An Ebb and Flow system works as its name suggests. Nutrient solution is pumped from a reservoir up into a growing table which is filled with Hydroton, perlite or other growing media.
The solution is intermittently pumped up to fill the table the the pump switches off to allow the table to drain. The drain cycle improves the oxygen contact with the plants roots.
The media holds moisture so the roots do not dry out between cycles. This system is most commonly used for plants which cannot have roots constantly submerged like tomatoes cucumbers and peppers.

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