Hydroponics

What is 
hydroponics?


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Hydroponic Complete Systems and Parts.  We have it all, propagation aids, fertilizer (organic & natural) , insect/odor control (organic & natural), fans, water pumps, lights, heaters, CO2/pH, controllers, monitors, testers, rockwool, pots, books, and gifts.

Basic hydroponics is simply pouring nutrient solutions over the roots of your plants. (However, make sure your root system is not exposed to continuous direct light.) To make your own simple hydroponic system all you really need is thee things, a support system for your roots, a method of supplying nutrient and aeration to your plants, and Hydroponic Fertilizers. You will need a waterproof container filled with a growing medium and your plants and a waterproof container to hold your nutrient solution.  At any time you can add automation features to your system.

Hydroponic Systems & Flood Trays Description

Hydroponic systems and flood trays allow you to control the flow of nutrients, oxygen, and water to your plants. Including hydroponic and aeroponic systems, ebb and flow systems, flood trays, and reservoirs.

• Hydroponic systems include reservoirs, growing mediums, etc. that promote the circulation of nutrients, ensuring that nutrients, water, and oxygen reach your plant.

• A reservoir is ideal for storing water and nutrient solutions for hydroponic gardens.

• A hydroponic flood tray is usually designed to ensure maximum drainage. Ensure that the flood tray you buy is sufficiently strong.

• Aeroponic systems maximize the amount of oxygen to your plants, which increases the uptake of nutrients and water, resulting in better, disease-free growth.

NFT Hydroponic Systems Description

NFT Nutrient Film Technique, invented by Dr. Allen Cooper in England in 1970, is the most resource/labor efficient growing system ever developed. No medium is required and all the water and nutrients are re-circulated. It is an resource efficient method of growing plants that provides a highly oxygenated, slowly moving film /stream of nutrients to the roots. Plants are held in a growing tray or chamber suspended over a reservoir that holds a submersible pump and nutrients. The pump ensures that the root ends are constantly moistened by a nutrient film. The nutrient film is shallow enough for most of the root mass to have direct access to oxygen from the surrounding air.

The principle of the NFT system is to provide a thin film of nutrient solution that flows through either black or white-on-black polyethylene film liners supported on wooden channels (frequently used with tomatoes and cucumbers) or some form of PVC piping (lettuce production) which contain the plant roots. The walls of the polyethylene film liners are flexible, permitting them to be drawn together around the base of each plant, which excludes light and prevents evaporation.

Ebb & Flow Hydroponic Systems Description

The Ebb and Flow Hydroponics System is an active recovery system based on a flood and drain mechanism. The Ebb and Flow system consists of a reservoir that holds the nutrient solution and a pump that is timer controlled. Once the pump is turned on, the nutrient solution stored in the reservoir is delivered to the roots of the plants through a fill/drain fitting. The amount of solution that goes into the tray is controlled by a separate overflow fitting. Once the water has reached a set level, the pump turns off, the nutrient solution flows back down the fill/drain fitting. As the nutrient solution drains back into the reservoir, oxygen rich air is pulled into the growing medium allowing roots to maximize their nutrient intake. Rockwool and grow rocks are most commonly used growing mediums in Ebb and Flow systems. The Ebb and Flow is a low maintenance and effective hydroponics system that makes it ideal for home and small commercial applications. It is great for growing tomatoes, lettuce, herbs and flowers.

Make your own Simple EBB & FLOW SYSTEM
(Flood and Drain)

This system uses two 5 gallon buckets (or equivalent), one filled with growing medium and the other holds the nutrient solution. The plants are watered by lifting the bucket containing the nutrient solution, this allows the nutrient solution flows into the bucket containing the growing medium and Plant(s). To drain, simply lower the nutrient bucket and gravity drains the nutrient solution back into the reservoir (see drawing on left).