need some help from ebb / flow growers

ok, i am new to hydroponics. i started with a purchase on ebay and got a ten plant drip system in a single rubbermaid res.

i realized quickly that the bubble system seemed to work much better for me. i really like the bubble system but i am trying to think about how i can make my next grow produce max yield.

my grow tent is 32" x 32" x 65" and i am thinking that it would be cool to have a system like this Discount Hydroponics - WaterFarm Controller Kit


i would like to replicate this exact system but on the cheap. it would be great if i could avoid pulling the plants out of the tent completely every week when i change out and scrub the res. i would love to know exactly what i need to buy to make a similar system and see how much money i could save.

any help would be greatly appreciated! thanks

I dont think 8 waterfarms will fit in your tent! They are 12" wide.

thanks for responding. thats why i posted my tent size, to get feedback on what would produce ultimate yield in the tent. i know having a system that is able to have a little more flexibility as in adding a plant or removing a plant to the existing system during the grow could be beneficial.

currently i am using this system which has limitations that i am learning now 10 PLANT DRIP HYDROPONICS SYSTEM + HYDRO CD HYDROPONIC - eBay (item 190254139141 end time Sep-27-08 17:05:02 PDT)


i like the ebb/flow system because i could kind of have 4 or 5 nice plants in it and really turn them into good producers and still be able to manage the cleaning and maintenance easier so i want to try to make one on the cheap

coco coir would make it nice

how is that? i don't know much about coco coir

mixin said:

thanks for responding. thats why i posted my tent size, to get feedback on what would produce ultimate yield in the tent. i know having a system that is able to have a little more flexibility as in adding a plant or removing a plant to the existing system during the grow could be beneficial.

currently i am using this system which has limitations that i am learning now 10 PLANT DRIP HYDROPONICS SYSTEM + HYDRO CD HYDROPONIC - eBay (item 190254139141 end time Sep-27-08 17:05:02 PDT)

i like the ebb/flow system because i could kind of have 4 or 5 nice plants in it and really turn them into good producers and still be able to manage the cleaning and maintenance easier so i want to try to make one on the cheap

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Hi mixin, how do you post that picture with-out having to maximize the link?

mixin said:

i like the ebb/flow system because i could kind of have 4 or 5 nice plants in it and really turn them into good producers and still be able to manage the cleaning and maintenance easier so i want to try to make one on the cheap

Click to expand...

Too easy.



Tank, water pump, tray, tray stand, fill/drain & overflow fittings are the basic kit. Necessary but not pictured in this animation is an air pump & stone for aerating the nute tank.

Small grows can use underbed storage boxes from a dollar shop as the flood tray but larger ones benefit from commercially available moulded flood trays from a hydro shop.

Unlike coir, inorganic media cannot support mould growth and won't break down with exposure to H2O2. Stick with an inorganic medium like pellets, rockwool, Fytocell, perlite, etc.

Despite much discussion of them, a watering system is a watering system. If it wets the roots, it's doing its job. The main consideration when making a system selection is how easy it is to use & maintain. It gets no easier than a tray based flood sys.

mixin said:

how is that? i don't know much about coco coir

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Gotta use it to appreciate it. Setup a drain-to-waste drip system with a big enough res and you can leave your garden alone for weeks at a time. No constant monitoring of EC or pH required.

Run to waste can be a good system just for the reason ES suggests. Recirculating systems do require nute soln maintenance as the plants are constantly taking some of the nutes out of the soln. However, recirculating systems are somewhat less expensive to run as very little nutrient is not used. You can dial in the tank size to match the plants' consumption rates and minimise wastage.

good too know. good info