Easy drain system for flood hydro systems

**Al B. Fuct** · 03-26-2007, 03:50 AM

A pair of lawn irrigation valves and a tee fitting make draining reservoir tanks easy. Green lines depict sections of common garden hose. Irrigation valves used are all plastic and thus impervious to corrosive nutrient solutions.

For normal operation, close valve #2, open valve #1.

To drain tank, close valve #1, open valve #2 and turn on the pump.

Be sure to return the valves to the operating position after draining- unless you want your new tank of sauce to go down the gurgler!

Several copies of the above can share a single drain line, as shown:

I just use a normal garden hose to fill the tanks at the moment, but if all the drain line connections had hose clamps, it would be possible to refill the system via the drain system.

**mogie** · 03-26-2007, 04:50 AM

Nice addition to faq's.

**Al B. Fuct** · 03-26-2007, 05:01 AM

Thanks, mogie. Another mechanical adaptation to suit my slacker self. Got tired of crouching under tanks, swapping hoses around.

I saw in your recent thread about a small flood system that the screened cap on the tray fitting connected to the pump, once removed, reveals a 1/2" hose connection for draining. I have used those fittings for years and didn't know that connector was there!

With the valved arrangement, I just switch the valves to 'drain' and turn on all the pumps. A cup of coffee or two later, the tanks are drained and ready for cleaning and filling.

**Al B. Fuct** · 03-26-2007, 05:15 PM

Thanks to mogie for adding this to the GrowFAQ.

Easy drain system for flood hydro systems

**jdawg** · 01-12-2008, 08:19 PM

Hello AL.B!!! I was looking at your system. Nice!!!! Mine is similiar yet still in the fledgling state. I am now integrating the "mums" in from seed. My op has been an evolving idea since its preconception basically. It has been $$$$ out so far.Rambling.... I am curious if you have built a grow table from scratch. Am thinking about lining in a wood frame and applying fittings. Any ideas or direction on this concept. Any insight appreciated. JDAWG

**sgtpeppr** · 01-12-2008, 08:25 PM

Way to use your melon

your not a slacker, your just smart.

**CaliGurl** · 01-15-2008, 04:16 PM

Do you have a thread with the full construction of your hydro set up?
thanks
~Cali Gurl~

**MedTokeRx** · 01-15-2008, 04:25 PM

wow good one i'm gonna use that

**VictorVIcious** · 01-15-2008, 11:15 PM

Originally Posted by jdawg

Hello AL.B!!! I was looking at your system. Nice!!!! Mine is similiar yet still in the fledgling state. I am now integrating the "mums" in from seed. My op has been an evolving idea since its preconception basically. It has been $$$$ out so far.Rambling.... I am curious if you have built a grow table from scratch. Am thinking about lining in a wood frame and applying fittings. Any ideas or direction on this concept. Any insight appreciated. JDAWG

I have built some. Unless you have a reason why a 'ready made' one doesn't fit, I don't recommend building them. Mine work well for me and can be built to any size to accomidate Al's harvest every two weeks cycle. VV

**Al B. Fuct** · 01-16-2008, 12:05 AM

Originally Posted by jdawg

I am curious if you have built a grow table from scratch. Am thinking about lining in a wood frame and applying fittings. Any ideas or direction on this concept. Any insight appreciated. JDAWG

Not recommended. What you propose will work in a pinch, though not for very long.

Build your frame from 2x4, make a floor from plywood (not MDF!), preferably marine grade. Line with heavy poly sheeting or shower stall liner sheeting, fit the fill & drain plumbing to the centre. Put about an inch of sand on top of the plywood, underneath of the poly sheet. Use the sand to incline the poly floor a bit so water will run toward the drain.

Presuming you have no pinhole leaks in your sheet, this will work. With use, however, pinholes will appear, the sand will get wet and the ply or 2x4 frame will eventually mould/rot.

By the time you're done with all that, you could have bought a proper, durable, vacuformed plastic flood tray and an aluminum tubing stand that will last many years. DIY just isn't superior in this instance.