Somewhere below your lowest set of holes, install a union on your long piece of PVC and cement it to the top piece. Slip 10" of pipe into the bottom of the union & secure it in place with a couple of sheet metal screws so you can take it apart later. Either cement your cap on or attach with screws. I am not sure I am getting this. The way I understand this is someplace below my lowest set of holes to drill a hole so I can make a union with another pipe. I guess this is supposed to be a 90 degree elbow or a "T". Then take more pvc pike and run it up the planter and attach it somewhere. Then at the other end of the "T" take a 10" piece of pipe and attached it to the bottom of the "T". What size pipe should I use? How far up the planter do I go to attach the pipe? I even googled it for images and still haven't seen a picture that shows the whole set up from like a water heater. I also don't get the wicking thing. I have a wicking string/rope I poke a hole thru the screen and feed the rope thru the screen. I guess I tie it off on the top side so the rope doesn't fall thru. Not sure if I am supposed to put any drain hole at all in the end cap. I hold the rope in the center and fill with 4" of marble, is the above or below the screen? I am pretty sure it would be below the screen. So the end cap would then be used to hold the marbles and sand in place? After the screen was in place I would then start filling with the 5-1-1 mix. I take it the wicking rope that is on top of the screen just lays on the screen? How long should this rope be below the screen? I am thinking 4 inches as well. Doing this I am trying to figure out how the water drains, unless the water comes out of that union which is used as an overflow so to speek? I think at that point you would fill until the water came out the drip leg? If this is so then the higher you put your drip leg, would cause the 5-1-1 mix would stay saturated to that point. I am sorry for the confusion on my part. I have read your reply at least 25 times. I have read it to my wife and we have discussed it. We are still not sure how to do this.

Only dumb question is the one not asked.... yes, you use purple primer on both male and female ends of the fitting and pipe, and glue both ends too. Then push together, and twist them about a quarter of a turn while pushing them together, then hold for about 10 seconds. Been doing it that way for years, and never once a failed or leaking joint. Be carful not to use too much... that will make for a failed joint in the future. ie... if when you push the pieces together and a bunch oozes out all over the place, too much glue, purple primer about three quick circles with the dabber will do the trick... too much and it melts the pvc.

A little more information would be useful, is the system inside or outside, how many plants do you have in the tote, how deep is the tote. As the roots are only 2" below the netpots for now, the plants will be relying heavily on the water stored in the hydroton, as the hanging roots get longer they will need more frequent flooding (maybe every 30 minutes) to prevent them drying out between floods. The tap roots will eventually reach the water but the roots in mid air will only have the water coating them and excess water from the hydroton running down them after each flood cycle. This post was edited by hex2006 on Mon, May 26, 14 at 20:43

Thanks, Scott, but I can't do that. There's already concrete poured outside and to go out and around the house would add 100' to the already 80 feet to the spa. My Only way out is thru the chase. And because the Buffoon who had me put insufficient sized chase in, I will only be able to take care of spa maintenance temps from the boiler room using the water heater and future solar panel assist. Time-of-use heat up will be done with an electric heater from the basement of the nearby gazebo. Boy did I ever get stuck. This guy was listed by NC State University Solar Center as a worthy radiant heating/ solar heating and spa contractor. I made the mistake of believing them. You wouldn't believe the nightmare. He installed more than 100 code violations, the heater doesn't keep up when it's truly cold out, he double billed me, then sued me when I wouldn't give in to his demands to actually DO the job he'd contracted for (turns out I was his 67th lawsuit) and by the time my counter suit got him off my back he was on his 102nd lawsuit. He was using the court system to take money from people cuz most would give him the extortion rather than resist in court cuz it was cheaper in the long run and easier. I guess I'm too stupid or have to strong a moral compass to give in. I fought for 4 yrs and spent Way more on legal fees than his extortion price, but I fought back. I put the licensing board onto him and he's gone now, but I'm stuck with what I've got. The only way from the boiler room to the spa is thru my 4" pvc raceway.