Everyday Hydroponics

Hydroponic systems how they work and how to set up a

simple flood and drain system

Prepared by
Stevenson Skeete
MSc. Trop. Hort.

What is hydroponics?

The use of various methods to achieve soilless gardening

Plants are fed nutrients continuously or at intervals

Requires a growing medium which supports the plants

while nutrients are provided by some mechanism

The system has the advantage of no weeds, faster

growth, better use of space and, of course, allows us to
grow things anywhere

Inside look at a hydroponic system

medium

Grow tray

Timer

Pump
reservoir
Nutrient
solution

Basic types of hydroponic systems

Wick system
Uses a wick (capillary action) to draw the solution into the
grow tray. This removes the need for a pump

Water culture
Plants are suspended in aerated solution (no water
pump)

Ebb and Flow (flood and drain)

A pump is used to flood the nutrients into the
grow tray. The nutrient solution drains back out
when the pump stops

Drip Systems (recovery/non recovery)

Nutrients are fed through a drip system. This
may set such that excess returns to a reservoir
(recovery type)

NFT (nutrient film technique)

Nutrients are continuously circulated through
the grow tray. The roots grow out of the pots
and feed directly from the nutrient solution .
This requires close monitoring and adjusting of
pH and nutrient levels.

Aeroponics
Similar to NFT, except that nutrients are sprayed
onto the roots of the plants continually
This requires close monitoring and adjusting of
pH and nutrient levels.

Diagrams sourced at http://www.simplyhydro.com/system.htm

Components of a Flood and drain system

Grow tray
This is the are which is flooded with the nutrient
solution. The water drains out again when the pump
55 gal drums cut in 3

Medium
A medium such as coconut fibre or peatmoss/perlite
is sued to support the roots of the plants.

Nutrient reservoir

Coconut fibre in pots

A container is used to hold the nutrient solution. This may be anything that can store the solution. E.g 55 gal drums, 5 gal bucket,
plastic storage unit

Nutrient solution
The nutrient solution is any liquid fertiliser with both macro and micro nutrients. E.g 20-20-20 phostrogen, miracle gro

Pumping system and aeration

Water Pump

Timer

The pump may vary from 40 gph upwards depending on how large the grow tray is and how high the
solution must be pumped
The timer is used to control the on/off cycle of the
pump. The electrical cord from the pump plugs ointo an
outlet which is on the timer. Usually set to come on for 5
minutes about 3 times each day

Nutrient delivery/ return system

Usually a simple tubing which channels the nutrients into
the grow tray.

Air Pump

This keeps the solution aerated and prevents stagnation

of the nutrient solution.

Covering the flood and drain system

The nature of the flood and drain system is such that it must be sheltered from rain. The growing tray ios often open and therefore the rainwater would tend to drain out of the grow area
into the reservoir . This can be avoided when pipe is used as the reservoir as shown below

Open tray, but in a greenhouse

Mini greenhouse covering the grow

tray

The pipe design (grow tray is a

pipe) prevents rain from getting
into the reservoir

Support structures

Horizontal trellis for tomatoes, sweet

pepper etc

Using chainlink as the trellis for pumpkin growing in a pipe based

flood and drain system

Trellis (black square) for climbing plants

Setting up a simple Flood and drain system

Choices before you start
(Be imaginative, look for low cost materials, but be mindful of aesthetics)
The reservoir
Find a durable, opaque, low cost container. e.g 5 gal buckets. The reservoir
should exclude light

The grow tray(s)

Look for low cost containers. Pipes, longitudinally cut barrels, buckets, flat trays can be used.

The pots and medium

Barrel cut in 3

Choose the pots to fit on the grow tray. Can also use plastic bags lined with filter
material or just bags made from the filter.

The water pump

Choose a pump gph (gallons per hour) rating based n he amount of water to pump
and the heaight of the grow tray above the reservoir. A smaller gph rating means
it takes longer to fill the grow tray

The timer
The timer should be able to program for at least 3 to 4 on/off cycles. It should be
digital rather than motorised (to avoid probs with electricity cycle differences)

The cover/support trellis

Decide how the cover will be made. The cover can be a complete mini-greenhouse
or it could be just a clear plastic hood to keep out heavy rain from the grow tray.
If large plants or cucurbits are to be grown, some type of support trellis must also
be used.PVC conduit and pipe are good for making covers/support. Other

useful materials are greenhouse plastic, clear table cloth covering, insect
mesh.

Putting it all together

Prepare the reservoir
(preparation depends on if the grow tray will sit on the reservoir)
Prepare the grow tray
(preparation depends on if the grow tray will sit on the reservoir)

Make hole for drain(s)

Insert drain outlet fitting(s)

Prepare pots and medium

Decide which medium (coconut fibre, 50% perlite/50% peatmoss, 100%

perlite

Drill additional holes in pots if needed

Line pots with filter fabric

Put medium in pots

Prepare the cover/support

Setup the pump
Place the pump in the reservoir. Determine how much tubing is required to
run to the drain outlet(s) and if any connectors are needed.
Set the timer
Program the timer for the number of daily cycles and the length of time to
stay on.

Put the grow tray in place and connect the tubing

Put some water in the reservoir and test the pumping

Mix in the nutrients

Place plant pots in grow tray

Grow tray

Reservoir

Air pump

Pump in reservoir

Timer

Wall outlet

Setting up a solar pump

The pumping and aeration can be made to operate completely on solar energy.
It just requires

a small solar panel (5 to 15 watts)

A battery (could be a used car battery)

An inverter (200 watts)

Connectors and wiring

Photo diagram showing solar panel etc

Diagram showing the actual wiring arangement

The timer and air pump are plugged into the inverter (which supplies 110V AC) .
The nutrient pump is plugged into the timer as usual so that the on/off cycle can
be set.
A deep cycle battery such as the ones used in boats is ideal, but a car battery
will do also. Often a battery that will not provide enough current to start a car
will be ok for this purpose.
How it works:
The solar panel stores energy in the battery. A charge regulator can be used to
ensure that the solar panel does not overcharge the battery. The inverter receives 12 V Dc from the battery and converts it to 110V AC. The inverter output
is therefore like any wall socket in your house (except that it can only supply as
much current as its wattage and the battery will allow).

A solar operated hydroponic system

Photo tour of Systems

PVC conduit frame used to

support cover

Coconut fibre in pots inside the grow tray of a flood

and drain system

Lettuce in plastic bags with perlite/peat

moss

Thyme grown in a simple manual

hydroponic system (pour in the
solution every few days). The container is a micro-greenhouse

Phot shows how the pipe is designed to

prevent rain from getting into the grow tray

Plastic bags used as pots. The pots are

lined with a filter fabric to keep pieces of he
medium from going into the reservoir

A sweet pepper plant bearing in a hydroponic system

Tomatoes bearing in a hydroponic system

Using 55 gal drums to make a grow tray

A flood and drain system built into a

pipe. The medium is coconut fibre in
filter bags

A very simple manual hydroponic

system. Lettuce in peat moss
were given a single wetting each
day and nutrient solution was
recollected in the bucket

Close-up of the drip type hydroponic system (this one is non recovery type. Plants
are given just enough solution before liquid drips from pots

References and useful links

http://www.solarbatteryups.com/images/wiring%2520diagram
http://www.hydroponicsonline.com/
Good info on how hydroponics works
http://www.simplyhydro.com/system.htm/
Good info on how hydroponics works
http://www.horticulturesource.com/
Good supplier of a wide range of hydroponic and other horticultural stuff.

http://www.agriculture.gov.bb/
Ministry of agriculture, Barbados (see the knowledge center)

Http://www.otherpower.com
Good site on alternative energy many posts with photos

Http://www.google.com
Seek it, find it here