Ebb and flow reservoir temp

Hi, I am fairly new to growing and would like some advice from someone with experience with ebb and flow systems. I am curious about how necessary it is to keep a cool reservoir temp? And how often should I flush and with what? (Fyi I'm on a budget)

Some details about my setup:
Modular ebb and flow
5 gallon buckets (Hydroton)
35 gallon reservoir
Current reservoir temp range (74-79)
Reservoir change every 1-2 weeks

JollyGrnGrower said:

Hi, I am fairly new to growing and would like some advice from someone with experience with ebb and flow systems. I am curious about how necessary it is to keep a cool reservoir temp? And how often should I flush and with what? (Fyi I'm on a budget)

Some details about my setup:
Modular ebb and flow
5 gallon buckets (Hydroton)
35 gallon reservoir
Current reservoir temp range (74-79)
Reservoir change every 1-2 weeks

Click to expand...

Well ive run ebb/flow buckets with hydoton 20+ years
mostly in europe.
I moved to 9 degs off the equator and set up ebb/flow buckets even with ac the res temperature too high
rez temp of 27 c initially.
In the EU i aimed for 20c res temps
In pot PH is rarely what the res is 1 hour after a flood you need cation and anion ballance in the nutes with hydroton

I found an answer to cope with high res temps that was letting hydroton pots dry out so the plants where harder.
Then i got a chiller and tried that on 1kw set up out of 4 in the same room .Easy to make comparisons.

Just set up ,glue off gassing,and testing parameters.
pump duration and timing.The rez is 300 ltrs capacity i stupidly didnt think to put a 2 inch sheet of polystyrene under it and on the sides so the tiled floor and building heat warmed it up.A

Mid 70's is fine for a res. I'd keep it below 80F for sure, and your root zones should be around 72-75F anyway. Lower and they'll grow slower, higher temps and you run the risk of root rot.


Growing means learning. You're in the right place for the information.


Welcome to ICMag!!

Thank you both so much, I appreciate the advice. I just finished cleaning and insulating a bigger 55 gallon reservoir in an attempt to keep temperatures in the optimal zone

Douglas.Curtis said:

Mid 70's is fine for a res. I'd keep it below 80F for sure, and your root zones should be around 72-75F anyway. Lower and they'll grow slower, higher temps and you run the risk of root rot.


Growing means learning. You're in the right place for the information.


Welcome to ICMag!!

Click to expand...

Please don't listen to this advice. If you do, you will kill your plants with root rot. Douglas.Curtis is 10 degrees off. Mid 60's is the temp range you need.