Having done both I feel that Hydroton is much more ideal in flood & drain. It doesn't retain salts like RW and can be fed more frequently.
PS - Grodan also prefers top feed over flood and drain.
From Grodan's site... lol as painfully as it might be for you.
PS - Grodan also prefers top feed over flood and drain.
From Grodan's site... lol as painfully as it might be for you.
Can I use a 6” block (Hugo) in an ebb & flood system?
Stonewool will have good capillary movement (ability to pull up a nutrient solution against gravity) in up to 4” tall blocks. Any block higher than this such as the Hugo will remain drier on the top, depending on how high the tray is flooded. So if your flooding is less than 2” high, then go with the 4” blocks. But you never want the Grodan to just be sitting completely in water.
The best bet is to water like Mother Nature does- from top to bottom. That’s why we recommend top watering over ebb & flood for Grodan products. Download the brochure “Watering and pH” from the brochure page to learn more on watering tips for drip irrigation.
It’s easy to convert your ebb & flood system into a top feed system. Disconnect the ½” tubing from the valve. Bend the end of the tube and tie it. Insert a piece of ¼” tubing into the ½” tubing. The ¼” tubing should then run up the outside of the pot and with a drip stake be secured to the blocks at the top of the pot.