The Most Common Hydroponic Systems
Hydroponics – the gardening of plants without earth – can be accomplished by a vast selection of methods. The obstacle in each method is to suspend the plant in place while subjecting the roots to a regular supply of water-nutrient formula. There are a number of ways you can do this and some of these methods are more efficient that the rest. Hydroponic systems have 4 categories the active which utilizes a pump, the passive, the recovery which demands recirculation of the solution, and the non-recovery. Some systems make use of grow trays to carry the plants and a compartment for the solution. With these items in mind, here are some of the most common hydroponic systems.
Ebb and Flow
In this active recovery system, plants in the grow tray are usually anchored by some sort of medium (preferably one that retains water, like rockwool). A water pump on a timer periodically floods the grow tray with nutrient solution from the reservoir, then turns off and allows the solution to drain back through tubes into the reservoir to be reused. This system is otherwise identified as the flood-drain system which is very popular among beginners.
The Drip System
This active method is similar to ebb and flow, except that rather than flooding the grow tray, the pump sends the solution through a network of tubes that drip the solution directly onto the plant roots. Based on your choice you can turn the hydroponic systems into a recover or non-recovery system. If you want to do without the regular monitoring of the pH level then you might want to use the non-recovery version.
The Wick System
This is a basic, passive non-recovery hydroponic system in which the nutrient formula is carried from the reservoir to the plant roots by means of a wick (like an oil lamp wick). There is no need for a pump and for water circulation thus making this system easy and cost-efficient. However, it also tends to be less productive because it is tougher to regulate the water flow, which means (depending on the type and quantity of plants) there can be either too much or too little solution getting to the roots.
Nutrient Film Technique
This system is also known as the NFT which is an active recovery system where the roots dangle in a constant flow or film of solution. The “grow tray” is usually a tube, where the plants are dangling on top and the roots are open below. The pump motor sends the solution into one end of the tube, and it drains out the other end back into the tank. While effective, this method is also more complicated and higher-maintenance.
There are several variations of hydroponic systems but the ones mentioned are the most popular. Which hydroponic systems you choose will depend mainly on your skill level and funds.