what is a hydroponic flood and drain system?
The flood and drain system, also known as ‘ebb and flow’, is a simple and efficient hydroponic method of growing. It uses a water pump to flood the roots of the plant, and then allowing the water to run back down into the water reservoir below. This method is a great choice for both beginner and advanced growers and can be easily set up at home using DIY materials. It can also fit into a relatively small space and can be used for both indoor and outdoor growing.
how does the flood and drain system work?
The basic parts of the flood and drain (or ebb and flow) system are a main reservoir or water tank. This will hold water and nutrients. A grow table will sit on top of the reservoir. This is what holds your plants. The system can work with just one plant or several plants in one tray.
A water pump is placed into the reservoir, where water is pumped up into the grow table. The water will soak all the roots of the plant and then gravity will allow the water to flow back down into the reservoir.
By soaking the roots in water, the plant will be deprived of oxygen, and so when the water has run back out, the plant will make up for it’s lack of oxygen by taking in as much as it can, when the roots are dry. Likewise, when the roots are drying out, they will become thirsty for water, so when the water is pumped back up, the plant will take in as much as it can. This has proven to be an effective way of growing.
The system is linked up to a timer, which will flood the plants at varying intervals in the day (this can be once per day or several times a day).
how often should you flood your plants?
The amount of flood and drain cycles each day will vary depending on the set up of your system and the climate you live in. In hot and dry climates, or if growing outdoors, try to flood the plants around 4 times each day. In warm climates, or if your growing medium is fast draining, then try flooding your plants 3 times a day. For slower draining growing mediums, or cooler and humid climates, twice a day should be fine.
The plants should be flooded for around 15 minutes and take the same amount of time to drain back out. Just make sure the roots do not dry out too much.
During the vegetative period, you should be increasing your lighting (around 6 extra hours a day). Because of this, you should put through one more plant flooding cycle each day, during the vegetative stage.
advantages of the flood and drain system
- It’s very cheap to set up and can be easily created with basic household/ gardening equipment
- Once set up, it’s easy to maintain
- Building your own system is not too complicated as with other hydroponic systems
- It produces quality plants
disadvantages of the flood and drain system
If your pump or drainage system is broken, this can easily ruin all of your crop, so it’s vital that you do keep checking regularly that the system is in working order. The water flowing back into the reservoir can change the pH levels of the nutrient solution. Again, you will need to check the pH levels and replace the water each week.
what you will need for a flood and drain system
- Reservoir or water tank- this can be as simple as a plastic storage box
- Grow table- for your plants to sit on
- Submersible water pump (a simple garden pond one will do)
- Air stone- to produce more oxygen in the water
- Air pump- to push the oxygen around the water
- Timer- to control the flooding intervals
- Black Tubing- for the drainage tube and water pump. The drainage tubing should be a little bigger than the tube pumping the water up to the plants
- Growing medium- for your plants to sit in
how to set up your flood and drain system
- Drill 2 holes in the bottom of your grow tray/ flood tray.
- Drill another 2 holes in the lid of your reservoir. These should match up to the holes in the grow tray.
- Put your water pump and air stone into the reservoir.
- Sit the grow tray on top of the reservoir lid and attach the two together.
- Fit some black tubing to your water pump and push it up through one of the holes at the top of the reservoir.
- Fit some black tubing through the other hole, so the flood water can drain back into the reservoir. Make sure to put a filter on this, to stop any of the growing medium from falling into the reservoir.
- Fill up the reservoir with water and nutrient solution
- Put your plant pots in the flood tray
- Attach a timer to your water pump and set it to the required intervals
- Turn on the pump and watch your system do its thing.
Latest Seeds & Grow Products
AK-47 Feminized
Ak-47 was orginally created by the Netherland’s Serious Seeds in 1992 and has won 16 awards including the High Times Cannabis Cup. People love this strain around the world for its high THC content, strong flavour and high energy effects.
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Amnesia Haze Feminized
10% Indica – 90% Sativa | THC 21-25% | This is THE legit Dutch classic Sativa dominent powerhouse that is the proud winner of multiple Cannabis cups. This uplifter has a lemony, incense and cederwood flavour. Amnesia has a slightly longer growth phase overall, but this translates into massive yields and is well worth your attention for a truly supreme quality end product that is sure to please those aiming for a happy and uplifting high.
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Banana Monkey Feminized Seeds
30% Sativa, 70% Indica | THC 25-28% | Our Banana Monkey has an aroma of ripe bananas and fruity spice when you open the jar and a flavor profile that lives up to its name. Banana Monkey is tranquilizing and a bit of a creeper, as it slowly yet unrelentingly produces a deep whole-body relaxation thanks to the strong Indica influence. You’ll find your mind lifted into a state of happiness that has you feeling free of any bad moods or negative thoughts.
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Blueberry Feminized
70% Indica – 10% Sativa – 20% Ruderalis | THC 19-20% | This berry-tasted strain is a cross between Afghani Indica x Highland Thai Sativa x Purple Thai Sativa. This strain promotes calmness and ease and is great for combating anxiety and stress.
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Bruce Banner Feminized
25% Indica – 55% Sativa – 20% Ruderalis | THC 23% | This strain is followed by a cult over the years. It is loved for its distinct earthy, woody flavor with a sweet strawberry undertone. It is great for an energizing, motivational high filled with creativity and warmth. This plant is medium-sized and grows well indoors and outdoors.
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Bubblegum Feminized
80% Indica – 20% Sativa | THC 20 – 27% | This strain has large bubbly buds with a powerful high that offers great emotional and physical relief. This fruitful strain offers flavors of bubblegum, fruits, spices, bitterness, and earthiness.
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Caramel King Feminized
75% Indica – 5% Sativa | THC 20%
This exciting strain converges a cocktail of the top indica strains we all know and love today: Blue Black x Maple Leaf Indica x White Rhino. Auto Caramel King has a sweet flavor and aroma, with notes of caramel.
It is a fast hitter and has a very relaxing body-stoned effect. Brain activity will increase along with a relaxing body effect that isn’t too heavy, still allowing movement and mobility. Making this perfect for a good laugh with your friends at Saturday’s barbecue. Medicinally she is highly valued for her antidepressant and anxiolytic properties.
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CBD Cheese Feminized
60% Indica – 40% Sativa | THC 0.50% | CBD 15 – 17% | This legendary strain has an intense aroma of old cheese and an earthy, mossy taste, with hints of flowers. CBD Cheese delivers a moderately potent and long-lasting high, with a very nice sensation of well-being and happiness. Due to high CBD levels, this strain showcases many anxiolytic and anti-inflammatory properties and is great for medical use.
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CBD Gold Feminized
THC 4 – 6% | CBD 7 -10% | This strain is a medicinal Indica dominant plant that is extremely pleasant and aromatic. It provides a powerful, long-lasting body high that is perfect for relaxing.
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CBD Indica King Feminized
80% Indica – 20% Sativa | THC 0.70 – 0.90% | CBD 20 – 24% | Our CBD Indica King Strain is top-quality and best known for its potent effects and relaxing properties. This unique strain packs the right ratio of a tangy grapefruit flavor with tasty fruit cocktail aromas. When Grown and harvested with care, this CBD flower is packed with beneficial cannabinoids, terpenes, and flavonoids that work together to deliver a truly satisfying relaxing body-stoned, long-lasting experience.
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CBD White Widow Feminized
THC 4 – 6% | CBD 7 -10% | This strain is a medicinal Indica dominant plant that is extremely pleasant and aromatic. It provides a powerful, long-lasting body high that is perfect for relaxing.
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Cocopopo Feminized
5% Indica – 75% Sativa – 20% Ruderalis | THC 20 – 25% | This exciting genetic combination is birthed from O.G. Chocolate x Cannalope Haze. It is easy to grow and takes less effort to maintain than other strains. Enjoy the sweet, bitter chocolate taste with Cocopopo.
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Coffee Rocket Feminized
70% Sativa, 30% Indica | THC 25-28% | Coffee Rocket has an earthy, yet sweet flavor and a nice citrusy aroma with a hint of grape. It has high THC. The wonderful Coffee Rocket strain has rapid effects but will provide nice relaxation of the muscles and creative energy along with slight euphoria. Coffee Rocket is versatile and can be smoked day or night.
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Dubai Poison Feminized
100% Sativa | THC 8-20% Dubai Poison has a really complex flavor and aroma, with notes of lemon and spices. The effect it provides is potent, clear, and cerebral. This legendary strain has gained popularity worldwide for it’s energetic, uplifting effects. Durban is the perfect strain to help you stay productive through a busy day when exploring the outdoors, or to help you get creative.
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Gelato Feminized
70% Indica – 30% Sativa | THC 21-27% | This strain is an absoluate corker! One of the nicests strains going around in our opinion and very under rated. Super strong, Very crystally large(ish) buds with very big yields. It’s fairly straight forward to grow and super strong.
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Gorilla Glue Feminized
50% Indica – 50% Sativa | THC 20-26% | One of the strongest cannabis strains available this one is recommended for the serious marijuana consumer! This popular strain has also won several cannabis awards like the Michigan and Los Angeles Cannabis Cups in 2014, and the High Times Jamaican World Cup.
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Grapefruit Feminized
20% Indica – 80% Sativa | THC 16-20%
The Vancouver, Canada staple…. This 80% Sativa strain has a sweet and fruity aroma similar to the smell of ripe grapefruit It’s an 80’s old secret mix of Cinderalla 99 with a mystical grapefruit flavoured Sativa.
With the smell of pineapple and grapefuit this has an uplifting & stimulating high good for focus, creativity and pleasure.
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Green Candy Feminized
40% Indica – 60% Sativa | THC 20-24% | Green Candy has an intensely fruity aroma and flavor, with notes of mango, pineapple, exotic wood, and incense. The effect is stimulating, focused, and energizing, providing a cerebrally powerful Sativa-like high. Only a few puffs of this potent beauty will allow your stress and anxiety to melt away along with waves of euphoria.
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Jack Herer Feminized
The Jack Herer strain is named after the world-famous global hemp activist who wrote an informative book on hemp and Cannabis called, ‘The emperor wears no clothes.’ This strain is known for its divine Peppered haze spice and fruity flavour. It is a combination of the well-known Northern Lights and Shiva skunk, crossed together to create this blissful, clear-headed strain that many love so much.
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Master Kush Grand Feminized
80% Indica – 20% Sativa | THC 20 – 24%
Master Kush Grand- aka Grand Master Kush has been a coffee-house staple for years. A cross between the iconic Hindu Kush X Skunk strains.
Indica dominant, deep flavor and aroma, with earthy, spicy notes and a hint of incense. Very popular for a good reason. If you want a classic indica you’ll love this!
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NBA Diesel Feminized
40% Indica – 60% Sativa – 20% Ruderalis | THC 23% | NBA Diesel is a Sativa dominant strain that will awaken all your senses with an intense diesel taste followed by fruity undertones of tangerine, lemon, and lime. The Sativa in her gifts a very gentle, calm high making this a great smoke for anybody.
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Nepal Gold Feminized
70% Indica – 30% Sativa | THC 10 – 15% | This strain offers a balanced, mild high and has medicinal effects, treating pain and stimulating appetite. The aroma offers a sweet, spicy chocolate scent with notes of pepper. It is an exotic mix of Nepal and North Indian.
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Northern Lights Feminized Seeds
90% Indica – 100% Sativa | THC 16-18% | Northern Lights is definately among the most popular strains worldwide for it’s stable phenotypes, fast flowering and easy to grow persona that works well indoors and outdoors. This strain is remarkably resiliant and well worth your attention as a beginner grower.
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OG Kush Feminized
75% Indica – 25% Sativa | THC 18-23% | The classic californian OG Kush is referred all over the world. This strain loves hot temperature and is the proud parent of many popular strains such as girl scout cookies. OG Kush has very high THC levels and is well known for it’s full body high and spicey aroma.
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Psychedelic Feminized
10% Indica – 90% Sativa | THC 21-25% | This is THE legit Dutch classic Sativa dominent powerhouse that is the proud winner of multiple Cannabis cups. This uplifter has a lemony, incense and cederwood flavour. Amnesia has a slightly longer growth phase overall, but this translates into massive yields and is well worth your attention for a truly supreme quality end product that is sure to please those aiming for a happy and uplifting high.
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Purple Glam Kush
80% Indica – 20% Ruderalis | THC 20-24% | Purple Glam is a heavy Inidca strain that comes from the Oakland area of California, after combining Hindu Kush and Purple Afghani cross, and sheeesh, what a nice combo. It is up with the most popular medical varieties available in Californian dispensaries. The Inidica dominance causes small, stout plants with some dense, rock-hard nuggety buds that emit a punchy aroma.
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Runtz Gluntz Feminized
30% Sativa, 70% Indica | THC 25-28% | Runtz Gluntz holds a distinct sweet and tropical fruity flavor, with a delicious fruit salad or bag of sugar candy aroma. This strain has a long-lasting uplifting and euphoric effect which will leave you more energized than calmed. Smoking Gruntz is a sensation that leaves consumers feeling focused and tingly. This strain is ideal for daytime hours or as a wake-and-bake strain.
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Sour Diesel Feminized
40% Indica – 60% Sativa | THC 19-24% | Sour Diesel is a very strong well balanced sativa dominated straing with a unique diesel fuel odour when smoked. Around for over 2 decades, it’s a cross of Chemdawg and Super Skunk so it has an intense flavour and aroma with notes of exotic wood, lemon, spices and of course diesel fuel when smoked.
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Special Lime Haze
Special Lime Haze is a Sativa dominant strain with a high amount of THC (22-24%). The combined strains are Lemon Skunk and Super Silver Haze giving it its signature lime and lemon flavour.
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Tropical Coconut
30% Indica – 70% Sativa | THC 24% | This exciting sativa dominant strain has intense long-lasting with a THC content of 24%. It is a genetic mix of Green Scout Cookies and Tangie, giving it that nice citrus aroma with earthy and fruity undertones, described to taste similar to berries and grapes.
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Our deep love of plants and fascination with Cannabis has enabled over 25 years of successful small scale Marijuana cultivation from indoor hydroponics, greenhouses and outdoor growing set-ups.
As Cannabis laws around the world change, *we support the movement toward freedom of choice for responsible, consenting adults who wish to experience the joy and wonder of growing a Cannabis plant.