Beginner building an ebb & flow system

16 years ago

I am brand new to hydroponics. I don't have any equipment, and not much money to buy any(who does nowadays). I want to build an ebb & flow system. Is there any problems with using a pedestal sump pump as the nutrient pump? I realize this strong a pump may be overkill, but I happen to have on old one on hand that still works. I was thinking of using the pump to move the nutrient solution up to a raised supply tank, and then let gravity do the rest. Would this system work? Is there anything else I should be aware of? This type of pump has quite a bit of pressure and will probably cause a lot of turbulence in the solution. Would this damage anything? This pump was used for a few years in a basement sump, so I assume it would need to be cleaned and sanitized thoroughly. Would a bleach and water solution work?

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Comments (3)

greystoke
16 years ago
Welcome brezzio {{gwi:998412}}
"ebb & flow" works on a "flood" followed by a "drain" cycle. So, I don't know how you plan on doing that with a raised supply tank.
Perhaps its easier to cut the power of the pump by installing a short circuit or a sideflow (T-piece) with a regulating tap.
By all means, clean and sanitize the pump, but perhaps a technical service might also be necessary. Trouble with an "ebb & flow" system is that the pump is the most important item. Without it there's no "ebb & flow".
grizzman
16 years ago
you can get hydro sized pumps for 15-30 USD. go buy one better suited for hydro. unless you're going to build a monster system, you're just making more hassle than its worth.
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willardb3
16 years ago
Do not use the sump pump; you will be trying to kill a gnat with an atom bomb and wasting elec.

Sump pumps will pump upward of 40 gpm at 30' of head. What you want if you are growing 10 plants is 3 gpm at 4' of head.