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How Often Do You Flood an Ebb & Flow System?

With the many different types of hydroponic and aeroponic systems on the market, an ebb and flow hydroponic system is just one of the available options. It works on the simple principle of a grow bed set on a timer that allows the water to flow into the grow bed until the water level reaches the top of the overflow drain pipe. Once it reaches this level, it then shuts off to allow the water to drain back into the water reservoir beneath the grow bed. This type of setup is also referred to as a "flood and drain" system.

  1. Flood Cycle

    • Generally speaking, the normal amount of time for the pump to run and flood or fill the grow table is 15 minutes. This allows plenty of time for most pumps to push enough water up onto the grow table to reach the overflow drainpipe. The purpose of the flood cycle is not to flood the roots with water, but rather to thoroughly saturate the growing medium with the nutrient solution from the water reservoir. This is so the plants in the grow bed can take what they need from the growing medium when they need it.

    Rockwool Growing Medium

    • When growing in rockwool, you have to allow enough time for the plants to absorb the nutrient solution between flood cycles. Depending on the size of the plant and the growing conditions, this could be anywhere from three to five hours. This interval should be checked every couple of weeks to make sure the plants are receiving enough water. Once an hour after the table drains, check the saturation of the rockwool by lifting it to see if the water has been absorbed yet; if it hasn't, continue to keep checking every hour. Once the water has been absorbed, it's time for another flood cycle.

    Hydroton Growing Medium

    • Even though hydroton has some moisture-retention properties, it doesn't hold on to water for very long. Typically, when you're using hydroton, the flood and drain cycle is set for 15 minutes to flood and then either 15, 30 or 45 minutes to drain. Rather than the plants affecting this cycle, the main factor is the size of the table and the time it takes to drain. The plant roots need some time to breathe, so before you add plants to a system with hydroton, determine how long it takes for the table to completely drain. Make sure to add some time for the roots to have air.

    Perlite and Coco Fiber Growing Mediums

    • Perlite and coco fiber growing mediums are treated the same. When trying to determine how long the pump will be off in between flood cycles, take a close look at the top half of the growing medium. Once it dries out, then it is time for another flood cycle. When using these growing mediums, plant size plays an important factor as well. Check the timing at least every couple of weeks to ensure that, as the plants grow, they are receiving enough nutrient solution to have a long, healthy life.

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