In modern farming world there are many practices that we can practice in order to get a higher yield. Among them the concept of hydroponics lies at the top. Hydroponics is the growing of plants without soil. Here a nutrient solution is using instead of the soil. There are different ways in which we can set up a hydroponic planta. That means there are different types of hydroponics systems like deep water culture system, wick system, ebb and flow hydroponic system and so on. Of them today we are going to focus on the Ebb and Flow Hydroponic System.
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What is Ebb and Flow Hydroponic System?
Ebb and Flow Hydroponic System can identify as one of the considerably easiest ways to make your farm a hydroponic one. It considers as one of the hydroponic types with greater effectiveness. No matter what your farm is. Still, you can use this easy method to plant your crops. Though your farm is a small one or a larger one you can use this nice method. You can promise a higher efficiency and a productivity no matter what your farm is. Using this system, you can grow any type of plant you need.
We all know that in a hydroponic system water is the main source that provide all the necessities for the growth of the plant. Each hydroponic system uses different ways to supply water to the roots of the plants which absorb all the requirements.
If I say simply here in the Ebb and Flow Hydroponic System doesn’t connect continuously with the roots of the plants. In all most all the other hydroponics systems you can see a continuous connection between the water or the nutrient solution and the roots.
Components of the System
Similar to other hydroponic systems this system also includes some of the basic components.
Plant Tray
This uses to grow the plants. In here net pots filled with growing media are using to grow the plants. This should be a shallow tray but must possible to hold a considerable amount of water. There should be a tube connected to this tray to make the water to drain back to the water reservoir. This tray is also given the name flood tray. This tray must place in a stand which is somewhat higher.
Reservoir
The other most important part is the water reservoir. This can be a large bucket filled with the solution. The solution should be with the proper nutrient balance, proper pH, temperature and so on. In the reservoir there are some other components that should locate there.
Submersible water pump, timer and tubes
There should be two tubes connecting to the plant tray. The fill tube and the drain or the overflow tube. Fill tube brings the water from the reservoir to the tray and the drain tube bring the water back to the reservoir due to gravity. As well the fill tube should connect to the water pump located in the reservoir. The water pump should be a submersible one. There is a timer also connecting to the pump.
Mechanism of the System
As mentioned already there is no continuous link between the nutrient solution and the plant. Instead, solution pups to the root region from time to time.
The water or the solution pumped periodically to the plants planted in a tray from the water reservoir. The reservoir locates below the plant tray level. Then the water reaches the reservoir again due to the gravity.
The filling of the plant tray due to the water pumping is called flood and the back flow of the water from the tray is called the drain. Therefore, this method owns the name Flood and Drain Hydroponic System.
The water pumps from time to time regularly according to this timer. You have to set the timer by calculating the time taken to flood the pant tray and the time taken to fully drain the water. Before the next pumping the water in the plant tray should drain fully and the roots must expose to the air.
When need you have to change the solution and continuous inspection of the solution parameters are needed if you want to own a hydroponic system which function nicely and give a higher yield.
Pros and Cons of the System
Pros of the system
The system is very cost effective. You can find all the things you need to set up this system very easily and cheaply. The setting up of the system is also considerably easier than the other hydroponic systems. At the beginning you will find it somewhat difficult. But once you set up the system you can use it for a long time period without altering it.
As the water is flooding and draining regularly it minimize the damages that can occur to the roots.
Cons of the system
Need technological knowledge and skills to set up the system. Sometimes break downs can happen. Continuous inspection of the parameters like pH, temperature is need.