4x8 ebb & flow setup question

raphenilweed said:

Hi. My 2nd attempt at hydro and my first with a 4x8. Brand new tray. Where do I put the holes for the drain and flood? I have put 2 holes in the 8ft side where the dimples were. This made the most sense to me for even distribution of flood and drain. I guess I answered my own question but my 2nd question is do have 2 sets of holes opposite of each other? This makes sense to me for such a large volume of water to ebb and flow more evenly ~139 gallons (measured 96 inches x 48 inches x 7 inches more realistically 75-100 gallons with pots and medium).

So the question is is it better to have 1 set of 2 holes or 2 sets of 2 holes for a 4x8?

If it helps the plan is a coco mat, hydroton/pumice mix and 6 inch net pots round.

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PerfectGrower said:

Are you thinking multiple pumps flooding the tray (2 water inputs) and 2 water drains?

Either one will work. Pump size will depend on how quickly you can flood those tables.

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Lyfespan said:

iIs this a bontanicare tray? if so its setup so the tray has a high and low side, and the drain assemblies are designed for each end.

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raphenilweed said:

Thanks for responding.



I was thinking that 2 inputs and 2 drains is the most ideal for most even distribution of water filling and draining but was undecided on 1 pump or 2.

Regarding the speed of which the tray gets flooded and drained, is that important? Do I want fast fill and drain or slower fill and drain? Is that dependent on the medium? From reading a bit about ebb&flow on the forms it seems like most people are at least 3 flood and drains a day. I guess I will figure out what works for me as I go along.



Yes it is a 4x8 botanicare tray. Are you saying 1 fill goes on 1 side and 1 drain goes on opposite side?

The pictures is how it is setup currently. Is it sufficient/correct?

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RockinRobot said:

You definitely need flood and drain on opposite ends of the tray. Otherwise waste will build up in 1 end of the tray. Made the mistake of putting them on same end and it was a disaster for the plants on the opposite end from the in/outlets

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Billy Liar said:

Only 1 of the fittings is a flood AND a drain fitting (it fills and drains through the SAME fitting), the other is an overflow fitting that prevents the table overflowing. Next to each other or on opposite ends will not affect how the table fills and drains at all.

Peace
BL

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raphenilweed said:

Hi. My 2nd attempt at hydro and my first with a 4x8. Brand new tray. Where do I put the holes for the drain and flood? I have put 2 holes in the 8ft side where the dimples were. This made the most sense to me for even distribution of flood and drain. I guess I answered my own question but my 2nd question is do have 2 sets of holes opposite of each other? This makes sense to me for such a large volume of water to ebb and flow more evenly ~139 gallons (measured 96 inches x 48 inches x 7 inches more realistically 75-100 gallons with pots and medium).

So the question is is it better to have 1 set of 2 holes or 2 sets of 2 holes for a 4x8?

If it helps the plan is a coco mat, hydroton/pumice mix and 6 inch net pots round.

Click to expand...

yankeetransplnt said:

My 2 cents...when I had a flood and drain, I liked to have a circulation pump ON THE TABLE....it had a low water cut off sensor...u.can hook it to the same flood pump timer or just let the sensor do its thing...when its in the flood cycle the circulation pump adds a ton of D.O. if positioned right and keeps everything mixed nice...I also found it keeps the table much cleaner and 'healthier'....
As far as flood rates and frequency, that will change as the plants grow and their needs change...pay close attention to the moisture retention your first run at different grow stages and make a timer schedule...hydroton rocks in a flood and drain system, IMO

Click to expand...

raphenilweed said:

Hi. My 2nd attempt at hydro and my first with a 4x8. Brand new tray. Where do I put the holes for the drain and flood? I have put 2 holes in the 8ft side where the dimples were. This made the most sense to me for even distribution of flood and drain. I guess I answered my own question but my 2nd question is do have 2 sets of holes opposite of each other? This makes sense to me for such a large volume of water to ebb and flow more evenly ~139 gallons (measured 96 inches x 48 inches x 7 inches more realistically 75-100 gallons with pots and medium).

So the question is is it better to have 1 set of 2 holes or 2 sets of 2 holes for a 4x8?

If it helps the plan is a coco mat, hydroton/pumice mix and 6 inch net pots round.

Click to expand...

yankeetransplnt said:

My 2 cents...when I had a flood and drain, I liked to have a circulation pump ON THE TABLE....it had a low water cut off sensor...u.can hook it to the same flood pump timer or just let the sensor do its thing...when its in the flood cycle the circulation pump adds a ton of D.O. if positioned right and keeps everything mixed nice...I also found it keeps the table much cleaner and 'healthier'....
As far as flood rates and frequency, that will change as the plants grow and their needs change...pay close attention to the moisture retention your first run at different grow stages and make a timer schedule...hydroton rocks in a flood and drain system, IMO

Click to expand...