There are several other types of hydroponic systems for use with hydroponic vegetable gardening; Drip, NFT, and Aeroponic. There are several variations of each of these systems and they can be used in combination.
Drip systems are probably the most common hydroponic system in use today. They are fairly straightforward; a timer controls a submerged pump, the pump drips nutrient solution directly onto the base of the plants. If there is a recovery system of some kind, the excess solution is recaptured for later use, otherwise it runs off to a disposal drain.
A drip system with a recovery system allows for more efficient use of nutrient solution as it can be recaptured, and it allows for a bit of play in the precision of the watering pump. The downside of course, is that the pH of the nutrient reservoir needs to be monitored where as it remains fairly constant when there is no recycled nutrient solution introduced into the mix.
NFT systems use a constant flow of nutrient solution over the plant base. No timers are involved for the submerged pump. The solution is pumped into the growing tray and flows over the roots before draining back into the reservoir.
NFT systems use no growing medium aside from air. This cuts down on costs for the total system. The plants are suspended above the fluid with the roots dangling into the nutrient solution.
Aeroponic systems are beyond the scope of most home users. This system involves misting the roots of the plants with nutrient solution every few minutes. As with most of the other types of systems, a timer is involved in keeping things running smoothly.
Check back next time to learn more about hydroponic vegetable gardening.
Drip systems are probably the most common hydroponic system in use today. They are fairly straightforward; a timer controls a submerged pump, the pump drips nutrient solution directly onto the base of the plants. If there is a recovery system of some kind, the excess solution is recaptured for later use, otherwise it runs off to a disposal drain.
A drip system with a recovery system allows for more efficient use of nutrient solution as it can be recaptured, and it allows for a bit of play in the precision of the watering pump. The downside of course, is that the pH of the nutrient reservoir needs to be monitored where as it remains fairly constant when there is no recycled nutrient solution introduced into the mix.
NFT systems use a constant flow of nutrient solution over the plant base. No timers are involved for the submerged pump. The solution is pumped into the growing tray and flows over the roots before draining back into the reservoir.
NFT systems use no growing medium aside from air. This cuts down on costs for the total system. The plants are suspended above the fluid with the roots dangling into the nutrient solution.
Aeroponic systems are beyond the scope of most home users. This system involves misting the roots of the plants with nutrient solution every few minutes. As with most of the other types of systems, a timer is involved in keeping things running smoothly.
Check back next time to learn more about hydroponic vegetable gardening.
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