6 Different Types of Hydroponic Systems To Consider

Hydroponics is a technique for growing plants in a nutrient-rich water solution instead of soil. This innovative approach to gardening is gaining popularity because it allows people to grow fresh produce year-round, often in small spaces like apartments or urban homes. It can also lead to faster growth and higher yields compared to traditional soil-based gardening. If you're new to this method, it's helpful to understand the different types of hydroponic systems to consider, as each one has its own unique setup and benefits.

The Wick System

The wick system is a straightforward hydroponics method, making it ideal for beginners. It operates without any pumps or moving parts, relying on a wick to draw the nutrient solution from a reservoir up to the plants' roots in a growing medium like perlite or coco coir.

How It Works

Imagine a candle wick absorbing wax to fuel a flame. A hydroponic wick system works similarly. You place one end of a fibrous wick, often made of cotton or felt, in the nutrient reservoir, while you thread the other end into the growing medium. The wick passively draws the nutrient solution up to the roots through a process called capillary action, providing a constant supply of water and nutrients.

Pros and Cons

The primary advantage of the wick system is its simplicity and low cost. Since it doesn't require electricity or pumps, it’s easy to set up and maintain. However, this system is best suited for smaller plants with low water and nutrient demands, such as herbs and lettuce. Larger plants may consume water faster than the wicks can supply it, making this system less effective for them.

Deep Water Culture (DWC)

Deep water culture is another popular system, especially for those looking to grow leafy greens. In a DWC system, you suspend the plant roots directly in a reservoir of oxygenated nutrient solution.

How It Works

You place plants in net pots, which are then set into holes on a floating platform, often a styrofoam sheet, that sits on top of the nutrient reservoir. The roots hang down into the solution, getting a continuous supply of water and nutrients. You place an air pump with an air stone in the reservoir to bubble oxygen into the water, preventing the roots from drowning.

Pros and Cons

DWC systems are relatively simple to build and can promote very fast plant growth due to the high availability of oxygen and nutrients. On the downside, they are dependent on the air pump. If the pump fails, the roots can quickly suffocate. Water temperature and nutrient levels also need careful monitoring to maintain a healthy environment for the plants.

Nutrient Film Technique (NFT)

The nutrient film technique is a widely used system in commercial hydroponics but can also be adapted for home use. It involves a continuous, shallow stream of nutrient solution flowing over the plant roots.

How It Works

In an NFT system, you place plants in a sloped channel or trough. A pump sends a thin film of nutrient solution from a reservoir to the high end of the channel. The solution then flows down the channel, past the bare roots of the plants, and back into the reservoir to be recirculated. This constant flow ensures the roots get plenty of water, nutrients, and oxygen.

Pros and Cons

NFT systems are very efficient with water and do not require a large volume of growing medium. The constant flow of nutrients can lead to impressive growth rates. However, like DWC, NFT is vulnerable to pump failures. If the pump stops, the roots can dry out very quickly. The narrow channels can also become clogged by extensive root growth.

Ebb and Flow (Flood and Drain)

The ebb and flow system (also known as flood and drain) periodically floods plant roots with nutrient solution, then drains it.

How It Works

Plants are situated in a tray filled with a growing medium, such as clay pebbles or rockwool. A timer controls a pump that moves nutrient solution from a reservoir into the tray, flooding it. After a set period, the pump turns off, and the solution drains back into the reservoir through the force of gravity. This cycle repeats several times a day.

Pros and Cons

This system is versatile and useful for a wide variety of plants. The periodic flooding ensures the roots get a good drenching of nutrients and water, while the draining period allows them to access plenty of oxygen. The main drawbacks are its reliance on a timer and pump, and the potential for root diseases if the system doesn't drain properly.

Drip Systems

Drip systems are one of the most common types of hydroponic setups, especially in commercial settings. They deliver nutrient solution directly to each plant's base.

How It Works

A pump connected to a timer pushes nutrient solution from a reservoir through a network of tubes. At the end of these tubes are drip emitters, which you place at the base of each plant. The emitters slowly drip the solution onto the growing medium. Systems can be recovery, where excess solution drains back to the reservoir, or non-recovery, where it drains to waste.

Pros and Cons

Drip systems offer precise control over watering and feeding schedules, which you can tailor to the specific needs of the plants. They are scalable and can support many plants at once. However, the drip emitters can become clogged over time, requiring regular maintenance. The complexity of the tubing network can also make initial setup more involved.

Aeroponics

Aeroponics is the most high-tech of the hydroponic methods. Instead of submerging roots in water, this system mists them with a nutrient solution.

How It Works

You suspend plants in a closed or semi-closed environment. The roots hang in the air below, and a pump connected to a timer periodically sprays them with a fine mist of nutrient solution. This misting happens every few minutes, ensuring the roots have constant access to water, nutrients, and a high level of oxygen.

Pros and Cons

Aeroponic systems can produce the fastest growth rates and highest yields of all hydroponic systems due to the exceptional oxygen exposure the roots receive. They also use very little water. The major disadvantages are the high initial cost and the system's sensitivity. A pump or timer failure can cause the roots to dry out and die in a matter of minutes.

Finding the Right System for You

Choosing the right setup depends on your budget, the space you have available, and the types of plants you want to grow. Each of the different types of hydroponic systems to consider has its unique strengths and challenges. As a trusted hydroponics store, MangoTech has all the supplies and expertise to help you succeed in your indoor growing journey, no matter which system you choose. Browse our selection to learn more.