Functional Principles
The fundamental principle of hydroponics is based on fertilized and aerated water that supplies the plant roots with nutrients as well as oxygen. Often a relatively advanced technology is involved that might seem daunting to any hobby gardener. Typically, the temperature of the nutrient solution has to be below the temperature that would cause the development of germs, but at the same time cannot be too low, which would suppress the root activity. Active ventilation of the nutrient solution is common, since the root-systems extract oxygen themselves and thereby generate conditions that boost the development of germs as well as cotton molds.
![Funktionsprinzipien E&V]()
E&F uses the advantage, that the solution is not permanently in contact with the plant roots and thus can go without the necessity to enrich the solution with oxygen or cool it. Instead this method counts on the root functions, which take care of a passive oxygen supply on a high level. This high oxygenation has a better chance to prevent the development of germs.
The simplicity of this method is pursued by the use of a single path that runs in two directions: Water flows in and out through the same hose. When the water is pumped up on the plant tablet, so high, that the roots are just dipping in the water, then the pump gets deactivated – typically by a time switch. The water then flows back through the same hose. Thereby the necessity to have several sealing connections becomes dispensable, instead the complexity of the whole system is reduced by having only one connection.
Ebb-and-flow systems start the process depending on the water capacity of the medium in which the roots of the plants are situated. Mediums with a high water capacity often need to be watered only once a day, whereas smaller ones need to be watered up to six times a day – the flood phase lasts a few minutes. The question on how long it takes to flood the roots has not an important influence. For that reason, most pumps are power-tempered and can therefore be small, which is perfect for systems, that are made for the supply of indoor plants. Thus this method is popular under urban- and hobby gardeners. In this system the gravity serves as the draining-pump. The ventilation is produced by a thin-film and the air displacement – the water pushes the air out of the root zone.
E&F uses the advantage, that the solution is not permanently in contact with the plant roots and thus can go without the necessity to enrich the solution with oxygen or cool it. Instead this method counts on the root functions, which take care of a passive oxygen supply on a high level. This high oxygenation has a better chance to prevent the development of germs.
The simplicity of this method is pursued by the use of a single path that runs in two directions: Water flows in and out through the same hose. When the water is pumped up on the plant tablet, so high, that the roots are just dipping in the water, then the pump gets deactivated – typically by a time switch. The water then flows back through the same hose. Thereby the necessity to have several sealing connections becomes dispensable, instead the complexity of the whole system is reduced by having only one connection.
Ebb-and-flow systems start the process depending on the water capacity of the medium in which the roots of the plants are situated. Mediums with a high water capacity often need to be watered only once a day, whereas smaller ones need to be watered up to six times a day – the flood phase lasts a few minutes. The question on how long it takes to flood the roots has not an important influence. For that reason, most pumps are power-tempered and can therefore be small, which is perfect for systems, that are made for the supply of indoor plants. Thus this method is popular under urban- and hobby gardeners. In this system the gravity serves as the draining-pump. The ventilation is produced by a thin-film and the air displacement – the water pushes the air out of the root zone.