Which Hydroponics Systems Are The Best To Use
There are six type of hydroponics systems to choose from when you want to start growing plants:
- Wick System
- Drip System
- Aeroponic System
- Water Culture System
- (Nutrient Film Technique System) NFT
- Ebb And Flow Systems
Deciding which system is right for you depends on several factors, your level of hydroponic experience and the plant varieties you plan on growing.
The Drip System
Probably the most commonly used system for its ability to facilitate nearly any type of plant growth. In this system, nutrients are delivered from the top of the grow media via gravity or by a pump. Oxygen is drawn into the media in the process and aids rapid root growth. With this method you just need to be sure to frequently check your drip lines to detect and remove any clogs and ensure that the pump is in proper working order.
The Wick System
The easiest and best hydroponics for beginners to get started with is the wick system. This system works like a ‘candle wick’ where nutrients from the reservoir are drawn up into grow media. Although this simple to use system has no moving parts, growing water loving, or larger varieties of plants can prove difficult as the wick may not be able to provide the nutrient solution to the plants fast enough.
Water Culture Systems
This system is thought to be the ideal next step for beginners in hydroponic growing. This is where plants are supported on a platform that floats on top the nutrient solution. An air pump is used in this system to pump air through stones that sends bubbles through the nutrient solution to provide plant roots with oxygen. This is a popular method of growing lettuce, however, it’s difficult to grow other types of plants in this system.
The Aeroponic System
Used correctly, it can be argued that the aeroponic system is the most powerful among other types of hydroponics systems. This is where an atomized nutrient solution suspends or is sprayed upon plant roots. The atomization of the solution adds a lot of oxygen to the nutrients and results in healthy root growth, making this hydroponics method the most effective among the 6 systems.
Ebb And Flow Systems
Ebb and flow systems, also called ‘flood and drain’ work by flooding the grow tray with nutrient solution then letting it drain into the reservoir. This cycle can be set to a schedule by a timer which can be programmed to suit the kind of plants you have, their size, as well as the grow media, humidity and temperature being used.
NFT Systems
NFT systems can be the most challenging for home growers. NFT systems keep the tips of plant roots in direct contact with a thin stream of nutrients. Other then the air, there is no other media used, although this can be economically convenient for growers, if something stops the nutrient flow, whether it be because of power failures or pump malfunction, plants can dry up very quickly.
Different species of plants need different hydroponics systems similar to how they need separate nutrient solutions. If you’re just starting out with hydroponics it’s best to seek expert advice on which system will best fit your plant growing preferences before putting money into a system.
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- Wick System
- Drip System
- Aeroponic System
- Water Culture System
- (Nutrient Film Technique System) NFT
- Ebb And Flow Systems
Deciding which system is right for you depends on several factors, your level of hydroponic experience and the plant varieties you plan on growing.
The Drip System
Probably the most commonly used system for its ability to facilitate nearly any type of plant growth. In this system, nutrients are delivered from the top of the grow media via gravity or by a pump. Oxygen is drawn into the media in the process and aids rapid root growth. With this method you just need to be sure to frequently check your drip lines to detect and remove any clogs and ensure that the pump is in proper working order.
The Wick System
The easiest and best hydroponics for beginners to get started with is the wick system. This system works like a ‘candle wick’ where nutrients from the reservoir are drawn up into grow media. Although this simple to use system has no moving parts, growing water loving, or larger varieties of plants can prove difficult as the wick may not be able to provide the nutrient solution to the plants fast enough.
Water Culture Systems
This system is thought to be the ideal next step for beginners in hydroponic growing. This is where plants are supported on a platform that floats on top the nutrient solution. An air pump is used in this system to pump air through stones that sends bubbles through the nutrient solution to provide plant roots with oxygen. This is a popular method of growing lettuce, however, it’s difficult to grow other types of plants in this system.
The Aeroponic System
Used correctly, it can be argued that the aeroponic system is the most powerful among other types of hydroponics systems. This is where an atomized nutrient solution suspends or is sprayed upon plant roots. The atomization of the solution adds a lot of oxygen to the nutrients and results in healthy root growth, making this hydroponics method the most effective among the 6 systems.
Ebb And Flow Systems
Ebb and flow systems, also called ‘flood and drain’ work by flooding the grow tray with nutrient solution then letting it drain into the reservoir. This cycle can be set to a schedule by a timer which can be programmed to suit the kind of plants you have, their size, as well as the grow media, humidity and temperature being used.
NFT Systems
NFT systems can be the most challenging for home growers. NFT systems keep the tips of plant roots in direct contact with a thin stream of nutrients. Other then the air, there is no other media used, although this can be economically convenient for growers, if something stops the nutrient flow, whether it be because of power failures or pump malfunction, plants can dry up very quickly.
Different species of plants need different hydroponics systems similar to how they need separate nutrient solutions. If you’re just starting out with hydroponics it’s best to seek expert advice on which system will best fit your plant growing preferences before putting money into a system.
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