Diy or pre built EBB n Gro bucket system?

What's the best bucket system out there? I have been reading up on the older sentinel mef system but can't find any. I was thinking of making a controller bucket with 3.5 gallon buckets filled with hydroton in a fabric pot and 1" fittings but not sure I'm capable of figuring out the float switch and automation. I will have 2x 4x8 tents with 18 buckets per tent. The lower they are the better so I can have more canopy area. Can anyone recommend a good already made controller bucket? I might utilize 2 controller buckets and alternate the fill drain between tents so my res will not have to be so big.

I like to build it, then buy it. Otherwise what would I put in the attic

Build yourself a 6 site RDWC system. super simple. 7 5gal black buckets, 8 1" grommets, 7 1/2" grommets, 1"& 1/2" Barbed tees (4), elbows(2), straight couplings 1"only (2), and a 1/2" Y splitter. an air pump with an 8 outlet valve manifold, 2 submersible pumps (1 400 gph for waterfalls and 1 80-200gph for chiller, some 1/2 & 1" vinyl tubings, some lids with holes cut to the size of your net pots in em plus 1 normal for the res and you're in business.

I Built my ebb n flow bucket using 4 electronic float valves a single pole double throw timer and two double pole double throw relays. If you arnt the best with wiring stuff up thats okay because neither was i at first. I learned it all from an older thread on another forum but it was taken down. Luckily for me i saved the entire how to on my laptop and printed it out. Total price for all the parts are around 100 buck or so and you gotta order shit online. Took me about two hours to build it but its the best system ive ever had. Ive built flood n drain tables ive done aero tubes and ive done rdwc and i like the ebb n flow the best!

I Made the main bucket a 5 gallon bucket and used the 3.5 gallon for my plants and you can pretty much get creative on ur own buckets but i have one 3.5 with holes drilled in it and i filled it with hydroton and set it into the 3.5 gallon bucket thats filles. You can use the fabric or even a net pot lid without any extra buckets if that makes sence. I made my buddys main bucket in a new garbage can we picked up because he uses 5 gallon plant buckets. The master bucket needs to be bigger then the planter ones. Also i just used basic 3/4" grommets and tubing from the hydro store

Theres a bit of work putting it together but same goes for pretty much any nice hydro setup. If you interested i can find the pdf and send it thru email or something. It would be way too long to post right on the forum. Same goes for anyone else whos interested. The hydrofarm ebb bucket can be found for around 200 i believe if you wanna cut some work out of the build

active aqua 3 gal gro flow all the way

I Like how the active aqua pots drain from the bottom so theres not sitting water between floods. Im only seeing 2 and 5 gallon systems tho. I cant seem to find the 3 gallon setup on there websight. Perhaps link me to it so i can see the size of the hoses. I prefer 3/4 like there 5 gallon setup.

wearealldumb said:

I Like how the active aqua pots drain from the bottom so theres not sitting water between floods. Im only seeing 2 and 5 gallon systems tho. I cant seem to find the 3 gallon setup on there websight. Perhaps link me to it so i can see the size of the hoses. I prefer 3/4 like there 5 gallon setup.

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It's the 2 gal
The outside pot is like 3gal and the i side is 2 I think

Im using the flo n gro bucket system and love it. very well built and controller is very nice as well. i feel like diy builds always look cheaper on paper, but when it comes to building you will always buy more than you thought and thats why i went prebuilt

NO offence at all but your 100% wrong. For an entire ebb n flow setup with proper electronic float valves youll spend like 500$$ big ones on a good system. My build dont look cheap in anyway but that comes down to the builder by all means. My system works the same and it was litterally 35-45% of the cost. Both systems take time to setup as well.. unless you got lots of money to waist then by all means buy the prebuilt system and save the time. The flo n gro is a great system so if i was forced to buy one thats the one id buy. 3/4" lines and cool square pots are a plus

IF you want ill take a pik later when im off work and show you what you could make if your semi handy and somewhat familiar with electrical.

ALso the 100 doller price i gave is accurate.. 40$ for timer 10$ for project box 20$ for 2 relays and 6$ for two single outlets 6$ for 4 float valves from china and a bag of zipties lol i had wire laying around that i used .. also that 100$ price only includes the main bucket.The 3/4" hose and all the fittings are around another 50$ if your doing 12 buckets. If you do more then youll need more hose and fittings.. then your plant buckets are up to you.. its actually really simple and straight forward on paper and in the membrain yo.. i used 3.5 gal buckets with the 9" mesh lids and used hydroton for my medium. You could do what c.a.p. does and drill holes in a second bucket also

wearealldumb said:

NO offence at all but your 100% wrong. For an entire ebb n flow setup with proper electronic float valves youll spend like 500$$ big ones on a good system. My build dont look cheap in anyway but that comes down to the builder by all means. My system works the same and it was litterally 35-45% of the cost. Both systems take time to setup as well.. unless you got lots of money to waist then by all means buy the prebuilt system and save the time. The flo n gro is a great system so if i was forced to buy one thats the one id buy. 3/4" lines and cool square pots are a plus

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I guess we have to agree to disagree. The best prebuilt bucket system hands down is the flo n gro system.......I have tried them all. This answers the first question in the thread

There the same exact thing except ones made in my basement for less then half the price. If you used my system im positive you would agree that there the same. I just think that a lot of people being broke and smart can get the same results for less cash. I agree with you that its the best pre built tho for sure. Sorry if im trolling lol im looking out for those with less money when there starting up. If your smart and handy then i say making your own system would answer the first question all day. Others are more stubborn and want it to be all perfect even tho there's no difference at all. You'll learn a lot building your own as well.

if you choose to build it yourself be sure to buy two wet/dry vacs, one will fail you eventually.

Complete **12 Bucket Ebb and Flow System** List and Price ON PAPER ( Tools, Lights, Meters, Medium, water and Plants Not Included )


1) One SPDT Timer. (Amazon) $35.00
2) Two Double Pole Double Throw Relays ( Radio Shack) $20.00
3) Project box (Radio Shack) $10.00
4) Two single 20Amp Outlets ( Lowes Or Depot ) $8.00
5) Electronic Float Valves ( Ebay .. From China ) $6.00
6) x12 - 3.5 Gallon Buckets (Hydro Store) $60.00
7) x12 - 9" Mesh Lids For Buckets $35.00
25' 3/4" Rubber Hose (Hydro Store) $30.00
9) One 5 gallon Bucket for the Controller Bucket $6.00
10) x9 Ts And x3 90 Degree Elbow fittings ( Hydro Store) $15.00
11) 25' 1/2" Tubing ( I Doubt you need this much! ) $20.00
12) Two 400 GPH Pump ( Hydro Store) $45.00
13) 12 or 14 Gauge Copper Stranded Wire ( Someone you know has some!) $ ?
14) One Power Cord From an old Computer Power Supply Or something like it $ ?
15) A Couple Hours Of Your Time .. $ Priceless


TOTAL COST : $270.00

All Prices ARE Exaggerated ** This is A Slightly Over Priced Estimate **
Cost Of Reservoir Not Included Due To your Ability To Obtain one Differently ( Home Depot has 55 gal Rez For $25.00)

Tools you Need Include a Drill With Hole Saw Bits, Wire strippers and Crimpers And A Few Other Cheap Connectors.
All Are Easily Found at your Local Home Depot or Most likely at your closest Hardware store.

chemphlegm said:

if you choose to build it yourself be sure to buy two wet/dry vacs, one will fail you eventually.

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Thats why I Use Four float Valves. Two are A backup. I Have been using the system For awhile and ive never had any issues. Same Goes for the Pre Built Ones By the way Lmao! Some even Use the exact same floats! .. Wait a sek .. Why would i need two Wet Dry Vacs? I would only need one ..

You need two vac Because if your second upper float fails you know the backup one youll have to use the first wet dry vac to clean the mess.. Then the second wet dry vac is for when the first wet dry vac fails.. lol