All of these Run to Waste Hydroponic System builds are designs from other types or methods of hydroponic designs. The only difference is the nutrient water is not recycled and recirculated back to the main reservoir, it is allowed to run off as waste. Let’s revisit the difference between recirculating vs run to waste systems.
Water Culture Run to Waste Hydroponic System: Falling Water
This is less typical for home growers, but it is still a highly efficient water culture method. Instead of aerating your system with bubbles, you do it by letting a specific amount of waterfall into the nutrient solution and the pots you are using for holding the plants. The more volume the water has or higher the water, the more oxygen it provides.
Falling water is more common in commercial systems because it can use a larger volume of water. However, it is still possible for home growers to set this system at home.
Need more info? Take a step back and learn more about the system or check out some other Run to Waste hydroponic system designs before you jump in to start your build.
We cover this system as an Ebb and Flow System Build with a few minor differences. 1, The nutrient water is not recirculated back to the reservoir, it is allowed to run off as waste. 2. The supply line nutrient water falls from a reservoir pan in order to aerate the nutrient water instead of using an air pump.

The Flood and Drain Run to Waste Hydroponic System
The Plant Container In Series Design
We cover this system as a Dutch Bucket System Build, the only difference here is the nutrient water is not recirculated back to the reservoir, it is allowed to run off as waste.

The Flooding Tray Design
This method is exactly like our Flood and Drain system Build. The only difference is the nutrient water does not recycle back to the reservoir, it runs to waste.

The Surge Tank Flood and Drain
If you have a vertical space and not much else to work with, then the Serge tank is your go-to choice for flood and drain hydroponic systems. Although, keep in mind that this method will cost a lot more than the other two. This Build is covered as a Flood and Drian Surge Tank System in our Flood and Drain article. The only difference is the nutrient water is not recirculated back to the reservoir.

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