Sufficient space allows for more foliage,
which puts greater demand on the plants
to produce larger roots. Once the plant is
ready for the bloom phase of growth, and
the roots are fully developed, some of this
foliage can be pruned away.
As crop yield and space utilized go handin-hand with the size of the root system for
each plant, the access to an abundance of
photosynthetically active radiation (PAR)
provided is also very important. Available
light relates to the watering system in that
the set-up of the system allows for sufficient spacing. Because it can be easier to
provide more growing area with drip than
with ebb and flow, drip systems have an
edge in this category.
Efficiency – Nutrients & Energy
Electricity use is usually a big
consideration for hydroponic growers.
The energy used to provide light energy
for the plants is by far the greatest factor, while
the energy used for watering is far less. In regards to
this aspect, the only extra energy used by an ebb and flow
system is the water that is pumped up to the tray that fills
the spaces between the pots, and the amount of cycles the
pump needs to run. If the drip system provides adequate
distribution and even water to each plant, the energy for
watering the pots is equal for each system. Only the energy
for watering the spaces and the number of cycles required is
different. Usually, a 40-50W pump is plenty enough power for
about 10 seven-gallon plants. At $0.22 per kilowatt hour and
a 40-minute run time every day (more than needed in many
situations), this would amount to around $0.22 per month for
drip and $0.66 for ebb and flow. This is not significant. The
fact that most ebb and flow systems require more cycles
and an aeration pump running to keep the solution from
becoming anaerobic and toxic will add a small amount to
your electrical and set-up costs.
Maximum Yield USA | December 2016
125