Here's a simple to build flood and drain table. All you need it a stable base, plywood bottom, 2"x6'" or wider, and a pond liner. It can be used indoor or outdoors (pressure treated wood). The hose is 1/2" irrigation funny pipe, the ebb/flow fittings are store bought, rubbermaid Brute NSF trashcan for a reservoir, a Terta 60 gallon fish air pump, and the pump is a 500 gph Danner pump. Danner's are the best pumps on the market by a long shot. I prefer not to skimp because EVERYTHING is 100% reusable.
First is the base. I used steel table legs and fibergrate because I had them laying around in my warehouse. Cinder blocks or 2x4's work perfectly.
Then I built a frame out of 2x10's and plywood I had laying around. This table is 8'x3" and will hold a ton of plants.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v159/fishfearme/DSC03754.jpg
Next goes in the pond liner. You can use a simple PVC liner available at Lowes or Home Depot but it's not potable water certified. I personally use a Permalon liner. It's a little more money but certified and it will last 20 years easy.
Then in goes the aggregate. Hydroton is very expensive to suck money from the reefer growers. I use Hydrocks. It's the exact same thing, but it's broken up and pops when it's super heated. Hydrocks is the same as Turface. Hydrocks is made by a a company named Big River Industries. It sells for $60-$100 per cubic yard (a pickup truck load). Plenty for 2 tables
It's all the same stuff. Concrete companies use a product caller arcillite. Any lightweight clay product including OilDri and nonscented kitty litter can be use. Soak OilDri and kitty litter in hot water for a couple of day to make sure it doesn't break down and turn to mud!!!!!!!!!! You will have to thoroughly rinse everything that goes into the system. No need to sterilize.
Next goes in the pond liner. You can use a simple PVC liner available at Lowes or Home Depot but it's not potable water certified. I personally use a Permalon liner. It's a little more money but certified and it will last 20 years easy.
Then in goes the aggregate. Hydroton is very expensive to suck money from the reefer growers. I use Hydrocks. It's the exact same thing, but it's broken up and pops when it's super heated. Hydrocks is the same as Turface. Hydrocks is made by a a company named Big River Industries. It's all the same stuff. Concrete companies use a product caller arcillite. Any lightweight clay product including OilDri and nonscented kitty litter can be use. Soak OilDri and kitty litter in hot water for a couple of day to make sure it doesn't break down and turn to mud!!!!!!!!!! You will have to thoroughly rinse everything that goes into the system. No need to sterilize.
First is the base. I used steel table legs and fibergrate because I had them laying around in my warehouse. Cinder blocks or 2x4's work perfectly.
Then I built a frame out of 2x10's and plywood I had laying around. This table is 8'x3" and will hold a ton of plants.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v159/fishfearme/DSC03754.jpg
Next goes in the pond liner. You can use a simple PVC liner available at Lowes or Home Depot but it's not potable water certified. I personally use a Permalon liner. It's a little more money but certified and it will last 20 years easy.
Then in goes the aggregate. Hydroton is very expensive to suck money from the reefer growers. I use Hydrocks. It's the exact same thing, but it's broken up and pops when it's super heated. Hydrocks is the same as Turface. Hydrocks is made by a a company named Big River Industries. It sells for $60-$100 per cubic yard (a pickup truck load). Plenty for 2 tables
It's all the same stuff. Concrete companies use a product caller arcillite. Any lightweight clay product including OilDri and nonscented kitty litter can be use. Soak OilDri and kitty litter in hot water for a couple of day to make sure it doesn't break down and turn to mud!!!!!!!!!! You will have to thoroughly rinse everything that goes into the system. No need to sterilize.
Next goes in the pond liner. You can use a simple PVC liner available at Lowes or Home Depot but it's not potable water certified. I personally use a Permalon liner. It's a little more money but certified and it will last 20 years easy.
Then in goes the aggregate. Hydroton is very expensive to suck money from the reefer growers. I use Hydrocks. It's the exact same thing, but it's broken up and pops when it's super heated. Hydrocks is the same as Turface. Hydrocks is made by a a company named Big River Industries. It's all the same stuff. Concrete companies use a product caller arcillite. Any lightweight clay product including OilDri and nonscented kitty litter can be use. Soak OilDri and kitty litter in hot water for a couple of day to make sure it doesn't break down and turn to mud!!!!!!!!!! You will have to thoroughly rinse everything that goes into the system. No need to sterilize.
