[GpsFrontier]

Here is the product i was refereing 2. 4FT X 4FT JETFLO ECONO W BENC
This looks like it would be a very usefull system. it appears to hold many plants.

Yes that would be very easy to build. Typically that system is used to flood the tray, and you put pots with the plants in the tray. Then when the tray floods it saturates the growing medium in the pots. The thing is algae grows anywhere that gets wet (with nutrients), and gets light. So you may be doing a lot of cleaning the tray out. But you could probably build one like it for about $100, and just about half that would be the pump. Instead of putting pots in the tray, you could design it so you would just fill the whole tray with growing medium, then you wont have the algae problem. But that takes a lot of growing medium, and rotating plants would be a problem. The roots that broke off when you pulled up the plants would decay (rot), and feed pathogens. But some people have good luck with that type of system, and would be simple to build.

He told me the long thin ones are crap

The the thin round ones like this: Bubble Wands, like he said just clog including the flexible ones. It doesn't need to be that shape, but the ones made out of the same type of material like the ones the guy showed you should work fine. That's what I use, though mine aren't round. I'm not familiar with the "topfin" line of pumps, they may be fine. So far I have only been using the ones that Wal-mart sells. But if I had the money I would like to get something like this: Super Luft Pump and/or these High Pressure Aquarium Air Pumps for Deep Water

Im kinda concerned about nutrients, becuase i dont wanna screw up. what is easiest for begginers, should i do a single step one or a multi step like the flora series

The 2 and 3 part nutrients are not difficult. I started with the flora series nutrients myself. I usually just mixed equal parts all 3 at 2 tsp (10mL) per gallon. But for non flowering plants like lettuces I would use something like 3 tsp gro, 2 micro, and 1 bloom. Using the flora series is a good start, but will get expensive after a while. The dry nutrients tend to cost less, but you need to mix them well. I'm experimenting with these and they seem to work well so far. The Verti-Gro Hydroponic Fertilizers and Nutrients - Organic and Hydroponic Growing for Commercial and Hobby Growers

It's a 2 part nutrient, first part is the "hydroponic formula" (fertilizer) the second part is the "calcium nitrate." Both come as a dry mix, you mix 2 pounds each separately into one gallon water jugs. At that point you have both parts pre-mixed as a liquid concentrate (instructions are on the label). Then to make the nutrient solution you mix 1 to 1 1/2 teaspoons (10mL to 15mL) of each part per gallon of water. The label says 1/2 to 3/4 ounces per gallon (1 fluid oz = 30mL).

This is exactly what I have been using:
2 lbs. 5-10-25 Hydroponic Formula, SKU#: F510252, Unit Price: $11.95 (shipping $6.50)
2 lbs. Calcium Nitrate 15-0-0, SKU#: F15002, Unit Price: $8.95 (Shipping $6.00)

This makes 250 gallons of nutrient solution mixed per instructions, more if you mix it weaker. I find a little weaker is usually better, especially the hotter it is. For $20.90 + shipping $12.50 Total: $33.40. But they also have the combo package: Nutrient Combo 4 lbs ea. 5-10-25 & 15-0-0, SKU#: FCombo, for $39.95 (shipping included) $6.50 more than buying them the other way but it makes twice as much.

That makes about 500 gallons of nutrient solution for about $40. The GH flora series makes about 340 gallons when mixed at 10mL (2 tsp) per gallon. But you get even better value if you buy the 25 pound quantitys of the Verti-Gro. Anyhow, that's just what I'm experimenting with right now. I know general hydroponics makes a line of dry nutrients, although I haven't tried them, and I don't know how many gallons they wind up making.

Question about mounting the pumps and airstone lines. should i drill a hole in the side near the top and feed the line in, and put a sealer around it, or is there a better way to do it?

Any time you need to seal a hole, there's a potential for a problem. You will also want to take the line out, for maintenance and cleaning. You wont want to re-glue a line in each time. I just cut a notch at the top (above the water line), and run my air line in from there. Make sure the air pump is a couple feet above the water line, or it could flood the pump. You can use the one way check valves, but they just tend to clog on me. So I just don't bother using check valves, and just keep the pump high enough to keep the water from getting up to it, if the pump looses power.

P.S. I look forward to seeing your systems in action.