| There are various types of hydroponic systems | | | | 3. Ebb & Flow Systems - The ebb and flow |
| available. These systems can either be passive or | | | | system has become a very popular method of |
| active in nature. In passive systems, nutrients are | | | | hydroponic gardening. This is an active recovery |
| passed through the growing medium. With active | | | | system. This method is often referred to as the |
| systems, a pump is used to get the nutrients to | | | | flood and drain system. Plants are grown in the |
| the plants. You will usually see better growth with | | | | reservoir which contains a nutrient solution. A |
| an active system, since active systems provide | | | | pump is used to get the nutrients to the plants. |
| more oxygen to the plants. | | | | When the solution gets to a predetermined level, |
| These systems can either be based on either | | | | it then is drained away allowing oxygen to be |
| recovery or non-recovery methods for dealing | | | | absorbed through the roots. |
| with the nutrients. The no recovery method does | | | | 4. Active Recovery System - The nutrient film |
| not recycle the nutrient solution. The recovery | | | | technique is also an active recovery hydroponic |
| method on the other hand does recycle the | | | | system. This system has a submersible pump, |
| nutrients. | | | | with the roots of the plants hanging in grow |
| The various types of hydroponic systems are: | | | | tubes. These tubes need to be placed at the right |
| 1. Wick Hydroponics Systems - The wick | | | | level so that a nutrient solution can be recycled |
| hydroponic system, which works without the use | | | | over the plant roots. The solution then travels |
| of any moving parts. This is a passive, | | | | back into a reservoir. Oxygen is supplied to the |
| non-recovery system. A simple wick is used to | | | | plants through the use of air stones. Even though |
| transfer the nutrients out of a reservoir area and | | | | this type of system is very successful it can be |
| to the tray where the plants are. This is all done | | | | hard to construct. |
| automatically, so it is not a labor intensive method. | | | | 5. Continuous Drip Systems - The continuous drip |
| 2. Water Culture Systems - The water culture | | | | system is an active method which can be a either |
| system was the first of hydroponic systems | | | | recovery or no recovery system. A tray is |
| developed. The reservoir holds a nutrients solution. | | | | placed under your plants to catch the nutrient |
| On this reservoir, a platform is floated containing | | | | solution. The solution flows from the tray to a |
| planters. The roots of the plants that are in these | | | | reservoir if the system has been set up for |
| planters are flooded with the nutrient solution. The | | | | recovery. The gardener can adjust the drip |
| other parts of the plants are held in place by the | | | | emitter for each plant to make sure it gets |
| planter. Gardeners may want to take note that | | | | enough nutrients. |
| this system does require a lot of water. | | | | |