How to Build a Hydroponic Table

Overview

A hydroponic flood table is an easy way to have an indoor garden year-round. While they do take a level of dedicated upkeep, flood tables yield amazing results when trying to grow healthy plants quickly. Gardening with hydroponic flood tables is ideal for areas with poor soil or in arid regions where outdoor gardening is difficult.

Step 1

Arrange the supplies in a sunny spot of your house. This will need to be a place where the table can stay permanently that won't get too cold. A sun porch would be ideal.

Step 2

Place the reservoir tank first, remembering that you will have to place your stand and table directly above it. Fill the reservoir three-quarters of the way full of water. Attach the plastic tubing to the pump and put the pump into the reservoir.

Step 3

Once you've placed the table stand over the reservoir, arrange the empty flood table onto the stand. Move and adjust the placement of the system if desired.

Step 4

Run the tubing along the bottom of the table from the reservoir and let it hang over the lip of the table. This tube will bring the water up into the table, flooding it. If you wish, secure the tubing to the side of the table, or you can just make sure there is enough tubing that it will sit in the bottom of the table on its own. Some people secure their tubing by putting them between or under the plants.

Step 5

Place your drain components in the bottom of of the table opposite the side where the hose will enter the table. While different drain components have to be installed differently, most flood tables have spots in the bottom where these drains can be punched through, and some flood tables come with their drains. If your flood table does not, you will need to cut holes. The drains will be different heights, and the higher one is designed to prevent overflow in the table should something go wrong. The water will drain back into the reservoir.

Step 6

Arrange your plants inside the table. Depending on the size and depth of the flood table, you may or need to boost your plants. Your plants will need to be placed in pots that are either netted or have multiple large drainage holes in the bottom. Ideally, plant your plants in these pots using hydroponic clay balls. These hold water and allow air to get to the roots of the plant.

Step 7

Arrange the pots so that their top lips are level with the top edge of the flood table. You want the plants to be surrounded by water, but avoid the tops of the pots being covered with water, as the plants could become waterlogged and proper drainage could become a problem. Plug the pump in and flood the table.