Ebb and flow. Need help.

Hello.
Ive recently got a ebb and flow system. I'm using a 35 gallon res. and the flood table is about 15 gallons. I'm growing a couple clones. I've got told tons of different flood times and im just wondering what the best time would be. I've gotten told just let in flood all day and drain as well. Till the lights are off the let everything turn off . I don't think that's a good idea. But I don't know. Any input would be very appreciated. Don't want to ruin my females.

Here is a great resource on Ebb and Flo:
https://www.rollitup.org/hydroponics-aeroponics/505421-hellraizers-do-donts-outs-ebb.html

Do a search within the forum for 'time' and I'm sure you'll find what you're looking for. You can also post a question in that thread, which is more appropriate than this one imo.

Oh, and don't flood the table constantly. There is an 'ebb' in 'ebb and flow'

If I can also be of help , please check out my sigs and check out my ebb and flow growing on a 2 x 4 table.

I started my table with ebb and flood and it gave me nothing but grief. Then I spent $15 on pipe and fittings and made it top feed and I'll never go back. I just run 1 line to each plant and put a T at the end and a 2" lenght on each end of the T to help distribute the water. I like the top feed much better. I don't bother with emitters, just pump for about 2 minutes a day or one minute twice a day.

Definately don't flood constantly. Maybe once or twice a day for coco, much more for straight hydroton.

I go with roughly 8 times a day for veg and 5 for flower - up to you though, this seems to work for me. I was over watering at the start and the leaves started to look very leathery and started to get a little nute burn, backed off on the watering times and redistributed the water times for the ON time of my light. I don't water during the 'night'.

Edit: I'm using hydroton. And have no problems with fittings, etc.... I did have to cut some holes in the table to allow the fittings through, but with a dremel or other rotary tool it's a piece of cake.

I forgot to mention that I am using rockwool in hydroton and the on times are using a timer that's on for 15 minute intervals. I set the level of the water/nutes so that when it's flooding the level is about 3/4 the way up the rockwool. First watering time: when light comes on. Last watering time: one hour before lights off - then on for 15 minutes so really 45 minutes before 'night'

Taylor420 said:

Hello.
Ive recently got a ebb and flow system. I'm using a 35 gallon res. and the flood table is about 15 gallons. I'm growing a couple clones. I've got told tons of different flood times and im just wondering what the best time would be. I've gotten told just let in flood all day and drain as well. Till the lights are off the let everything turn off . I don't think that's a good idea. But I don't know. Any input would be very appreciated. Don't want to ruin my females.

Click to expand...

The schedule you set varies depending on the size of your plants, type of medium, and even humidity/temp levels in the room. Thats why you get so many conflicting stories about fill/drain times. I've found with my system that watering for 20 minutes every 4 hours (4:20) works perfect for small vegging plants, but if they get big in flowering then I usually water every 2 or 3 hours depending on the plants conditions. Happy gardening!
I'm certified in hydroponics and electronics and I'm using the new Set and Grow controller.
http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1898348286/set-and-grow?ref=category

Kervork said:

I started my table with ebb and flood and it gave me nothing but grief. Then I spent $15 on pipe and fittings and made it top feed and I'll never go back. I just run 1 line to each plant and put a T at the end and a 2" lenght on each end of the T to help distribute the water. I like the top feed much better. I don't bother with emitters, just pump for about 2 minutes a day or one minute twice a day.

Definately don't flood constantly. Maybe once or twice a day for coco, much more for straight hydroton.

Click to expand...

You know where I can find more info on top feeding?

yeah don't flood all day you will drown the kids. How big are your plants? are you using rockwool, hydroton, etc. if using rockwool in the beginning you need to soak them in ph'd water (I use some rapid root accelerator) for about 2 hours, some go longer. Then when you transplant the seedlings you won't need to water for about 6-7 days because the rockwool is soaked and you don't want to flood seedlings until the rockwool gets light meaning starting to dry up and then flood for 15 minutes or so. Once they are in full veg I flood twice a day, once when in the morning and once at night and I do that until the last 2 weeks and then flush them puppy's but keep the flood schedule.

I began my desk with ebb and overflow and it provided me nothing but sadness. Then I invested $15 on tube and accessories and created it top nourish and I'll never go returning. I just run 1 range to each place and put a T at the end and a 2" lenght on each end of the T to help spread the the water.