ebb and flow question?

HI folks. I am setting up a new space and had a few simple questions.

I want to set up an Ebb and Flow. I already have 6 4x4 trays. I plan on using containers inside the tray, filled with soil to start, and maybe one tray try some hydro medium.

Can i use one large resevoir to fill all these trays? Obviously not the hydro tray if i did one of those, but all the soil trays. And do i need a controller unit to do it? Or would i just put six pumps in the res, and set them all at different times? Or is it better to have 3-6 seperate resevoirs?

I am confused and have been researching this for a few weeks. The more i learn the more i get confused

Thanks for your help.

Do not use soil. Use Hydroton or rockwool. Soil and an ebb and flo table will be hell.
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Plant head can you elaborate a little. please.

I have seen a a soil ebb and flow in operation that had 16 4x8 tables with containerized soil plants. The operation had 8 resevoirs operating for the 16 trays.

i am in no way looking to emulate this set up. Way too big for my safety meter. Although the technique seemed to work well, and the soil i believe would offer more forgiveness.

The only reason i can think of that soil would be a pain is because it could clog things up? Is that the reason?
I do not want to go hydro because i am still a newb and just starting to understand soil...but would like to automate things a bit.