Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
is dependent on how well all its components work. A blockage in the pump can ruin your
entire crop. Pots are best with this system because they require a smaller amount of grow-
ing medium.
The Ebb and Flow system is effective for pots of different sizes, but generally a three gallon
net pot is recommended.
Top Feed
Also called continuous flow, top feed hydroponic systems refer to those mechanisms within
which the nutrient solution is continuously pumped over the root system of the plant.
The plants are placed in a tray (with one end lower than the other to allow the water to
flow) and a pump is used to deliver a steady stream of the nutrient solution to the top of the
pot, the nutrient solution will then flow down into the tray and back to the reservoir.
Continuous flow mechanisms allow for the use of large and remote reservoir tanks that can
be used to pump the nutrient solution to a multitude of plants at once. Larger reservoir tanks
make it that much easier to compensate for problems arising from sudden changes in the
temperature, EC and pH levels.
This hydroponic system allows for explosive growth because the plants are provided easy
and constant access to nutrients; however, there is no room for maneuvering in the case of
problems. A power outage overnight can kill your entire crop. Factors like size, modularity
and noise must be considered when purchasing this system.
Deep Water Reservoir
This system was designed with simplicity in mind and involves suspending the roots of the
plant in an oxygenated nutrient solution.
A container is filled with two inches of the nutrient solution and the plant tray is then made
to sit in this container; the system makes use of an aquarium air pump to prevent the roots
from drowning. Often the plant trays are filled with holes to allow the roots to grow out,
though they must be protected from sun light which might attract algae (which competes
for nutrients with the roots).
When purchasing this hydroponic system, the power of the air pump must be considered
along with the noise it will produce and the size of the pots or buckets you intend to use.
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