Ebb and Flow Setup Advice?

[killfrenzi]

Ive read the forums and many other sites' info. Just want experienced advice. I am wanting to start my next grow in March and was thing of using an ebb and flow setup using: 2, 10"Dia x 4' L, PVC Tubing with 3, 6" holes per tube for netted pots. 6 plants total. The tubes would set 2"-4" higer on one end to allow for drainage into a 20 gal Res., pumping nutes at a constant drip rate of 1 gph. Under 2, 600w HPS. Any input or advice to this setup is greatly apprecieated. My other option would be a 6 pot DWC setup, using a 20 gal res as well as the 1 GPH constant drip. I am unsure of the constant drip, is this too much? Should I change to 1/2 gph drip on constant?

My current grow is DWC: No drip, but pumps (un-regulated) on a cycle of 15 min on, 2 hour off, and Im not sure of the un-regulated pressure of the pump. I got it from Lowes for $20. Its for a "Pond Fountain." Plants arent showing any signs of nute burn, lock-out or stress, any advice here?

Ill post pics this week showin current set up and a few drawn up Diagrams of my next setup.

killfrenzi Reviewed by killfrenzi on 01-25-2012. Ebb and Flow Setup Advice? Ive read the forums and many other sites' info. Just want experienced advice. I am wanting to start my next grow in March and was thing of using an ebb and flow setup using: 2, 10"Dia x 4' L, PVC Tubing with 3, 6" holes per tube for netted pots. 6 plants total. The tubes would set 2"-4" higer on one end to allow for drainage into a 20 gal Res., pumping nutes at a constant drip rate of 1 gph. Under 2, 600w HPS. Any input or advice to this setup is greatly apprecieated. My other option would be a Rating: 5

[tinytoon]

ok first off what you described with the pvc tubing is NOT ebb&flow. what you described would be a recirculating drip system. I would not run that constant, at 1 gph I would say 3-4 times a day at 15-30 mins each. Second off you say "My current grow is DWC: No drip, but pumps (un-regulated) on a cycle of 15 min on, 2 hour off, and Im not sure of the un-regulated pressure of the pump." What exactly is that pump doing?? In DWC the only pump you have is an air pump providing air to the roots 24/7 so the plant doesn't drown. Please enlighten us as to how your system works

[killfrenzi]

Sorry about the misleading info I gave you. I guess my current grow is more of a recirulating drip. my plants sit above the res in 6" netted pots, and my pump is on a rate of 15 min on, 2 hrs off. But i also use an airstone in the res so the roots from the plants that are hanging in the water get oxygen. This may be too much, as my nutrient solution is already 8" below the bottom of the pots. What advice do you have?

[drudown11]

From my experience using drip irrigation with rockwool blocks the constant drip might cause you some problems. Overwatering becomes the main issue. If this is the case then a simple timer and some experimentation with your watering cycles should do the trick.

What im pretty sure your describing is building some sort of NFT(nutrient flow techinque) system where you have your plants in hydroton like dwc but you have a constant steam of nutrient solution going through the tubing. Because its slightly slanted it drains by gravity back into the res, where it is then pumped right back up to flow downwards touching the roots as it goes. In that case, i have no experience and don't feel comfortable giving advice.

[killfrenzi]

Heres what i found out about the (NFT):

NFT is a system that uses a "film" of nutrient solution . . . which flows continuously over the bottom of the channel containing the plants. The fertile fluid is constantly recirculated, and can be used (with periodic enrichment) for several weeks.

American researchers at the Long Island Horticultural Research Laboratory of Cornell University have been working with NFT since 1975 . . . and they claim the technique's versatility is enormous! For example, unlike other forms of hydroponics, NFT can be used with or without a growing medium (the latter method eliminates the otherwise necessary beds of heavy-and hard to sterilizegravel) . . . it can be set up with either horizontal or vertical growing beds . . . it's practical both indoors and out . . . and it's economical to use and basic in design.

An NFT system is a snap to assemble, too. All that's needed are [1] a growing bed of some sort, [2] two containers (plastic wastebaskets or dishpans are perfect for this job, but avoid unlined metal containers) . . . the first to supply the nutrient-by gravity feed-to the growing bed and the second to act as a receiving basin to collect the fluid after it has trickled past the roots, and [3] a pump, connecting pipes or tubing, and some screw clips to be used as control valves.

The fertilizer solution is contained in the elevated nutrient tank, from which it travels-by way of plastic or rubber hose-to the growing bed. The rate of nutrient flow is easily controlled by a screw clip on the tubing. The liquid passes through the growing bed (which is at a minimum 2 or 3% tilt) and then drains into the receiving (or catchment) tank . . . picking up oxygen as it spills into the receptacle. The fluid completes the cycle when a pump in the lower tank-cued by the tripping of a float switch in the upper container-kicks in and sends the nutrient on its way upward.

[tinytoon]

In your dwc setup if the roots are in the water there is no need for a drip and water level 8" below basket is quite low.

[killfrenzi]

Thank you Tiny, I will raise the level of solution to about 4" below the pots. Or should I go closer like 2 or 3"..?

[tinytoon]

I use to keep mine about 1" below cause when they started flowering they drank like crazy

[killfrenzi]

Hey guys, so heres the pics of my current grow..


Attachment 282275Attachment 282276Attachment 282278Attachment 282279

[killfrenzi]

Sorry about that guys, I have no idea what happened?!?!


Attachment 282285Attachment 282286Attachment 282287Attachment 282288