If you’re thinking about trying your hand at hydroponics, as a beginner, you should consider an ebb and flow setup.
This style of hydroponics, also known as the flood-and-drain method, is often one of the most successful for new growers. It’s also one of the easiest to master.
But, exactly what is ebb and flow hydroponics, you may be wondering?
Ebb and flow hydroponics utilize controlled flooding and draining of a growing tray. Nutrients are delivered to the plants when the tray is flooded and then the roots of the plants are exposed to oxygen when draining occurs. The cycle of events is controlled via a water pump and timer.
Ebb and Flow Hydroponics Pros & Cons
Ebb and Flow Hydroponics: The Basics
For first-time growers, an ebb and flow hydroponic system is a cheap and effective way to get your feet wet without breaking the bank.
In the sections below, we discuss everything you need to know about it before you get started.
What Is Ebb And Flow Hydroponics?
Ebb and flow hydroponics is a growing technique that consists of cultivating potted plants in an inert growing medium (not soil) placed within a growing tray.
The tray is perched above a reservoir of water that contains all of the vital nutrients needed for the plants to thrive.
The system forces water and nutrients to “ebb and flow” throughout the growing tray.
These cycles of flooding and draining provide the roots of the plants with everything they need to grow and be healthy.
How Does an Ebb and Flow System Work?
A water pump, and timer, cause a series of constant flooding and draining to occur, hence this hydroponic growing system is sometimes referred to as flood and drain in addition to ebb and flow.
When the water is pumped into the growing tray, it enters the bottom of the pots via holes or slots and soaks the plant’s roots with nutrients. After a period of time passes, the water slowly drains from the pots and growing tray leaving the roots to once more absorb oxygen until the next flooding cycle begins.
In addition to proper light, and other hydroponic system basics, such as proper pH and EC levels, as well as a comfortable water temperature for the plants, that’s all there is to ebb and flow systems.
Basic Components of the Ebb and Flow Method
The ebb and flow method requires a small number of basic components to function properly in comparison to more advanced hydroponic systems.
The main components of ebb and flow systems include:
- A growing tray.
- A reservoir with a lid (such as a fish tank).
- Slotted or perforated pots (for plants).
- An inert growing medium (such as Rockwool cubes, pebbles, or coarse sand).
- A small amount of rubber tubing (like the ones found on common fish tank pumps).
Once you gather the basic components for an ebb and flow system, building it requires very little time.
That said, the internet is ripe with simple instructions on how to put it all together such as guides or YouTube videos, like this one:
What Is Ebb & Flow Hydroponics Commonly Used For?
Ebb and flow hydroponics are commonly used for the propagation and growing of fruits, vegetables, herbs, and house plants.
Is Ebb and Flow the Same as Flood and Drain Hydroponics?
The terms “flood and drain” and “ebb and flow” are interchangeable, there is absolutely no difference between the two.
Both names refer to the same sort of hydroponic system. The phrase is derived from the nature of water in nature, such as the ocean, and the way that it moves, or ebbs and flows.
Different Ebb and Flow Systems
Ebb and flow systems are some of the simplest, most affordable, and easiest to maintain of the known hydroponic systems, but there are a few different versions that you should be aware of.
Before you get started with yours, have a look at these five variations and decide which one is best for you:
Flood Table
Ebb and flow flood tables hydrate plants by utilizing the reservoir beneath the table to flood and drain the growing medium and plants.
It is the most common type of ebb and flow system and one of the easiest to build and use.
Bucket Series (Also Called Container Series)
In this setup, two buckets (or more) are situated above a third bucket, or reservoir, rather than utilizing a tray.
Other than this difference, the rest of the system functions the same as the flood table variety; flooding the buckets, growing medium, and plants, and then draining back into the reservoir.
Surge Tank
A surge tank ebb and flow system functions identically to how the buckets system works, except for one difference:
There is an additional bucket between the reservoir and the series of buckets that acts a regular or sorts, setting the water level for the rest of the buckets/containers in the system.
Overflow Tube
A popular setup for growers who want to grow the most crops possible and maximize their harvests while they’re at it, overflow tube systems utilize a series of pipes that are flooded and drained rather than a tray or containers.
Aside from this difference, they work in the same fashion as other ebb and flow hydroponics.
Dutch Bucket
The Dutch Bucket method is extremely similar to the flood table system except that the growing tray is replaced with a bucket.
One difference is that the water/nutrients can drain either into the reservoir or out of the system entirely. Adding more than one bucket is also possible.
What Plants Grow Best in Ebb and Flow Systems?
As mentioned above, ebb and flow systems are typically used for fruits, veggies, herbs, and house plants. That said, some plants do much better in ebb and flow systems than others.
Some of the plants that grow best in with ebb and flow systems include:
- Strawberries
- Tomatoes
- Cucumbers
- Peppers
- Lettuce
- Spinach
- Radishes
- Beans
- Basil
- Oregano
- Mint
- Chinese money plant
- Peace lilies
The plants listed above are by no means the only plants that thrive in ebb and flow growing systems.
So, if you have something other than what we’ve mentioned here in mind, don’t be afraid to give it a try.
Is Ebb and Flow Better Than Deep Water Culture Systems?
Ebb and flow and deep water cultures both have several advantages and disadvantages.
Depending on what you plan to do with your hydroponic setup, one may have a slight advantage over the other.
However, generally speaking, they are equally useful for hydroponics.
For propagating plants, ebb and flow systems have a slight edge over deep water culture systems due to the constant flood and drain action involved with it that causes greater stimulation to plant roots.
Deep water culture systems on the other hand make it easier to grow larger crops and therefore yields are typically higher than with ebb and flow systems.
Another major difference between ebb and flow and deep water culture is in the overall costs and difficulty in setting the system up and operating it long term.
Ebb and flow systems tend to cost a bit more, as they require a few more components, such as the water pump and timer. That said, they are easier to build than other systems.
Deep water culture systems are cheaper, but they also break down easier and require much closer attention to aspects such as pH, EC, and nutrient levels in the water.
You can learn more about deep water culture hydroponics in our article here.
Can You Ebb and Flow With Soil?
Technically, an ebb and flow setup with soil is possible, but it isn’t highly recommended.
One of the main issues with this idea is that the soil holds moisture and doesn’t expose roots to the same amount of oxygen that a traditional ebb and flow hydroponics system would.
If your mind is set on giving it a shot, however, you won’t need a timer because there is no need to flood nearly as often.
Ebbing and flowing with soil only needs to be flooded for around 15 minutes or so every couple of days, which you can do manually.
That said, it is much more sustainable to go full hydro with your setup or use a substrate such as coco coir rather than soil.
Likewise, if you’re just wanting to avoid a complete hydroponic setup, and are convinced your plants need soil, a drip type setup is much more convenient and efficient than a modified ebb and flow system.
Ebb and Flow Watering Schedule
Before deciding what sort of ebb and flow watering schedule best suits your system, there are a few important factors to consider first:
- Type of plants – Different types of crops require various amounts and frequencies of watering.
- Size of plants – Generally speaking, the larger the plants, the more water they need.
- Number of plants – A higher number of plants means a more frequent amount of flooding is often required.
- Type and strength of light – The main factor here is that light warms up the plant and causes it to “spend” water faster.
- Growing medium – Some growing mediums absorb water faster than others.
- Temperature – A higher temperature causes a quicker evaporation rate of the system’s water.
- Size of the entire system – Larger and deeper systems don’t need to be flooded and drained as often as smaller ones.
All of the above considered, on average, most ebb and flow systems do well being watered every three hours.
How Often Should You Flood an Ebb and Flow System?
Depending on the growing medium, ebb and flow systems need watering anywhere from one to ten times per day.
Keep in mind that there is no need whatsoever for flooding when the lights are off.
Here are some general guidelines based on the type of growing medium being used:
- Rockwool cubes need watering roughly every three to five hours.
- Pebbles or gravel need watering approximately every two to three hours.
- Coco, or similar, needs watering around every four hours or so.
The above-listed are suggestions, not hard and fast rules (there are no actual rules to ebb and flow flooding schedules).
The best way to find out how often you should personally flood your own system is by researching, experimenting, and trial and error.
How Often Should the System Be Cleaned?
Hydroponic systems require a full water change and cleaning every two to three weeks.
Changing the water in your system allows you to reset the pH, EC, and nutrient levels in the reservoir/water tank.
It also gives you a perfect opportunity to scrub down the sides and bottom of the interior, as well as any components that need it including the growing medium.
If you go too long without cleaning your system, algae may begin to build up in the reservoir.
With excessive algae growth comes harmful bacteria which is introduced to your plants via the flooding cycle.
When this happens, plant disease may take hold of your plants and cause them to become sick or die.
What Is the Best Ebb and Flow Kit for Home Use?
If you plan on buying an ebb and flow kit, rather than building one from scratch, there are numerous viable options on the market.
But, not all the kits on the market are ideal for home use, and the ones that are, tend to have significant differences.
You’ll need to do a bit of research before picking one. That way you can be sure you’re getting the right one for you and your needs.
Here are a few of the current best ebb and flow kits for home use that we recommend considering:
Active Aqua Ebb and Flow System
An excellent choice for both first-time and long-time growers, the Active Aqua Ebb and Flow System is user-friendly, reliable, and highly efficient.
Regardless of what you plan on growing, or how much, the kit provides plenty of room with 12 pots and is expandable to a 48-pot system.
The system is quick and easy to set up, and even easier to program. Basically, you can set it up and forget about it.
The tank has a nominal capacity of 55 gallons and a maximum volume of 57 gallons.
The pots are pre-drilled for tubing and the system includes an emergency shut-off feature that helps prevent accidental overflow as well.
Greentree Multi-Flow Hydroponics System
The Greentree Multi-Flow Hydroponics System is also a great ebb and flow kit for home use.
This one features a bottom draw water pump for the smoothest flooding and draining action possible.
It also comes with a built-in air fill power option, making it capable of becoming an active water culture system as well.
The system holds seven gallons of water and has 10 outlet ports for connecting to several containers. An adjustable ladder level allows you to fill containers to precise heights as you see fit.
VIVOSUN Hydroponics 108-Plant Growing System
This sleek-looking and lightweight system is both space and energy-saving and allows for double the crop yield that comparable systems produce.
It is perfect for beginners as well as those with hydroponic-growing experience.
That said, no experience is necessary for setting it up or using it as it is a timetable system that automatically floods for five minutes and then drains (every 30 minutes).
The system consists of 12 2.5-inch by 39.4-inch food-grade PVC pipes with 108 growing sites stacked into three layers.
Even more, it fits and looks good just about anywhere, including homes, gardens, garages, and more.
Final Thoughts About Ebb and Flow Hydroponics
If you’re looking for a simple but effective system to get started with hydroponic gardening or farming for that matter, you can’t go wrong with the ebb and flow method.
Whether you’re the DIY type, or prefer to purchase a pre-made system, flood and drain setups are quick and easy to get up and running.
Further, they take very little knowledge or experience to successfully grow just about anything you can think of.