Hydroponic set ups – Types of Hydroponic Systems, which is Best for Beginner?
It is obvious that growing hydroponically at home brings several advantages, you will have a consistent supply of fresh, healthy produce; it helps to save you time and money, it is also cleaner and less messy than soil growing. Are you curious about hydroponics or home gardening but don’t know where to begin? Do you know that there are several different types of hydroponic set ups? You can recycle items from your house to create your own hydroponic set up and you also can by a hydroponic kit in the market.
If you’re new to it, all of the information as well as cutting-edge equipment on the market will surely perplex you. This post will make things easier for you by covering 6 main types of hydroponic system and top 2 best hydroponic systems available.
Types of Hydroponic Systems
#1 The Wick System
The wick system is a passive method. That means there is no any moving components, making it the most straightforward and simple set up. This is also the most fundamental form of hydroponic system. The wick system works by the wick pulling nutrient liquid from the tank to the plants by the growth medium. Coconut fiber, perlite, or vermiculite are some of growing mediums that you can use.
The con of this method is that since the wick is unable to create a powerful stream of water and nutrient solution, this method should be used for only small plants or the plants that do not require much water such as lettuce and herbs. Besides, the system has a tendency to keep the growth media moist, what makes the plant roots’ oxygen-absorbent processes more difficult. The wick technique isn’t the most efficient approach for hydroponics grow.
#2 Deep Water Culture (DWC)
The best DWC hydroponic system is one of the most popular method. Throughout the plant growing stages, their roots dangle over the nutrition solution in this complete hydroponic technique. Your plants are grown in pots with growing media as usually, but the pots are kept at the centre of the container’s cap. The plant’s roots will grow out of the pots and reach the nutrient liquid, which are contained in the blow container.
An air pump is also used in the DWC system to supply oxygen to the plants for improved development. The disadvantage of this technique is that it is ineffective with huge, slow-growing plants.
#3 EBB and Flow System
This method is also known as Flood and Drain Hydroponic Systems, it does precisely what its name implies. It submerges the whole plants a few times each day (usually two) and then drains them. Although you may simply construct your own EBB and Flow System, many people choose to buy one.
This system made up of two containers placed on top of each other, the bottom container will work as a water tank. It holds your nutritional solution and also contains pump with a timer. The pump will sink your whole growing place. There is an overflow drain helps to reduce the danger of spillage.
#4 Nutrient Film Technique (N.F.T)
This common hydroponics nutrient film technique (NFT) is the popular method among lots of gardeners. It keeps the plants hanging over a container while continuously providing nutrient solution to help them develop faster. The container will contain all the water with addition nutrient. There is a pump, which will spray the same liquid on the plants again and again.
Because the plants are kept in a net pot, this method requires that the crops be kept vertical. It also does not require the use of a growing medium.
#5 Drip System
A drip hydroponic system delivers water and nutrients straight to the plant roots via a trickling system. You also can use it for ordinary soil growing or growing medium. This is the great method for grow a lot of plants at once because it conserves water.
There are extremely small possibilities of the soil holding water for the plants due to this gradual discharge of water. And all of the water is absorbed. As a result, this technique ensures that all nutritious components are absorbed by the plants’ roots efficiently.
#6 Aeroponics
Aeroponics is one of the hydroponic system, despite the fact that it varies from the other method we’ve examined and isn’t truly hydroponics. Aeroponics growing plants without using any kind of growth media. Similar to the Deep Water Culture system, a nutritional solution is sprayed over the roots, which is hang down via net pots. Although some people choose to utilize vertical towers to conserve space, an aeroponics system is usually set up in a standard tub with a cover. It may not the easiest systems to install, but you can still build it for your own at home.
Best hydroponic Systems 2021
#1 iDeer Life Indoor Gardening Kit
This is a water culture hydroponic system. The kit is designed to hold up to 12 plants. It is features full spectrum 24-watt LED lighting system for optimal grown of plants. Since it is water culture systems, install and set up this Indoor Gardening Kit is very easy. After assembling the bamboo frame, you just need to plant seed, make sure that that your plants have enough water and nutrients by filling the tank. I love the natural look with bamboo frame of this system.
#2 DreamJoy Hydroponic Grow Kit
If you are looking for a large grow kit, which can hold a lot of plants, The Hydroponic Cultivate Kit from DreamJoy is a great option to consider as it offers up to 90 plant sites. There is one more amazing feature of this hydroponic grow kit – the kit can be swapped between the flood and drain technique and recirculating water culture.
The DreamJoy kit is constructed of PVC water pipe with 10 pipes, 3 layers and it is simple to install, making it ideal for growing vast quantities of small-to-medium plants such as lettuce, herb, celery, cabbage, etc.