5 Types Of Home Hydroponics Systems (How They Work?)

How Hydroponics is Changing Farming ?

Instead of utilizing dirt to produce plants, hydroponics uses nutrient-rich water. It is a type of soilless agriculture that has been practiced for many years but has recently gained popularity since it may produce superior crops in a controlled environment.

Plants are grown hydroponically in pots filled with an inert growing material, such as perlite or coconut coir, which supports the plant and aids in moisture retention. The plants are then given a water solution that is rich in nutrients and has all of the building blocks for growth. This makes it possible to precisely manage the growth environment, which might result in quicker and more consistent crop yields. Compared to conventional agriculture using soils, hydroponics has many benefits. It can be used to grow a wide variety of plants in a number of settings, including cities and places with poor soil. In addition, it can be more energy and space efficient than traditional agriculture and require fewer water and pesticides. However, it can be difficult to set up and operate, and it does involve a large investment in infrastructure and equipment. For residential hydroponics, there are essentially two different types of hydroponic systems. The recycling system is one, and the run-to-waste method is the other. I’ll start by discussing the recycling methods. The various methods for this kind of system are as follows:

Instead of utilizing dirt to produce plants, hydroponics uses nutrient-rich water. It is a type of soilless agriculture that has been practiced for many years but has recently gained popularity since it may produce superior crops in a controlled environment.

Plants are grown hydroponically in pots filled with an inert growing material, such as perlite or coconut coir, which supports the plant and aids in moisture retention. The plants are then given a water solution that is rich in nutrients and has all of the building blocks for growth. This makes it possible to precisely manage the growth environment, which might result in quicker and more consistent crop yields. Compared to conventional agriculture using soils, hydroponics has many benefits. It can be used to grow a wide variety of plants in a number of settings, including cities and places with poor soil. In addition, it can be more energy and space efficient than traditional agriculture and require fewer water and pesticides. However, it can be difficult to set up and operate, and it does involve a large investment in infrastructure and equipment. For residential hydroponics, there are essentially two different types of hydroponic systems. The recycling system is one, and the run-to-waste method is the other. I’ll start by discussing the recycling methods. The various methods for this kind of system are as follows:

Optimizing Plant Growth with Nutrient Film Technique (NFT) Hydroponic Systems

NFT systems utilize troughs that can be constructed of plastic or metal and are incline-built to help with the inflow/outflow operation. In the troughs, the plants are planted in tiny grow cups filled with Perlite growing medium. The trough(s) are continuously recycled with a thin layer of nutrient solution, allowing the Perlite to take up the nutrients and feed the roots. Growing roots enter the troughs where they effectively absorb the fertilizer solution and expand their root systems. This method offers the best nutrient absorption, which can significantly shorten the time it takes for plants to grow. Because it is a light-weight medium that, because to its form, allows for maximum oxygen flow, perlite is mentioned as the grow medium.

Make careful to buy or create the proper size troughs for the plants when utilizing this type of grow system. Large troughs are required to accommodate the roots of plants with extensive root systems. Otherwise, the roots will obstruct the trough and the flow of the nutrient solution, starving the plants.

How NFT Hydroponics Can Benefit Your Garden ?

Pros:

• There is no need for dirty grow media (soil), which makes cleanup much simpler.
• The chance of salt buildup is decreased by the constant flow of nutritional solution.
• The root zone’s constant temperature promotes the best absorption of nutrients.
• Due to the temperature of the nutritional solution, there is a very high oxygen capacity.

Cons:

• Because heavy grow material isn’t available, plants need to be stabilized.
• Not recommended for hot climates owing to heat issues that cause the roots to lack oxygen.

Aeroponics 101 – How Aeroponics Can Accelerate Plant Growth ?

In aeroponics, plants can either be suspended without a growing medium or placed in grow baskets with expanded clay pellets. A bigger, light-proof tank is then filled with the aeroponics grow baskets. The plants that are suspended or grown in grow baskets are positioned flush (level) with the tank’s lid. A number of spray jets are installed inside the tank to apply a fine mist of nutrient solution to the floating roots or grow baskets (depending on the choice made to use or not to use the aeroponics grow baskets). The nutrient mist feeds the plants while maintaining the moisture and aeration of the grow material in the baskets. The spray jets typically run around-the-clock. Because of the system’s practically limitless access to oxygen, roots have the greatest chance of absorbing nutrients, causing plants to “grow like weeds.”

The Pros and Cons of Aeroponics

Pros:

• Similar to NFT Systems

Cons:

• Clean up any debris from tiny sprayer nozzles.
• Plants can die if the power goes out because they become reliant on constant care.

Flood and Drain System (Ebb & Flow Systems) – A Guide to Efficient Nutrient Delivery for Plants

The ebb and flow system, also known as the flood and drain system, is a recycling system that feeds the nutrients to the plants from below. The roots of the plants are periodically filled with nutrient solution while being supported by slabs or cubes of coco coir, rockwool, or expanded clay in net cups.

The plants are supported on media slabs/cubes or blocks of coco coir or rockwool in the flood and drain table method. A submersible pump is used to flood the table with nutrient solution. The pump stops working, and the nutrient solution starts to drain back into the container or reservoir once the appropriate quantity has inundated the plants.

Depending on the requirements of your plant, the feeding/flood procedure should last 15 minutes and repeat every 2-3 hours.

The grow media for the ebb and flow technique is expanded clay placed in net pots. The grow media is also halfway full on the table, supporting the root system. It is advised to cover the entire top of the table with a lightproof material to keep light away from the grow media. By doing this, algae won’t be able to develop on the media. To make room for the net pots, holes are carved into the cover.

The Pros and Cons of Flooding and Draining

Pros:

• Due to the inundation of the root system during feeding cycles, there is less salt buildup.
• This kind of drainage system, where flooding and draining happen quickly, makes sure that there is good aeration.

Cons:

• Low levels of grow medium are used in this method, which leads to low oxygen levels being maintained in the grow medium and can lead to overheating depending on the climate or atmosphere.
• There is a system available today that uses individual buckets and piping to support the ebb and flow technique but does not need a table to do it. Also possible is making your own.

Run-to-Waste Systems (An Efficient Alternative to Recycling Nutrient Solutions)

Run-to-waste methods do not recycle nutrient solutions. Instead, they make use of an inert medium with soil-like rates of fluid retention. As a result, they can use less feed and have fewer feeding cycles since they can retain high amounts of moisture for long periods of time. These systems are configured with a tank for fertilizer solution inflow and a tank for waste outflow. The plants are never again nourished with the nutrient solution waste.

The Pros and Cons of Run-to-Waste Hydroponic Systems

Pros:

• Every feed cycle provides the plants with new nutrients.
• The stability of pH and EC (environmental control) is greater than that of recycling systems.
• Bacterial buildup is unlikely to occur in the nutrition solution.
• The roots are adequately protected from regions with hot climates.
• best suited for larger plants with higher fertilizer requirements.
• Days of moisture retention in the growing medium guarantee the plant’s protection from pump failure.
• decreased upkeep.

Cons:

• Coco Coir or Rockwool are the grow mediums utilized in run-to-waste systems. The grower’s requirements determine the grow medium of choice. Large greenhouses typically utilize rockwool, but enthusiasts are increasingly choosing coco coir.

Compared to rockwool, coco coir is known to hold 8 to 9 times its weight in water and more air. Depending on what the plant needs, this grow medium can store and release nutrients. There are various qualities of coco coir that should be taken into account before use. High quantities of salt, potassium, and other contaminants are present. Make certain that the coco coir you buy has been pre-soaked and pre-buffered.

If it isn’t specified, you’ll need to wash it out with a lot of water to get rid of the extra salt.

It is strongly advised to utilize the nutrient solutions that have been specially developed for coco coir grow media that are available on the market. This occurs as a result of the high potassium content of coco coir, which competes with calcium and magnesium.

Due to its biodegradability, coco coir produces a superior mulch for outdoor gardens. After it has served its job in the grow system, you can dump it in the garden.

Due to the fact that rockwool is man-made, it is an extremely hygienic, sterile, and light grow medium. It is artificial, hence it has no nutritional benefit derived from natural sources. This means that in order to ensure proper plant growth, you must ascertain which nutrients are necessary and the precise concentration of nutrient solution. For healthy roots, rockwool has a favorable water to oxygen ratio.

Wick Feed Systems

These methods demand that the plants be secured in a container filled with an inert growing medium. Shredded coconut fiber, soilless mix, expanded clay pellets, perlite, vermiculite, and a thick rope or fabric are some examples of the media. The pot is then placed suspended within a larger pot that contains the nutrient solution. From the plant’s root zone all the way down to the nutritional solution reservoir, the rope or cloth will run. The nutrient solution will be drawn and absorbed by the rope or fabric (wick) and reach the plant roots. This grow technique is pretty straightforward. Utilizing a Smart Valve/Autopot System can improve it.

The foundation of the Autopot system is the flow of nutrients through a gravity feed valve. The valve will release additional nutrients once all of the nutrient solution has been utilized. The amount of nutrients released depends on how quickly the plant absorbs them. As a result, the nutrient solution is not wasted.

A float called the Smart Valve holds back the nutrient solution until the reservoir in which it is housed is completely emptied. The fertilizer solution will then be released by the valve into the holding container where the plants are situated. Following that, the plants will absorb the nutrients through their root system (a capillary action that naturally occurs in the grow media). The technique uses an elevated container of nutrient solution called a “Autopot” to fill a lower container with the amount of nutrient solution necessary to meet the needs of the plants. Got it? Actually, it’s fairly easy.

Pros:

• simple with no electricity or pumps.

Cons:

• To make sure the right levels and absorption rates are occurring, these systems will need regular monitoring.
• Temperatures of fertilizer solutions will need to be carefully monitored. The air temperature will determine this. Lack of oxygen & root rot are caused by excessive heat; nutrient uptake issues are caused by excessive cold.

Additional than the ones listed in this article, there are other systems “out there,” but these are the most common and can be as simple or complex as you wish. The one thing you must always keep in mind is that in order to succeed, you must have control over your environment. To prevent disease, bacteria, pathogens, and bugs, we must maintain proper temperatures, aeration, nutritional balance, and lighting. Numerous hydroponics garden and grow supplies are available to meet your needs and make sure that everyone has a positive hydroponics experience.

I’ll talk about plant nutrients and their need for multivitamins in my upcoming piece.