Welcome
Thank you for viewing this page, In the coming weeks and months, I hope to give you an insight into the world of hydroponics, from a basic starting point to a more advanced in depth of understanding. There is a wealth of knowledge available on the internet with varying advice and points of view about hydroponics. This site will start at the beginning, from making you own basic hydroponic (Kratky) method from a simple 2 litre pop bottle for basically 0 cost, to the more elaborate system like NFT ,(Nutrient Film Technique).
Sample Pack Instructions
This short video shows how to use the nutrient sample pack that comes free with any DWC unit purchased from myself. There are a multitude of nutrient solutions available, some that are more aimed towards leafy veg, such as lettuces etc. Some aimed at fruiting plants like strawberries or tomatoes etc. The one I use is two part concentrated solution that I put together my self, it works for me, and keeps costs to a minimum.
Types of Hydroponic Systems
Types of Hydroponic Systems
Deep Water Culture
Deep water culture is a hydroponic farming technique where plant roots are submerged in the nutrient and oxygen-rich water solution at all times. This system is the most popular hydroponic system for beginners and classroom instructional purposes due to its technical simplicity.
The diffused oxygen allows your plant roots to take up maximum amounts of nutrients resulting in accelerated growth. The accelerated oxygenation of the roots improves water nutrient absorption which leads to accelerated cell growth. Efficient nutrient absorption leads to reduced amounts of growth fertilizers used compared to other systems.
Advantages of DWC system1, There's a reason this is the most popular for beginners, You can set up a DWC system for literally nothing more than a bit of time and imagination.2, Even if you decide to have a spend up and buy all the gear, DWC is still very cheap in comparison with any other hydroponic system.3, Although a DWC does use an air pump to aerate the water, if the power goes out, its not really a problem, because without an air pump it's just a Kratky system and they still perform very well.
Disadvantages of a DWC system1, I guess one of the main problems would be water temperature, I had a particularly hot day a while back and my 8 plant DWC water temp rose to 98F and that killed 4 seedlings I was just lucky the others survived. Some sort of insulation around the water container might be worthwhile.2, Ph levels can vary, this is a bit of a stretch really, because they can vary in any system, so although Ph fluctuation is a disadvantage because it can restrict a plants ability to take up nutrients , it's just more of a common problem associated with hydroponics.
The diffused oxygen allows your plant roots to take up maximum amounts of nutrients resulting in accelerated growth. The accelerated oxygenation of the roots improves water nutrient absorption which leads to accelerated cell growth. Efficient nutrient absorption leads to reduced amounts of growth fertilizers used compared to other systems.
Advantages of DWC system1, There's a reason this is the most popular for beginners, You can set up a DWC system for literally nothing more than a bit of time and imagination.2, Even if you decide to have a spend up and buy all the gear, DWC is still very cheap in comparison with any other hydroponic system.3, Although a DWC does use an air pump to aerate the water, if the power goes out, its not really a problem, because without an air pump it's just a Kratky system and they still perform very well.
Disadvantages of a DWC system1, I guess one of the main problems would be water temperature, I had a particularly hot day a while back and my 8 plant DWC water temp rose to 98F and that killed 4 seedlings I was just lucky the others survived. Some sort of insulation around the water container might be worthwhile.2, Ph levels can vary, this is a bit of a stretch really, because they can vary in any system, so although Ph fluctuation is a disadvantage because it can restrict a plants ability to take up nutrients , it's just more of a common problem associated with hydroponics.
Ebb and Flow
As the name suggest ebb and flow indicate the nutrient flow similar to tides in sea. Ebb indicates the retreating water and flow indicates the incoming water. So in this hydroponic system the plants are supplied nutrients using the ebb and flow technique. In this system the grow tray is flooded with the nutrient solution using a pump and then the excess nutrient is returned to the reservoir by action of gravity via an overflow outlet. These two phases of flooding the tray and then emptying it take place on a regular basis thus the name ‘Ebb and flow’ or ‘flood and drain’.
How Ebb N Flow Works?There are two containers – one is the growing tray and the other is the reservoir. There is a water pump and an overflow regulator. The timer automates the entire process.
Once the timer goes on the water pump is turned on and the nutrient solution from the reservoir is pumped into the growing tray flooding the plant roots in nutrient solution till the top of overflow outlet. The overflow outlet prevents the plants from being fully submerged in the nutrient solution. When the timer stops the water pump stops the pumping of water and the excess water is drained through the overflow regulator back to the reservoir by action of gravity.
Advantages of Ebb and Flow1, reasonably easy for the DIYer to build and not too expensive2, Plenty of nutrient rich solution delivered to the plants in a timed manner, and an abundance of air once the system drains.3, Set it and forget it system
Disadvantages of Ebb and Flow1, Not only could the power fail but so could the pump or the timer.
How Ebb N Flow Works?There are two containers – one is the growing tray and the other is the reservoir. There is a water pump and an overflow regulator. The timer automates the entire process.
Once the timer goes on the water pump is turned on and the nutrient solution from the reservoir is pumped into the growing tray flooding the plant roots in nutrient solution till the top of overflow outlet. The overflow outlet prevents the plants from being fully submerged in the nutrient solution. When the timer stops the water pump stops the pumping of water and the excess water is drained through the overflow regulator back to the reservoir by action of gravity.
Advantages of Ebb and Flow1, reasonably easy for the DIYer to build and not too expensive2, Plenty of nutrient rich solution delivered to the plants in a timed manner, and an abundance of air once the system drains.3, Set it and forget it system
Disadvantages of Ebb and Flow1, Not only could the power fail but so could the pump or the timer.
Aeroponics
Aeroponics is a great alternative for growing plants in small spaces, especially indoors. Aeroponics is similar to hydroponics, as neither method uses soil to grow plants; however, with hydroponics, water is used as a growing medium.In aeroponics, no growing medium is used. If you would like to try this method,. Below is a video taking you through all the stages of building and setting up you own system. Just remember to use a nutrient rich solution. You can find all the instruction for that in my Nutrient section.
The following are the advantages of aeroponics:1. The system is self contained and portable2. This system uses a relatively small amount of water and nutrients.3. The system is uses a small amount of space for the plants
The following are the disadvantages of the aeroponics:1. The increase in dependence on various parts in the system, for example, pump, timer and mist jets . Any failure of these components could cause catastrophic disaster for your plants.2. The system build can work out to be quite expensive
The following are the advantages of aeroponics:1. The system is self contained and portable2. This system uses a relatively small amount of water and nutrients.3. The system is uses a small amount of space for the plants
The following are the disadvantages of the aeroponics:1. The increase in dependence on various parts in the system, for example, pump, timer and mist jets . Any failure of these components could cause catastrophic disaster for your plants.2. The system build can work out to be quite expensive
Drip System
Hydroponic drip systems can easily be designed in many ways, as well as from small to large systems. But their especially useful for larger plants that take a lot of root space. That's because you don't need large volumes of water to flood the system, and the drip lines are easy to run over longer spaces.
Advantages of a drip system1, Relatively easy to set up2, Easy to expand for larger grow beds or multiple grow beds3, If the power goes down you'll have a good few hours before the plants suffer
Disadvantages of a drip system1, The drip nozzles can get clogged up and interrupt flow2, Any system that is reliant on a pump can fail without notice3, If the power goes down and your not around = major fail
Advantages of a drip system1, Relatively easy to set up2, Easy to expand for larger grow beds or multiple grow beds3, If the power goes down you'll have a good few hours before the plants suffer
Disadvantages of a drip system1, The drip nozzles can get clogged up and interrupt flow2, Any system that is reliant on a pump can fail without notice3, If the power goes down and your not around = major fail
Wick System
Wick system hydroponics is the simplest of the six types of hydroponics system designs. The name refers to the fact that these systems take advantage of the action of wicking to feed a water-based nutrient solution to the roots of plants.Every hydroponic wick system is made up of four basic components:Growing containerReservoir for the nutrient solutionGrowing mediumWicksThe growing container is positioned a short distance above the reservoir, and wicks are placed so they will draw the nutrient solution up from the reservoir and release it into to the growing medium, which in turn, absorbs it and makes it available to the plant roots.In a hydroponic wick system, capillary action is what feeds the nutrient solution to the root zone of the plants. Capillary action is the mechanism by which sponges and paper towels draw up liquid from a surface.
Wick system hydroponics is a passive form of hydroponics, meaning the system works without the need for any motors, pumps, or moving parts. This doesn’t dictate that you can’t utilize any kind of machines, though. Rather, it just describes the basic functioning of the system. In fact, these simplest of all the hydroponics systems often include a pump to aerate the nutrient solution, but it’s not required for the system to work. The capillary action delivers the liquid to the roots all by itself.
Wick system hydroponics is a passive form of hydroponics, meaning the system works without the need for any motors, pumps, or moving parts. This doesn’t dictate that you can’t utilize any kind of machines, though. Rather, it just describes the basic functioning of the system. In fact, these simplest of all the hydroponics systems often include a pump to aerate the nutrient solution, but it’s not required for the system to work. The capillary action delivers the liquid to the roots all by itself.
NFT System
NFT, or Nutrient film technique, is where in a shallow stream of water containing all the dissolved nutrients required for plant growth is re-circulated past the bare roots of plants in a watertight gully, also known as channels.NFT systems are popular in the commercial industry because of their space efficiency and lower labor costs. Because crops can also be grown on a vertical plane (or shelf), they are easily accessible and harvestable. Most popular with hydroponic production, this method is best suited for leafy greens.
PROSContinuous supply of water, oxygen, and nutrientsSpace efficientEasy to accessLower labor inputsCONSSusceptible to cloggingHigher possibility of water temperature fluctuationNot suitable for larger or flowering plantsPower or pump failure means disaster for entire crop
I've had a couple of emails asking about what air pumps to use. Well, I use a couple of different ones, but recently I have been using these USB ones , they are very low powered and with a small hack can run comfortably for days using a USB power bank. Now I know you can pay £40 - £50 on an air pump that will feed 8 or more systems, but the downside is if that pump fails then all 8 stop getting oxygenated, not a major problem I know, but still an inconvenience. I paid £7.00 each for these pumps and can run 5 off of a £5.00 UBS power hub from Poundland. It's still early days on these pumps for me and no failures yet, but I'll keep you posted. Cheers