Ebb and Grow?

[Wonderkid420]

I am thinking about buying an ebb and gro or flood and drain bucket system, 12 site and I was wondering what you all think of the different companies, size of buckets, square vs round etc.

I have heard the C.A.P. controllers are bad, timer issues and other stuff going on with them so I'm shying away from that, I also don't like the idea of a 2 gallon bucket as I want to eventually transition to 8 week veg cycles and i think the 2 gallon limit would create some problems


(I know it is cheaper to just build one but I want to get one pre made and then after a cycle or 2 get into the nuts and bolts of customizing my own)

The budget for just the hydro part of my system i.e. no lights fans etc is 1000 so price is not a big issue

Any suggestions? All input is appreciated

 

[ShortStackz]

Al the flood & drain systems are pretty much the same IMO. It just comes down to size. I have had no problem vegging for 4 weeks plus flower but you might want bigger buckets for longer veg. I have had a CAP system before & no problems at all. I too wanted a pre built for the first time but after see how simple everything is with mostly plastic & really the only expensive thing being the timer/controller I should of went the DIY route.

 

[wantaknow]

cap has a new ebb and grow system called mega larger controler and buckets ,check it out ,i have a cap controler on 5 gal buckets and i use 6x6 blocks in place of hydroton,works very well ,

 

[Wonderkid420]

ya I was thinking I might just buy the controller bucket and DIY the system because I cant find a 5 gallon set that I like, any other tips by anyone?

Plant numbers per 1000 watt? spacing? plumbing sizes?

 

[paladin420]

I run c.a.p it's ok if u get a good control pot. One of my other growers uses the titian,and it is a much better product. Don't let the pot size in an ebb put u off,they build beautiful rootballs. 8+ zips out of 2 gallon pots

 

[Wonderkid420]

Bump

 

[youngtrader9689]

shonuff!!!!!!!!! caps are good, on my 8th system they went cheap on theyre materials and i have broken 4 controllers, the float valves are cheap and u must be very vigilante with these. next buy will be a titan, but only if i cant find a sentinel.

 

[Farm Hero]

I've built one control bucket myself and purchased two used Greentrees Multi Flow control buckets.

After a few years of use, I did finally have to replace a relay in the timer box, think they were around $10 at radio shack.

I remember people saying that the float swiches would fail, but mine never did fail, they last quite a long time.

Building a control bucket isn't really that hard, there is a step by step guide here on the forum and that's what I used to build mine. Cost under $100 to make the controller if you do it yourself. The schematic of the timer box is very helpful and is also in the same thread.

Good luck with you ebb and flow buckets, we love em with some modifications.

 

[recirculator]

Why?

Why?

cap has a new ebb and grow system called mega larger controler and buckets ,check it out ,i have a cap controler on 5 gal buckets and i use 6x6 blocks in place of hydroton,works very well ,

Just wondering why you'd want the 5 gallon system to run 6 x 6 blocks when they fit just fine in the 2 gallon system, and then flooding them requires much less time, and less water...


Happy Happy

 

[BBKush]

I have run both systems... Currently running CAP but had my controller crap out on me and I had to send it out to get repaired. Then I had float valves break, they sent a few out to me. I cant complain about their customer service.

I am trying to find another CAP system (for veg) for cheap, but I am having zero luck...I guess people are still buying them.

 

[greenmatter]

I've built one control bucket myself and purchased two used Greentrees Multi Flow control buckets.

After a few years of use, I did finally have to replace a relay in the timer box, think they were around $10 at radio shack.

I remember people saying that the float swiches would fail, but mine never did fail, they last quite a long time.

Building a control bucket isn't really that hard, there is a step by step guide here on the forum and that's what I used to build mine. Cost under $100 to make the controller if you do it yourself. The schematic of the timer box is very helpful and is also in the same thread.

Good luck with you ebb and flow buckets, we love em with some modifications.

building them yourself is the way to go!

the newer greentrees control buckets use a board now. if a $10 relay goes bad you get to replace the entire board instead of the individual pieces ......... never bothered to see what greentrees is asking for a new board but i imagine $10 wouldn't cover it

 

[Northstar22]

i run a cap 2.5 gal system. If you plan on veg more then 4 weeks i would definatly go with the 5 gal set up. if you dont upgrade the size of tubing going to the 2.5 gal buckets so your roots dont just fill and clog your lines so quick. A chiller is a must in my opinion with this system. also insulate your lines bucketts and control box for better temp control. I have had zero issues with my cap system so far. But if i could do it again i would of built my own now after using the system for a while i could build a nicer system with better features and designed for the way i grow.

 

[Yikesy]

i run a cap 2.5 gal system. If you plan on veg more then 4 weeks i would definatly go with the 5 gal set up. if you dont upgrade the size of tubing going to the 2.5 gal buckets so your roots dont just fill and clog your lines so quick. A chiller is a must in my opinion with this system. also insulate your lines bucketts and control box for better temp control. I have had zero issues with my cap system so far. But if i could do it again i would of built my own now after using the system for a while i could build a nicer system with better features and designed for the way i grow.

Lol, I disagree with almost everything you said. You can veg way longer than 4 weeks in the 2 gallon buckets, and you definitely do not need a chiller, unless your room temps are crazy hot. Insulating lines? Wtf.