ebb & flow hydroponic system

The goal: To demonstrate the construction of an Ebb & Flow hydroponic system.

The system being constructed is small, however the design is the same as larger systems.




Parts list...

• Resturant bus tub, 15 1/2" x 20 1/2" x 4 1/2", flood tray.
• Resturant bus tub, 15 1/2" x 20 1/2" x 7", reservoir.
• Reservoir lid, 15 3/4" x 22".
• Overflow fitting.
• Fill/drain fitting.
• Water pump, 70 gph.
• Tubing, 1/2" ID.
• Aquarium air pump.
• Air stones.
• Green air line.
  
  Notice, in the pictures above, the one inch holes, in the flood tray for the overflow, and fill/drain fittings, also, the two inch holes in the lid, for the fittings to pass through.
  
  
  
  
  
  A view of the plumbed flood tray with lid. See how it fits over the fittings.
  
  
  
  
  
  This is a view of the reservoir with lid, and plumbed flood tray.
  
  
  
  
  
  Here, it's all assembled. The water and air pumps are not shown. The power cord, and air lines fit between, the reservoir and lid. A small notch may need to be added, to avoid pinching the air lines, and to help the flood tray sit level.
  
  
  
  
  
  Assembled with six 5 1/2" square pots. Notice the easy access to both fittings. The fill/drain fitting has a connector for a 1/2" hose, under the screen. Remove the screen, connect the hose, turn the pump on, and pump out the nutrient solution. Makes reservoir change outs very easy.
  
  
  
  
  
  Another view of the system.
  
  
  
  
  
  Note: Choosing a container...
  
  Not all containers are made equal. Some are very sturdy, while others are not. Using a weak container will only lead to failure and a flood. Choose heavy duty containers. Also, some containers will need a center support to keep them level under the weight of the nutrient solution.
  
  Note: About sizes...
  
  The reservoir should be large enough, to hold two, to three times the volume of the flood tray or table. The pump should be sized to flood the tray in 5 min. or less.

Great job there mogie.I brought my tray a 22"x22"x7"and got a storeage tub from homedepot,It's a heavy duty tub with flip up lid which I removed and replaced with a one peace top.This tub holds 17gals to the top but I use 15gals so there about 3" to 4" from the top.I can pickup the tub when its full and theres no bending or anything and its black too.I do like your ebb system and set up,very nice and clean.Great job.Peace

Great thread Mogie ... as usual.

Vi

Nice work, mogie, both the flood unit and the post!

Is this flood unit intended to be a single module in a larger system, or is it to stand alone?

ViRedd said:

Western civilization is facing a fight to the death against liberal idiocy and I am doing my part to expose and destroy it every day.

Click to expand...

Which are you seeking to expose and destroy? Liberal idiocy or western civilisation?

Personally- I think western civilisation has had it coming for a while.

Stand alone.

mogie said:

• The fill/drain fitting has a connector for a 1/2" hose, under the screen. Remove the screen, connect the hose, turn the pump on, and pump out the nutrient solution. Makes reservoir change outs very easy.

Click to expand...

Nice one, mogie. I have used the fittings you show for many years, but didn't know that there was a 1/2" connector for draining under the screened cap!

I just made this this weekend and and will have it running today just thinking about what medium to use.
medsmoker13

my god mogie...that is just super. now i gotta go build one.

how has everyones system been working? was thinking of doing the same. 1 question, i ubderstand how you use the fill drain fitting to change your solution, but how do you stir it up or check ph/ppm? befroe placed into res? if you have built one of these post up some pictures on what you made. thanks.

.....huh. Nice design. I have only used Dwc and wanting to switch over for my needs. What i like about eb and flow is that you can change out the res without disturbing the plants usually. how do you stop the pump from spilling water all over the place??