Ebb and Flow Mat Installation
Click here to download the Ebb and Flow Mat Manual. Or see our Ebb and Flow Mat installation photo galleries.
Bad ground preparation-dipping and un-even
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Outdoors a 1-2% slope is recommended (and this can go up to 6%). Slopes over 4% may require an increased supply of water (e.g. through extended periods of irrigation)
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Greenhouse benches can be of any material that provides reasonable support and is even in grade. As the bottom layer of the Ebb and Flow MAT is impervious to water and drainage is normally controlled through tailing to one side or the end, allowing greater flexibility of bench materials.
PREPARATION IS THE KEY TO SUCCESS: In both cases, some preparatory work needs to be carried out to adapt existing sites to Ebb and Flow Mat. This is a major advantage when compared with other systems where greater attention must be given to leveling and/or changes in benches are required (e.g. to install traditional capillary or ebb and flow systems). Ebb and Flow MAT can usually be installed on top of existing ground cover or benches and overhead irrigation systems left in place if desired.
End drainage from bench
1. Outdoor installations and short benches will usually utilize all 3 irrigation lines built into Ebb and Flow MAT, one on each side and the center tape
2. Tailing of the mat is essential to assist drainage. Outdoors, this will be at the end of the mat. In greenhouses tailing will be normally at the end of the bench. In some circumstances, such as very long flat benches tailing may be off to one side using the sleeve to catch and direct water to a collection point.
Alternatively, geotextile wicks can be inserted to the center of the underside of the mat to direct water to a central collection point such as a gutter under the bench. The wick system gives the most even watering with good even drainage.
3. Overall, out of bench and ground installations there is several ways to set up your mat for drainage--see the user manual for more details.
Outdoors, growers in exposed situations have found it essential to pin down the Ebb and Flow MAT to minimize the effect of wind. Ground staples or flathead nails with washers are commonly used for this purpose.
4. Where irrigation needs are above normal it is suggested that irrigation periods be lengthened rather than attempts made to increase water flow.
5. Elbows and T-pieces are used to connect the Ebb and Flow MAT irrigation pipe to the grower’s water supply, timing, filtration and pressure reduction equipment, as required.
For more information regarding Ebb and Flow MAT installation please refer to our KISSS Ebb and Flow MAT installation manual.
KISSS EBB and Flow MAT Sizes
Sizes are made to accommodate a variety of benches, cold frames, and other installation areas. See our standard widths below. For both small and large orders please allow lead time because we may need to manufacture the width you need as we do not stock every available width at all times. See specification data page for ordering details.
Lengths:
Delivered in pallet boxes or cut to length and ready for hook-up to the grower's water source. Lengths of around 100' (30m) are common, both outdoors and in greenhouses. However, much longer beds or benches can be used especially if the mats are laid in sideways profile.
Greenhouses
When using benches of 6’ width or narrower irrigating from one side only and ‘tailing’ off the other side to drain water allows longer lengths. Many large installations of 130’ (40m) or more have been installed with side irrigation.
Outdoor Nurseries
Outdoor beds should ideally have a 1-2% slope lengthwise to handle long lengths, irrigating both sides and tailing off at the end of the bed.
Widths:
Ebb and Flow MAT comes in the following standard widths: 16”, 2’, 4’, 4’6”, 5’, 6’, 6’6”, 8’6”.
