Ebb 'n Flow vs DWC?

reggaerican

Well-Known Member
umm im gonna say for simplicity and productivity ebb and flow, but with a twist.. I done it both ways moms are still dwc my flowering plants are in a 3x6 tray in net pots covered with panda plastic I run my pump twice an hr and the roots grow out in the bed without getting hit by the light and aways stay moist. you ask me its the best of both worlds cause I get massive root growth like in dwc with the convinience of having everything in one tray..
 
ebb and flow is easier to take care of multiple big plants ( they all share the same reservoir )

instead of each bucket having its own reservoir, its much easier
That makes a ton of sense! Made up my mind just thinking of having to monitor ph/ppms with 6-8 dwc buckets sounds nightmarish!!
1 or 2 no prob over that it kind of makes it hard to pay attention to detail!
Cheers!
Oh, the Sure to Grow guys on YouTube tell you all you need to know about building stuff.
 

GreenThumbSucker

Well-Known Member
Every method of hydroponics has it's upside and it's downside. DWC is cheap to set up and run, but you would have to deal with pathogens and high solution temperatures. Ebb and flow is very easy too, but you end up with lots of loose Hydroton to clean up or dispose of. Plants in DWC are a bit more touchy when it comes to PPM etc because you do not have a buffer like you do with hydroton.

Having done both methods extensively I would say the ebb and flow is less problematic because solution temps/root problems are much less of an issue thus fewer headaches. Both methods kick ass and end yields will be similar if everything goes smoothly.
 
Well, hydroponics means working water. I would say ebb&flow is more productive because the water is working more. DWC is a passive system of hydro, so the water doesn't work as much.

HTH :mrgreen:
Dude, you are seriously trippin...the Deep Water Culture IS a true Hydroponic system...the water constantly flows 24 hours through the system and buckets, therefor being a true "Water Working" system...EBB N Flow is not the same..EBB n Flow is simply flood and drain on a predetermined schedule...15 minutes every 2 hours or whatever that's it. Where is the water "working" part? I guess every 2 hours for 15 minutes it is considered a hydro system ..then you wait to do it again. Ebb N Flow is the government job of Hydroponics world. Work 15 minutes then take a 2 hour break then do all over again ;) ...Not sure how this is a better option that continuous Deep Water Culture...hydroponics means working water. I would say ebb&flow is more productive because the water is working more. DWC is a passive system of hydro, so the water doesn't work as much.QUOTE=potroast;557747]Well,
 

GreenThumbSucker

Well-Known Member
DWC is simpler but DWC comes with many problems. Particularly heat and root rot problems. I would go with ebb and flow until you master the basics, then decide if you want to try another method. Ebb and flow is a lot more forgiving and you will get huge crops.

*on edit
Just noticed this thread is four years old ROFL!
 

Clown Baby

Well-Known Member
ebb&flow is the easiest to maintain and has the least problems.

DWC has a few issues. Warm water leads to pythium root rot. You have to change the water for each plant separately.


I'd recommend ebb/flow
 

tenthirty

Well-Known Member
Yup, growing in any type of water culture (NFT DWC) is for the extremely experienced.
I thought that was the way to go too, but a year of semi failures made me switch to ebb and flow.
 

needlesnpins

Well-Known Member
Ebb >>>>>... I have done DWC and NFT grows for about a year before i switch to a 24 site ebb system. The ebb system hands down best results i have seen. In the past i had issues with root rot using DWC...with the ebb i get about 4 frozen 2 litres in there a day and my water is at 68* everything is beautiful.
 

hot cheetos

Active Member
When people say Ebb and Flow...some people are talking about the flood tables other people are talking about the individual bucket site type of ebb and flow system. Wish ya'll would be more specific what you're referring to.
 

Dumme

Well-Known Member
When people say Ebb and Flow...some people are talking about the flood tables other people are talking about the individual bucket site type of ebb and flow system. Wish ya'll would be more specific what you're referring to.
Ebb&Flow in hydroponics, refers to a recurrent or rhythmical pattern of water coming and going or decline and regrowth.

Normally a flood table is referred to as a "flood table - ebb&flow", as you can still use a "flood table - NFT", but I do agree, some dont give enough information to get an accurate picture of what they're talking about.
 

hot cheetos

Active Member
Ebb&Flow in hydroponics, refers to a recurrent or rhythmical pattern of water coming and going or decline and regrowth.

Normally a flood table is referred to as a "flood table - ebb&flow", as you can still use a "flood table - NFT", but I do agree, some dont give enough information to get an accurate picture of what they're talking about.
So most of the people in this thread are talking about the non-table type of ebb and flow? I didn't anyone mentioning a table. Maybe 1 or 2.
 

Dumme

Well-Known Member
So most of the people in this thread are talking about the non-table type of ebb and flow? I didn't anyone mentioning a table. Maybe 1 or 2.
I can't speak for the poster, himself, but I would say the most common ebb&flow is using a flood table.7.1.jpg
The "flood table" doesn't doesn't describe the hydroponics. It describes the device in which the hydroponics is preformed.
 

hot cheetos

Active Member
I can't speak for the poster, himself, but I would say the most common ebb&flow is using a flood table.View attachment 3586270
The "flood table" doesn't doesn't describe the hydroponics. It describes the device in which the hydroponics is preformed.
I had posted a question in another thread that went unanswered. You seem to know your stuff, I'd appreciate any insight.

Regarding the flood tables versus something like the Flo N Gro by Titan Controls (individual site buckets with reservoir), which system in your opinion is better? See when I think about it logically, the Flo n Gro is literally the same exact thing as an Ebb and Flow tray/table system, but more efficient and smarter. At the end of the day the goal is to fill up the buckets from the bottom up, then drain. One system floods an entire tray as a means of flooding the buckets that are sitting in the tray, the other system just floods the individual buckets without using all that extra water in empty spaces inside the tray.

This is assuming you use buckets in the table style ebb and flow tray. I know most people use the buckets anyway, but some do use rockwool for something like a SOG grow. At which point the table system is unmatched in my opinion.

Thoughts?
 

Dumme

Well-Known Member
One thought comes to mind immediately, and the main reason, $price$. Yes, you'll be getting a new brand system, and it's fairly easy to set up, but you'll definitely be paying for that perk. Both will get you a great plant. With DIY-ers I've seen both bucket ebb&flow and flood tables. Is one better than the other? Err, thats hard to say. Each garden has its own unique challenges and goals.
 
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