Flood and Drain Hydroponic System

	This is my bedroom in my folks' house in Woodinville, WA, USA.  My flood and drain (or ebb and flow) hydroponic system is in the far corner on and beneath the desk. I built it on August 27, 2002.  It is relatively low maintanance, requiring the reservoir be refilled seasonally.
	Here we see the resevoir, which holds the nutrient solution (pennies per year) and a pump. There is a wire going from the pump to an appliance timer. There is a medium hose running from the pump to the tank above. For drainage, there is a small hose returning, and in case the pump goes crazy, there is also a large overflow returning.
	Here is the appliance control timer ($20) plugged into the end of this powerstrip.  I have it activate the pump twice daily for couple minutes.
	The 250 GPH pump came in this box.  The nice thing about these Mag Drive pumps is that the blades are completely sealed off from the motor, so no oil can leak out; they are coupled with magnets on either side of a watertight barrier. ($50)
	We see here the upper container, which allows the nutrien solution to bathe the roots and alternately allows them oxygen. At present (4/8/2004) I only have a wasabi plant ($5) and a amaryllis ($10) growing.  I used to have another, larger wasabi, but my bedroom became too hot (100 degrees?) last year, and both wasabi appeared to have died off.  Then a few months ago, the smaller one produced a new leaf and more have since been added.
	Here is my amaryllis in bloom with four flowers.
	Here is another of the amaryllis. Mom and I bought this amaryllis last year with a few others.  She grew hers in dirt, and it bloomed first, yet it hasn't rebloomed. Mine, growing in the hydroponic system, has nicely bloomed again.
	The paper is to block the holes so that light stays out and water in.  There is a thin layer of water because the small drain is not at the very bottom.  This water could grow algae if there was enough light. The plants roots are held in upside-down Dasani water bottles that have their bottoms cut out.  Clay spheres provide structural support for the roots in the bottles.