{"product_id":"iws-control-units","title":"IWS Control Units","description":"\u003csection class=\"gh-product-listing\"\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eIWS Control Units — Automated Flood \u0026amp; Drain Brain for Precise Hydroponic Management\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBest for:\u003c\/strong\u003e Growers wanting to automate nutrient delivery with minute-level control across 6–48 pots without overcomplicating things\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"gh-our-thoughts\" role=\"note\" aria-label=\"Our thoughts\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOur thoughts\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe IWS brain is what separates a flood \u0026amp; drain system from actual automation. It does the heavy lifting — timing feeds, managing water return, oxygenating roots — while you get on with other things. Built in the UK by Nutriculture, it's been the go-to hydroponic controller for a decade because it just works.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe \u003cstrong\u003eIWS Control Unit\u003c\/strong\u003e is the intelligent heart of an IWS flood \u0026amp; drain system. It's a dedicated \u003cstrong\u003ehydroponic controller\u003c\/strong\u003e that automates water and nutrient delivery with precision timing, integrated float switches, and a reliable pump — letting you manage anything from a 6-pot starter setup to a 48-pot professional operation. No guessing. No manual watering. Just consistent, oxygenated root zones and time back in your day.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eHow it compares\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis sits in the \u003cstrong\u003eactive automation bracket\u003c\/strong\u003e of hydroponic control systems.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003evs. AutoPot (gravity-fed):\u003c\/strong\u003e IWS offers minute-level timer precision and faster drain cycles; AutoPot is simpler but less flexible on timing\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003evs. Drip systems:\u003c\/strong\u003e Lower maintenance, better oxygenation, fewer clogging issues; drip is more continuous but requires more tuning\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003evs. Digital monitoring layers (Growee):\u003c\/strong\u003e IWS is a complete stand-alone solution; monitoring systems are add-ons to existing setups\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eUK-made with integrated support\u003c\/strong\u003e — not reliant on third-party apps or sensors\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eUsage guidance\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHow the brain works\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe control unit floods your pots at times you set (down to the minute). Two integrated magnetic float switches sense when the water level hits your target height and stop the flood automatically. When the cycle time finishes, the drain pump quietly returns nutrient solution back to the main reservoir, re-oxygenating it as it goes. This happens on a schedule you control.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSetting up\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eInstallation is straightforward — under an hour if you follow instructions. The brain connects to your reservoir bucket (25 litres), pot manifolds, and the flood\/drain lines. Timer is built into the Standard model; Pro models come with a remote timer for added flexibility.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFeeding schedules\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eRun flood cycles every 3–4 hours during lights-on. Adjust feed length based on pot size and growing medium — typically 15–20 minutes. The system scales from 6 to 48 pots, so one brain manages the whole operation.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGrowing mediums\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eWorks with clay pebbles, coco, soil, or mixed media. Choose your inner pot type accordingly (Aqua pot for pebbles, Culture pot for coco\/soil, Punched pot for custom media).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eTechnical specifications\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePump:\u003c\/strong\u003e Sicce Ultra Zero 3000 (triple flow rate for fast drain cycles)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSystem capacity:\u003c\/strong\u003e Up to 48 pots per brain unit\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFloat switches:\u003c\/strong\u003e 2 integrated magnetic switches for precise fill-level control\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTimer (Standard):\u003c\/strong\u003e 15-minute segmental timer built into brain\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTimer (Pro\/Remote):\u003c\/strong\u003e Remote timer with 15-minute segmental and precise minute timer\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePipe fittings:\u003c\/strong\u003e Standard 16mm or Pro 25mm (25mm suits larger setups)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eReservoir:\u003c\/strong\u003e 25-litre control bucket (gravity-fed to pots, pumps handle fill\/drain only)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eManifacturer:\u003c\/strong\u003e Nutriculture, UK-made\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eWho this is for\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eGrowers stepping up from hand-watering to automation without complexity\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMid-to-professional operators running 12–48 pot setups\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAnyone wanting precise feed timing and better oxygenation than passive systems\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eGrowers using clay pebbles or inert media (where flood \u0026amp; drain excels)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThose who prefer UK-made kit with direct manufacturer support\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eOur take\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is a hydroponic controller that actually saves you work. It automates the fiddly bits — timing, water return, oxygenation — while staying simple enough that you're not troubleshooting app crashes at 2am. The float switches prevent overwatering, the pump is powerful enough for the job, and the build quality is solid.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIf you're running flood \u0026amp; drain and want to move beyond manual cycles, the IWS brain is worth picking up. One we sell a lot of for growers ready to scale properly.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/section\u003e","brand":"IWS","offers":[{"title":"IWS AutoDrain Pro","offer_id":47915811012778,"sku":null,"price":217.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false},{"title":"IWS AutoDrain Standard","offer_id":47915811045546,"sku":"31862","price":156.49,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Pro (Brain \u0026 Timer)","offer_id":47915811078314,"sku":"7099","price":289.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Pro (Brain \u0026 Timer) 2 Drain Outlets","offer_id":47915811111082,"sku":"31867","price":399.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Remote (Brain \u0026 Timer)","offer_id":47915811143850,"sku":"89253","price":329.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Standard (Integrated Timer)","offer_id":47915811176618,"sku":"2443","price":215.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false},{"title":"Pro (Brain Only)","offer_id":47915811209386,"sku":"89233","price":289.95,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Remote (Brain Only)","offer_id":47915811242154,"sku":"5680","price":169.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false},{"title":"Remote (Timer Only)","offer_id":47915811274922,"sku":"89269","price":142.95,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0053\/5540\/5400\/files\/IwsControlUnitsOnestop.jpg?v=1769181624","url":"https:\/\/growershouse.co.uk\/products\/iws-control-units","provider":"Growers House ","version":"1.0","type":"link"}