Description
Hands-Off Flood and Drain Feeding From One Tank
The IWS Flood and Drain Standard 16mm is the entry point to IWS's modular recirculating system and has been a grow room favourite for over a decade. A central control unit, known as the brain, sits among the pots and is joined to each one by 16mm pipework. At every feed time set on its built-in 15-minute segmental timer, solution is pumped from the IWS FlexiTank into the brain and the pots fill with it until a float in the brain shuts the flow off level with the top of the pots, so the system cannot overflow. When the feed ends, the solution drains back to the tank to be used again. Flooding pushes stale air out of the root zone and draining pulls fresh air back in, which keeps roots oxygenated, drives nutrient uptake and avoids the slow growth and root problems of a medium that stays waterlogged. Every pot drinks from the same tank, so pH, EC and temperature are checked in one place, and kits run from 6 to 48 pots.
What's Included
- IWS Standard control unit (brain) with integrated 15-minute segmental timer
- IWS 10 litre outer pots, one per plant
- IWS 9.5 litre punched inner pots, one per plant
- IWS FlexiTank sized to the kit, with its tank pump and fill and drain pipework
- 16mm pipe and fittings, with the glands that seal each pot connection
Key Benefits
- Automatic flood height: the brain's float stops the feed level with the top of the pots, so they never overflow
- Fresh air at every cycle: each flood and drain replaces stale air in the root zone
- One tank for every pot: drained feed returns to the FlexiTank, so there is little waste and only one solution to manage
- Timer built into the brain: 15-minute segments set the feed times without a separate controller
- Modular, floor-level layout: add, remove or move pots at any time, and save headroom
- Collapsible FlexiTank that packs flat between grows
How to Use
- Stand the brain and all the pots on the same level floor - the brain's float height matches the top of the pots
- Connect each outer pot to the brain with the 16mm pipe and fittings, then set up the FlexiTank and its pump
- Fill the punched inner pots with clay pebbles, or about 60-80% clay pebbles with 20-40% coco if you would rather flood less often
- Set the feed times on the brain's 15-minute segmental timer, starting with short, regular floods and adjusting as the plants and medium dictate
- Check pH and EC in the tank at each top-up; IWS say the system can run for weeks before the tank needs a full change
- Flush the pots and pipework with clean water between crops
Pallet Delivery
This is a large system and ships on a pallet. A £40.00 pallet delivery surcharge applies to UK mainland orders, and £49.95 to Northern Ireland. The surcharge is added at checkout, and free delivery over £60 does not apply to pallet items.
Technical Specifications
- Brand: IWS
- System type: Recirculating flood and drain (ebb and flow), Standard
- Control: IWS Standard control unit (brain), integrated 15-minute segmental timer
- Pipework: 16mm (13mm internal diameter)
- Outer pots: 10 litre
- Inner pots: 9.5 litre punched pots (6.5 litre Aqua and Culture inner pots sold separately)
- 6 pot: 100L FlexiTank
- 12, 18 and 24 pot: 250L FlexiTank
- 36 and 48 pot: 400L FlexiTank
- FlexiTank size, assembled: 100L 43cm diameter x 78cm high; 400L 68cm diameter x 111cm high
- Tank pump: IWS MJ1000 long-lead assembly, 1,000 L/h
- Recommended for: 6 to 24 pots (IWS); kits run to 48 pots
- Suitable media: Clay pebbles, or clay pebbles mixed with coco
- Not included: Pot stands and copper discs (supplied with the Standard Remote and Pro Remote)
- Delivery: Ships on a pallet, £40.00 surcharge applies
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between the Standard and the Standard Remote?
Both run on 16mm pipework with the same pots and FlexiTank. The Standard has a 15-minute segmental timer built into the brain. The Standard Remote adds a separate minute timer that sets each flood from 1 to 60 minutes and can be mounted outside the grow room, and it comes with pot stands and copper discs.
Which growing medium works best?
Clay pebbles are the usual choice for flood and drain because they hold plenty of air and little water. Mixing in 20-40% coco makes the medium hold more water, so the pots need flooding less often.
Can I add pots later?
Yes. The system is modular, and extra outer pots, inner pots and fittings are sold separately. Keep the tank in proportion: IWS supply 100L for 6 pots, 250L for up to 24 and 400L for 36 to 48.
When should I choose the Pro Remote instead?
IWS recommend the Standard for 6 to 24 pots. For bigger rooms, or if you want the pots to fill and drain faster, the Pro Remote uses 25mm pipework and a 3,000 L/h pump.
Works Well With
