RocketBoy,
ToFar,
That is pretty much exactly what I would recommend you do. you almost have to aero clone to get the roots to hang in air below the plant and into the bottom of the tray
Sorry, I missed the part about the rez size. 24 gallons is a good acceptable size for a low-pro flood a drain, Usually I see people running with huge gallon reservoirs.
You can do more cycles perhaps.
For large plants, sure.
Yes, with large plants you are right.
It is a different system, not better per se.
How do you know this?
That is exactly why I flood and drain 24/7 and not a few times a day like most people. My siphon controls the drain cycle and quickly pulls fresh O2 into the root zone before the next cycle begins. The main ideas of my E&F come from the aquaponics folks where they have to maintain the nitrogen cycle to keep the fish alive. I ran a side by side of the two systems with clones about 5 years back and the difference in yield was substantial, so I've ran this way every since.
That makes a lot more sense. Basically running a sea of green setup with low profile ebb and flow. In that style I still would prob opt for RDWC over the added requirements of E&F, but that's the benefit of this plant -- it grows in many different ways and you can do what works for you.
Keesje,You can do more cycles perhaps.
There was a study (can't find it anymore) in which the researcher claims that more cycles give more fruits.
Will try to find it again.
For large plants, sure.
But if you do 16 or 25 per 4x4, you can support the plants by a net.
Yes, with large plants you are right.
But with a tray of 4 x 4, 8 inches high, and with 25 plants in it, it would not make a huge difference.
25 x 3 inch netpots filled with clay pebbles is not that much volume.
It is a different system, not better per se.
Ebb&flow is very easy to build. Cheap also.
Cleaning is very easy. Cleaning sprayers is a lot more work. They can also get clogged.
Perhaps you will spend more on nutrients, but your res will also stay stable for a longer time, just because of it's larger volume.
Every system has it's downsides and upsides
How do you know this?
As I don’t have the system set up yet, there are some unknown variables. The size of the pump will determine how long it takes the tray to fill. The size of the tubing will determine the time it takes to drain.I hate that I can't find that scientific paper anymore.
In this the scientist did tests and it looked like the more cycles one does, the more yield.
I look at it this way: A plant (the roots that is) needs water, nutrients and oxygen.
So as long as it gets it all these 3 things on a regular basis, it seems ok.
And if it is available most of the time, the roots can take it whenever they want.
If people say "3 times a day is the maximum" then I wonder why.
Because in the 7 hours the roots are dry, is there enough water and nutrients available to them?
Why not give them more? (I don't mean a higher EC, but more regular)
If they don't need it, they won't take it.
This is an opinion and not science. So don't take my word for it.
Edit: If you use rockwool or soil or cocos with E&F, then of course you need less cycles. Otherwise you will drown the roots.
But give it a try a few times with 1 x per hour.
And then when you got your room dialed in, you try another interval. Look what gives the best yield; the lowest cost, the least heat.
Myke,
ToFar,
The risk of drowning a plant is way bigger in soil, cocos or rockwool.
Sounds not too positive
Turpman,
