Hydroponics Systems, How Do They Work

Hydroponics Systems, How do they Work? There are different types of hydroponic growing systems for supporting the plants. The plants require the nutrients & oxygen for the roots. Each type of hydroponic system has its own way of growing the plants which we shall discuss here.

The 7 main types of Hydroponics Systems are -

1. Hand Watering - This type of hydroponic system is very simple. One needs to mix the nutrient, perlite and coir to grow those plants in the container. One just needs to add plant food in the hand water. The containers stay moist since the mixture contains quite a bit of the water.

The pots have sphagnum peat as the base. This type of hydroponics growing systems is an easy home method that supports organics growth.

2. The Reservoir Method - One of the easiest among all the hydroponics systems of growing plants. In this method, a container will hold 2 inches of the nutrient solution. Several plants settle or sit in this nutrient solution.

An air pump is used to bubble in the nutrient solutions thus preventing the roots of the plants from drowning. Small holes are also made at the bottom of the plant pots giving some space for the roots to grow out of the nutrient solution.

This system is made to keep the light away from reaching the nutrient solution since the light allows the algae to grow. These algae will eat the nutrient that is mainly the feeder to the plants.

3. The Flood and drain Method - This is another type of hydroponics systems of growing plants. Here the plants are made to sit in their own containers that are again separated from the nutrient reservoir. A pump is used to turn on or off the amount of nutrient solution that will soak the plant roots. In this way the roots are not soaked but at the same time get the intake of the nutrient solution.

The growth of the plants also depends on how much we flood the container. Such systems are well suited for the growth produce in lava chips or straight perlite. Using a good hand pump fitted with a filter, this method is well suited for organic hydroponics.

4. Drip System - In this type the plants are also placed in their same traps and separated from the nutrient reservoir. Here a pump pushes the nutrient solution through small tubes & the plant gets feeder from the top. The drip can be controlled using emitters. Clay pellets are used for faster dripping whereas Rockwool could be used for slower dripping emitters.

But the disadvantage here is that emitters are known for clogging. Such problems are worse & maintenance or purchase of such systems needs lit of money. For those who want to do organic hydroponics, this type of hydroponics system is not advised.

5. The Nutrient Film Technique (NFT) - In such type of hydroponic systems, the plants are placed in the tray or container or gutter that is separated from the nutrient reservoir. One end of the tray is kept lower, this encourage the easier flow of water.

For a steady flow of water, a pump is used that creates a constant stream of nutrient solutions at the bottom of the tray. The water flows through the bottom of the tray. One must ensure that the root system of the plants is large enough to hang down into the flowing nutrient solution.

Nutrient film technique is a good choice for those homemade hydroponics gardeners and also for those interested for doing organic hydroponics growing system. The functionality, parts & design are very simple & one never finds any complaint of drip or clogs.

6. The Wick System - In this system, the plants are again in their own container separated from the nutrient reservoir. Pieces of nylon rope are partially buried in each plant container. The other end is allowed to dangle in the nutrient solution. In this way the nutrient solution is pulled from the reservoir to the growing medium.

This system is also good for organic hydroponics but one must consider few things here like there may be difficulty in achieving the right moisture level in a wick system. This happens due to that coir that sucks less water.

7. The Aeroponics Method - In these hydroponics growing systems, a large container will contain several gallons of nutrient solution in the bottom. A pump is used to push the nutrient solution through spray heads that will constantly soak every inch inside the container with a fine mist of nutrient solution.

The roots hang and grow mostly in air, except for the few that grow long enough to make it into the nutrient solution present in the bottom. A high-pressure pump is used here, and the spray emitters are designed to deliver a very fine, highly oxygenated spray.