Flood and drain table question

How does a flood and drain table work exactly? I know you have a air stone in a reservoir filled with your nutrient solution. I'm not trying to do a auto drip system cuz I'm going to Water by hand but would still like the reservoir. So when I water my plants the runoff comes out into the tray. How does the water get recycled back into the reservoir? There are no holes in my 3x3 tray. And am I able to use that run off water to water my plants again? How many waterings can I use that water for? Thanks

Not sure if I explained that correctly. I'm just tired of watering making 10 separate gallons and mixing all the different nutrients. It would be easier if I just have a reservoir and water it that way. I just don't know how it works how the water would drain back into the reservoir? and if I could really use that water to water my plants again? and when would I have to change that water out?

Here's a picture of my old Rhubarb ebb&flow flood table.




A pump, pumps water and nutrients from a reservoir to the flood table. I'm my case, a fish tank.



The flood table has a drain that is setup for the desirable water level.


As the pump, pumps in the water, it will reach the level of the drain and start draining back to the reservoir, and not fI'll anymore.

The pump is on a 24 hour timer and only fills as you have it set up.

Once the timer is in the off mode, the water will back flow, right back down the fill line, and flow out the pump, the same way it went in, and the tabe will empty.

Dumme said:

Here's a picture of my old Rhubarb ebb&flow flood table.

View attachment 3760991

View attachment 3760990
A pump, pumps water and nutrients from a reservoir to the flood table. I'm my case, a fish tank.

View attachment 3760992

The flood table has a drain that is setup for the desirable water level.

View attachment 3760993
As the pump, pumps in the water, it will reach the level of the drain and start draining back to the reservoir, and not fI'll anymore.

The pump is on a 24 hour timer and only fills as you have it set up.

Once the timer is in the off mode, the water will back flow, right back down the fill line, and flow out the pump, the same way it went in, and the tabe will empty.

Click to expand...

The 3x3 tray I have doesnt have a drain hole. Do i need to drill one?

BiG $m0k3 said:

The 3x3 tray I have doesnt have a drain hole. Do i need to drill one?

Click to expand...

Most flood tables do not have holes. You'll have to diy your system, including drilling hole.

There are many different ways to build an ebb&flow flood table. This is the easiest way that I find. You can buy kits to make one, or diy your own. I used a 3/4in:

Active Aqua Fill/Drain Combo Kit

Dumme said:

Most flood tables do not have holes. You'll have to diy your system, including drilling hole.

There are many different ways to build an ebb&flow flood table. This is the easiest way that I find. You can buy kits to make one, or diy your own. I used a 3/4in:

Active Aqua Fill/Drain Combo Kit
View attachment 3760994

Click to expand...

Cool! Thanks bro. Apprecoate it

Drill the holes attach the ebb n flow fitting kit. Attach a pump to the kit with 1/2 pvc and turn it on. Adjust your drain side to the height you want.

Set the pump on a timer for 15 min flood once per 3 hours or so. It will depend only on your setup and plants. You need to dial it in to what you need.

Once you get everything running its very very simple. All you need to do is keep the rez full and adjusted. Make adjustments on the flood times based on age of plants strains all that good stuff.

Make sure you use a good sturdy stand for the table or you will have a flooding reminder of why you shouldve lol. I like cinder blocks. Cheap, easy to get, and strong af. They can hold up cars so they have no problem with a tray of water.