I think you’ll agree with me that finding the Best Ebb and Flow Hydroponic System can be a bit of a challenge. There are so many different types of ebb and flow hydroponics systems out there that it can be a bit overwhelming to narrow down your options. That’s why we’ve put together this guide to help you find the best ebb and flow system, so you can get growing as soon as possible.
Best Ebb and Flow Hydroponic System
Best Ebb and Flow System
Active Aqua Grow Flow Ebb & Gro 12 Site Hydroponic System
The Active Aqua Grow Flow Ebb & Gro Hydroponic System (Buy Online) comes with everything you need to set up a 12 plant hydroponic system. In addition, the Active Aqua Grow Flow System is also able to handle up to 48 pots, which makes it one of the largest indoor hydroponic grow systems.
The basic Active Aqua Grow Flow Ebb & Gro Hydroponic System comes with twelve 2-gallon pots that are connected to a 55-gallon reservoir and a 7-gallon ebb and flow controller. The pots are fed by two 250 GPH water pumps with one serving as the inlet pump and the other as the drain for the ebb and flow system.
You can also upgrade the standard 2-gallon buckets that come with this kit to 5-gallon pots for plants with larger root systems. However, when you use 5-gallon pots the ebb and flow reservoir can only support a total of 24 pots due to the increase in the volume of the overall system.
The Active Aqua Grow Flow Ebb & Gro 12 Site Hydroponic System also comes with three 1-quart bottles of FloraMicro, FloraGro, and FloraBloom. The Flora Series contains all key macro and micronutrients hydroponic plants need to reach their full potential, and it’s also the nutrient system of choice for NASA plant research mission.
Overall, this ebb and flow system is perfect for anyone who needs an easy to use fully programmable hydroponic system that can meet the needs of a hobbyist, or it can even expand to act as a small scale commercial hydroponic system.
Viagrow Complete Ebb & Flow Hydroponics System
The Viagrow Complete Ebb & Flow Hydroponics System (Buy Online) is an ebb and flow table that utilizes a simple flood and drain system. This ebb and flow system comes with an ebb and flow tray on a sturdy PVC stand along with a 20-gallon reservoir and a simple mechanical timer that controls the whole system.
The Viagrow Complete Ebb & Flow Hydroponics System comes in multiple size options that range from a small 2′ x 2′ system all the way up to a 4’x4 ebb and flow tray that can be used to run a 20-plant hydroponic system. Each kit also comes with 10 to 20 pots depending on the system size, and it even includes a bag of grow rocks so you won’t even have to buy any growth media.
The main pump that runs this ebb and flow system is capable of moving 211 GPH (gallons per hour). The Viagrow Complete Ebb & Flow Hydroponics System also comes with a simple flood and drain fitting kit that makes it easy to connect all the plumbing even if you’re not an expert.
The pump is controlled by an analog timer that will allow you to set up multiple flood and drain cycles throughout the day. The analog timer might not offer as much fine-grain control as a digital timer, but it can end up being more reliable and easier to program.
Overall, the Viagrow Complete Ebb & Flow Hydroponics System is one of the best beginner hydroponic systems for anyone who’s looking for a classic ebb and flow table style system. These types of systems tend to be very reliable and they require less maintenance and power than similarly sized bucket/pot based systems.
General Hydroponics GH4720 Farm Controller – Best Ebb and Flow Hydroponic System
The General Hydroponics Farm Controller System (Buy Online) is one of the best ebb and flow systems on the market. It’s perfect for large plants that need extra room especially in late stages of development or when your plants are flowering.
This ebb and flow system comes with 8 WaterFarm modules and a 13-gallon reservoir along with an 8-gallon ebb and flow controller. In addition, the hydroponic nutrient solution is efficiently transported through the system by an air pump that uses less electricity than an impeller base pump.
Each one of the WaterFarm modules can be used to grow plants in their vegetative growth stage all the way up to when the plants are fully mature and flowering. The modules are even large enough to place a staking/support system if your plants tend to get top-heavy.
The WaterFarm modules also pack together tightly since they have a square shape so you won’t have any wasted space in your grow tent or any other areas that have limited floor space for a large hydroponic system.
Expandable
The General Hydroponics Ebb and Flow System also includes a large 13-Gallon reservoir which won’t need to be topped off as frequently as you would need to with a smaller ebb and flow system. That means you won’t have to fill the reservoir every day, and you can even leave your plants for a short period if you have to take a quick vacation.
The pump on this system is also resistant to clogs since it uses an airlift siphon instead of an impeller blade so it won’t require as much maintenance.
The General Hydroponics Farm Controller System can also be expanded to handle up to 12 WaterFarm units if you ever want to grow more plants in this hydroponic system. All you’ll need to do to expand the system is get a WaterFarm module (Buy Online) and hook it right up to the ebb and flow controller.
If you’re serious about hydroponics and you want one of the most tried and true ebb and flow systems you can’t go wrong with the General Hydroponics Farm Controller System. It’s large enough to grow almost any kind of plant, and it’s suitable for both beginner and expert hydroponic growers.
Hydrofarm MGSYS Hydroponic Megagarden Ebb & Flow System
The Hydrofarm MGSYS Hydroponic Megagarden Ebb & Flow System (Buy Online) is a small scale ebb and flow system that’s great for beginners. This ebb and flow system measures 22” x 22” x 10”, and it includes fifteen 5-inch plastic pots that are perfect for growing clones or many different kinds of small plants and flowers.
The Hydrofarm MGSYS Hydroponic Megagarden Ebb & Flow System uses a high-efficiency pump to transport water to the ebb and flow tray from the 7.5-gallon reservoir. The flood tray then drains right back into the reservoir since the tray is conveniently nested right on the top of the water basin.
This kit also comes with seed starter cubes along with clay-fired pebbles, nutrients, and even a pH test kit. That means all you’ll need to do is add water and plants and you’ll be ready to get started growing as soon as you put together this easy to use small scale hydroponic garden.
Platinum Platinium Ebb & Flow – 120 Series
The Platinum Platinium Ebb & Flow System (Buy Online) is perfect for warm humid climates that tend to have mold and mildew problems. This ebb and flow system has a more efficient drainage design that allows water to flow smoothly, which can help eliminate standing water that can cause mold and/or fungus problems.
You can use the Platinium Ebb & Flow System with expanded clay pebbles, Rockwool, or coco coir. The tray is also deep enough to be used in a flood and drain configuration if you have thirsty plants that need lots of water.
This system also comes with all the parts you’ll need to get started right in the box. It has a large 29-gallon reservoir along with a 47.5” x 45.5” tray that can hold up to 35 small plants or cuttings. It also comes with a tubing kit, a high flow pump, and a reservoir lid for easy convenient access to your nutrient solution.
How to Build an Ebb and Flow System DIY
Parts List:
Tray
Reservoir
Tubing (Buy Online)
Air Pump
Ebb and Flow Hydroponics
What is an Ebb and Flow System?
An ebb and flow system is one of the simplest ways to grow plants in a nutrient-rich solution. In a typical ebb and flow system, the plants sit in a tray or individual pots that are filled with a growing medium like clay pellets, coco coir, Rockwool or any other type of hydroponic media.
Ebb and flow systems use a timer to fill a tray or pots with a hydroponic nutrient solution at set intervals throughout the day. This ensures the plant’s roots always have access to a steady supply of food and moisture. Then when the system drains it allows the roots to dry out slightly so they can absorb oxygen and the drain cycle also helps prevent root rot and fungus gnats from becoming a problem.
Ebb and flow systems can also help save power because when the pump isn’t filling the tray it will turn off completely and let gravity drain the nutrient solution back into the reservoir. This means the pump will only run for a short amount of time each day, so it also won’t need as much maintenance.
Why Use an Ebb and Flow System?
Since and ebb and flow system is a very simple hydroponic configuration it’s very easy for beginners to build and use. It’s also a great system for commercial growers since it uses less power than a recirculating hydroponic system. It’s also very easy to expand or modify an ebb and flow system, and you can also modify most ebb and flow system to accommodate plants of all shapes and sizes
Ebb and flow tray systems work great for shorter plants, like herbs, lettuce, or even flowers. While larger pot based systems are perfect for larger plants that need more space as they reach full maturity.
Ebb and Flow Benefits
Ebb and flow systems have certain advantages over other types of hydroponic systems. First, you have a great deal of control over what types of plants you can grow versus a deep water culture or aeroponics system. Since the tray and reservoir aren’t combined into one unit like the aforementioned systems the reservoir and tray can be kept separate, which can make it easier to add nutrients and do regular maintenance.
It’s also better to keep the reservoir out of direct sunlight, or under bright HID lights in a grow tent. This can help control the temperature of the nutrient solution, which will protect your plants since most plants perform poorly when their roots are exposed to high temperatures
Ebb and flow hydroponic systems also are great for plants like spinach that don’t like having “wet feet”, which is when their roots are constantly submerged in water. These types of plants tend to flourish in ebb and flow systems since the drain cycle keeps their roots well oxygenated by exposing them to air, unlike deep water culture hydroponic systems.
