My first indoor hydro grow - ebb & flow setup

Cheers everyone, welcome to my first indoor hydro grow and grow journal here on RIU. I'm a professional artist located in Portland, Oregon and I will be following the laws of my state for growing recreational cannabis for personal use and to share with friends. (Fuck off DEA!) I'll be applying for a license that will allow me to grow more plants, process and sell for personal use through Oregon's OLCC, when they become available in early 2016.

I'm in the process of setting up my main grow room in a 12x12 nice wood shed located on my property but for now, I'll be growing in my basement using a 4x4 tent, 400 watt MH/HPS light and a 4" inline fan with carbon filter that was given to me from a friend is moving to a different state.

For the last 6 months, I've done nothing but research on inside hydro setups. I've read tons of books, articles and journals. I've also visited a few medical hydro setups and got great advice from my local growing community. I'm excited to be growing again and that it's now legal in the wonderful state of Oregon.




I'm using my own DIY ebb and flow setup. For my setup, I'm using a Rubbermaid Brute 20 gallon container for my reservoir and for the flood table, I'm using a 26 gallon 24x36x8 cement mixing tub. I got a 290 gph EcoPlus submersible pump that will be put on a timer.

For this first time, I will be growing 4 seeds of the sativa strain Kilimanjaro. The grow time for this strain is 70 days. I love the African strains for their citrus taste, high thc, very strong plants and short grow times. I enjoy Sativa strains for the happy, head high that stimulates my creativity. Next grow will be an indica strain.

Here is my ebb and flow setup and test run.


I germinated the seeds in water for 24 hours on Saturday, then transplanted them into Rapid Rooter plugs on Sunday.


Maintained keeping the plugs moist through the day Sunday and Monday. By late evening on Monday, the taproots were coming out of the bottom of the plugs. The seeds have germinated properly and they're starting to grow. I monitored the temps and kept the plugs moist all day on Tuesday.

This morning I setup my tub with the hydroton and transplanted the plugs into 6" net pots. Once the sprout appears, I'll bury the plugs deeper and set them into the tub. Until then, I'll keep them moist.

Hopefully in a few days I'll have a post with a picture showing the sprouts. I also have setup a grow journal on my art website/blog that has a little more info and a list of items I'm using. If you interested, you can visit the page here: Bumwhush Grow Lab

Thanks for stopping by, any questions, tips or advice is greatly appreciated.

Day 9 and everything is going well. Sprouts are starting to get their second leafs. After the 2 week mark, I will plant the net pots into the reservoir, using the ebb and flow setup to feed them. I will also introduce 1/2 strength nutrients to the water.

Very nice!

Thats very impressive

Looking good buddy

Neat setup

Whats your flood scedual in hydration ?

Lights will be 18/6, day starts at 9pm and ends the following day at 3pm. I will be flooding for 15 minutes, 3 times a day at 9pm, 3am and 9am.

Today marks the start of week 3, the vegetative stage.

I've added 1/4 strength nutrients to my distilled water, got the ph at 5.8, kicked on the air stones and starting the feeding schedule. Feeding will be at 9am and 9pm with 24 hour lights. After this next week, I'll adjust the feeding schedule if needed.


Lights are currently 16" away and I'm lowering every day by a little this upcoming week. I'm hoping to have the light at about 10"-12" from the plants and still be able to maintain a suitable atmosphere.

The first plant on the left is doing very well and looks to be in the running to be the mother for clones. The one on the right just isn't taking off too well, I'll give it another week or so before judgement is passed.

Day 20.

Nice setup


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any updates ?