SmokeyMcMedic
New Member
Greetings!! Smokey is going to take all you willing readers out there on a fun journey through the land of DIY. In this journal, I will be providing step-by-step instructions on how to build your very own flood/drain hydroponic gardening system; The McEbb&Flow.
Lets begin. In doing research for this project, Smokey discovered a few things:
A.) Pre-Built Ebb and Flow systems are expensive.
Period. There is no way around it. I have combed the internet, and local supply shops trying to find a great deal on a turn-key ebb and flow. There arent any that I have found. You will be lucky to find pre-fab for under $500.00.
B.) DIY imparts a sense of pride.
Anyone can order a system, receive it, put it together, shove some plants in and be growing. With a home built-system, however, the end result is much more gratifying due to the fact that you built your planter from the ground up with your own two hands and had great results.
C.) You will save money.
Not just a little bit, either. I mean, with this economy, who doesn't like saving money?
Lets begin. Most of what we will be using is pictured below:
Here is the list of items in the pic;
(2) 15 gal Rubbermaid tubs
(1) 10 gal Rubbermaid tub
(2) EcoPlus 100gph submersible water pumps
(1) ActiveAqua 2 port air pump
(2) 6in. air stones
(2) 1/2in. drain bottom fittings
(2) Drain bottom screens
(2) Drain Risers
(1) 6-head irrigation manifold, 1/2in. feed
(1) Hose adapter
(1) pack of 20 small cable ties
20ft. 1/2in. ID rubber hose
30ft. 1/4in. ID rubber tubing
dust mask
Lets begin. In doing research for this project, Smokey discovered a few things:
A.) Pre-Built Ebb and Flow systems are expensive.
Period. There is no way around it. I have combed the internet, and local supply shops trying to find a great deal on a turn-key ebb and flow. There arent any that I have found. You will be lucky to find pre-fab for under $500.00.
B.) DIY imparts a sense of pride.
Anyone can order a system, receive it, put it together, shove some plants in and be growing. With a home built-system, however, the end result is much more gratifying due to the fact that you built your planter from the ground up with your own two hands and had great results.
C.) You will save money.
Not just a little bit, either. I mean, with this economy, who doesn't like saving money?
Lets begin. Most of what we will be using is pictured below:
Here is the list of items in the pic;
(2) 15 gal Rubbermaid tubs
(1) 10 gal Rubbermaid tub
(2) EcoPlus 100gph submersible water pumps
(1) ActiveAqua 2 port air pump
(2) 6in. air stones
(2) 1/2in. drain bottom fittings
(2) Drain bottom screens
(2) Drain Risers
(1) 6-head irrigation manifold, 1/2in. feed
(1) Hose adapter
(1) pack of 20 small cable ties
20ft. 1/2in. ID rubber hose
30ft. 1/4in. ID rubber tubing
dust mask