The Different Hydroponic Systems

Hydroponic gardening (growing plants and food without soil) is getting a lot of traction among consumers, as more people take an interest in it. As such, several hydroponic systems have come out – each made to help grow plants in various quantities. Hydroponic systems come in either pre-designed kits or units (good for beginners) or are sold in components (great for experienced growers who will design their own system. This write-up will tackle few of the more common hydroponic applications and their respective mechanisms.

Ebb and Flow (also referred to as Flood and Drain)
In this most common system of hydroponics, plants are placed in a growth tray over a nutrient container, and a pump is used to “flood” the tray(s) with the nutrient solution. Excess solution not absorbed by the roots “drains” back into the reservoir and is recycled. A variation of this is the Drip System, which uses a pump to create a continuous drip of nutrient solution into the growth tray.

Nutrient Film Technique (NFT)
Here, the roots of the plants are suspended in a constant “film” of nutrient solution; a pump sends this flow into one end of the tray, and empties it out to the other end into the reservoir. This is an extremely effective hydroponic method for nourishing roots, but is also more technical and high-maintenance, since the roots are not anchored in a medium and are totally dependent on the solution.

The Water Culture System
The oldest hydroponic systems, and one of the simplest, a platform of planters simply floats in the nutrient reservoir while the roots of the plants dangle in the solution. Often, an air pump is introduced into the system to oxygenate the solution. The Water Culture System is definitely an easy and inexpensive way to start a hobby in hydroponic gardening.

The Wick System
This is also a very simple method, and no pump is required. A wick (such as an oil lamp wick or candle wick) simply draws the nutrient solution from the reservoir to the growth tray, where the plant roots absorb it. Yes, this is passive and low-maintenance but the danger of this system is that sometimes, this can over-soak the roots, endangering the yield outcome.

Aeroponics
This is by far the most effective, and the most technical of the hydroponic systems. The plant roots are continuously sprayed with a vapor-mist solution and aren’t anchored on any medium, exposing them to air at all times. This system is sure to create large, quick-growing plants when done properly.

These are just some of the proven hydroponic systems. Some are more effective than others; some are more complicated. Which method you choose depends on your budget, time factor and overall needs.