Popular Varieties Of Hydroponic Systems

There are various methods that can be applied in hydroponics which is gardening without the use of soil. The challenge lies on how to position the plants that will expose the roots to a constant supply of nutrient formula. There are several ways you can do this and some of these techniques are more effective that the rest. Usually hydroponic systems fall into the categories 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). Some systems make use of grow trays to hold the plants and a container for the solution. With these things in mind, here are a few of the most popular hydroponic systems. 

Ebb and Flow 

This is an example of a system that employs the recovery technique which anchors plants in mediums like rockwool. A water pump on a timer periodically floods the grow tray with nutrient solution from the reservoir, then turns off and allows the solution to drain back through tubes into the reservoir to be recycled. Also known (for obvious reasons) as flood-and-drain, this method is a preferred choice for beginners. 

The Drip System 

This method is more or less the same with ebb and flow but instead of flooding the grow tray this method uses a pump that pushes the nutrient solution around the network of tubes that drips the solution directly on the plant roots. This hydroponic systems can be both 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 monitor the pH of the reservoir nearly as much. 

The Wick System 

This system is an example of a passive non-recovery hydroponic system in which the solution gets to the roots through a wick. There is no need for a pump and for water circulation thus making this system easy and cost-efficient. However, it also tends to be much less productive because it is tougher to regulate the water flow, which means (depending on the type and quantity of plants) there can be either too much or too little mixture getting to the roots. 

Nutrient Film Technique 

This system is also known as the NFT which is an active recovery method where the roots dangle in a constant flow or film of solution. A pipe is used as a grow tray and the plants are hanged on top while the roots are suspended and exposed beneath. With the pump the solution goes through one tube and drains on the other end and into the reservoir. This approach may be effective but it can be complex and high-maintenance at the same time. 

There are other kinds and variants of systems as well, but these are the most typical hydroponic systems. Which hydroponic systems you choose will rely mainly on your skill level and budget.