There are different methods that can be applied in hydroponics which is gardening without the use of soil. The challenge in each technique is to suspend the plant in place while subjecting the roots to a constant supply of water-nutrient formula. This can be carried out in several ways, some more efficient than others. Hydroponic systems have four categories the active which uses a pump, the passive, the recovery which requires recirculation of the solution, and the non-recovery. Also, most systems will use some type of grow tray to hold the plants, and a tank which holds the solution. With these items in mind, here are some of the most popular hydroponic systems.
Ebb and Flow
In this active recovery method, plants in the grow tray are usually anchored by some sort of carrier (ideally one that retains water, like rockwool). A water pump on a timer regularly floods the grow tray with nutrient solution from the reservoir, then turns off and allows the solution to drain back through tubes into the reservoir to be recycled. Also known (for obvious reasons) as flood-and-drain, this system is a popular choice for newbies.
The Drip System
This system is more or less the same with ebb and flow but instead of surging the grow tray this method uses a pump that pushes the nutrient solution around the network of tubes that drips the solution straight on the plant roots. This hydroponic systems can be both recovery or non-recovery, depending on whether you strain the solution back into the reservoir. The non-recovery variation is more low-maintenance because you don’t have to keep track of the pH of the reservoir nearly as much.
The Wick System
This program is an case in point of a passive non-recovery hydroponic system in which the solution gets to the roots through a wick. There is no need for a pump and for water circulation thus making this system simple and cost-efficient. Nonetheless, the yield may not be as impressive because controlling the water flow is a challenge which means that the roots are getting too much or too little formula.
Nutrient Film Technique
Also called NFT for short, this is an active recovery method in which the plant roots are dangled in a continual flow (or film) of solution. The “grow tray” is generally a tube, where the plants are dangling on top and the roots are exposed below. The pump sends the formula into one end of the pipe, and it drains out the other end back into the tank. This method may be efficient but it can be complex and high-maintenance as well.
There are other kinds and variations of systems as well, but these are the most typical hydroponic systems. Which hydroponic systems you select will rely mainly on your skill level and funds.