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Ebb-and-Flow Table

A 2 x 4 ft flood tray on a 2x4 table at 30 in, over a 27 gal reservoir with a pump on a timer.

Draft plan, generated from the model. Not yet build-tested.
2 x 4 ftTray
54 x 30 x 30 inTable
12 of 4 inPots
4 to 6 hrBuild time
~$297.09Materials, part estimate

Drawings All dimensions in inches

3D viewfinished
3D view
Front elevation
Front elevation 54 in 34 in
Right elevation
Right elevation 30 in 34 in
Plan viewfrom above
Plan view 54 in 30 in

Cut list: lumber Long-point lengths; angles noted

QtyStockLengthPartCut
12x447Top rail fronton edge, between the legs
12x447Low rail fronton edge, between the legs
12x447Top rail backon edge, between the legs
12x447Low rail backon edge, between the legs
42x429 1/4Leg
12x423Top end lefton edge
12x423Low end lefton edge
12x423Top end righton edge
12x423Low end righton edge
22x423Top crosson edge

Cut list: sheet goods

PartStockSizeNote
Top3/4 ply54 x 30cut to 54 x 30; seal with paint

Lumber cutting diagram Lengths chosen for the lowest cost; 1/8 in kerf, 1/2 in end trim

2x4 x 12 ft
Top rail front 47Low rail front 47Top rail back 47
2x4 x 10 ft
Leg 1 29 1/4Leg 2 29 1/4Leg 3 29 1/4Leg 4 29 1/4
2x4 x 8 ft
Low rail back 47Top end left 23Low end left 23
2x4 x 8 ft
Top end right 23Low end right 23Top cross 1 23Top cross 2 23

Sheet cutting diagrams Dashed = openings to cut out

Sheet 1: 3/4 in plywood, 4 x 8 ft
Top30 x 54

Shopping list $271.09 checked / $26.00 estimated

ItemStoreQtyEachLineNote
2x4x12 stud, SPFHome Depot1$7.12$7.12see lumber cutting diagram
2x4x10 stud, SPFHome Depot1$5.46$5.46see lumber cutting diagram
2x4x8 stud, SPFHome Depot2$4.15$8.30see lumber cutting diagram
23/32 in (3/4 in) CDX plywood, 4x8 sheetLowe's1$46.57$46.57see sheet cutting diagrams
Flood tray, 2 x 4 ft, 4 in deepHTG Supply1$57.40$57.40
27 gal storage tote with lid (HDX, black and yellow)Home Depot1$8.98$8.98reservoir
Submersible pump, 250 gphHappy Hydro or Amazon1$28.95$28.95
Outlet timer, 15 min on and offHome Depot1$14.00$14.00
3/4 in PVC fittings, assortedHome Depot1$12.00$12.00bulkhead and tubing
Clay pebbles, 4 L bagWalmart2$13.26$26.52
Hydroponic nutrient: General Hydroponics Flora trio, 1 quart eachPremier Hydro Shop1$44.84$44.84
Black spray paint 12 oz (Rust-Oleum)Home Depot1$6.98$6.98
Exterior wood screws #9 x 2.5 in, 5 lb boxHome Depot1$29.97$29.97
Total before tax~$297.09
Filled dot: price read from a store listing on Oct 20, 2026. Hollow dot: estimate. Prices come from the master price list, so they change when it changes.

Build steps

  1. Cut four legs, the rails and the plywood top. Screw the top and low rails between the legs to make two frames, front and back, then join them with the end rails.
  2. Screw the two top cross pieces between the rails and the plywood top onto the frame. Seal both faces with two coats of exterior paint.
  3. Set the flood tray on the top, level, and drill a 1 in hole in the bottom for the fill and drain fitting, at one end. Fit a bulkhead and an overflow standpipe 2 in tall.
  4. Set the 27 gal reservoir on the low rails. Run a 1/2 in tube from the pump up to the bulkhead, and connect the bulkhead's drain back to the reservoir.
  5. Plug the pump into a timer: 15 min on, 45 min off, daytime only. Fill the tray with pots of clay pebbles and seedlings.

Before you start