Various Types of Hydroponics Systems

Hydroponics is a technique of growing plants with nutrients and water but without soil. When irrigation is done, water is given to the root system of a plant or the roots are directly hanged in the nutrient-enriched solution. Today, the field of hydroponics has enclosed numerous opportunities for plant growers who do not have access to fertile soil. An extensive development has taken place in the methods of growing plants, using hydroponics. Variable environment conditions and availability of the resources lead to the rise of various hydroponics systems.

q       Wick System – The simplest and easy to use hydroponics systems in which the nutrient solution is taken from the tank to the growing medium through a wick. Pro-Mix, Coconut Fibers, Perlite are some of the mediums that provide base to mix hydroponics fertilizers.

q       Water Culture – In this hydroponics system, the plants are supported with a platform which is made of Styrofoam. This platform allows plants to float on the nutrient solution with an air pump attached to it. The air pump gives air to the air stone, which changes the nutrient solution into bubbles. These bubbles supply essential oxygen to the roots of plants. 

q       Flood and Drain – This hydroponics system works on the principle of water cycle. The tray or the object, in which plants are grown, is flooded with nutrient solution by pump attached to the nutrient storage tank and then drains the solution back to the reservoir. There is a timer attached to the pump and it is set, depending upon the size of plant, external conditions, humidity, temperature and the kind of medium used.

q       Drip System – This is a widely used and the most economical hydroponics system. In comparison to the flood and drain hydroponics system, the nutrient solution is poured in the form of drop, hence it prevents the loss of excess nutrient solution. The pump activates with command of the pump attached to it. The excess of nutrient solutions accumulates back in the reservoir for reuse.

q       Nutrient Film Technique – No growing medium is required in this hydroponics system. The tray used for growing plants is in the form of tube and it has a connection with a reservoir. The pump constantly sends nutrient solution in the tray which again comes back in the reservoir. There is no need of a timer in this system as pump does the job.

q       Aeroponic – It is the most advanced hydroponics system. Like in the Nutrients Film Technique the roots of plants have no other medium except air. Similarly, with the Aeroponic, roots of plants grow in the medium of air but they are misted with the nutrient solution. The pump mist roots after asset period of time so that the air does not dry them. In case the cycle of misting gets disturb, plants are in the danger of dying.