Ebb and Flow Hydroponic System

Flow and Drain Hydroponic System

Ebb and Flow Hydroponic systems, (also known as flood and drain hydroponic systems,) are not as popular as the other hydroponics systems. It is intermediate level in difficulty, is not the easiest to set up and requires some effort, but is relatively low-cost to set up, is extremely versatile and can be scaled as big or as small as you want.

What is the Ebb & Flow?

Like other hydroponic systems, the basic concept is very simple – plants are placed in a growing medium (not soil) and placed in a tray, or tube/channel which is flooded periodically with nutrient-rich water pumped out of a reservoir (by using a timer turning the pump on and off) and flowing over the plant’s roots. The system uses gravity to drain the water back to the reservoir to be reused.

The intermittent flooding that occurs in cycles allows the growing medium to dry out between cycles. The plants benefit from this short dry period forcing the roots to grow in search of moisture.

These two actions take turns continuously and hence their name Ebb and Flow (Flood and Drain).

How Does an Ebb and Flow Hydroponics System Work?

The Ebb and Flow Hydroponics System consists of a growing container holding the growing medium and the plants, and directly beneath it, a nutrient solution reservoir, which contains a pump that’s attached to a timer.

The pump is controlled by a timer and when the pump turns on according to the settings water and nutrients travel up to the growing container. The level of the water is controlled by an overflow tube, that empties back into the reservoir below.

The water and nutrients in the growing container will rise to the level of the overflow tube and remain constant at that level as long as the pump continues to circulate the water and nutrients up to the tank while the overflow tube sends water and nutrients back to the reservoir. When the timer turns the pump off, the water and nutrients in the growing container are allowed to drain slowly back into the reservoir via the original tubing that brought it up.

There are several variations on the Ebb and Flow Hydroponic System that allow you to create a system with multiple growing containers, one of which can involve a second or third pump.

Aeration in Ebb & Flow

You need to ensure that you allow enough air into the system, and be sure to provide an air pump. The overflow tube should be more extensive than the water inlet tube.

Why Choose Ebb and Flow Hydroponics?

The Ebb and Flow Hydroponic System are popular because it is easy to build, not very expensive and you don’t need any special tools or parts. You could build your ebb and flow system from low-price, household items.

The ebb and flow systems can be built very compactly if space is a problem with the growing container right above the reservoir. These systems can also be scalable and can be adapted to different growing needs.

What Plants Grow Best in an Ebb and Flow Hydroponic System?

Ebb and flow hydroponics are commonly used for the propagation and growing of fruits, vegetables, herbs, and house plants, such as cucumbers, beans, strawberries, tomatoes, and other medium-to-large-sized plants. Plants that are in their flowering and fruit-bearing stages respond particularly well to the practice of allowing the roots to dry out between irrigation cycles.

Pros and Cons of Ebb and Flow Hydroponics?

Pros

• Low cost: The set-up costs are very affordable if you build the system yourself. 
• Nutrient abundance for plants: The system ensures that your plants obtain enough nutrients. Your plants will grow healthy and nutritious.
• It is easy to use: Once you set up the system, the rest of the work is straightforward, almost plug-and-grow easy.
• Energy efficiency: Pumps run for around 10 minutes about 4 to 8 times a day. Efficient use of nutrients, water and energy.
• Minimal supervision and maintenance: You will need little to no technical assistance to operate the system.

Cons

• Instances of unstable ph. levels: If the system fails, the excess nutrients overflow into the container creating an unbearable PH environment.
• Breakdowns can be common: Some of the frequent breakdowns happen in the pumping machines.
• Dependent on electricity: For the pump and timer to operate properly.
• Algae and Pathogens: in the open-growing container
• Getting the cycle timing right: This can be challenging.
• It uses large quantities of growing medium: Depending on the size.
• The roots drying out: If the pump(s) or timer(s) stop due to power failure or some other problem.
• Unfavourable environmental conditions: (too hot, dry, or too cold) can also dry out the roots.
• Trial and error: To find optimum timings for nutrients and water.

Conclusion

The Ebb and Flow are an intermediary-level hydroponic system. They are simple, easy to build, effective and flexible. Hobbyists will find this system easy to set up and use. Commercial growers use the Ebb & Flow system for growing plants, for years and enjoyed significant results.

If you are looking for a simple and beginner-friendly hydroponics system to get you started I would recommend the Wick Hydroponic System. 

If you are still interested in the ebb and flow system, ensure you are familiar with the fundamental pros and cons to help you get started and succeed in your hydroponics gardening journey.

For those that are not handy with tools, there are many places you can purchase an Ebb and Flow hydroponic system and all you need to do is assemble it.

Happy growing.