Hydroponics System

Theoretically there are six types of hydroponics systems: Wick, Aeroponic, NFT, Water Culture, Drip and the Flood and Drain model. Of course hydroponics systems come in too many variations for anybody to be able to index them, but essentially any of those system variation can be defined as a combination between the primary hydroponics systems. Let’s have a look at their main features and see what they consist of.

Describing the main hydroponics systems

The Wick System is the most simple one, it doesn’t include complex technologies or moving parts, the solution filled with nutriments and minerals reaches the reservoir through a simple pipe. The problem when dealing with this simple system is the impossibility to have complete control over the amount of nutrients that reaches the plant.

This system is very popular because of its simplicity and thus it is preferred by the beginners in hydroponics systems. Water cultures are another simple technique, the platform that supports the plant floats directly on the solution that feeds the plant. An air pump supplies the oxygen and the nutrients to the roots.

This system is so simple that is one of the best preferred by most trainers that teach hydroponics systems courses. The disadvantage is that a very small number of plants will feel good in this type of system, this is why it is used more for educational purposes.

The flood and drain system will flood from time to time the roots but under strict control from a pump connected to a timer that says when the flood should take place and when to flow back. This system is considered versatile since it is used with many crop types, but it is very vulnerable to any power instability. So if you intend to use this system on a larger scale serious safety measures must be taken.

The Drip is a very appreciated hydroponics systems as it is simple and easy to understand, it consists of a pump that drips the solution on each plant base, the excessive liquid drops back into the recovering system. The pump is controlled by a timer that says when to feed the plants.

The NFT system requires a constant amount of nutrients that flows through a pipe over the roots and then back to the nutrients reservoir. The root is suspended in the air while the solution simply covers the roots from time to time, the system is vulnerable to pump or power problems so it must be carefully implemented.

The Aeroponic system is the most advanced one from a technological point of view, it has the roots suspended in the air while a pump is misting the roots from time to time, it’s obvious that entire crops can be ruined if power is lost, so backup techniques are necessary.

Are hydroponics systems a viable alternative?

The truth is that depending on the place where they are implemented hydroponics systems can be a success or a total failure because they have a more expensive production price than classical soil crops, but when the soil is sterile hydroponics systems can be a real gold mine.

Despite the large number of revolutionary systems, essentially they consists of several common elements used in a variety of combinations. Very often back up methods are necessary to prevent failure in the system. As successful as it can be, it is also incredibly fragile.