BASIC HYDROPONIC SYSTEMS AND HOW THEY WORK (Link)

[I.M. Boggled]

Basic Concepts of Hydroponics...
There are 6 basic types of hydroponic systems; Wick, Water Culture, Ebb and Flow (Flood & Drain), Drip (recovery or non-recovery), N.F.T. (Nutrient Film Technique) and Aeroponic.

There are hundreds of variations on these basic types of systems, but all hydroponic methods are a variation (or combination) of these six.

http://www.simplyhydro.com/system.htm

http://www.ext.vt.edu/pubs/envirohort/426-084/426-084.html

Link to Various hydroponic information Links

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hydroponic

 

[Guest]

Hydro Methods

Hydro Methods

Ebb and flow- Simple, reliable and the most common way to grow plants hydroponically. A nutrient reservoir periodically fills the grow tray to hydrate the soilless grow substrate, providing nourishment to the plants.

Aeroponics- Plant roots are suspended in air within a grow tray while roots are misted by a high-pressure pump providing a super oxygenated environment to the root system, thus achieving accelerated growth rates. Plants also excel by being propagated this way. This is a great feed method for rapid growth rates and for the inspection of bare plant roots.

Top Feed Drip- Emits nutrient solution through drip lines during periodic intervals. The grow substrate generally will hold more air space than an ebb and flow system and is also more desirable because of its smaller reservoir.

Nutrient Film Technique (N.F.T.)- An oxygen rich nutrient solution runs along the bottom of a grow channel forming a thin nutrient film solution allowing long roots to feed and upper roots to breathe oxygen. This method is popular with lettuce gardens.

Deep Flow- Roots are growing in a constant deep flow of super oxygenated nutrient solution. This is a great system for cooler environments and for growing lettuce and gardens on a floating raft board.

Passive Container Garden- This method is ideal for gardeners to grow lush healthy plants without having to water very frequently. A soilless grow substrate is used to allow the substrate to sit in the nutrient solution without getting water logged like conventional potting soil.

The system the gardener chooses to grow with will ultimately depend on their particular gardening needs and requirements.

http://www.americanagritech.com/product/product_category.asp?id=3

 

[I.M. Boggled]

Hydroponic terms Dictionary (FYI)(Link)

Hydroponic terms Dictionary (FYI)(Link)

Sometimes the most exhaustive part of learning anything new is being bombarded by unfamiliar words and terminology.
This unfamiliarity can sometimes dissuade a person from giving his or her best effort, or applying themselves at all.
Reading about hydroponics can seem incredibly daunting to any new indoor gardener, as the terminology involved is quite vast.
Assembled here is a list of many of the most commonly used terms in the industry, and their definitions.

http://icmag.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=5339

 

[Californian]

AeroFlo 2

AeroFlo 2

I posted this before, but here is a decent photo of how the AeroFlo 2 aeroponic system works. Basically a tube is suspended in the upper corner of the plant chamber. Holes poked in this tube spray water down into the plant chamber, causing a mist. The level of water in the plant chamber is adjustable so it can be lowered as the plants produce more roots.

No moving parts which often clog and require constant vigilance.