Types of Hydroponic Systems
There are various ways to manage a hydroponic growing environment. Here are five of the most popular hydroponic system types.
Nutrient Film Technique (NFT)
Nutrient film technique (NFT) hydroponic systems constantly flow water past the roots of the plants in the system. Think of NFT systems as the artificial version of a natural phenomenon you may have observed in the wild. If you’ve ever seen plants on the edge of a river bank where the soil beneath has eroded, and the plant roots dangle directly into the river, this is a very similar set-up.
Aeroponics
Aeroponic systems are a subset of hydroponics wherein the plants are grown with their roots dangling in the air. Misting systems below the plants then periodically spray a combination of water and nutrients directly onto the exposed roots.
For more information, we wrote a guide on the differences between Aeroponics and Hydroponics.
Deep Water Culture (DWC)
In deep water culture (DWC) systems, plants are grown suspended above a water reservoir with added nutrients. The plant’s roots are submerged in the water constantly. Growers use air pumps and air stones in the water to provide enough oxygen to the plants to prevent root rot.
Ebb and Flow (Flood and Drain)
In an ebb-and-flow system, the plants’ roots dangle above a tray or other container that is periodically flooded, then drained. This type of system is a favorite for DIY enthusiasts as it is one of the easiest to construct and maintain.
Drip Systems
Hydroponic drip systems are based on drip irrigation systems used in arid climates like the Israeli desert. In this growing method, a pump feeds water and nutrients into small emitters that drip the solution directly onto plant roots.
Efficiency and Yield
Because hydroponic systems are often housed indoors, they can produce crops year-round. Crops often grow faster in such systems due to the ready availability of nutrients in the water and ideal climate conditions.
Winner: Hydroponics
Space Requirements
Traditional farming methods take up a lot of space because the plants must all be grown at ground level. Most systems use vertical farming methods in hydroponic growing and stacking plants in trays or towers. This ability to use vertical space means growers can plant more crops in a smaller area.
Winner: Hydroponics
Water and Resource Usage
Perhaps surprisingly, most hydroponic systems use less water than traditional farms. This is because they can repeatedly recycle the same water through the system, with little or no water lost to the water table or evaporation. On the other hand, energy consumption is often significant in systems that rely entirely on grow lights to feed their plants.
Winner: Mixed
Sustainable Farming and Environmental Impact
In addition to using less water, hydroponic systems tend to be far more sustainable because they do not contribute to topsoil degradation and don’t need chemical fertilizers and pesticides to protect their crops.
Winner: Hydroponics
Climate-Proof
It’s widely understood that our climate is changing dramatically, significantly impacting traditional farming. Hydroponic farms, on the other hand, can grow crops in climates that are wholly unsuitable for outdoor growing. Cold-weather crops can be produced in the tropics, while warm-climate crops thrive in the tundra.
Winner: Hydroponics
Seasonally Agnostic
While traditional farms are at the mercy of nature, indoor hydroponic farms are season agnostic. Regardless of the temperature or weather conditions outside, growers can set the ideal conditions for their plants indoors.
Winner: Hydroponics
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Is hydroponics better than soil?
We must consider many factors here, but our hydroponic systems offer the following benefits:
1.98% less water usage than traditional farming
2.99% less land usage than traditional farming
3.Meet or exceed the strictest SQF Institute food safety standards
4.Climate and season-agnostic growing, year-round
Do hydroponic plants taste better?
There is a common misconception that hydroponic crops will taste watered down, but this simply isn't true in a properly-managed hydroponic system. Since these crops can be grown closer to consumers than traditional crops, they tend to be fresher and taste better.
How long does it take plants to grow using hydroponics?
While this depends greatly on the type and variety of crop being grown, most of our crops can be harvested within 30-45 days.
Do hydroponic plants need sunlight?
Sunlight is the best light source for growing plants of all sorts. But when properly designed and calibrated, artificial lighting systems can offer everything plants need to grow and thrive.
What are the 3 advantages of hydroponic farming?
While there are many benefits to hydroponics, here are just a few examples:
1.Hydroponic farms take up far less space and need no soil. They can be grown almost anywhere, including harsh climates and dense urban settings.
2.Hydroponic plants are protected from pests, weeds, most diseases, and contamination. This means more predictable yields and far less chance of food recalls.
3.Hydroponic farms that use sunlight as much as possible are far more environmentally responsible than most traditional commercial farming methods. They use less water, do not deplete topsoil, and don’t contaminate the environment with harmful chemicals like pesticides and herbicides.
