Hydrofarm MGSYS Hydroponic Megagarden Ebb & Flow System in a 22" x 22" x 10" size Container,Black
- Get the convenience of an Ebb & Flow System in a 22" x 22" x10" size garden
- Includes fired-clay and pebble grow media; 7-1/2-gallon reservoir, water level indicator
- Includes fifteen 5-inch, plastic grow pots can be filled with soil, or included fired-clay pebble grow media
- Submersible pump and timer for automatic flood and drain irrigation
- Also features seed starter cubes, nutrients and a pH test kit
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Product information
Product Dimensions | 22 x 22 x 10 inches |
---|---|
Item Weight | 1 pounds |
Department | 261 |
Manufacturer | Hydrofarm |
ASIN | B0001XLP9G |
Item model number | MGSYS |
Customer Reviews |
3.8 out of 5 stars |
Best Sellers Rank | #440,946 in Patio, Lawn & Garden (See Top 100 in Patio, Lawn & Garden) #1,287 in Plant Germination Kits |
Is Discontinued By Manufacturer | No |
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Product Description
Product Description
Get the convenience of an Ebb & Flow System in a 22" x 22" x 10" size garden. Ebb &?flow (flood & drain) systems work by pumping nutrient solution up from a reservoir to a controlled water level tray. All plants are watered uniformly on a timed cycle.
Amazon.com
Whether you’re a new urban farmer or an old-school green thumb, raising your own plants is easier, faster, and more fun than ever with this hydroponic gardening system. Hydrofarm Megagarden Hydroponic Gardening System features a 4-square-foot garden space that produces 5 times the yields of a standard garden its size. That’s right. This 10-inch-tall garden system grows lettuce, herbs, vegetables, orchids and more, indoors or out--5 times faster than the standard garden--and does it without using soil.
The Megagarden works great indoors, or outside in hobby greenhouses when illuminated with a Hydrofarm Sunburst Series grow light (not included), or any grow light. At the heart of the Megagarden is a super efficient flood-and-drain pump irrigation system that ensures optimal moisture control for healthy roots. The system works by pumping nutrient solution up from a reservoir to a water tray where water levels are precisely controlled. Plants are watered uniformly on a timed cycle for optimal moisture control and healthier roots.
The soilless Megagarden’s removable grow tray measures 23 inches by 23 inches square and holds fifteen 5-inch, plastic grow pots filled with, not soil, but either the included fired-clay or pebble grow media. The system comes complete a 7-1/2-gallon reservoir, submersible pump, timer (capable of up to 12 flood settings per day), rock-wool starter cubes, 16 ounces of Hydrofarm All-Purpose Nutrient, a pH test kit, and complete instructions.
Customer reviews
Customer Reviews, including Product Star Ratings help customers to learn more about the product and decide whether it is the right product for them.
To calculate the overall star rating and percentage breakdown by star, we don’t use a simple average. Instead, our system considers things like how recent a review is and if the reviewer bought the item on Amazon. It also analyzed reviews to verify trustworthiness.
Learn more how customers reviews work on AmazonCustomers say
Customers like the ease of use and performance of the outdoor living product. They mention it's easy to set up and operate, and great for beginners. They also say the product works great and their plants are thriving. However, some customers have reported issues with the holes and quality of the product. Some customers also have issues with leakage. Customers disagree on size, and completeness.
AI-generated from the text of customer reviews
Customers like the ease of use of the outdoor living product. They mention it's extremely easy to set up and operate, simple, and great for beginners. The timer makes everything effortless, and it'd be a great starter system.
"...The timer makes everything so effortless. (Note that you shouldn't slide the timer switch to "on" [indicated with a red light]...." Read more
"The unit is pretty straightforward in assembly...." Read more
"Very easy to use...." Read more
"...The instructions for assembly and use are excellent, but missing teeny details here and there..." Read more
Customers like the performance of the product. They mention that it works great, is reliable, and is a solid addition to their grow room. Some say that the only issue is when needing to clean.
"Item works great for growing, not all parts fit well together." Read more
"...It's solidly built. Obviously I've replaced the pump by now. In fact, I believe I'm on my second out-of-pocket replacement...." Read more
"...with organic grow medium, it's been more than 3 months and all of them are doing great, they're getting regular watering similar to the way they do..." Read more
"...Curiously, the system only works properly when the timer appears to be "off".What to plant?..." Read more
Customers appreciate the value of the flood and drain. They say it's worth the investment, it functions, and is the cheapest flood and drip that they've found.
"...If you want to produce something you consume then this is worth the investment instead of trying to make it yourself...." Read more
"...But that's to be expected. They're cheap anyway, at every big box store these days...." Read more
"Really enjoy the size and price. Sadly the table cracked seemed very britle I picked it up to clean and the lip just cracked across...." Read more
"...great setup and great deal i would also recommend using 2.5 ml of 35% food grade peroxide to avoid root rot if youre res temp get higher than 70..." Read more
Customers are mixed about the size of the outdoor living product. Some mention it's the perfect size setup for so many applications, such as the compact footprint. However, others say that the fill hole in the tray was much smaller than the plug they supplied. They also say the holes for gromits and gear were slightly too big. Some customers also mention that the bottom tank is small and the whole thing is taller.
"...It's easily the perfect size setup for so many applications, such as the kitchen herb garden I'm planning right now, which is why I'm about to buy..." Read more
"...Times have changed. First off the fill hole in the tray was much smaller than the plug they supplied to plug it...." Read more
"Overall a nice compact system with expensive extras included but:Why are the pots 7" tall but the water level as-is is set at 2"?..." Read more
"...Either the hole is too big, or wrong size grommet. The grommet is loose fitting in the reservoir. Completely un-useable...." Read more
Customers are mixed about the completeness of the outdoor living product. Some mention that it comes complete with everything they need to get started, while others say that they received a product with missing parts.
"...Earlier I said this system came with almost everything you need...." Read more
"...Previous one was missing the tray." Read more
"...It's super easy and seems to come with everything needed for your first grow...." Read more
"Shipping was quick. All parts are there, and set up was easy. I do think the directions were lacking, but it was easy to figure out...." Read more
Customers are dissatisfied with the holes in the outdoor living product. They mention that the holes are too small for fittings, the drain fittings are the wrong size, and the grommets are too big. They also mention that some of the precut holes needed to be cleaned up. Some customers also mention the reservoir does not have a hole drilled for the water level indicator. Overall, some customers had to enlarge one hole for the cap and the layout of the holes was not accurate.
"...However, the holes in mine weren't drilled to the exact fit of the parts provided so I needed to sand the edges to make them wider...." Read more
"Only problem was had to inlarge one hole for cap. Little bit of sanding and it fit" Read more
"The only things that I didn’t like were some of the holes that were precut needed to be cleaned up so that took me 30 min to fix but other than that..." Read more
"...I did realize that the hole for water level in resivor was not drilled out so I had to do this my self...." Read more
Customers are dissatisfied with the quality of the outdoor living product. They mention that it's cheaply made, flimsy, and susceptible to easy breakage. Customers also say that the quality control is non-existent. They also mention that the table cracked and the compounds which make up the outer body are extremely thin.
"Absolutely positively do not buy this piece of junk. It is cheap plastic with a hole in the bottom that is supposed to hold water...." Read more
"Really enjoy the size and price. Sadly the table cracked seemed very britle I picked it up to clean and the lip just cracked across...." Read more
"...Other than that it’s pretty decient. I wish the plastic was a little thicker, seems flimsy.. time will tell..." Read more
"Ordered this product and it showed up with the tray corners broken even though the box had no damage to it...." Read more
Customers are dissatisfied with the leakage of the outdoor living product. They mention that the pre-cut holes were too small, and nutrients leaked. The design is poor, and the plastic gasket around the water inlet is totally disintegrated. The drain hose grommet does not seal, and despite no damage to box, the reservoir was cracked at the bottom.
"...I have purchased both this and an Emily’s garden. Both leaked out of the box, new o ring did not help...." Read more
"...One issue I do have is that the nutrients had leaked all inside it’s bag. Fortunately it was sealed so it didn’t get on anything else...." Read more
"...if I can't figure out a replacement for the gasket because the top won't flood and it will be headed for the trash...." Read more
"The grommet in the reservoir for the 'sight gauge' leaks severely. Either the hole is too big, or wrong size grommet...." Read more
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There are two trays, one on top of the other. The water (with a few teaspoons of nutrients added) is contained in the bottom tray. 15 plants (in 15 pots) are set in the upper tray. A few times each day the pump turns on (nice and quiet - all you hear is a gentle gurgling of water) and pumps the water from the bottom tray up to the top tray, wetting and feeding the plant roots. Then the pump turns off and all the water drains back down into the bottom tray. One point of confusion is that the water in the upper tray is draining down to the lower tray even while the pump is on. That's okay. The pump is pumping water upstairs faster than gravity can pull it downstairs through the little drains. So the net result is a rise in water upstairs.
How much water should be used? The instructions don't say. I used 5 or 6 gallons (enough to wet the roots at least up to the middle hole in the pots). I also found it necessary to adjust the "overflow drain" higher so that the water level in the upper tray could rise higher. I also needed to slightly enlarge the small hole in the red lid so that the black plastic drain plug could fit-in properly.
I was happily surprised that they included such a generous amount of the hydroton growing medium (about twice as much as needed), and two large bottles of nutrients. The timer makes everything so effortless. (Note that you shouldn't slide the timer switch to "on" [indicated with a red light]. This overrides the timer and turns the pump on permanently. Curiously, the system only works properly when the timer appears to be "off".
What to plant? Since this is in our kitchen, we have it planted with culinary herbs. The pots are close together, so I can't image being able to grow tomato plants or any plant even half as large. I think this setup might be good for getting cuttings to root. So far I've stuck-in cuttings of rosemary, Thai lime, lemon verbena, and marjoram (none of which can survive our winters outdoors). Although the plants are at a window, I'm using supplemental lighting (11-Watt Par38 Red/Blue LED) to extend the daylight hours.
I ordered and received my MegaGarden within a couple of days and began set up this weekend. The assembly was very easy in my opinion and instructions helpful. There are only a few things I would clarify that didn't stand out as being straight forward:
1) I did find the instructions confusing regarding the pump outlet and what exactly you were supposed to remove using pliers. As pictured, the outlet is permanently attached, so don't try and remove this. I'm assuming they are referring to the smaller adapter that comes with the pump that was separate already in my kit. The instructions say you don't need it, but I found that the 1/2" flexible tubing didn't fit snug over the outlet, so I used it. It's still a little loose; however, the pump pushes water upward, so I didn't find the fit to be an issue. You can add your own adjustable gaskets to resolve this if you want or if find your pump moves and dislodges over time from the tubing.
2) The instructions do not specifically tell you where to place the second small "drain hole" filter, which is not described anywhere. I did locate a possible indentation in the flood table on the diagonal corner from the first. I suspect I need to drill a small hole similar to the one in the red "porthole" cap. That said, it seems to drain just fine without, so I'm leaving out for now.
3) I also found that the instructions were not clear (to me at least) as to which drain hole to attach the pump. That said, the taller is considered the overflow drain and the short should be used to attach the pump to fill the flood table and maintain the proper water level. I found that the water level will cover the bottom two side cut outs and not the upper third hole in the 5.5 planter baskets. This is fine and the clay pellets become moist eventually at a higher level. It's important that your seedlings have developed roots to about two inches length so the nutrient water reaches the roots and will wick up. You can add a piece of soft cloth to help if needed to accomplish this as well.
4) There are no instructions for a recommended timer schedule, but the important thing is not to allow the roots to dry out for a prolonged period of time and be mindful that this could happen during power outages.
There is a helpful assembly video on YouTube called "New MegaGarden" by rwkleinman that I would recommend as a guide.
For the start, I'm using some 4" planted herbs from my local nursery and have some seeds started to add later. The instructions suggest starting your seeds separately as well, but does include rock wool squares to start seeds. Just be sure that that you set this low enough in the planter basket (1 1/2" deep) so the nutrient water will moisten the wool during periods of flooding.
Since I have aquarium supplies laying around, I am also adding an aeration pump, tube, and airstone that is recommended by a lot of folks on YouTube to help prevent unwanted bacteria development in stagnant water and promote growth to my plants.
More to come when I see how my root systems develop...