Hydroponic nutrient feeding and draining system

Claim 1

A hydroponic growing system including: a. a nutrient solution supply reservoir; b. at least one hydroponic growing bed, the bottom of which is located higher than the normal level of nutrient solution in said reservoir; c. a conduit in fluid communication between the lower portion of said supply reservoir and the lower portion of said growing bed; d. a nutrient solution supply pump disposed in series in said conduit for withdrawing nutrient solution from said reservoir and introducing said solution into said growing bed in a first mode of operation when said pump is energized; and e. a dump valve in series in said conduit between said pump and said growing bed for rapidly draining nutrient solution from said growing bed into said nutrient solution reservoir, when said pump is de-energized in a second mode of operation, bypassing said pump, and dump valve comprising: i. a hollow body member having an inlet and an outlet, ii. a liquid nozzle member formed in said inlet for receiving nutrient solution under pressure from said pump in said first mode of operation and for discharging said solution into said outlet, and iii. means defining at least one aperture in said hollow body member intermediate of and in constant unobstructed communication with said inlet and said outlet for draining nutrient solution into said reservoir during said second mode of operation, bypassing said pump.