do i need a $80 res.?

I'm setting up a flood and drain table and while looking at supplies I noticed they want 80 for a 30 gallon Res. Is there something special about them or can I just use a Rubbermaid tub?

that sounds pretty expensive for 30 gal res.

Rubber made trash cans will work fine if you know how to modify it.

I would make my own. You my need some fittings but then again if the table sits above it you can just run your hose in and out of the top. Rubbermaid roughneck jumbos hold 50 gallons and people use em a lot for res. Trashcan is good too but may not fit under your table. Don't forget to get some bubbles goin in there.

Peace,
IF

The res you're looking at is most likely durable, low profile, and has ample space for water. You won't find this combination outside of a hydro store or online site. If you do find something, please post your findings as I don't like paying that much either.

I'm gonna go out and check different sizes, its a 3x3 table so 30 gallon should be enough right? With like a 350gph pump.

I think you want a minimum of 2 gallons of res water per plant. I run a 2x3 table, 6 plants, 15 gallon res. I get great results but would like to look into a bigger res for comparison, assuming you find something.

Damn you sure do. will you post a few pics of your system homebrewer.

fugit said:

Damn you sure do. will you post a few pics of your system homebrewer.

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Sure, this is from one of my journals. I don't necessarily recommend this for the OP but it just goes to show how ghetto you can go and still get great results.

Here are some pictures of my DIY Ebb & Flow setup. The mixing tubs can be found at your local Lowes or Home Depot (http://www.lowes.com/ProductDisplay?...llow&cId=PDIO1), they cost $13 and are good for about 15 gallons. I wish I could have an even 20 gallons of res water but I needed something low profile and these work great. The dimensions of the table are 14"x41"x26". The height of 14 inches is only referring to the corners and not including the 2x4s supporting the tray.

Other than the mixing tubs and some wood, you'll need a pump (I use 250 gph), the flood and drain pieces for your upper tray (http://www.discount-hydro.com/produc...d=185&navid=10), and if you noticed, I also have a male end with a tube coming out of the reservoir. This tube can be lowered to drain the res down the drain without having to actually move the reservoir from under the table.

I've also stapled cardboard to the open areas around the table to keep the evaporation rate lower, to keep light out, and to keep humidity down. As you can see by the first pic, I just use a trash bag to cover the front of the tray. Pretty ghetto but it works.

There expensive because these things are HEAVY DUTY, At work we fill these boys up with concrete mix it up, let it dry, whatever and they never ever crack bend or anything. Your getting what you pay for i believe.

Im trying to use 10 gallons for 40 plants and its doing great, but my Aeroponics sprayers are only on for 5 seconds and off for 20 minutes, I have a 3600gph flotec sump pump in my reservoir( 20 gallon rubbermaid box) and its in a seperate air conditioned room. in the 5 seconds its on it probably blast 4 gallons on the roots.

here's a nice tub for a lot less . Home Depot...$11.98 . It's a 27 gallon tub . About 15 " tall

dadio161 said:

here's a nice tub for a lot less . Home Depot...$11.98 . It's a 27 gallon tub . About 15 " tall

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Yea I've got some of those and theyre rigid as hell and low to the ground. Not to mention the tub is black so only the lid needs to be covered. I would just spray paint the lid black about a week before you plan on using it.

Peace,
IF

What's so bad about having a colored lid. And wouldn't white be better?

420forme said:

What's so bad about having a colored lid. And wouldn't white be better?

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Light + Nutrients = Algae. And yes I ideally you want things to be white or mylar in your grow area. Thats why I use black buckets and then wrap them in reflectix. I wouldnt worry about anything thats not actually in the area with your plants.

Peace,
IF

If you want a combo of sturdy, cheap and big, I really like the Rubbermaid Stock Tanks. They come in a few sizes/shapes, but certainly not for everyone.

http://www.idealtruevalue.com/servlet/the-14291/Detail

rockwellhg said:

If you want a combo of sturdy, cheap and big, I really like the Rubbermaid Stock Tanks. They come in a few sizes/shapes, but certainly not for everyone.

http://www.idealtruevalue.com/servlet/the-14291/Detail

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That looks like a good idea for a huge res for any hydro garden. Too bad it doesn't come with a lid. I guess you could wrap a piece of plywood in poly or get a lightproof tarp and stitch some heavy duty elastic around the edges to get a nice fit.

Peace,
IF

this post is great & quite timely.

my RIU homie & i are both are on the concrete mixing tray tip.
cheap, sturdy, easy to modify, and functional.

we run SOG style gardens & both think 12 to 20 no veg (or limited veg cuttings) lollipops will fit in these 3x2 tubs.

i was thinking about making a dwc style (tote style) lid out of very sturdy foam (also found in home depot) with net pots hanging into the tray or maybe just setting the pots filled with hydroton in the tray like homebrew.

thoughts here?

& you guys are missing the boat on a fairly low profile rez!
though i was looking at those 27 gal tuffboxes today...very nice possibility.

taking an idea from my dwc roots & as seen in posts by RIU guys like flo-grow & bloomer57... this rezzy type will block all light, keep the water cooler longer, comes in various sizes & shapes, can be drilled & modified, are inexpensive in comparison to hydro rezzys, & some even have a threaded garden hose style adapter on the drain.

what is it?

coolers work awesome - just make sure you silicone that cheap drain in the bottom of all of them.

as far as those black home depot totes with the yellow tops, if you get some spray black primer and give it a couple coats of that then follow up with a couple coats of spray white primer, you're golden - block the light and reflect it back into the room - wouldn't be a bad idea to treat the rez the same way - every little bit to keep temps down on your poop soup!