| Theoretically there are six types of hydroponics | | | | So if you intend to use this system on a larger scale |
| systems: Wick, Aeroponic, NFT, Water Culture, Drip | | | | serious safety measures must be taken. |
| and the Flood and Drain model. Of course hydroponics | | | | The Drip is a very appreciated hydroponics systems |
| systems come in too many variations for anybody to | | | | as it is simple and easy to understand, it consists of a |
| be able to index them, but essentially any of those | | | | pump that drips the solution on each plant base, the |
| system variation can be defined as a combination | | | | excessive liquid drops back into the recovering system. |
| between the primary hydroponics systems. Let's have | | | | The pump is controlled by a timer that says when to |
| a look at their main features and see what they | | | | feed the plants. |
| consist of. | | | | The NFT system requires a constant amount of |
| Describing the main hydroponics systems | | | | nutrients that flows through a pipe over the roots and |
| The Wick System is the most simple one, it doesn't | | | | then back to the nutrients reservoir. The root is |
| include complex technologies or moving parts, the | | | | suspended in the air while the solution simply covers |
| solution filled with nutriments and minerals reaches the | | | | the roots from time to time, the system is vulnerable to |
| reservoir through a simple pipe. The problem when | | | | pump or power problems so it must be carefully |
| dealing with this simple system is the impossibility to | | | | implemented. |
| have complete control over the amount of nutrients | | | | The Aeroponic system is the most advanced one |
| that reaches the plant. | | | | from a technological point of view, it has the roots |
| This system is very popular because of its simplicity | | | | suspended in the air while a pump is misting the roots |
| and thus it is preferred by the beginners in hydroponics | | | | from time to time, it's obvious that entire crops can be |
| systems. Water cultures are another simple technique, | | | | ruined if power is lost, so backup techniques are |
| the platform that supports the plant floats directly on | | | | necessary. |
| the solution that feeds the plant. An air pump supplies | | | | Are hydroponics systems a viable alternative? |
| the oxygen and the nutrients to the roots. | | | | The truth is that depending on the place where they |
| This system is so simple that is one of the best | | | | are implemented hydroponics systems can be a |
| preferred by most trainers that teach hydroponics | | | | success or a total failure because they have a more |
| systems courses. The disadvantage is that a very | | | | expensive production price than classical soil crops, but |
| small number of plants will feel good in this type of | | | | when the soil is sterile hydroponics systems can be a |
| system, this is why it is used more for educational | | | | real gold mine. |
| purposes. | | | | Despite the large number of revolutionary systems, |
| The flood and drain system will flood from time to time | | | | essentially they consists of several common elements |
| the roots but under strict control from a pump | | | | used in a variety of combinations. Very often back up |
| connected to a timer that says when the flood should | | | | methods are necessary to prevent failure in the |
| take place and when to flow back. This system is | | | | system. As successful as it can be, it is also incredibly |
| considered versatile since it is used with many crop | | | | fragile. |
| types, but it is very vulnerable to any power instability. | | | | |