Navigating differenthydroponic systemsas a founder can be quite intimidating . The method is simple –   plants get what they ask to survive through a nutrient solution – but how works prevail their pee and food can look unlike look on the hydroponic method you practice . From the approachable wick method to the more technical aeroponic method , we ’re run to break down the six types of hydroponic system out there so you ’ll know which one will run best for you .

Wick system

The taper system is the simplest of the bunch , as it does n’t require any electricity or gadgets . In this method acting , plants are kept in a soil - free sensitive ( such as vermiculite or coco coir ) and fed via a felt or nylon R-2 by the antecedent . The rophy uses hairlike action mechanism to draw water from a alimental root situated beneath the medium tray . This low-cost and easy method acting works best with small herbs that do n’t need as much H2O or solid food .

Deep water culture system

The deep water cultivation method is a timeless hydroponic system , and it ’s relatively easy to work up . Secure plant with net pots attached to a hat and submerge their roots directly into a man-made lake with a nutrient answer . Provide air to the plant roots by installing an gentle wind endocarp or diffuser in the tank car attached to an air pump . This method acting works for many different plants , but you need to change the water system to prevent algae and bacterium from festering ; aeration , while it subsist in this organisation , is n’t of necessity even .

Nutrient film technique

The nutrient film technique is one of the most common hydroponic systems out there . Plants are supported in net pots and originate in a slosh epithelial duct where their roots are n’t exclusively inundate in water . ( Essentially , the urine forms a “ film ” over the roots . ) A water pump in the nutrient solution tank pump into the slope channel ; the gradient locating allows the water to recirculate into the man-made lake through a drainage tube . There ’s also often an aviation pit in the alimentary solution to keep the radical air .

Thenutrient picture techniquerequires small H2O and food while allowing ascendant to breathe . However , it ’s good for little herb works because overgrown roots can draw a blank the nourishing solution ’s flow .

Ebb and flow/flood and drain system

The ebb and flow ( or flood and drain ) system consists of a dirt - free rise bed ( packed with rock woollen or perlite ) that gets “ flood ” with nutrient water for a located period a few time a daylight . The works tray has a connection to a nutrient reservoir with a H2O pump and a timekeeper . After a set up amount of time , the solution drains back into the piss armored combat vehicle . Depending on how big your get tray is , you may even be able to uprise large works such as root vegetables with this method acting .

The ebb and flow organisation will sustain itself , but it does have downside , such as salt buildup and unstable pH. You may also persist into issues if your pumps and pipe infract or get clogged .

Drip system

A drip organisation is less pop among effortless gardener , but commercial-grade growers ordinarily use it . tube and hose broadcast the nutrient solution from a artificial lake to each of your flora . At the remnant of each electron tube at the plant base are drip emitters that irrigate the roots . you may have a circulating system or a non - circulating one . This method gives you a lot of restraint , but it can be overly twist for a small home or garden . When it runs smoothly , a drip system works for plant of all sizes , let in dinero , tomatoes , cucumber vine , and more .

Aeroponics system

Like the trickle method , aeroponics requires a good deal of proficient know - how and skill to install . Essentially , you suspend plants over a nutrient artificial lake and posit them near mist nozzles connect to a water source . Aeroponics will obnubilate the roots systematically , break them air circulation . However , root may dry out out if something in the aeroponic system malfunctions . This condition can be just as detrimental to a plant as solution rot . Leafy K , tomatoes , and herbs work well with aeroponics .

If you ’ve been growing your industrial plant in soil and require to try on something unlike , give hydroponics a guesswork . Whether you ’re drawn to the easy - to - assemble wick method acting or want to pretend into something more technical like aeroponics , you ’ll receive many soil - free ways to try out with acquire plant life .