Homemade hydro system Need Input

[natureboy]

After doing alot of research, I decided that hydro is way to go. So after reading up a little bit I built a homemade system I think should work. Here its is, On Top: I have a rectangle plastic tote with a lid that is 4 feet by 2 feet and 1 foot deep. There are 6 evenly spaced holes cut to snuggly fit 8" net pots. I spray painted the entire outside black with plastic rated paint, could"nt find one that was dark, it was the Trift store. OK The Bottom: its a 20 gallon square plastic tote and lid. Inside I have a 400 gph water pump that runs out of the res and into the top tray connecting to 1/8" tubing which than feeds to each net pot at the top with a spray nozzle at the end. Which doesent really spray when running its not much more than a trickle. Also I have an air pump hooked up to a decent air stone in the res obviously for air. The top tray has one drain in the back and another peice in the middle for a vent. Both connect to the lid on the res. The tray sits on top with the front up a little higher so the solution will gradually drain back into the res. Also the bottom of the tray I put a peice of thin cappilary matting or spreader matt to help make an even flow across the bottom and to possibly wick water to the front 2 pots if they needed it. The pots are filled with Hydroton and as I mentioned before when the thing is running there is a continuous trickle into the base of each one. The solution makes its way through and drizzles out the bottom and flows on down to the drain. The nutrient film is only a couple of centimeters but the water does puddle up a bit in the back, which I'm thinking may be a problem so I might put another small air stone there. But anyway there it is. So do you think it can work? Or any suggestions about modifying it? I think it should work but I am not sure about continuously top feeding them. Should I get a timer or can you keep a constant flow going. I am aware of a problem with algae, gonna go pick up some pot covers. But any feed back would be appreciated. And I'll let ya know how it turns out.:hippy:

natureboy Reviewed by natureboy on 05-01-2010. Homemade hydro system Need Input After doing alot of research, I decided that hydro is way to go. So after reading up a little bit I built a homemade system I think should work. Here its is, On Top: I have a rectangle plastic tote with a lid that is 4 feet by 2 feet and 1 foot deep. There are 6 evenly spaced holes cut to snuggly fit 8" net pots. I spray painted the entire outside black with plastic rated paint, could"nt find one that was dark, it was the Trift store. OK The Bottom: its a 20 gallon square plastic tote and lid. Rating: 5

[natureboy]

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[demoreal]

It looks really good. I hope to see you post some pictures when you start using it.
Is it on enough slant to prevent the puddling?

[natureboy]

It does puddle a little in the back around 1/2" deep before draining, was thinking of putting an air stone there to get more O2 in the root zone and create a little bubbling action. Will post some pics when its up and running. Still not sure about the continuous drip. Do you think I might drown the roots?

[cigarettes42]

With that little puddle you should still be great. After your irriagation time your rooots should have dried up some by the time the next irragation sets in

[demoreal]

It should be ok if its on the move. just make sure its not the same water hanging out in the puddle. I had that problem with a puddle on my ebb and flow table and the plant hanging out near it looked a bit crazy.