Hydroponic Systems And How To Determine Which One Is Best For You

If you've been considering installing a hydroponic system in your garden, you may be a little bewildered by the variety of choices you have at your disposal. This article will describe all six of the top hydroponic systems for gardens worldwide. Choosing between them is up to you.

Hydroponics 101

Hydroponics generally refers to a method of growing plants without using soil and can be applied both commercially and in residential settings. These systems encourage plant growth by delivering water and nutrients to plants through a growing media that does not consist of dirt. The following are examples of typical growth media:

• Vermiculite
• Perlite
• Coconut coir
• Rockwool/stonewool
• Clay pellets
• Sand/gravel/sawdust
• Toadstool moss

The use of hydroponics eliminates any obstacles that may stand between the plant and its nutrients. This gives the roots direct access to water, oxygen, and nutrients necessary for the plant's growth and continued existence. Since there is no soil, there is also no need to apply potentially hazardous pesticides or other chemicals. There is also a reduced possibility of the plant contracting a disease or being exposed to environmental factors.

Consider wicking, deep water culture (DWC), nutrient film technique (NFT), ebb and flow, aeroponics, and drip systems when selecting a hydroponic system for your garden. These are the six primary kinds of hydroponic systems.

1. Wicking Systems

The wick system is the most fundamental hydroponic method and is often referred to as "the training wheels of the hydroponic world." Even before "hydroponics" was conceived, people had been cultivating plants for thousands of years. This kind of system is often taught in science classrooms for children.

A wick system delivers water and nutrients to plants' roots via a wick, which may be a piece of felt or a length of rope. The plants are kept in some growth media, such as coconut coir or perlite, while they are suspended. The water and fertilizer solution is stored in a reservoir underneath the growth tank. The wick is positioned so that one end is submerged in the key, and the other is buried in the growth medium. Because of this, the wick can transmit the water and nutrients at the same pace as the roots of the plant demand the water and nutrients. When the roots are ready to take in nutrients, they will do so from the wick. This will happen at the appropriate time.

Because they do not need air or water pumps, wick systems are called "passive hydroponics." [citation needed] Because of this, they are inexpensive and straightforward to care for, which is particularly beneficial for new producers.

Pros:

• The wick technique works well for more delicate plants.
• After it has been put into place, the growth process is simple and requires little intervention.
• It is a fantastic choice for anyone just starting in gardening, including youngsters.
• Wick is one of the systems that has the lowest implementation cost.

Cons:

• Wicking is ineffective for tending to bigger plants or more expansive landscapes.
• The plants are at risk of dying if they are not adequately established or if the integrity of the wick is not maintained.

You Must Have:

• Reservoir
• Medium for plant growth
• Wick
• Watch over the apparatus.
• Nutrient solutions
• Distilled water

2. Deep Water Culture (DWC)

Most growers find that the deep water culture (also known as DWC) is the most straightforward technique to manage.

A fertilizer solution and water are contained in a reservoir that is the core component of a DWC. A net pot and growth material are used to hold the plants in place while they are dangling over the reservoir. The actual roots are buried in the pool, ensuring that they get a steady supply of water and any other nutrients they may need.

Roots of plants cannot survive without oxygen; without it, they would "drown." Therefore, you will need to use an air pump equipped with an air stone to continually oxygenate the water in the reservoir and provide the essential oxygen to the plant's roots.

Pros:

• DWC is not costly to purchase and requires little to no upkeep.
• The amount of upkeep required is minimal, consisting merely of a reservoir, suspension system, and simple air pumps.
• Because it is a recirculating process, resulting in far less waste and significantly more significant cost savings.

Cons:

• DWC is often ineffective for much bigger plants or has a significantly longer growth cycle.
• Plant roots can potentially die if the solution is not controlled correctly.

You Must Have:

• Reservoir
• Net pots
• Medium for plant growth
• Air pump & air stone
• Nutrient solution
• Distilled water

3. Nutrient Film Technique (NFT)

A nutrient-rich film is applied to the surface of the roots of the plants using the nutrient film method (NFT).

An enormous reservoir containing the water and nutrient solution is equipped with an air pump and an air stone to maintain an oxygenated environment (like a DWC system). NFT-system plants, on the other hand, are growing in a nearby channel, as opposed to having their roots immersed as in a DWC (in net pots).

The water is pushed through the channel by a water pump that has a timer attached to it. This gives the plants a thin coating of nutrients and water, but the roots are not immersed, so the plants may continue to grow. If the solution reaches the end of the channel, it falls back into the primary reservoir, recycled for further use in the system.

Pros:

• NFT is a recirculating system that generates very little trash.
• The movie makes sure you don't lose touch with your origins in the process.
• There is a need for very little to no growth medium at all.

Cons:

• The crop may be lost if there is an issue with the pumps.
• Along the channel, roots have the potential to overgrow and entangle with one another.
• If the water is not correctly balanced, the recirculation system has the potential to clog the pipes and channels.

You Must Have:

• Reservoir
• Air pump & air stone
• Plant channel
• A pump for water
• Timer
• Net pots
• Nutrient solution
• Distilled water

4. Ebb and Flow 

If you use a system that uses ebb and flow, also known as a system that uses flood and drain, your plants would be flooded with nutrients on a cycle. This is a less typical method since it does not allow for as much adaptability to your plants' requirements. Despite this, some cultivators prefer this approach since the roots of the plants won't be constantly exposed to the nutrient solution.

To provide a plant home, prepare a tray by filling it with a growth media. The tray will be "flooded" with the nutritional solution according to a predetermined timetable thanks to a timed pump. The flooding cycle is influenced by various factors, including the air's temperature, the growing plants, the growth cycle, and more.

After flooding the tray with the solution, gravity will drain it back into the reservoir so it may be used again. While the water in the pool is waiting for the next flood cycle, an air pump should be used to oxygenate the water.

Suppose you have reliable monitoring procedures that allow you to comprehend the number of nutrients your plants take in throughout their development. In that case, this technique has a good chance of being successful.

Pros:

• Your plants will not be subjected to a continuous water supply if you use an ebb and flow system. If done in the correct sequence, this may enhance growth and yield.
• The ebb and flow systems are examples of recirculating systems that make effective use of both water and energy resources.

Cons:

• If the system is not calibrated or timed correctly, it has the potential to either overwater or underwater your plants.
• The ebb and flow of things call for constant monitoring, particularly of environmental elements such as the pH of the water.

You Must Have:

• Reservoir
• Tray
• Medium for plant growth
• A pump for water
• Timer
• Air pump
• Nutrient solution
• Distilled water

5. Aeroponics

Aeroponic systems are often the most costly and technologically advanced, but they are also one of the most successful types of systems.

Plants and their roots are kept in the air as they are grown using an aeroponic system. A fine mist is sprayed over the plant roots from misters in the reservoir, which also contains an oxygenating air pump.

While some growers would constantly circulate thin mist, others would utilize a misting cycle. Compared to the flood and drain model, the misting process only takes a few minutes to complete, making it far more efficient. Because of this, the roots may continue to get nutrients without being oversaturated or submerged in the soil. Additionally, it naturally enables better exposure of the sources to oxygen, which is essential for the development and growth of the plant.

Pros:

• The roots have access to a greater quantity of oxygen.
• It is less likely that the roots may get too saturated or underly saturated with water.
• In most cases, maintaining and monitoring an aeroponic system requires the least effort.

Cons:

• This particular system is one of the more expensive options available.
• A pump or mist nozzle breaking down might be disastrous for the plants.

You Must Have:

• Reservoir
• Air pump
• Timer
• Suspension pots
• Mist nozzles
• Timer
• Nutrient solution
• Distilled water

6. Drip Systems

Since drip irrigation is more efficient when used on a larger scale, it is more common to see these systems in commercial rather than domestic settings.

These are similar to NFT systems, except the plants are contained inside their channel. The plants are kept in net pots hung above a thin layer of fertilizer solution mixed with water—increasing the amount of oxygen in the water and the number of nutrients absorbed by the fish. During the pumping process, the water is constantly propelled through the channel to increase the water's oxygen content and absorb more nutrients. The unused portion of the solution is recycled by flowing back into the reservoir.

Pros:

A higher degree of control over the feeding schedule may be exercised with drip systems.

These may be low in cost while providing a solid return on investment for commercial locations.

Cons:

These systems need many moving components, which may be overkill for residential gardens because of their complexity.

Monitoring the levels of pH and nutrients requires extreme vigilance on your part.

These do not recycle the whole amount of solution, which might result in excessive trash.

You Must Have:

• Reservoir
• A pump for water
• Timer
• Net pots
• Medium for plant growth
• Channel
• Pump system
• Nutrient solution
• Distilled water
• The Crux of the Matter

You must pick the proper hydroponic gardening system if you want your hydroponic gardening project to be a success. When looking for inexpensive and low-maintenance, particularly for those just starting in the growing world, you should consider wicking systems, deep water cultures (DWC), and nutrient film techniques (NFT). You should consider using ebb and flow or aeroponics if you are an experienced grower searching for higher output with more robust monitoring procedures.

When selecting hydroponic systems, there are a variety of factors and considerations to take into account. It is essential to study to choose the ideal hydroponics system for your garden, considering factors like cost, plants, and waste.

Get in touch with HydroPros to take advantage of our no-cost hydroponics system consultation! As a result of going over all the different aspects, we will be able to advise you on which gardening system would be best suited to your needs. Don't tarry; dial our number at this very now.