Hydroponic plant pot based on Lechuza BALCONERA

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Digital-Words

Household>Garden

IP Report

Print Profile(1)

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X1 Carbon

P1S

H2D

X1E

P1P

H2D Pro

H2S

P2S

H2C

X2D

A2L

0.2mm layer, 2 walls, 15% infill

Designer

20.7 h

7 plates

4.7(3)

Open in Bambu Studio

Boost

243

162

Released

Description

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This model is part of our Hydroponics Collection
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This is a hydroponic kit for the Lechuza BALCONERA 40 planter. This kit transforms the Lechuza BALCONERA 40 into a hydroponic system, in which either two larger plants such as chilies, smaller tomatoes, or small peppers can be cultivated OR a larger plant plus a smaller hydroponic tower for herbs and salads.

Only one pump is installed in the pot itself, which supplies both plant baskets or a plant basket and a small hydroponic tower simultaneously with water via a Y-adapter (included in the print profile).

Installation / Setup

Purchase and unpack the Lechuza BALCONERA 40. Only the outer pot and the float are needed.
A pump, for example, an EHEIM compactON 300, is required.
To connect the pump to the hydroponic set, we use a 12/16 (12 mm inner diameter, 16 mm outer diameter) hose. This is a standard size in aquaristics. We need approximately 30 cm of hose in total. Note: if you use a different pump, you may need different hose lengths!

4. The printed legs are now inserted into the lids, and the filling aid is screwed onto the right lid from below. The filling aid is a marker that shows you when the pot is full, so you do not overfill it.

5. Then the right lid is inserted into the pot, and the pump is connected to both lids via the Y-piece.

6. From the original Lechuza float, we need the base part, the glass cover including the adapter, and the float itself. The red indicator rod must be shortened to 4 cm. This can be easily done with scissors.

Notes

This hydroponic kit is compatible with my small hydroponic tower for salads and herbs, which can be screwed into one of the two lids via an adapter. The adapter is included in this print profile.
The plant baskets are also compatible with my hydroponic planter. If you already own this and have placed a plant in one of the plant baskets, it fits perfectly into this set.
The left lid has a small opening through which an optional oxygen hose can be run. Via an external air pump, the water can optionally be enriched with oxygen, which further reduces the likelihood of root rot and improves the plant's nutrient uptake.

Updates

June 16, 2025 - Lids reduced by 1 mm all around so that they do not fit so tightly. Maintenance opening widened by 4 mm.

July 21, 2025 - Plant baskets optimized, new planting rods with holes for floral wire added, plant rod extension added

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My projects consume a significant amount of time and materials for prototyping. Therefore, I greatly appreciate your support!

Comment & Rating (29)

@user_1974868580

I have a lot of the Balconera 80 planters, until now I usually grow on 100% substrate but now I want to start with hydroponics, can I just put 2 of these 40 units side by side? I was thinking I might need a connector piece in between for some added stability? Ideally I'd only use only 1 little pump, perhaps a slightly bigger capacity, any thoughts would be appreciated?

The designer has replied

@digitalwords

I don't think that this will fit, because I guess that the width of the Lechuza Balconera 40 is bigger than one half of the Balconera 80. In addition to that we know that other dimensions can be also be different. For example: We’ve already designed a kit for the Lechuza Balconera 50 (will be published soon) and this is not only different in width, but also slightly in height. But if you could provide us the inner dimensions of the Balconera 80, we could easily create this kit for it. If you interested in doin so, please send us a PM.

(Edited)

@user_1974868580

Replying to @digitalwords :

I finally got round to replying with some images, these are 78cm wide down to the mm, I hope that helps?!

@digitalwords

Replying to @user_1974868580 :

Hi, what About the width? Is it the same like in the Balconera 40 and Balconera 50?

@user_2292113598

Boosted

Excellent idea! I used two individual pumps because I found the distribution method too fiddly :) I would also appreciate the addition of a way to secure carbonation stones, so they don't float around in the tank

The designer has replied

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@digitalwords

Hi, yes, that's quite fiddly. However, there's a new adapter that fits directly into the pump, making the connection easier. Alternatively, you can also use a silicone tube; it's more flexible and further simplifies the connection. Regarding the bubbler stones, I'll have to take a look at that, but I already have an idea. 😉

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@user_2292113598

Boosted

Replying to @digitalwords :

The two water pumps are fine. This allows for easier removal of the individual lids for maintenance. I added a second feedthrough hole to one lid for the air pump. One of your other narrow pots also fits next to it. Unfortunately, the tent is somewhat small due to space constraints

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@user_266519077

Boosted

Thank you for this beautiful design Tell me, is your purchased Lechuza Balconera also so severely bowed inwards? Mine is quite bad I'm considering whether to complain about it

The designer has replied

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@digitalwords

Hi, I now have ten of them, most filled with soil, and this is the case with all of them. When filled, they automatically press slightly outwards, and then it fits again. Best regards

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@user_266519077

Boosted

Replying to @digitalwords :

Okay, thank you for the tip

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@user_266519077

Boosted

Top! However, I'm running this with two small pumps due to the height (pressure) differences tower and large plant

The designer has replied

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@digitalwords

Have you seen that there is an adapter so you only need one pump?

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@user_266519077

Boosted

Replying to @digitalwords :

Yes, I had it installed. I had a tower and a large plant inside. Due to the height differences, the pump sent all the water to the large plant and couldn't get it up the tower anymore. Water always finds the path of least resistance. But everything is fine with 2 pumps

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@digitalwords

Replying to @user_266519077 :

Hi, the one adapter therefore has different inner diameters to compensate for that. It worked perfectly for us. 😊

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@user_3812715302

Print Profile

0.2mm layer, 2 walls, 15% infill

Errors happen on 3D printers. Great model overall. Printer error initially, but it turned out great the second time

(Edited)

The profile uploader has replied

@digitalwords

I don’t understand that. With this model, no part is printed with support. Which part exactly do you mean?

(Edited)

@user_3812715302

Replying to @digitalwords :

The vertical legs. Tipped over at 72%. Things happen. I was able to reprint. Everything turned out fine the 2nd time. Thanks

@digitalwords

Replying to @user_3812715302 :

It’s strange, but I’m glad it worked on the second attempt. Otherwise, you can also enable the brim next time; then it should definitely hold. We had it disabled because it always held for us, and this way you avoid additional finishing work. If you’re satisfied in the end, you might want to reconsider your rating. 😉

(Edited)

@user_266519077

Boosted

Excellent design A millimeter reduction in size would improve it The four support rods and the ring are also somewhat tight

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@user_4151814056

What is Lechuza BALCONERA 40 and where can I get it

The designer has replied

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@digitalwords

I don‘t know if it is available in your country, but in most countries you can buy it at Amazon.

(Edited)

@user_266519077

Boosted

I am really impressed with the tower. Unfortunately, I can't get the container to be watertight. Additionally, I find the solution with the balcony planter much better. No leakage issues, easier to clean. Could I get the Fusion360 file for the bayonet system. I recently purchased a Lechuza imitation for €10 at Aldi. However, it has slightly different dimensions. That's why I would have liked to create alternative lids with a suitable bayonet. Furthermore, I would incorporate blind holes (e.g., 100mm closed tube at the bottom) to insert aluminum rods for tomatoes or larger chili plants into the large plant system. If I had the bayonet design, I would also design additional lids for round store-bought pots

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@Nekitbasok

Print Profile

0.2mm layer, 2 walls, 15% infill

Very interesting project

@djheftig

Print Profile

0.2mm layer, 2 walls, 15% infill

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