NFT component in the designs for my next system and I'm really curious why so many folks are only thinking of hanging pipes vertically.  I came across an article in Backyard Aquaponics about growing strawberries in horizontally-mounted corrugated drainage pipe.  The things I like about this approach are:

• No tricky hanging method needed...it's easier to build a vertical rack with many rows of tubes.
• No custom melting and bending PVC.
• You don't have to buy an expensive pre-made kit.
• No media required makes it cheaper and easier to keep clean and maintain.

Check out this related thread to see what I mean: http://forums.gardenweb.com/forums/load/hydro/msg0315495420684.html

I have just upgraded my bottle system to a vertical bottle system using two liter bottles.  It is not fully loaded as I am still tweaking (as seen by the crazy plumbing job).  I should have 60 plants or so in a 36 square foot space (3x12).

I fill with a 12 dollar 290gph pump from harbor freight and it actually cycles a little too fast.  Hopefully when I get the last two rows in it will get closer to the speed I want.

Each row is filled through the 1/2 inch pipe and drains through a u-siphon to a 3/4 inch pipe.  Draining is very fast and the vent sounds like a toilet flushing.  It currently fills in about 6-8 minutes and drains in 2-3 minutes.  Each row has a ball valve to control the flow speed.

I used varathane to protect the wood and used one hole straps to mount the pipe.  Every other bottle has a wire-tie through the 2x4 to hold it vertical.

I am getting a lot more sun on the plants this way.  I also painted a few of the bottles black to test out warming the water a little in the winter months.  I will use foil and shade when summer rolls around. 

I will be installing a regular media based growbed in the next week to get a little more biofiltration going and to put some of the taller plants in to tie up.  I use hydroton in solo cups converted to net pots by way of a soldering iron to make holes.  I have not even used half a bag yet for 36 plants.

The Photo is here.

Catherine, do beware the extensive lengths of NFT style growing methods can have very detrimental effects on temperature fluctuations in extreme climates.  In hot summer desert situations long runs of NFT pipes Or tower sorts of things can really heat up the water and deplete it of dissolved oxygen leading to plants that struggle more than they would in another growing method.  Just something to take into account when designing a layout.

Catherine Crowley said:

Averan,  That is a really nice set up.  I have been looking into 'windowfarms.org' (FYI for everyone someone mentioned 2 ltr bottles and this group site has some fantastic examples), but I want to do something a little more extensive than the 2 ltr bottle set ups I've seen, and outside as I'm in Mesa, Arizona and running out of ground space.  I'm also considered an expert in edible landscaping in the desert and understand the limitations of small container gardening in the desert, so the large frame work of the tubing you are showing is of great interest to me. Thank you.