How to Flood & Drain Hydroponic Systems

Manual Systems

• 1

  Place your plant in a pot that has adequate drainage holes. The pot should be filled with a soil-free growth medium such as perlite or gravel.

• 2

  Set the pot in a tray in order to capture the used nutrient solution. If you prefer, set it in the bathtub or outside on the ground where the solution can drain away. The nutrient solution is reusable for about 10 days, so recycling it will save you money.

• 3

  Fill a watering can with nutrient solution. Flood the plant so that the growth medium is thoroughly soaked with the liquid. Allow it to drain away from the plants. Repeat this four times per day.

Pumping Systems

• 4

  Set the pot in a tray that will capture the nutrient solution. This tray must have a drain at one end, with a section of hose attached.

• 5

  Arrange the tray so that it angles slightly downhill. The drain should be on the lowest side of the tray.

• 6

  Place a bucket or tub under the drain on the tray. Be sure the drain hose goes into this bucket.

• 7

  Put the submersible pump in the bucket. Run the hose from the submersible pump up to the pot with the plant in it. When the pump runs, it will pump nutrient solution from the bucket into the pot. Change the solution every week to 10 days.

• 8

  Set a timer to run the pump four times each day, at regular intervals. Allow the pump to run long enough to fill the pot with nutrient solution and then shut off.