How to Build an Ebb-and-Flow Hydroponics System
Hydroponics is an intensive method of growing plants that uses liquid instead of soil to provide the plants with all of their nutrients. There are six basic kinds of hydroponic systems. One of the most common of these is the ebb-and-flow system. This system repeatedly floods the plants with nutrient solution, then allows it to drain away. Some such systems can cost hundreds of dollars to buy, but you can easily build one from some simple, readily-available items that will give you an efficient, affordable hydroponic garden of your own. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Nutrient tank
- Submersible pump
- Feeder hose
- Hose clip
- Plant tray, 4 to 6 inches deep, with spigot
- Drain hose
- Growth medium, clay pellets or perlite
- Nutrient solution, general purpose
- Timer
- Seedlings, no soil on roots
Instructions
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1
Set up the nutrient solution tank. Place the tank as low as possible so that gravity will cause the used solution to drain back into the tank. The tank should hold enough liquid to completely fill the plant tray, without exposing the submersible pump once it is installed, plus some extra to allow for evaporation and use by the plants.
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2
Connect the feeder hose to the submersible pump, and place the pump in the nutrient tank. The power cord should run from the pump in the tank to the nearest outlet. Follow all manufacturer's instructions for installing the submersible pump.
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3
Fill the plant tray with growth medium. Clay pellets are good for larger plants, as they add weight to the plant tray. Perlite works well for lighter plants such as leaf lettuce, small herbs and spinach. Both of these mediums will retain moisture, which benefits the plants.
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4
Place the plant tray on a table or shelf above the nutrient tank. Connect the drain hose to the spigot on the plant tray. Arrange the drain hose so that it runs into the nutrient solution tank.
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Plant the seedlings in the growth medium of the plant tray. Give them some room to grow, but they don't need as much space as they would if they were planted in soil.
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Run the feeder hose from the pump to the plant tray. Clip it to the edge of the tray so that liquid from the feeder hose will run into the plant tray.
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7
Fill the nutrient tank with nutrient solution. Plug the pump in and time how long it takes to fill the plant tray to just below the surface of the growth medium. Set your timer to turn on three times per day, run long enough to fill the tray and then shut off. Connect the pump to the timer and the timer to power to complete the system setup.
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Tips & Warnings
Change the nutrient solution in your system completely every two weeks.
Be sure to only use a submersible pump, since not all pumps are safe in water. Protect all electric equipment and plugs from contact with water. If electrical connections get wet, there is the potential for electrical shock and fire danger. If you need to top off the solution between changes, use plain water. Adding more nutrients can create an imbalance and injure or sicken your plants.
References
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