Types of Hydroponics Systems

Hydroponics is an emerging and developing technique that is growing at a rapid pace. Therefore, according to the root condition requirements, space, and optimum resource utilization, there are various types of hydroponics systems. The ways can be different, but the aim is to provide nutrients to the roots of the plants.

Deep Water Culture (DWC) System :

DWC is the easiest hydroponics system because it just requires the plants, net pots, container, medium, and air pump.

Plants are placed in a net pot with supporting material held by a floating platform above a deep reservoir or container, and the roots are submerged in the solution, which contains nutrient-fortified water and air stone to supply oxygen to the roots of the plants. Water can be used for multiple days and can be topped up when TDS gets below the desired level.

Pros: easy and cheap to build; utilized recirculating water

Cons: not suitable for larger plants with a longer growing period and less output.

Suitable for: lettuce, spimach, coriander, fenugreek, green peas, cucumber, and bottle goudrs. It has also been used to grow cannabis plants.

Nutrient Film Technique (NFT) System :

This is the most popular technique among hydroponics enthusiasts and commercial farmers. This system requires the plant, net pots with supporting material, grow trays or nutrient film trays connected to each other, a reservoir containing the nutrient solution, a water pump, and an air stone. In this technique, water is continuously flowed through the nutrient films at the highest end of the film, and then, through an angle, it is pulled towards the other films and ultimately drains to the reservoir, where it is recirculated again. The roots are suspended above the water level through the continuous supply of nutrient water and are constantly getting moisture and plenty of oxygen.

Pros: little to no growing medium required; water saving

Cons: required continuous power supply; not suitable for large, heavy plants.

Suitable for: bok-choy, broccoli, cauliflower, lettuce, mint, basil, etc.

Deep Flow Technique (DFT) System :

The DFT system is a well-tested and labor-intensive technique, and it’s a mixture of both DWC and NFT and the most stable system available. It also requires plants, net pots, growing medium or substrate, pipes, containers or reservoirs, air stones, and a water pump. In this technique, oxygenated nutrient solutions are pumped from the reservoir to the highest end of the system without any angle and recirculated back to the reservoir, leaving a certain level of water in the system for the whole time, which can be resupplied using the timer, therefore eliminating the problem of long power cuts. The root is half immersed in solution, leaving air space.

Pros: cheap and easy to set up; less water requirement; more stable.

Cons: nutrients in the solution need to be checked.

Suitable for: lettuce, spinach, kale, basil, parsley, and strawberries

Dutch Bucket System :

The Dutch Bucket System, commonly known as the Bato Buckets System, is a system that uses a bucket, plant, growing medium, water pump, net pots, and pipes. In this system, the bucket is filled with a net containing the growing medium in it to provide support to the plants, which is supplied by nutrient solution through small-diameter pipes inserted into it and extra solution getting recirculated through small pipes. In this system, the vine crops grow perfectly as it very well supports the plant through the growing medium and uses very little nutrient solution.

Pros: inexpensive and easily scaled up; allows greater control of nutrients and pH.

Cons: more usage of growing medium; more space-taking if compared to other techniques.

Suitable for: best for vining crops like tomatoes, bell peppers, cucumbers, zucchini, etc.

Ebb & Flow Hydroponics :

The Ebb & Flow hydroponics system is one of the most widely recognized systems in hydroponics, and it uses plants, net pots, water pumps, air stones, and nutrient medium. In this system, the growing tray is slowly flooded with nutrient solution with a timer. When the nutrient solution reaches the desired level, it drains out from the outlet (overflow tube) and is recirculated to the reservoir to give space for oxygen. This process is repeated, making the growing medium moist. The roots are dipped in the nutrient solution up to the desired level, keeping them healthy and oxygenated.

Pros: inexpensive, quick, and easy to setup; steady supply of nutrients; overflowing tubes

Cons: pH may become unbalanced; unstable performance built with inexpensive parts

Suitable for: lettuce, strawberries, spinach, and cucumber

Aeroponics :

Aeroponics is the newest yet most reliable technique in hydroponics, and in this, the plants are placed in net pots, suspended in the air, and irrigated with nutrient medium through mist. It differs from other techniques in this respect only in that there is no submerging; rather, a dense mist is crated using a nozzle in the system. It has various advantages, like less use of water, and the nutrient-rich mist is delivered directly to the root, making the plants healthy and giving more absorption. Recent advancements in this technique have led to the formation of vertical towers that take up very little area and give more output compared to any other technique. They require a vertical tower, plants, net pots, water pumps, foggers, etc.

Pros: greater yield with fewer resources; proper nutrient absorption

Cons: Proper expertise is required; it can support only leafy plants.

Suitable for: Italian basil, celery, chives, thyme, etc.