Types of Hydroponic Systems

There are two main types of hydroponic systems – closed hydroponic systems and open hydroponic systems. Hydroponic systems that do not involve growing media are usually closed systems, while hydroponic systems that involve growing media (container plants), may be closed or open systems.

Closed Hydroponic Systems

Closed hydroponic systems the same nutrient solution is recirculated and the nutrient concentrations are monitored and adjusted accordingly.

Keeping the nutrient balance in such hydroponic systems is a challenge and the hydroponic nutrient solution has to be sampled and analyzed at least once a week. The nutrient solution composition has to be adjusted according to the results. If not managed properly, the nutrient solution might get out of balance.

Closed hydroponic systems include both simple hydroponic systems, as well as sophisticated ones. Here is a short brief of some of these methods:

Deep Water Culture (DWC)

This is the most simple type hydroponic systems. In this type of hydroponic systems plants are suspended in an oxygen-enriched nutrient solution.

Wicking

This is a passive hydroponic system, in which wicks run from the base of the plant container down to a reservoir and draw the nutrient solution upwards.

Ebb and Flow

This is the most popular hydroponic system due to its low maintenance and low cost. It is widely used for plug production and potted plants. In this type of system the growing bed is flooded with nutrient solution and then it is allowed to drain. The duration and frequency of the flood depends on factors such as the type of growing medium used, size of containers and plants water requirements.

NFT hydroponic systems

This system uses a continuous nutrient solution flow over the roots. This results in a thin film of nutrient solution around the roots, allowing them both aeration and access to nutrients.

Open hydroponic Systems

In open hydroponic systems a fresh nutrient solution is introduced for each irrigation cycle. The nutrient solution is usually delivered to the plants using a drip system. In open hydroponic systems an adequate run-off must be maintained in order to keep nutrient balance in the root zone.

Hydroponic Nutrients

Fertilizer vs. Hydroponic Nutrients In order to begin a discussion on hydroponic nutrients, it’s important to first distinguish the difference between the terms fertilizer and hydroponic nutrient. Fertilizer is intended to feed the microorganisms in the soil, such as beneficial bacteria and fungi.  All of the living components in the soil must READ MORE Hydroponics, Nutrients Related Article

EC vs TDS

A quick answer to why we should use EC instead of TDS The debate over EC and TDS has been an ongoing issue for a long time. These two measurements are used to determine the strength of hydroponic solution. Although they are widely used they should only be used as a READ MORE Hydroponics, Nutrients Related Article

Organic Does Not Mean “No Pesticides”

Many people believe that organic produce does not contain pesticides, which is a common misconception.  In order to become certified organic, 95% of the chemicals a farm uses must be certified organic.  This means that 5% of the pesticides, fertilizer, or herbicides may be synthetic!  Organic farmers can use as READ MORE Hydroponics Related Article

How Plants Uptake Nutrients

Nutrients play an important role in many plant processes. Nitrogen, for example, is a component of both amino acids (the building blocks of protein) and chlorophyll (the green pigment present in all plants). Phosphorous is essential to the formation of a plant’s DNA and RNA, and potassium is crucial to READ MORE Hydroponics, Nutrients Related Article

What is Aquaponics

Welcome back!  Let’s keep discussing the different categories of hydroponics.  If you haven’t read our Foundation of Hydroponics article, check it out first, then meet back here.  Just to recap, the first category that is used to classify hydroponic systems is called the Class of Hydroponics, and it describes how READ MORE Hydroponics Related Article