Controller bucket ebb and flow explanation

Can someone explain to me what purpose does a controller bucket have in an ebb and flow bucket system? Why can't we just pump water from reservoir to plants? It seems like it's for gravity to fill the bucket evenly? What does the device on the bucket does different than a normal timer?

I'm interested in doing this system but I can't find any controller buckets where I live and it's also difficult to find parts needed for DIY.

Notice the water level in the reservoir is much higher than in the control bucket. Makes it easy to use things such as 55gal drums for reservoirs rather than huge short reservoirs

If you could sink the res in the ground or elevate the system there is no need for control buckets

been searching tons of hours online, i think ive watched hundreds of videos, still don't understand what and how a controller bucket works. I'm giving up lol

OverCloudz said:

been searching tons of hours online, i think ive watched hundreds of videos, still don't understand what and how a controller bucket works. I'm giving up lol

Click to expand...

It has multiple float sensors inside of it. Each have their individual functions. Once the built in timer enters a cycle the main reservoir pump is activated. The nutrient solution gets pumped into the controller bucket which distributes the nutrient solution to the rest of the buckets via multiple hoses. Once the water level reaches the top float sensor in the controller bucket the main reservoir pump shuts off. It will continuously shut off and on until all the buckets reach the same nutrient solution level. After the interval time is reached the controller bucket pump turns on and pumps the nutrient solution back into the main reservoir. All the nutrient solution drains back into the controller bucket from the rest of the buckets while the pump continues to pump the solution back into the main reservoir. Once the nutrient solution level drops below the lower float sensor the controller bucket pump turns off. The cycle is over. You could probably use multiple timers but it would be hard to dial in. You could always do it manually but that would be very time consuming and laborious.The controller bucket just easily automates the entire process and reduces the chances of over flooding.