Ebb and Flow Irrigation Systems - Design & Installation

Ebb and Flow: What is it?

Ebb and Flow irrigation originates from the world of hydroponics. In the traditional hydroponic ebb and flow systems, containers are filled with an inert growing medium. The medium does not function like soil, meaning it is not part of the nutritional delivery process to the plants. It simply has the function of anchoring the roots and functions as a temporary reserve of water and solvent mineral nutrients. A fertilized solution alternately floods the system. And proprietary valves on the flood trays allow the solution to drain at rates customized by the grower.

Ebb and Flow: How does it work?

The Ebb and Flow system works by intermittently flooding grow trays. Grow trays come in a variety of types. Trays exist that sit on top of greenhouse benches or full commercial lines of ebb and flow benches (the entire benchtop itself is a tray or series of trays).

The trays are flooded with a nutrient solution that is pumped from a solution tank. The flooded tray drains the solution back into the solution tank. But that happens at a slower rate than it is filled by the use of proprietary valves. This action is normally done with a submerged pump that is connected to a controller. When the controller turns the pump on, the nutrient solution is pumped into the grow tray. When the controller shuts the pump off, the nutrient solution flows back into the reservoir.

To prevent pathogen buildup and ensure that the fertilized solution delivers the intended nutrients, it is important to drain or purge the solution tanks on a schedule that fits your growing plan. Voeks Inc. provides design and installation for all purging systems that adhere to local water quality control board mandates.

Ebb and Flow: Hydroponic Growing Methods and Their Drawbacks

Using ebb and flow systems in conjunction with traditional hydroponic growing practices, there are drawbacks and limitations. The nutrient delivery process is 100% based on the fertigation solution and the growers’ understanding and maintenance. The solution will require stringent control of EC, temperature, PH, and nutrient concentration.

Ebb and flow: Flexibility with soilless media

Voeks Inc., in conjunction with growers, has had success in designing and installing ebb and flow systems that do not fall within the typical structure of hydroponic growing practices.

Using soil-less media, for example, peat moss of differing textures with base nutrient charge allows incorporation of dry fertilizer. This growing practice can be planned and constructed to back up nutrient change and buffering, translating to less need for perfect fertigation.

The redundancy of the combination of a good peat-blend soil-less media with a light dry fertilizer amendment. Plus, continuous liquid feed via low concentration can provide complete fertigation. The redundancy can give flexibility to growers. When, for example, your stock tanks run out on a Saturday, the plants are fine until Monday because the soil is holding more nutrients.

This growing method does require, however, attention to design detail. Using relatively smaller particulate growing media needs to be managed by implementing plumbing, preventing clogging of ebb and flow drains, and media buildup in solution tanks.

Contact us for a free consultation to explore all the available options for your ebb and flow needs!