- Image by chooyutshing via Flickr
There are 6 basic types of hydroponics systems:
- Drip (Top-feed)
- Wick (Capillary)
- Ebb and Flow (Flood and Drain)
- Water Culture
- N.F.T (Nutrition Film Technique)
- Aeroponic (Spray)
Ebb and Flow System
The ebb-and-flow system is a media-based irrigation method and is one of the most effective hydroponics garden techniques available today. The growing medium is used to support the plant and to hold the nutrient solution.
A timer is used to turn on a pump which floods the container holding the growing medium and plants with the nutrient-rich solution. When the pump turns off the nutrient solution is allowed to drain back into the solution reservoir.
During the flooding cycle, the plant’s roots are submerged in the nutrient solution.
During the draining cycle the roots are surrounded by air which provides oxygen to the roots.
The ebb and flow system is also called the flood and drain system for obvious reasons.
The growing medium most often used is clay pellets.
The plants are grown in the pots filled with clay pellets. The nutrient solution is stored in a reservoir adjacent to the potted plants. At regular intervals the clay pellets are flooded with the nutrient solution. At the end of the flooding period the nutrient is allowed to drain back into the reservoir.
Rockwool is also a popular growing medium for the ebb and flow hydroponic method. It is slower draining than clay pellets and requires less watering.
As an example: clay pellets may be flooded for 30 minutes every 4 hours, whereas rockwool will only need flooding every 6 hours.
The number of ebb/flow cycles per day is dependent on a number of factors, including: temperature, humidity, the growing medium, the type of plant, the size of the plant and the stage of the plants growth.
The ebb and flow technique is one of the easiest hydroponics garden to maintain. However, the nutrient reservoir needs to be opaque to avoid growth of algae. It is also necessary to keep checking the amount of nutrient in the reservoir and it’s pH level. If the nutrient level falls or the nutrient is not at the correct concentration the plants will be affected.
