Question about changing res

New to forum and I've read a lot on FAQ and used search but have not been able to find out the answer to this question.

How do most actually change out the water?
I'm well on my way to setting up the system. I will be using two separate/divided spaces for veg and flower. I will be using drip in veg and flood and drain in flower space. I am using 30-50 gal res. I will not be filling up the veg one but will probably be using most of the res for the flower. Hydro store guy said my flower tray would take 45 gal.

The res with that much water will be heavy. Do you put a water pump in it and pump into smaller containers then dump on yard plants or do you dip it out by hand? Just want ideas from those who have already solved this issue.

gwhunran said:

New to forum and I've read a lot on FAQ and used search but have not been able to find out the answer to this question.

How do most actually change out the water?
I'm well on my way to setting up the system. I will be using two separate/divided spaces for veg and flower. I will be using drip in veg and flood and drain in flower space. I am using 30-50 gal res. I will not be filling up the veg one but will probably be using most of the res for the flower. Hydro store guy said my flower tray would take 45 gal.

The res with that much water will be heavy. Do you put a water pump in it and pump into smaller containers then dump on yard plants or do you dip it out by hand? Just want ideas from those who have already solved this issue.

Click to expand...

I'm not sure what exactly your asking?
An Ebb-n-Flow system is the easiest, and least amount maintenance hydro setup.

This is how it works.
You have a resevoir, usually sitting beneath your planter tray.
In the resevoir, there is a pump that pumps the water from the resevoir to the planter tray.
The planter tray will have your pots in it with your plants in the pots.
The planter tray will fill up about 4-5 inches, or however high you set your drain at.
Once the water reaches the drain, the water then drains back into the resevoir.
The pump is set on a timer, usually for 4-6 times a day for 10-15min.

As far as getting rid of the old water.
You just simply unhook the hose that goes from the pump to the planter tray.
Then just put the hose in a 5 gallon bucket and dump it.
Then make new nutrient.

45 gals i'm using a pump..that's alot of nutrients, i'm cheap i do it out of smaller containers

wiseguy316 said:

45 gals i'm using a pump..that's alot of nutrients, i'm cheap i do it out of smaller containers

Click to expand...

I was leaning toward getting another pump just for res changing. I just put this extra pump and hose into res and pump into 5gal buckets and then dump the buckets on plants and vegetables.

I had planned to zip tie the hoses to my fittings on my plant trays and didn't want to redo every couple of weeks.

gwhunran said:

I had planned to zip tie the hoses to my fittings on my plant trays and didn't want to redo every couple of weeks.

Click to expand...

You can buy tension hose clamps that fit around the hoses.
Undoing the clamps takes a second. All you do is pinch the ends
together to undo it.
I think I bought mine at AutoZone for like .25 a piece.
Plus, your pump doesn't create enough pressure inside the hose to create a leak.
That fact that your hose might be snug enough around your fitting
might be enough.

go to like home depot and get a small sump pump and hook a hose to it. You can pump right out into your yard or into bucket which might take a while. You should be able to pump out within a half hour or so then refill and start over