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I set out today to do two projects. The ebb and flow buckets you see here and a cloning box like the Ez-clone machines that cost 200 bucks. I made both. If any one has an interest in the other let me know and I will write up and instructable on it as well.
I have been growing with an ebb and flow system for a while. It is one of the easiest Hydroponics system to use and maintain in my opinion. Up until now I have been using an large tray with multiple square pots inside the tray. When the tray floods, the buckets fill up to a point with water/nutrients. The water saturates the rock wool cube at the bottom and the wicking action of the cube saturates the rest of the cube with only what it needs, the rest runs off the cube. Although it is a great system, the plants are close together and are very restricted with how many plants you can have in the area. With a bucket system you can spread your plants out a little and allow them room to grow.
The goal when finished is to have self contained system with a pump inside to pump the nutrients to the plant located on top. Whatever nutrients aren't absorbed will drip back down into the bottom of the bucket. The bucket should be completely light resistant this way the fluid inside doesn't grow bad bacteria. There also needs to be air flow so you can continually agitate the water so it doesn't get stagnant. So onto the actual project.
Here is the parts list:
Tools:
Drill with drill bit big enough to fit your vinyl hose through snugly
Wire cutters
Scissors
Knife
dry wall screw
Materials:
5 Gallon bucket (home depot $3.00) (can also use a black bucket)
Black lid for bucket (home depot)
Aluminum foil
Packaging tape
Gorilla tape (like duct tape but stronger)
2 Eco Plus 4 inch air stones ($.99 at here)
1/4 air hose (25 ft at walmart is like 3 bucks)
Eco air Double outlet air pump ($10.90 at here)
Square pot ($1.39 at here)
100 gph water pump ($8.90 at here)
3/8 vinyl tubing
zip ties
1/4 barbed connector ($.25 at here) (you want the ones that have a sharp end)
electrical tape
coat hanger
I have been growing with an ebb and flow system for a while. It is one of the easiest Hydroponics system to use and maintain in my opinion. Up until now I have been using an large tray with multiple square pots inside the tray. When the tray floods, the buckets fill up to a point with water/nutrients. The water saturates the rock wool cube at the bottom and the wicking action of the cube saturates the rest of the cube with only what it needs, the rest runs off the cube. Although it is a great system, the plants are close together and are very restricted with how many plants you can have in the area. With a bucket system you can spread your plants out a little and allow them room to grow.
The goal when finished is to have self contained system with a pump inside to pump the nutrients to the plant located on top. Whatever nutrients aren't absorbed will drip back down into the bottom of the bucket. The bucket should be completely light resistant this way the fluid inside doesn't grow bad bacteria. There also needs to be air flow so you can continually agitate the water so it doesn't get stagnant. So onto the actual project.
Here is the parts list:
Tools:
Drill with drill bit big enough to fit your vinyl hose through snugly
Wire cutters
Scissors
Knife
dry wall screw
Materials:
5 Gallon bucket (home depot $3.00) (can also use a black bucket)
Black lid for bucket (home depot)
Aluminum foil
Packaging tape
Gorilla tape (like duct tape but stronger)
2 Eco Plus 4 inch air stones ($.99 at here)
1/4 air hose (25 ft at walmart is like 3 bucks)
Eco air Double outlet air pump ($10.90 at here)
Square pot ($1.39 at here)
100 gph water pump ($8.90 at here)
3/8 vinyl tubing
zip ties
1/4 barbed connector ($.25 at here) (you want the ones that have a sharp end)
electrical tape
coat hanger
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Signing UpStep 1Covering the bucket
If you got a black bucket you can skip this step. I couldn't get a black bucket anywhere. Even the three hydroponics stores I went to were out.
Even if you do have a black bucket make sure the bucket does not let ANY light penetrate its walls. (If it does you will have to do this step any way.)
Using the aluminum foil completely cover the outside of the bucket. You want to make the bucket completely light free inside. You don't have to cover the bottom of the bucket but leave enough to fold under the bucket. Using the packaging tape make 3 lower "bands" around the bucket. The top band will be added after the next step. Technically I cheated and took this photo after the next step but you get the idea.
Even if you do have a black bucket make sure the bucket does not let ANY light penetrate its walls. (If it does you will have to do this step any way.)
Using the aluminum foil completely cover the outside of the bucket. You want to make the bucket completely light free inside. You don't have to cover the bottom of the bucket but leave enough to fold under the bucket. Using the packaging tape make 3 lower "bands" around the bucket. The top band will be added after the next step. Technically I cheated and took this photo after the next step but you get the idea.
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Thanks for posting!