The submersible pump used in my current setup is a Attwood V1250 submersible pump. It is capable of filling the 20 litre header tank in less than 30 seconds at a head height of 1 metre. I brought the submersible pump for a marine boating store as they are commonly used in bilge areas on boats.

As you might be able to see in the first picture is that I have used where possible recycled / off cut sections of PVC stormwater and sewer pipe. The two long beds are one 160cm length of 15cm diameter stormwater tube that has been cut in half. The ends of the tube are 15cm stormwater end caps also cut in half. The other smaller length of tube is a section that was cut out of a 10cm sewer line and thoroughly washed, it also has end caps fitted. The long half tube beds are filled with a mixture of 50/50 Perlite and brand new cat litter AKA diatomite. Both the diatomite and Perlite were extensively washed to remove any silt or fine particles. The 10cm diameter tube is filled with course sand ranging in diameter from 2mm down to 0.5mm. Picture 3 show the addition of two more beds which are in ground drain sections with the plastic grates which normally sit in the top removed, they are fitted with the matching end cap sections. These drain sections were surplus from some work I was doing around the house and are also filled with course sand. 

The Hydroponic nutrient I use is what I would class as a general growth formula. I would say and I am guessing here that it is neither biased towards growth or bloom. It comes as a two part powder and I purchase it from my local hydroponics shop and I mix it directly into 10 litre batches using a household bucket. 

More to come soon when I get the time.....

Last updated 02/04/2008

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