Flood and Drain Hydroponics

For a simple, uncomplicated system - that brings results every time then consider Flood and Drain Systems. Often know as Ebb and Flow this system has been around for many years and the method is simple. Plants sit in pots (or trays) in a medium such as a mix of clay pebbles/coco coir which hold the root ball allowing root to hang into the reservoir.

Next plant roots are flooded with your nutrient solution for around 5 to 10 minutes (depending on your timer settings) before - been drained away back into the nutrient reservoir until the next flood. Each time that water is forced through the buckets and growing media - stale air is expelled from around the root ball - and replaced with fresh oxygen as it drains away back to the nutrient tank

With a pump and air stone in your nutrient tank ensuring your solution keeps aerated - using this system brings only success - leaving you to focus on your nutrient tanks EC and pH levels.

Hydrohobby Hydroponics Flood and Drain Systems

We have been selling Flood and Drain Systems for over 15 years and we only sell the best systems on the market which are strong, robust and are tried and tested.

Flood and Drain hydroponic systems are a solid investment and regardless of the manufactuer the principle for Flood and Drain systems is always the same using: the Brain (a timer) or a float mechanisms which will initiate and control the flooding and draining of nutrient to each plant buckets.

We take a look at our top 3 Flood and Drain Systems at Hydrohobby:

IWS Flood and Drain Systems

From the experts at Nutriculture the provide growers great result with the minium effort after setup. Nutriculture have been pioneering hydroponic systems since 1976 - so you can rest assured the system is value for money, fit for purpose and tried and tested!

IWS Flood and Drain Systems & PRO IWS Systems offer the below benefits and are ready for you to get growing once setup!

• IWS reservoir (includes IWS water pump)
• IWS Flood & Drain Brain
• IWS Pots
• IWS Pot Stands
• IWS Inner Pot Baskets (for clay pebbles)
• 13mm Hose pipework (PRO IWS 25mm pipework for incresed flow of water)
• Full IWS irrigation connectors

Available in 6, 12 , 24, 36 or 48 Pot sizes - with a Flexi or Solid Water Tank.

Alien Flood and Drain Systems

Alien are veterans when it come to hydroponic grow systems. Forever improving they have removed the mechanical float switch - as found in previous models, and replaced it with a ECU (Electronic Control Unit) - that uses probes to control the flow of nutrient solution in the brain pot.

The ECU unit houses a timer unit for the setting of flood cycles which run along the 32mm flexible PVC pipefittings which allow faster flowing pumps to be used - completing the flood and drain cycle to be completed up to 3 x faster than other systems on the market, featuring the below benefits:

• No float switches
• Electronic level sensing
• Faster flood+drain times
• Collapsible Tanks
• 32mm pipefittings
• Silent operation

All of our Alien Flood and Drain Systems are available in 4, 6, 8, 12, 16, 24, 48 and 80 pot variations with The Alien™ Ripstop Tanks which is a collapsible water tank, which will enables the whole system to fit through tight spaces.

Alien Flood and Drain Systems - uses 11 litre pots

Alien XL Flood and Drain System - uses larger 20 litre pots 

Ebb and Flood System

As mentioned earlier - flood and drain systems are also know as Ebb and Flow Systems. In these systems plants sit in a clay pebbles media - in a large tray above the nutirent tank solution. A timer is used to frequently flood the table with nutirent solution - allowing the plants to take up all the water nutrients as they expel stale air from their root zone. As the solution drains away fresh oxygen is pulled back down the root zone.

Hydrohobby Nutriculutre Ebb and Flood Systems are available in the 3 tray sizes - bringing growers the following benefits:

• Low maintenance.
• Suitable for pots and buckets
• Easy access to pump and nutrient
• Interlocking tank & tray for stability
• Low-level system to maximize headroom

EF230 Ebb and Flood System - Size: 44” x 44” x 4.5” - Tank Volume: 123 Litres 

EF420 Ebb and Flood System - Size: 60” x 20” x 4.5” - Tank Volume: 114 Litres  

Ebb and Flood Systems setup video below:

Ebb and Flow, IWS PRO, IWS or Alien Flood & Drain Systems?

So which system you go for is down to you - but as long as you use the correct media or media mix - control and maintain pH and EC Levels in your nutrient tank - you are setup for easy growing and bumper yeilds moving forwards!

* Ensure you follow all System maintenance and this will prolong the life of your system - and you can enjoy problem free growing...

Next week we will look at the legendary NFT Sytems (Natural Film Technique) - which so many customers swear by and it's been around since the mid 1960!