Newly build ebb and flow table, water level/amount questions?

[JCave]

I just finished building this table from scratch today.

Did some test runs with the pump to see if any leaks and such arise. So far I am happy with it.

Here is what I notice, it does not drain all the way.

The fitting itself is little raised, so it is keeping water inside, and the tub isn't perfectly flat to drain. What is left over is about 1/2 in of water in the table on the table, from what I read all the water should be drained out. Should I be considered about this little amount of water not fully drain?


Question about the water level of the res with the pump inside, how low can the water go inside the res without damaging the pump, if that even damage the pump?

(its about 4 gallons in the res, table is full and overflowing)


My last grow was DWC so I am new to ebb and flow.

 

[waterdawg]

I used an plastic layin diffuser that you see in suspended ceilings to keep the roots off the bottom. Now i keep pump on 24/7. Im really not sure that its an issue though. Also my pump fitting is only an 1/8" above bottom so not much water when it does drain. Also make sure you periodically check for root blockage. I ran a overflow drain on the side of the tray outside into the res incase of blockage that i can monitor. I trapped it to see if water has been in it. I clear roots typically once a run from drain but plan on making bigger screen to go around drain pipe next run.

 

[zem]

as long as the pump is under water level the you're fine. i would not allow 1/2" of sitting water in the bottom, try to find a way round it. if you're growing in buckets, you can just raise them a bit using clean granite tile 1/2' thick or if you will fill the entire tray with medium, you can cover the floor with tiles leaving only tiny gaps between tiles. if you want to use any plastic, metal or anything that will contact your res water, make sure it is food grade material that will not leach heavy metals and harmful chemicals into your res.

 

[waterdawg]

Hmm never thought about plastic leaching, my whole grow is plastic! Pumps, tubes, fittings, totes, pots, and everything else. God another thing to deal with, great! I take a chance with my setup and because its circulating all the time I fill it to that max so that top and bottom res are pretty much full when its circulating. I do risk flooding and it has, but I have a floor drain that the water goes down and the water can't damage anything. My suggestion would be to get as much water in there as possible without having a flooding issue. and yes just dont let pump cavitate either, Im sure thats not a good thing.

 

[zem]

Hmm never thought about plastic leaching, my whole grow is plastic! Pumps, tubes, fittings, totes, pots, and everything else. God another thing to deal with, great! I take a chance with my setup and because its circulating all the time I fill it to that max so that top and bottom res are pretty much full when its circulating. I do risk flooding and it has, but I have a floor drain that the water goes down and the water can't damage anything. My suggestion would be to get as much water in there as possible without having a flooding issue. and yes just dont let pump cavitate either, Im sure thats not a good thing.

if you're buying from agriculture stores, hydro stores etc, then everything is already safe, but using stuff used in false ceilings and such, you must check if it is safe for agriculture. some construction material contains dyes and things unsafe to use, there is one styrofoam type, extruded polystyrene, which is for construction and can be used in hydro. many types of PVC drain pipes actually contain lead Pb in them and it is taken forgranted that they are only used in drains and sewers, so just make sure that you use safe material, good luck

 

[JCave]

I used an plastic layin diffuser that you see in suspended ceilings to keep the roots off the bottom. Now i keep pump on 24/7. Im really not sure that its an issue though. Also my pump fitting is only an 1/8" above bottom so not much water when it does drain. Also make sure you periodically check for root blockage. I ran a overflow drain on the side of the tray outside into the res incase of blockage that i can monitor. I trapped it to see if water has been in it. I clear roots typically once a run from drain but plan on making bigger screen to go around drain pipe next run.

I know what you are talking about http://www.homedepot.com/p/Unbranded-24-in-x-48-in-White-Egg-Crate-Lighting-Panel-5-Pack-LP2448EGG-5/202653781#

Are those safe for hydro use?

I am little confused on what/how grow medium I will be using.

This grow I will start with clones, so I am a little confused on how to set up the table.

Do I put the rockwool clones directly into the res, then cover as much with hydroton. Or can I put them in net pots and set the netpots on the table.

 

[waterdawg]

"Are those safe for hydro use?"
I use em but not sure lol. They dont come from a hydro store! But really, net pots food grade. Not sure that all things from my hydro store are food grade! Im pretty sure some of the plastic stuff says china on it lol.

 

[zem]

there are regulations for growing supplies even if made in China, no problem there. all water are safe and most irrigation hoses fittings and all parts netpots, totes etc are all ok to use. this is common knowledge in agri industry, just that some people would use stuff like tin cans, construction plastics and what else in res and there is where a problem can arise.

 

[waterdawg]

Yes i hear China follows guidelines when it comes to stuff like that lol.

 

[waterdawg]

Yes i hear China follows guidelines when it comes to stuff like that lol. Melamine in milk, lead in jewelry, all safe stuff. Lol

 

[waterdawg]

"Do I put the rockwool clones directly into the res, then cover as much with hydroton. Or can I put them in net pots and set the netpots on the table."
Im not sure what the best way would be. I have a lid and net pots are suspended in that. I would think any sort of medium would be a bit of a pain to clean when done. I have seen rockwool cubes and a cover with slits in it used as well. Perhaps you could make a cover of sorts. Keep us posted sounds interesting. My pump fitting is from a Lifebreath HRV drain and like i said it only sticks up appr. 1/8". Not sure if its food grade though 😟.

 

[hydrogreen65]

I've run a flood table a cpl different ways. 1 was with a piece of plywood on top of tray with holes cut for net pots. That way it keeps pot dry and floods root system.
The other way is with a cpl inches of hydroton in tray with pots sitting on top. Then set drain to only flood about an inch or so deep.
Both ways worked great.

 

[JCave]

Update:

I did a lot of reading, and I think I got an idea how I am going to run this.

I read just run the flood table with net pots filled with hydroton, no hydroton on flood table, but cover the flood table with panda plastic.

I will be flooding 24 times a day for 15mins.

Little things I need to fix before I get started growing.

Both the ebb and flow fittings are leaking.
Edit: Think I fixed the leaking, switched the rubber ring to the flood side.


I got new netpots that are raised but water still doesn't fully drain. About ~1/4in left in res.
How is the flood level?

 

[JohnDee]

No need to flood during "lights off"
JD

 

[waterdawg]

The roots are going to be still sitting in the water but if you are flooding that often but Im not sure if it matters. Like I said I flood all the time for better or worse lol, Im still learning what my girls like at this point. I do know that once roots are established they can sit for a long time before a flood. I've had popcorn buds go for a week with out flooding and the roots are still moist and the things are still ok.

 

[JCave]

Update:

Got a clone of Girl Scout Cookies,

PH: 5.8
PPM: 302

Using lucas formula, giving the clone only 1/2 veg nutes, for now. Not sure when the plant will be ready for full strength nutes though...



Covered it with windshield reflector material. Vegging with two 42watt CFL lights. (Same lights from my last grow)



Now waiting for my 600w light system to come.
I will leave this grow tent the same but I will have to find out how to build a flowering room. This tent was built with PVC piping with corners. I am not sure how I am going to build my flowering tent, PVC piping or wood.

 

[waterdawg]

Post some pics when you get it covered. I may switch myself. I cant find a plastic tote for upper res thats black and paint mine. Paint peels of in places after a few runs and its a pain! Good luck, youve put a lot of thought into this.

 

[JCave]

Post some pics when you get it covered. I may switch myself. I cant find a plastic tote for upper res thats black and paint mine. Paint peels of in places after a few runs and its a pain! Good luck, youve put a lot of thought into this.

Thanks man, yah I did a ton of research before settling into a ebb and flow system.

View attachment 2947110

This is what my system looks like.

The top part, flood table, bought it from home depot, its a concrete mixing tub.
$5.75
http://www.homedepot.com/p/Plasgad-Medium-Mixing-Tub-887101A/202086173?N=aq89#.UsNZ-LSIjpU

Stand for the tub I built with wood from home depot, I had them cut the wood for me, so all I did at home was screw them together. Wood is about ~$3 for 8 feet.

And the Res is a Rubbermaid 18 gal tote from walmart.
$7
http://www.walmart.com/ip/Rubbermaid-18-Gallon-Roughneck-Storage-Box-Blue-Set-of-12/16539917

 

[MuckyDucky]

Question about the water level of the res with the pump inside, how low can the water go inside the res without damaging the pump, if that even damage the pump?

(its about 4 gallons in the res, table is full and overflowing)
View attachment 2938250

My last grow was DWC so I am new to ebb and flow.

Hi, I am running a similar DYI Ebb & Flow on a second run and right now the plants are sucking up 1 ½ gals a day. If yours is similar you may have to fill it on a daily basis. Also, your solution PPM’s will usually rise when the water drops. I have a 27 gal tote for a res with the maxium water level at 19 gal. To be safe I refill when the level drops 3 gallons. My PPM is usually up 100 – 150 PPM with that percentage of water drop. With the percentage of water that will be used out of your res the PPM could climb higher and faster.

 

[waterdawg]

I run 45 gallons and i refill once a week when in peak flowering to keep things stable. Keep TDS at around 600-700. Cant wait to see how it works out for you!