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Build an ebb & flow type hydroponics control system
Click
here for a pdf of the instructions from our
Ebb & Flow Control Kit.
Our
Ebb & Flow Control Kit provides the basic components
required to guide you in assembling a control system that will move nutrient-enhanced
water from a reservoir into a control unit and back using two standard wall
outlet timers (available at discount stores).
You can purchase our
complete
kit or purchase the individual components of your choosing.
Either way, the instructions for our
Ebb & Flow Control Kit will guide you
in building the control system shown below:
How it works
The control system uses:
- gravity
- two timers; and
- two pumps
Unlike a drip-type system, water floods the plant
roots from the bottom and then is actively pumped out. It's
essentially two systems working together:
Fill-Up System: fills the pots with
water
For a set series of watering times, the
fill-up timer turns on the pump in the reservoir, which pumps water from
the reservoir into the control unit. Three float switches control the
reservoir pump and keep the control unit full as water disperses via gravity
to the pots.
Drain-Out System: drains the water back out.
The drain-out timer is synchronized to turn on
the pump in the control unit for half an
hour after the Fill-Up System has turned off. As
the pump moves water back into the reservoir, gravity moves water out of the pots
and into the control unit. The control unit pump is controlled by two float switches
and keeps pumping water out of the control unit and back into the reservoir
until the pots have drained.
Coordination of System 1 and System 2:
The two timers are synchronized to prevent a situation
where both pumps are on at the same time. If the two pumps were to be
activated simultaneously, water would simply
move in a continuous loop between the reservoir and the control unit.
Ebb & Flow System Options
We are not hydroponics experts, so
you'll need to do some research on the internet to determine certain things
about how you want to manage your ebb and flow set-up, like:
- pot arrangement
- attaching fittings and tubing to the pots
- correct ph levels
- growing media to use
- watering levels
- watering cycle times
- reservoir and pot sizes
- how to "nest" pots so that you can remove plants
without disassembling pots
We are experts at showing you
inexpensive ways to control water levels using pumps and our economical
liquid level sensors. Using our components or one of our aquahub
Ebb & Flow Control Kits, you can build
your control system for a fraction of the cost of ready-made
control units.
Try Googling "hydroponics controller unit assembly"
without quotation marks
and looking at the first few natural search results - you should see
some additional illustrations of ebb & flow systems like the one discussed
here that will help with figuring out the factors above.
Click
here for a pdf assembly instruction guide.
The following components are available at the bottom of this page and in
auto top-off components and
float switches.
Components used in the system:
5
FLT231 style float switches
2
12 volt DPDT relays
1
package of crimp caps
2
GFCI extension cords
2
transformers
1
extra-large project box
2
Maxi-Jet 600 pumps
2
timers of your choice
2 pieces of
tubing (1/2" inside diameter - fits
Maxi-Jet 600)
Tools required:
Hobby knife
Drill with 5/8" spade drill bit
Scissors
Pliers
PLEASE NOTE: This do-it-yourself project involves household
120 volt electricity, which, if mishandled, can cause shock or death by
electrocution. Do not attempt this project if you are not comfortable
working with electricity. Proceed with this project at your own risk.
No system is
100% reliable. Float switches, relays and
DIY set-ups can sometimes fail (as can all mechanical devices and even
professionally manufactured solutions). Use common sense when sizing, using and maintaining your system
and think about the consequences of a system failure before building it.
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