| There are lots of different varieties of | | | | extremely simple and automatic, so it requires |
| hydroponics systems on the market. The one | | | | little attention from you. |
| you choose will affect how much time and money | | | | Continuous drip systems use a tray placed under |
| you spend maintaining your garden, what | | | | the plants to catch nutrient solution, which is |
| hydroponics nutrients you decide to purchase, and | | | | dripped down through the plants roots. If you set |
| what you can grow. The two major varieties of | | | | up a flow system from the tray to a reservoir, it |
| system are passive and active. Passive systems | | | | is easy to set the system up for recovery. Just |
| pass nutrients through the growing medium, while | | | | adjust the drip emitter to make sure your plants |
| active systems use a pump to deliver nutrients. | | | | are getting the right amount of nutrients. |
| Active systems are more expensive and require | | | | Ebb and flow hydroponics systems are extremely |
| more maintenance than passive hydroponics | | | | popular, and are an active type of system that |
| systems, but they also produce better growth. | | | | recovers and recycles hydroponic nutrients. This |
| Here is a look at some of the subtypes. | | | | method grows the plants in a reservoir full of |
| Water culture hydroponics systems are among | | | | nutrient solution, and uses a pump to deliver |
| the oldest out there. They place a nutrient | | | | nutrients to the plants. Once the solution reaches |
| system in the reservoir, and float a platform | | | | a certain level, the solution is drained away, so |
| containing the plants above it. The roots are | | | | that the roots can absorb oxygen. |
| flooded with the nutrient solution automatically. | | | | Tube systems place the plants in grow tubes, |
| However, this type of system needs a lot of | | | | located at exactly the right level. A submersible |
| water to work properly. | | | | pump cycles nutrient solution over the roots and |
| Wick systems are a type of passive system that | | | | back into the reservoir. Air stones provide |
| does not recycle nutrient solution. A wick is used | | | | oxygen to the plants. This is an extremely |
| to transfer nutrients from the reservoir area and | | | | successful type of hydroponics system, but it is |
| into a tray containing the plants. This method is | | | | hard to make. |