Beginning Hydroponics...

Okay, I've seriously spent the past week doing nothing but research and feel pretty confident that I can take a stab at this. Done the soil thing in the past, ready to try this out.
I apologize in advance if this post is very scattered, but that might directly reflect on my current psychological state ;]

Decided to go with flow and drain style...
Here's where the questions begin.

Im doing six 5gallon buckets, individual flow to each with (im thinking) a 40 gallon rez

Question 1::is a 291gph water pump strong
enough this situation? 40gallon res, 30 gallons to pump to containers. too strong?

Question 2::GH 3 part, cal-mag+ and ph-down are the basic needs as far as nutrition? I know other growers will have different opinions, but I am not missing any important elements i hope. (going to be using rockwool and hydroton)

question 3::Purchasing PPM meter and PH meter both on ebay... I read that the cheaper style meters (basically the ones that aren't an arm an a leg) are inaccurate... Definitely would love input before I go ahead and make a purchase.. Here are links to both:
HANNA Primo TDS Meter, PPM Tester, Conductivity - (eBay item 280158176789 end time Oct-09-07 23:00:00 PDT)

HANNA HI98103 Pocket pH Tester/Meter/Checker 1/HI 98103 - (eBay item 280158208337 end time Oct-09-07 17:30:00 PDT)



So basically, If I'm understanding correctly, as far as assembly for the ebb and flow...
as long as theres water being pumped from a Res, to a tray (or individual buckets with a net basket inside), and it flows back into the res after your done... thats it. easy as that.

so i can just muck around with pvc tubes and rubbermaid containers and water pump until it works.. epoxy of course...

Would love some input.. Other things I need perhaps?

The mucking about is the fun part- and where ya learn everything too.

I found the Hanna's expensive to own, as they were not terribly robust- the first time you have to replace the Hanna, ya couldda bought the Oakton.

Admittedly, I gave up on Hanna a long time ago, and their product may have improved considerably- but back then, ya couldn't put 'em down hard.

Well how robust the device is will not be an issue, I take care of things very well, set them down as if they were nitro glycerin... as long as its accurate :]

So I still need to figure out how many GPH the pump needs, so I can go ahead and order it.

If you wanna see a good example of ebb and flow search youtube for "I grow chronic" good vid. Use this formula for your nutes and you'll be very happy!!!:jointsmile:
http://boards.cannabis.com/hydroponi...rt-calmag.html

Quick question, on the pump im considering getting it says
Included Fittings:1/2" - 3/4"

Does that mean I run 1/2" Tubing to PVC piping? Or can i run the 1/2" Tubing straight from the water pump to the bottom of my 5 gallon buckets and no PVC is required at all? clarification please :[

Ahhh very important thing I kinda overlooked...

I never planned a drain system on this, I just figured that when the pump shuts off, that the water that has risen in the buckets would start falling back down and back into the res... Is this a flawed idea?

Return is (almost) always done by backflow thru the pump- the drain is nec in case of overflow conditions.

Easy to install- thruwall to barbed fitting coupla inches below top o' bucket, polytube returns to res. If level goes high, it'll overflow thru this- if not, when pump turns off flow will reverse thru pump.

You should be able to do all of this w/o any rigid pvc. have a look @ "Ebb-n-Grow" commercial systems. ( They don't use an overflow return- they use a high-level float switch, but you can see feed layout).

Pump flow rate is dependant on head, plumbing drag, intake head. But a 291gph should do ya fine.

Thank you for the reply rhizome ;]

unfortunately I don't know what a thruwall or a barbed fitting is... I'll explain my basic Idea for set up, someone PLEASE help me!!! Basically all i know is what a BUCKET is... I don't know bit names and tool names...

Okay..


So Rubbermaid 40gal Resevour... With BUCKETHEAD connector (Interior threads accept 3/4" standard pipe thread) On top, that hooks up to 3/4" Tubing to the pump? Yes?

Submersable Water Pump is the Resevour 3/4" Tubing Running from IT to the BUCKETHEAD?


PVC Pipe attaches to the OUTSIDE of the resevour? Correct? From there I would attach a T Connector PVC Peice?

I am planning on having SIX individual 5 gallon buckets that are connected to the Resevour.


Also THIS peice I don't know if I understand 100 percent.... Bulkhead Screen Ebb & Flow/Bulkhead Screen | Plumbing Materials & Fittings

says it accepts 3/4" (Which is PVC right?) So I could have the SIX pvc pipes running from the BULKHEAD, and Install SIX of these at the bottom of each bucket to connect the SIX pvc pipes? Or do I just use Tubing??? IM SO CONFUSED....


Input please i would love you forever.....:[[[[[