Need help installing a drain in my rez. +REP

I am building a bubbleponics setup. I would like to put a drain on the rez. I figured I would be able to go to home depot and put someting together form the plumbing section but, im not having much luck. What do you guys use for a drain? Any help would be much appreciated.

I don't drain my reservoir except by watering. I think if you go to the brass fitting section you could easily find something that will provide a method of draining. I would just drill the hole a bit small and thread the brass fitting through the hole.

This tends to result in a water tight coupling.

Yeah. I want to be able to thread something on the back to hold it real tight. Thank you. I didn't think it would be hard to fandangle somethin for a drain but, everything that i was pieceing together lacked a part that they did not have.

you will need a hack saw and some sand paper some heavy plastic/thin metal and some silicone sealant.

what we will make is a bulkhead

step one take your thicker materal( heavy plastic or stolen road sign...) and make 2 peices a a bit larger than you hole you plan on making.
then go get a pvc fitting that has threads on it labled as MIP (male iron pipe) make sure it is 1/2 in longer than the res wall and the 2 pieces of thicker material it can come from anything a coupler, adapter.... and cut it to only that threaded section
then you need to to get 2 reducers now my sugestion is to get a reducer that goes from the size of that peice you just cut (FIP) to the next larger size (MIP) then find a niple (fip to fip) and a ball valve.
put it together by gooping up the res around the hole with the silicone slapping on the thickeners put some silicon on the threads of your cut threaded piece then screw on the reducers until they mash up against the res wall/thickeners put some goo on the nipple and ball valve twist them together and bam new drain. let your goo dry or you will have a mess
text illistration
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[]=|=|(res)=|=[]-ball valve
^......|.........^
^ thickeners
reducers

if you need help just the hardawre store guy you are trying to put a valve in the bottom of your rain water collector i am sure they can help.

WOW NICE!

Lol ... stoned.. i might be able to help you ... I did this mysefl and it looks bad ass!!!

Check out my sig for first dwc grow.

anyways go into pvc department look for ball valve drain, I think you need 1/2 inch... IF you decide that you want to hook directly a hose up to it so that you can take another garden hose hooked up to your kitchen or whatever sink inside the house with a adapter and wash out all the build up on bottom and on sides! and you will not have to constantly dump out a bucket cause its already doing it!

My sig has decent pics of this and I think it be great...For safety issues, i went to petsmart to buy aquarium safe silicone.. I did not want any toxic problems and it was plant and fish safe... Cant complain..

I bought a ball bearing darin valve with a connector piece. I took the connector piece and used a sharpie to trace the size of the hole. I used my dremel tool to cut the hole. There was a snug fit. I applied liberal amounts of silcone both inside and outside container. I mean lots! dont be afraid to use 60 percent of the tube. I did this because I had a slight leak issue and i was not applying that much.

There might be better ways to seal the tub, but I found with the silicone and care used when draining i have no issues.I just make sure that the hose isnt pulling the drain valve completly down... if needed i give support. I have to because my tub is above ground. Anyways I have lots of pics to provide in my dwc link under my sig.

I be more then happy to go more in depth..

BTW I actually forgot... I made 2 DWC.... just like mine which is use. I could always sell you mine.... just a thought... I took lots of time in building it and cutting 3 net holes to get perfect fit. As well the covering for the tub, to prevent light coming thru.

I am glad that I can help.. I have to say I have been quite pleased with my setup, as I have had no leaks since, and changing and flushing water has never been easier..


Being able to hook up my garden hose to drain outside and then another garden hose to my sink to spray any build up and residue on bottom.. This ensures a could clean out when you replenish with new water and nutes.

parts/tools:

1/2" pvc valve
1/2" pvc pipe 3-4" long (and other pieces to suit needs)
3/4" rubber grommet
1" drill bit

drill hole. insert grommet. work (wet) pvc piece thru grommet. insert outer pvc into valve. customize to suit your individual needs.