Different Hydroponic Systems
Hydroponic gardening relies on nutrient-enriched water, a growing medium that isn't soil and a system to support plants and get water to their roots. Hundreds of ways to do this exist, but each is a variation on six basic systems. Does this Spark an idea?
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Wick System
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The wick system is a no-frills design, using no automation and no moving parts. Water travels from a reservoir up wicks leading into a growing medium where plants are rooted.
Ebb-and-Flow System
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The ebb-and-flow (or flood-and-drain) system can be basic, too, but usually people automate it with pumps and timers. Plants are periodically flooded with reservoir water that then drains back into the reservoir.
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Water Culture System
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In water culture systems, roots grow directly into water. This requires some anchorage for the plants (say, a Styrofoam raft with holes) and an air pump so roots can get oxygen.
Drip System
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The drip system uses a pump and timer. At regular intervals, water is dripped at the base of plants sitting in a growing medium. Some systems recycle the water and some don't.
NFT System: Nutrient Film Technique
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The film in the NFT system is a thin layer of nutrient-laden water in which roots sit. The plants themselves are suspended, usually in a tube, while nutrients flow constantly over roots.
Aeroponic System
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As its name suggests, aeroponic systems use air as a growing medium. It's a high-tech set-up in which plants hang over a reservoir. Water from the reservoir mists roots so they don't dry out.
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