Flood and drain controllers (any good)?

I'm researching flood and drain and was interested in using a 55 gallon drum reservoir. If I went this route I'd need to use a control bucket.

Are control buckets dependable?
Is a controller a feasible diy project?
Anyone have any good or bad experiences with these compared to a bottom, passive, reservoir?

I'll be using a Gorilla 4x4 with an extension, bringing it up to 7' 7". If I go with a bottom reservoir I can raise it up to 8' 7" to allow additional space. I plan on growing 4 full-size plants, not a SCROG.

I always place the control res below the growing table, use gravity to drain passively, i don't buy controllers anymore, i use cheaper timers. this system has been flawless with me, and i tried it extensively

I use the titan oceanus, and it works well for the most part. However occasionally the float valves fail, as with any F&D controller, so regular cleaning is required.

with the res is right below the flood table, make an overflow that is a vertical hose to the level that you want it flooded, if done right, it eliminates the danger of a flood from happening. There is no need for any valves whatsoever. I have a plastic round net that i tighten over the flood hole, I fill the entire table with rocks right over the flood hole, and it never clogs.

zem said:

I always place the control res below the growing table, use gravity to drain passively, i don't buy controllers anymore, i use cheaper timers. this system has been flawless with me, and i tried it extensively

Click to expand...

X2

Active Aqua's Grow Flow controller is leaps and bounds better than the Oceanus. The Oceanus (at least the only 1 I ever bought) stops the feed cycle once the top float is triggered. even once water level lowers as it enters the grow sites it wont add more water, like all other controllers do. The Grow Flow is better because it is fully adjustable for fill height control and have 2 upper limit floats, 2 lower limit floats, and 1 over flow prevention float and have an error light that goes on if your overflow float is triggered. By far my favorite, also have run flood table, Oceanus, and CAP. CAP would be second place as is still run some of those too (for over 5 years)

just make a regular F&D table with a rez under the table then hook the 55 gal to the bottom rez viz float valve so you can make big batches and let her dig.

My cap brain bucket has been going for 10 years +

active aqua