how do u build a edd and flow the cheap way

[smoketellidie]

i want to know how to build a ebb and flow step by step the cheap way like home cheap o and blows way with pvc piping can u help me and if so can u give pics lmk

smoketellidie Reviewed by smoketellidie on 08-05-2008. how do u build a edd and flow the cheap way i want to know how to build a ebb and flow step by step the cheap way like home cheap o and blows way with pvc piping can u help me and if so can u give pics lmk Rating: 5

[smoketellidie]

so no one can help me i want to get parts for home depot and lowes can some one help me with a parts list for my ebb and flow

[stinkyattic]

forget the PVC pipe.
Get a 4x8 sheet of plywood and cut it into 2 4x4 squares. Put one aside for building a dawghouse.
Get 16lf of 2x6 lumber, cut into 4 foot lengths.
Buy a box of coated drywall screws- the 1-3/4" ones- and a CORDED power drill if you don't have one already, or if your cordless is wussy.
Buy a 6x6 sheet of heavy rubber pond liner.
Assemble the above into a leach tray. I'm sure you can figure this one out.

Now, since you are going to have to go to the hydro shop anyway, start making your parts list. You have your tray, which you could have bought for about $100 and probably paid at least that in parts and labor for. Now you need your drain set. There will be a fill fitting and an overflow fitting. They each require a 1 1/4" hole (depending on type you get) and work best sunk into a depression in your leach tray. Since you built one from Home DePOT parts, it's probably not going to have that depression, and will therefore not drain all that great, but HD is all ya got so c'est la vie. Add a hole saw to your list so you can cut those holes.
Now you need a reservoir. For a 4x4 tray, you want 40 gallons. Possibility: A rubbermaid tote. Problem: Lack of rigidity. Solution #1: Buy more lumber and build a stiffening structure to hold it. 40 gallons of water weighs over 300 pounds, so build it strong. Solution #2: Go to the hydro shop and buy a thick-walled rigid 40 gallon reservoir with a nice cover.
You also need a pump. Pond and hydro pumps for that size rig are going to run you from $15-$40 depending on brand and gpm.
Now you need media. 2- 50# bags of hydroton will be adequate for a containerized grow on that table. You MUST go containerized if you aren't assured of proper drainage, because you WILL have troubles with water pooling at the bottom of the tray.

I am going to very strongly recommend that if this is your first hydro grow, to buy a small (2x4 or 3x3) leach tray and 25 gal res, appropriate for a HPS400, and test your your skills. You can build a system at home depot but since you are asking for a step-by-step on it I'm going to guess that you haven't yet acquired the knowledge to do it totally from scratch and make it work.

[smoketellidie]

well im new to growing and i know theres many hydro systems and the ebb and flow looks easy for a first time grower i have the light for the setup im looking for some in site on the ebb and flow lmk

[SpaceNeedle]

If you don't want to do the carpentry..... for the first ebb and flow, buy yourself one of those under the bed plastic storage boxes. They are about 2 ft by 3 ft and about 6 inches high. A perfect tray for about 12 bucks, or if that's not enough, get two of them. Then buy a 30 gal storage box, plastic bin or whatever its called. place your tray on top, drill two holes into the bottom of the tray one for the pump and one for your adjustable drain.

SN

[smoketellidie]

thanks for the info what would i use for a sealer for the drains i dont want it to leck on me

[SpaceNeedle]

thanks for the info what would i use for a sealer for the drains i dont want it to leck on me

you really don't need any sealer. you are pumping the nutes up from the reservoir thu the tray, if there is any leakage, it will just drip back into the rez.

[stinkyattic]

If you buy a correct drain-set, a soft rubber gasket is included.
You can't get around a hole saw for this either- it will give you the perfectly round opening you need for the gasket to seat.

[Rastaman Vibrations]

I use one of these. 11 Plant System with great success. cost me about $15 minus the soda bottles.:rasta:

[smoketellidie]

nice i like looks easy to set up and do u have any real pics of the setup would like to see one and thanks for all the info