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6 Different Types Of Hydroponic

Systems - NoSoilSolutions

6 different types of hydroponic systems

Since there are many different options when it comes to hydroponic

systems, it can be hard to decide what unit may work best for you.
Here’s a quick overview of some of the different types of hydroponic
systems:

Wick Hydroponics

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The wick system is the most simplistic type of hydroponic

system requiring no electricity, pumps or aerators. It can be a
completely passive system, though some people do like to use an
aerator in the reservoir to add oxygen to the nutrient solution. In
most system plants are placed in an absorbent grow medium like
coco coir, vermiculite or perlite, with a nylon “wick” running from the
plant root into a reservoir of nutrient solution. The wick system
brings the nutrient rich water from the reservoir to the plant. Wick
hydroponic systems work well for small plants and herbs. This
hydroponic system doesn’t work well for plants that need a lot of
water or have watery produce such as tomatoes.

Ebb & Flow/Flood & Drain System

Ebb and flow hydroponic systems (also called flood and drain) can
be easy to set up and popular with many home hydroponic
gardeners. Grow medium is placed in the grow bed which is then
flooded with nutrient solution. A drain allows the water to only get a
few inches below the top of the grow medium. Power to the water
can shut off via preset timer after running for a period of time of time,
allowing water to run back down the pump, draining the grow bed.
Automatic drainage such as a bell siphon can be used to drain your
grow bed without shutting off power to the pump. This allows more
water and air movement over the roots creating more growth. Ebb
and Flow hydroponic systems work for a variety of plants. Since this
hydroponic system has an open grow bed, plants don’t have net
pots with a predetermined spacing.

Nutrient Film Technique (NFT)

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Nutrient Film Technique is a popular hydroponic growing method for

plants with smaller roots. The method is a simple concept making it
very suitable for backyard hydroponics and larger scales operations
alike. With this hydroponic method, plants are placed in channels or
tubes with roots dangling in hydroponic solution. The system is
slightly slanted so that the water runs through the roots and down
back into a reservoir. These hydroponic systems are great for herbs
and leafy vegetables such as lettuce.

Deep Water Culture

Deep water culture is a very simple and an effective hydroponic

method. It’s one of the most popular techniques. With deep water
culture, roots of the plant are suspended in nutrient rich water and
air is provided directly to the roots. Plants can be placed 5 gallon
hydroponic buckets or also suspended on rafts in larger reservoirs.
The plants roots grow quickly and in a mass. Deep water culture
works well with plants that produce larger fruits.

Drip Hydroponics

The drip hydroponic system is a widely used method among both

backyard hydroponics and commercial as well. It’s easy to use, set
up and can be manipulated in several ways making it ideal for those
who are commonly making changes. Plants are usually placed in
grow medium that’s moderately absorbent. Nutrient solution is run
through individual tubes to each plant, dripping over the roots and
circulated back into the reservoir.

Aeroponics

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While some people don’t consider aeroponics to be hydroponics,

the process uses no soil and does use nutrient solution to feed the
plants. Aeroponics isn’t the easiest methods of hydroponic
gardening the idea of it is still simple. Plants are suspended in the
air while nutrient solution is sprayed or misted over the roots of the
plant. Oftentimes no net pots or grow medium is used and plants are
secured in the system in foam, roots dangling in the reservoir. An
advanced form of aeroponics called fogponics is also used.
Fogponics is similar to aeroponics but a much finer mist. The
smaller the solution particle size, the faster the absorption by the
plant’s roots.

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