Version 1.0 - 'Keep it simple'

In my mind I had visions of a simple Dutch Bucket design with a reservoir, pump and Arduino acting as the control.  I bought some flower troughs with holes in the bottom and guttering to return the water to the reservoir.

Lessons learned

1. Although simple it was incredibly difficult to get a good gradient from trough one through to trough ten (yes ten troughs, what an idiot!) and back into the reservoir
2. Dirt continually got into the water
3. Putting the troughs in a trench however did keep them thermally stable with the rise and fall of heat in the summer.