the multiple types of hydroponics available should tell you something, there are sooo many ways to achieve the same result,
I have used flood and drain system for many years, always build them, have done some magor grows{ hundreds of plants} still do grow hundreds!but not quite so many,lol
the idea is basically to flood the substrate with solution every three to four hrs!
i like the system i use bcouse of the flexibility and ease
I bassically have a fllod table built to match a meter square of pots, in my case 36 x 15 centimetre or 3.5 litre pots, the table is made of glass , but is better out of plastic of fibre glass, they dont make tanks deep enough for my needs so i make them out of whats available, the tank is as deep as the pots 20 cm,
i have a resevoir tank under neath with 100 litres, and a submersible LARGE pump in it
it pumps me 80 litres in one minute! at which point the pump turns of the water returns under syphon to the main tank!, no complicated equipment
no holes anywher in the tank
the 2 inch pipe runs up and over the side of the tank!
just needs fixxing at the right level
ideally an inch can be left behind,to maintain the roots that will grow iout of the opots
the reason i use pots is so that i can move any slower or sickly plants
also means i can move plants from grow to flower room and maintain a high out put of crop rotation, obviously the tank is oxygenated by means of an air stone and a small aquarium pump and a heater is fitted to maintain 22 degrees C as i have aircon, an over flow can be addedd
but shouldnt be necesarry if you set your timer right

good luck