What are the different types of hydroponics systems? 2019 Updated
What is Hydroponics and How Does It Work?
Instead of soil, hydroponic gardeners use different types of growing media, like coconut coir, vermiculite, perlite, and more.
In a nutshell, the idea behind hydroponics is to remove as many barriers as possible between a plant’s roots and the water, oxygen, and nutrients it needs to grow (and thrive).
This can be done in many different ways, which is why we’ll look at the different types of systems you can use to grow hydroponically — but first, let’s understand the benefits and downsides of growing without soil.
There are 6 basic types of hydroponic systems; Wick, Deep Water Culture System, Ebb and Flow (Flood & Drain), Drip (recovery or non-recovery), N.F.T. (Nutrient Film Technique) and Aeroponic. There are hundreds of variations on these basic types of systems, but all hydroponic methods are a variation (or combination) of these six.
Hydroponics Systems
1) Wick Systems
The first item on the list is one of the simplest and oldest hydroponic techniques. It’s often regarded as a “passive” system since it doesn’t require water or air pumps to work.
In this arrangement, water and nutrients move from a reservoir to a plant’s roots via a wick. The plants are suspended in growing media and held in place over a reservoir of nutrient-rich solution. One end of the wick is placed in the growing medium and the other end drops into the nutrient solution. The wick is usually made from absorbent rope or fiber and quickly soaks up the nutrients while delivering it steadily to the plant roots.
Wick systems work particularly well for small, home-grown plants, and this is a great choice for a home-based hydroponics system. However, it’s critical that the growing media used can transport nutrients and water very well. Some good options for that are coconut coir, vermiculite or perlite.
2) Deep Water Culture (DWC) System
Deep Water Culture is an active recovery system, so there are moving parts. Of all active system of hydroponic growing, this is the simplest. All you need is a net pot, a reservoir/container, a lid, and a pump.
Plants will be grown in a net pot with some growing media. They are placed and held by the lid on the top of the reservoir/container.
Roots grow out the net pot and reach the nutrient solution held in the reservoir below. An air pump helps oxygenate the water and let roots breathe.
In order words, this system work by immersing plant's roots directly into the nutrient solution of the reservoir that is highly oxygenated.
The cons of this system are that it does not work well with large, and long-growing plants. Very few plants other than lettuce thrive in this system.
3) Ebb & Flow
An ebb & flow hydroponics system, also known as a flood and drain system, is a great system for growing plants with hydroponics. This type of system functions by flooding the growing area with the nutrient solution at specific intervals. The nutrient solution then slowly drains back into the reservoir. The pump is hooked to a timer, so the process repeats itself at specific intervals so that your plants get the desired amount of nutrients.
An ebb & flow hydroponics system is ideal for plants that are accustomed to periods of dryness. Certain plants flourish when they go through a slight dry period because it causes the root system to grow larger in search of moisture. As the root system grows larger the plant grows faster because it can absorb more nutrients.
4) Drip System
The most commonly used hydroponics system is the drip system. The main principles behind the hydroponic drip system are relative simple which makes them incredibly easy to use, hence their popularity.
Vital nutrients are added to a tank of water to create a nutrient reservoir which is kept separate from the plants. The water is then pumped up a network of tubes, and is released to the plants individually.
The pump can be controlled by a timer, taking any manual watering out of the equation, and allowing you to decide how frequently you want a watering cycle to occur. You can also place an emitter at the end of each tube in the network to allow more, or less, water to reach a specific plant during each watering cycle. This means that you can put a range of different plants into the same system and tailor make watering cycle to cater to the different plants’ individual needs.
There are two types of drip systems: the recovery drip system and the non-recovery drip system.
The recovery part of the name is pretty self-explanatory, and refers to whether the water recycles itself or not. In a hydroponic recovery drip system, any excess nutrient solution will drain back into the nutrient reservoir, where it can be re-used. This makes the system much more efficient; consequently, a relatively low amount of maintenance is needed.
5) Nutrient Film Technique
The last (but not least) hydroponic system is another common do-it-yourself option, and popular with cultivators growing smaller plants like lettuce and herbs. The essence of the nutrient film technique combines the best of the ebb and flow system with the deep water culture options.
First, the plants grow in baskets, or small suspended soilless plugs, usually in a long line down a covered tray. Second, a constant stream of nutrient solution flows down the trough tickling the tips of the suspended root system. The tray is fully enclosed to avoid unwanted algae or microorganism growth to interrupt the plants.
With only a small portion of the root system having constant and direct contact with nutrients, the nutrient film technique also provides continuous access to oxygen to the upper part of the roots. The nutrient solution is usually reintroduced to the reservoir for recycling. This is truly the best of both worlds, although the system does need more space and monitoring when compared to other systems.
6)Aeroponics
In an aeroponic system, the nutrient solution is pumped from the reservoir to misting heads above the water line. This creates a thin mist within the reservoir that is able to coat the plant roots hanging from above. The plants are grown similarly to deep water culture. They are planted in a growing media and contained within net pots on the surface or in the lid of the reservoir. The roots are then able to grow below hanging in mid air. The goal behind this type of setup is to allow the roots the maximum amount of oxygen possible. This in theory allows the plants to grow faster than any other setup.
I hope the brief descriptions above can help provide inquiring gardeners with a quick understanding of the different types of hydroponic systems.
Instead of soil, hydroponic gardeners use different types of growing media, like coconut coir, vermiculite, perlite, and more.
In a nutshell, the idea behind hydroponics is to remove as many barriers as possible between a plant’s roots and the water, oxygen, and nutrients it needs to grow (and thrive).
This can be done in many different ways, which is why we’ll look at the different types of systems you can use to grow hydroponically — but first, let’s understand the benefits and downsides of growing without soil.
There are 6 basic types of hydroponic systems; Wick, Deep Water Culture System, Ebb and Flow (Flood & Drain), Drip (recovery or non-recovery), N.F.T. (Nutrient Film Technique) and Aeroponic. There are hundreds of variations on these basic types of systems, but all hydroponic methods are a variation (or combination) of these six.
Hydroponics Systems
1) Wick Systems
The first item on the list is one of the simplest and oldest hydroponic techniques. It’s often regarded as a “passive” system since it doesn’t require water or air pumps to work.
In this arrangement, water and nutrients move from a reservoir to a plant’s roots via a wick. The plants are suspended in growing media and held in place over a reservoir of nutrient-rich solution. One end of the wick is placed in the growing medium and the other end drops into the nutrient solution. The wick is usually made from absorbent rope or fiber and quickly soaks up the nutrients while delivering it steadily to the plant roots.
Wick systems work particularly well for small, home-grown plants, and this is a great choice for a home-based hydroponics system. However, it’s critical that the growing media used can transport nutrients and water very well. Some good options for that are coconut coir, vermiculite or perlite.
2) Deep Water Culture (DWC) System
Deep Water Culture is an active recovery system, so there are moving parts. Of all active system of hydroponic growing, this is the simplest. All you need is a net pot, a reservoir/container, a lid, and a pump.
Plants will be grown in a net pot with some growing media. They are placed and held by the lid on the top of the reservoir/container.
Roots grow out the net pot and reach the nutrient solution held in the reservoir below. An air pump helps oxygenate the water and let roots breathe.
In order words, this system work by immersing plant's roots directly into the nutrient solution of the reservoir that is highly oxygenated.
The cons of this system are that it does not work well with large, and long-growing plants. Very few plants other than lettuce thrive in this system.
3) Ebb & Flow
An ebb & flow hydroponics system, also known as a flood and drain system, is a great system for growing plants with hydroponics. This type of system functions by flooding the growing area with the nutrient solution at specific intervals. The nutrient solution then slowly drains back into the reservoir. The pump is hooked to a timer, so the process repeats itself at specific intervals so that your plants get the desired amount of nutrients.
An ebb & flow hydroponics system is ideal for plants that are accustomed to periods of dryness. Certain plants flourish when they go through a slight dry period because it causes the root system to grow larger in search of moisture. As the root system grows larger the plant grows faster because it can absorb more nutrients.
4) Drip System
The most commonly used hydroponics system is the drip system. The main principles behind the hydroponic drip system are relative simple which makes them incredibly easy to use, hence their popularity.
Vital nutrients are added to a tank of water to create a nutrient reservoir which is kept separate from the plants. The water is then pumped up a network of tubes, and is released to the plants individually.
The pump can be controlled by a timer, taking any manual watering out of the equation, and allowing you to decide how frequently you want a watering cycle to occur. You can also place an emitter at the end of each tube in the network to allow more, or less, water to reach a specific plant during each watering cycle. This means that you can put a range of different plants into the same system and tailor make watering cycle to cater to the different plants’ individual needs.
There are two types of drip systems: the recovery drip system and the non-recovery drip system.
The recovery part of the name is pretty self-explanatory, and refers to whether the water recycles itself or not. In a hydroponic recovery drip system, any excess nutrient solution will drain back into the nutrient reservoir, where it can be re-used. This makes the system much more efficient; consequently, a relatively low amount of maintenance is needed.
5) Nutrient Film Technique
The last (but not least) hydroponic system is another common do-it-yourself option, and popular with cultivators growing smaller plants like lettuce and herbs. The essence of the nutrient film technique combines the best of the ebb and flow system with the deep water culture options.
First, the plants grow in baskets, or small suspended soilless plugs, usually in a long line down a covered tray. Second, a constant stream of nutrient solution flows down the trough tickling the tips of the suspended root system. The tray is fully enclosed to avoid unwanted algae or microorganism growth to interrupt the plants.
With only a small portion of the root system having constant and direct contact with nutrients, the nutrient film technique also provides continuous access to oxygen to the upper part of the roots. The nutrient solution is usually reintroduced to the reservoir for recycling. This is truly the best of both worlds, although the system does need more space and monitoring when compared to other systems.
6)Aeroponics
In an aeroponic system, the nutrient solution is pumped from the reservoir to misting heads above the water line. This creates a thin mist within the reservoir that is able to coat the plant roots hanging from above. The plants are grown similarly to deep water culture. They are planted in a growing media and contained within net pots on the surface or in the lid of the reservoir. The roots are then able to grow below hanging in mid air. The goal behind this type of setup is to allow the roots the maximum amount of oxygen possible. This in theory allows the plants to grow faster than any other setup.
I hope the brief descriptions above can help provide inquiring gardeners with a quick understanding of the different types of hydroponic systems.
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