Overview

• Individualpots(modules)allowyoutoeasilymove/relocateplants.

• EachEBB-CTRcontrollercancontrolfrom6upto48plantsites…plentyofroomforexpansion.

• Asmallerreservoir(55gallons)canbeusedwithlesswatercomparedtoflood&draintables.

• Reservoirdoesnothavetobelowerthantheplants!

• The EBB-CTR controller is all you need to control allpumpingandlevelcontrolfunctions.

• “Active” hydroponics system compared to rockwoolresultinginfastergrowthandlargeryields.

DescriptiOn

TheEbb&Gro system is amulti-pot hydroponics system that usestwo2gallonbucketsandclayHydrotonasagrowingmedium.Thetwobucketsarenestedoneontopoftheother,thetopbucketholdstheHydrotonandthelowerbucketholdsandcatchesthenutrientwater.Thelowerbucketshavea1⁄2”tubinglineconnectedtothebottomthatlinksthe2gallon“modules”tothecontrollerbucket.Thetopbuckethasaseriesofholespunchedthroughthebottom,whichallowsthewatertopercolateupthroughtheholeswhenfillingordrainbackdownwheninthedraincycle.

Fill cycle

Whenthesystems“fills”waterispumpedfromthe55-gallonreservoirintothecontrollerbucket.The31⁄2galloncontrollerbuckethasseveralfloatswitchesinstalled,whichkeepsthewaterattheproperlevelsduringthefillinganddrainingcycles.Asthewaterflowsfromthehighestpoint(thecontrollerbucket)tothelowestpoint(eachofthe2gallonmodules)gravityprovidesthemechanismtoensurethatallthebucketsarefilledtotheproperlevel.Asthewaterentersthebottomofthe2-gallon“catch”bucketunderverylowpressure,itslowlyfillsfromthebottomoftheinnerbuckettosubmergetherootsinfreshlycirculatednutrientwater.Intheprocess,gassesthatareexpelledbytherootsarepushedupandoutoftherootzone.Oncethewaterhasbeendistributedtoallofthemodules,thepumpisshutoff.Atimercontrolshowlongthefillcycleanddraincyclesare.

• NOTE: One of the main advantages that the Ebb & Gro system has is its amazing root and plant growth. Hydroton is a very “active” grow medium compared to soil or even rockwool because of the many air spaces that exist between the rocks.

Drain cycle Whenthe“drain”cycle isactivated, thewater ispumpedfromthecontrollerbucket,back intothe55gallonreservoir.As itentersthereservoir, thewater isallowedtodumpback intothenutrientswhichprovidessomenaturalaeration.But that’snotwheretheOxygen isneeded…it isneededat theROOTZONE.As theplantsgrow, the rootsalso take inoxygenandexpelgasses into theareasurroundingtheroots.Oncetheoxygen isdepletedandtheexpelledgassesbuild-up, theplantslowsdowngrowth.So thekey is toreplenish theairsurroundingtherootswhileremovingthegassesthatbuildup.Andthat’sexactlywhattheEbb&Grodoes.Whenthewaterisdrainedfromthe2-gallonmodules,freshairisnaturallydrawnbackdownintotherootzonethroughthevacuumthatoccursasthewaterisdrainedbackintothecontrollerbucket.Again,onlyasmallpumpandgravityareusedtodrainthelowerbucketsandtointroducefreshairtotheroots.Oncethefloatswitchesinthebottomofthecontrollerbucketsensethewaterhasbeendrained,thepumpisshutoffandthesystemsisreadyforitsnextfillcycle.

• NOTE: During the drain cycle, fresh oxygen is drawn back into the root space, allowing for prolific root growth!

EBB-12 Ebb & G ro Hyd ropon i c Sys temCAP offers a full range of equipment for the growing enthusiasts. The Ebb & Gro system from CAP has been designed to allow you to grow up to 48 plants in an easy to use system that requires minimal maintenance. The EBB-12 increases the oxygen levels around the roots by repeated flood & drain cycles resulting in accelerated plant growth.

installatiOn

First, determine thedesired location for theEBB-CTR. Theonly critical factor is that theplant bucketsmust all beat the same level as thecontrollerbucket.

* NOTE: If the controller is higher than the module buckets, the float switches may not be able to keep the water from overflowing the lower module bucket.

cOntrOller Bucket

1) The controller bucket has three float switches installed inside theunit. Makesure the floatspivot freelyandnothing interfereswith theirmovement.

2) Insert (6) grommets and (6) straight connectors into the holes in thebottomofthecontroller.

3) Insert(2)grommetsintothe2smallerholesdrilledinthecontrollercover.Thethirdlargerholeisusedforthepumppowercabletopassthrough.

4) Install(2)1⁄2”straightconnectorsinthegrommets.Wettingtheconnectorbeforepressingitintoplacemakesitmucheasier.Pushtheminuntiltheconnectorcomes through thegrommetsandsnaps intoplace.The firstbarbshouldextendallthewaythroughtherubbergrommet.

5) Cutapieceof 1⁄2” tubing10” longandpressitontotheleftsidestraightconnector.

6) Snapthecontrollercoveronthecontrollerbucket.

7) Placeoneof thepumps inside thecontrollerasshown in thepicture. Itmustbefacingdownandpositionedatthebottomofthebucket.

8) Cutapieceof1⁄2”tubinglongenoughtoconnectthepumptothebottomoftherighthandstraightconnector

9) Toinstallthetubingonthepumpoutletyoumayfirsthavetosoaktheendofthetubinginsomewarmtohotwater,thiswillsoftentheplasticsothatitiseasiertopressontothepumpfitting.Thenconnecttheotherendtothestraightconnectoronthedrumcover.

10) Passthepumpspowercableoutthelargerholeonthetopofthecover.

Connects to pump inside the

55 gallon drum

Tubing connects to pump inside

controller bucket

Stick pump to the side of the controller with the opening facing down.

50’1⁄2”Tubing 13 StraightConnectors(9insideEBB-CTR)

8Tees

6Elbows

22 RubberGrommets(8grommetsarepre-installed)

4ZIPties

4ClickClamps

2’SpiralWrap

1Special1⁄2”90°elbowwith“vacuumbreakhole”(Identifiedbysilvertabwrappedaroundfitting)

requireD parts

Beforestartingtheassembly,familiarizeyourselfwiththepartsthatyouwillbeusing.TheEBB-12comescompletewithallofthepartslisted.

2Pumps

1ControllerBucketwithcover

12TwoGallonInnerBuckets

12TwoGallonOuterBuckets

1FiftyFiveGallonDrum

Connectors Tees Elbows Grommets ClickClamps

55 GallOn reservOir

1) Insertastraightconnectorintooneoftherubbergrommetspre-installedonthe55gallondrumcover.

*IMPORTANT! Install the special pre-drilled 90’ elbow fitting into the other grommet. Press it into place from the bottom side of the cover. The “vacuum break” hole must be positioned so that it is inside the drum with the hole facing down. (See Picture)

2) Cutapieceof1⁄2”tubinglongenoughnotto“kink”andconnectitfromthevacuumbreakelbowtothepumpwhichislocatedonbottomofthedrum.

3) Pressoneendofthe1⁄2”tubingontothepumpadapter.(Usehotwatertohelplubricateandsoftenthetubingduringassembly)

4) Connecttheotherendofthehosetothe“vacuumbreak”elbowfitting.

5) Place thesubmersiblepump in the55gallondrumandpass thepowercableout the largerhole.Onceyouknowwhereyouwanttoplacethe55gallondrumandthecontrollerbucket,theycanbeconnectedtogetherwith(2)piecesof1⁄2”tubing.

6) Cut(2)piecesoftubinglongenoughtogetfromthetopofthedrumtothefittingsonthetopofthecontrollerbucket.

7) Attach(1)tubingfromthespecial90°elbowfittingonthedrumcovertotheconnectoronthecontrollerbucketcoverthathasthe10”longtubeconnectedtoitontheinside.

8) Attachtheother 1⁄2”tubingtothestraightfittingonthetopofthe55gallondrumandtothefittingonthecontrollerthatisconnectedtothepumpinsidethecontrollerbucket.

9) Usetheprovidedzip-tiesandspiralwraptosecurethetubingtothefittings.Thespiralwrapisusedtokeepthetubingfrombendingtootightlyand“kinking.”

2 GallOn Bucket MODules

1) CAREFULLYInstallarubbergrommetintotheholeinthebottomofeachoftheouterbuckets.Pressingtoohardwillcausetheholeinthebuckettoripanditwillnotbewatertight.

2) Arrangethebucketsonthefloorinthemanneryouwantthemtobelaidout.

*NOTE: Keep in mind that there are (6) outlets from the controller bucket that can be used. The buckets will fill faster if all the outlets are used. Outlets that are not used can be plugged using a short piece of tubing “looped” back to another outlet or “closed off” with a zip-tie.

3) Decidewhichbucketmoduleswill need tee fittingsandwhichwill need 90’ elbows (elbowsareusedat theendof the line). Install asrequired,remembertousesomewatertolubricatethefittingsastheyarepressedintothegrommets.

4) Cutlengthsof1⁄2”tubingandconnecteachofthemodulestothecontroller.Besurethatnoneofthelinesaretwistedor“kinked”andthatthetubingliesflatonthefloor.

5) Placetheinnerbucketswiththeholesinthebottomintotheouterbuckets.

*NOTE: BEFORE filling the buckets with the Hydroton, rinse the Hydroton to remove clay dust and residue on the rocks.

6) FilltheinnerbucketswithHydrotontowithin3inchesofthetop.Ittakesa50literbagofHydrotontofillsix2gallonbucketmodules.Thewaterlevelwillrisetoabout3”fromthetopwheninoperation.Whentransplanting,keepthebottomofthecube/rootsatleast3”fromthetopofthebucket.Astheplantgrows,therootswilltraveldownintotherocksandshouldgrowallthewaydownintothebottombucket.

Vacuum break elbow installed with hole facing

down inside drum.

An adapter is used to connect the

tubing to the pump.

The 1⁄2” hose fits tightly over the pump adapter. The hose can be stretched easier if you soak the hose under warm to hot water before

installing it.

start up

Oncethesystemhasbeenassembledandallofthetubinghasbeenconnected,you’rereadyforsomewater.Doublecheckallyourconnectionsandmakesurethebucketsareallatthesamelevelasthecontrollerbucket

1) Fillyour55gallonreservoiratleast1⁄2fullwithwater.

2) Setthetimertothecurrenttimebyrotatingthedialtothecurrenttime.

3) Toset the“Fill” times,pull the individual tripper“tabs”outwardfor theamountof timeyouwanttofill thebuckets.Eachtabrepresentsa15-minute interval.Normally,15minutes isenough time to fillup to24modules.Up to30minutesmaybe required to fillmore than24modules.

4) Normally,youshouldfillanddrainabout3-4timesperdayfor15minuteseachtime.

5) Thesystemwillbedrainedwhenthetrippertabsareintheinnerposition.

6) Therearetwoindicatorlightsonthefrontofthecontroller.The“Fill”indicatorwillremainonaslongasthetimerisinthefillmode.The“Drain”indicatorlightwillremainonaslongasthetimerisinthedrainmode.

*NOTE: The pumps will continue to cycle on and off until the float switches inside the controller bucket are satisfied. During this time, the indicator lights remain ON and are not affected by the pump operation.

7) Whenyouareready,plugthemainpowercablefromthecontrollerintoasourceof120-vacpower.Dependingonwherethetimerissetatthattime,theunitmaybeginfilling.

testinG anD OperatiOn

Totesttheunit,turnthetimeclockclockwiseuntilthe“Fill”lightisilluminated.Aftera5seconddelay,thepumpinsidethe55gallondrumshouldturnonandbegintofillthecontrollerbucket.Asthecontrollerbucketisfilling,thewaterautomaticallybeginstofillallofthe2-gallonmodules.

*NOTE:Makesureasmallamountofwaterisdrippingbackintothe55gallondrumfromthevacuumbreakfitting.Ifthisfittinggetsclogged,theentirecontentsofthe55-gallondrumcanbesiphonedfromthedrumintothebucketscausingthemtooverflow.

Thewaterwillcontinuetobepumpedintothecontrolleruntilallofthebucketshavebeentoppedoff.Thepumpmaypauseforafewmomentsandthenresumepumping…thisisnormal.Thefloatswitchesaredoingtheirjobofnotallowingtoomuchwatertoenterthemodulestoofast.Oncethepumpsstops,thewaterwillremaininthebucketsuntilthetime-clocktimesoutandswitchestothedrainmode.

Totestthedrainmode,allowthetimertotimeoutandswitchoverORrotatethetimeclockclockwiseuntiltheclockclicksovertothe“Drain”modeandtheDrainlightisilluminated.Thepumpinsidethecontrollerbucketshouldnowbegintopumpthewaterbackintothe55gallondrum.Asitentersthedrum,itisallowedto“free-fall”whichprovidesaerationforthenutrients.Oncethewaterhasbeendrawnbacktothecontrollerfromallofthe2gallonmodules,thepumpmaycycleacouplemoretimestogetasmuchwateroutaspossible.Asmallamountofwatershouldremain inthebottomofthe individualouterbuckets, thisprovidesasmall“buffer” intheeventofpumpfailureoncetherootsystemis largeenoughtoextendintothebottombucket.

Youwillhavetochangeoutthenutrientsolutionfromtimetotimedependingontheuse.Formostpeople,thatwillbeanywherefrom1to2weeks.Inbetween,addwateror1/3strengthnutrientsolutiontokeepthereservoirattheproperlevel.

Todrainthereservoir,switchtothefillcycletomovethenutrientsolutionfromthe55gallondrum.UnplugtheEBB-CTRcontrolleranddrainthereservoirbydisconnectingthelinefromthefittingontopofthedrum.Youcanthenplugthefillpumpinanduseittodrainoutthewater.

Maintenance

Itisagoodideatothoroughlyinspecttheentiresystemeachtimeyoudrainthereservoir.Hereisaquicklist:

1) Makesurethedrainholeinthevacuumbreakelbowisclear.

2) Inspectthetubingforobstructionsorkinks.

3) Cleantheinletsofthepumps.

4) Makesurethefloatswitchpivotfreely.

trOuBleshOOtinG / Faqs

Ifyouarehavingproblemswiththisunit,refertothesetroubleshootinghints.

Problem

There is water on the floor.

The 2 gallon buckets do not fill all the way.

When the drain cycle is activated, the pump inside the controller makes noise but does not pump water.

When the fill cycle is activated, the pump inside the drum makes noise but does not pump water.

My older plants seem to be having problems, looking unhealthy.

How do I drain the reservoir?

Suggested Action

Checkalltubingandgrommetsforleaks.

Verify the floatswitches inside thecontrollerarenotobstructedby thepumportubing.

Verifythe“vacuumbreak”fittingisfreeofdebris.Asmallamountofwatershouldtricklefromtheholeinthefittingwhentheunitisfilling.

Ifonly individualunits seem tohaveaproblem,check for kinksorblockagesorreplacethe½”tubingtothosebuckets.

Makesureyouhaveenoughwaterinthereservoirtofillallthebuckets.

Whenusing20ormorebucketmodules,the“Fill”timemayhavetobeincreasedto30minutes.

Thepumphasbecomeair-locked.Thefirsttimetheunitisrun,itmaybenecessaryto“prime”thepumpbytiltingittoreleasetheairbubblestrappedinside.

Thepumphasbecomeair-locked.Thefirsttimetheunitisrun,itmaybenecessaryto“prime”thepumpbytiltingittoreleasetheairbubblestrappedinside.

Astheplant’srootsystemgrowsdownward,therootseventuallyreachthelowerbucket.Theremaining1”ofwaterinthelowerbucketmaybeaffectingtheplants.Thebucketmodulescanberaisedbyaninchtofullyremovetheremainingwater.

Youcanattachedanotherpieceof½”tubingtothefillpumpandletthefillpumpempty the reservoir. When changing the nutrient solution, some people like to“flush”thelinesandleachoutsomeofthebuilt-upnutrient“salts”thataccumulateontheHydroton.Re-fillthereservoir½wayandallowthenutrienttobepumpedacoupleoftimesbeforediscardingtherinsewater.

precautiOns

Do not remove or relocate the inner pots when the outer buckets are filled with water. The controller may overfill the buckets and when the inner pots are re-submerged, the water will spill over the top of the modules.

Do not allow the system to run dry, keep the reservoir AT LEAST ½ full.

Do not “top-off” the reservoir unless the system is in the “Drain” cycle. (Too much water will overflow the reservoir)

warranty

The EBB-CTR is warranted against defects in workmanship for THREE years.

speciFicatiOns

Power supply IN 120vac Max amperage Fused @ 10-amps Reservoir volume 55 gallons Bucket volume 2 gallonsPumps (2) Via Aqua 305 Max buckets 48Minimum Fill time 15 minutes Minimum Drain time 15 minutes

Published by R & M Supply, Inc.Copyright 2002-2009 All Rights Reserved

R & M Supply, Inc., their retailers and distributors are not responsible for any damage or injuries, consequential or otherwise arising from the use of this product. The purchaser assumes all responsibility for the proper installation and use and of this device.

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