There are different methods that can be applied in hydroponics which is growing plants without the use of soil. The challenge in each method is to suspend the plant in place while exposing the roots to a constant supply of water-nutrient formula. This can be carried out in several ways, quite a few more efficient than others. Usually hydroponic systems fall into the classes of active or passive (active normally means a pump is used) and recovery or non-recovery (recovery means the solution is captured and re-circulated). Several systems make use of grow trays to hold the plants and a container for the solution. With these items in mind, here are some of the most popular hydroponic systems.

Ebb and Flow

This is an example of a system that employs the recovery method which anchors plants in mediums like rockwool. A pump motor floods the grow tray with water occasionally based on the time you set on the timer, it then shuts down and lets the nutrient solution drain through a maze of tubes attached to the tray that leads back to the reservoir. Also known (for obvious reasons) as flood-and-drain, this method is a popular choice for beginners.

The Drip System

This system is more or less the same with ebb and flow but instead of surging the grow tray this method uses a pump that pushes the nutrient solution around the network of tubes that drips the solution straight on the plant roots. This hydroponic systems can be either recovery or non-recovery, depending on whether you strain the solution back into the reservoir. The non-recovery variation is more low-maintenance because you do not have to keep track of the pH of the reservoir nearly as much.

The Wick System

This is a basic, passive non-recovery hydroponic method in which the nutrient formula is carried from the reservoir to the plant roots by means of a wick (like an oil lamp wick). Absolutely no pump is required, and the water is not re-circulated, making it one of the simplest and least costly systems. Nonetheless, the yield may not be as impressive because regulating the water flow is a problem which means that the roots are getting too much or too little solution.

Nutrient Film Technique

This method is also known as the NFT which is an active recovery method where the roots dangle in a continuous flow or film of solution. A pipe is used as a grow tray and the plants are hanged on top while the roots are dangled and exposed beneath. The pump motor sends the formula into one end of the pipe, and it drains out the other end back again into the reservoir. While effective, this approach is also more complex and higher-maintenance.

There are several variations of hydroponic systems but the ones pointed out are the most common. Your skill level and finances will affect the choice that you make when it comes to hydroponic systems.

Bookmark to: