Changes

The simplest hydroponic systems do not recycle the nutrient solution, but instead allow it to run off.  These are not very efficient, but are suitable for domestic gardening.  The nutrient solution can act as a true "complete fertiliser" when allowed to run to a lawn or garden.

The simplest hydroponic systems do not recycle the nutrient solution, but instead allow it to run off.  These are not very efficient, but are suitable for domestic gardening.  The nutrient solution can act as a true "complete fertiliser" when allowed to run to a lawn or garden.

Commercial systems recycle the nutrient solution to maximise efficient use of water and nutirent.  The three most common systems used in commercial growing are Nutrient Film Technique (usually simply called NFT), "flood and drain", and drip feed. NFT involves running a constant stream of nutrient solution over the plant roots in a thin film.  The flow rates are fairly high, and oxygenation of the roots is favourable, but this solution is very sensitive to system failure.  A pump stoppage of a few minutes could result in the roots drying out and the plants dying.  Flood and drain, sometimes called table drain, systems alternatively flood the medium with nutrient solution and allow the solution to drain away.  As long as the time between drainning and re-flooding is managed, the plants roots will not dry out.  If a pump fails, the drain can be plugged while repairs are underway.  Drip feed, as the name suggests involves the dripping of the nutrient solution directly onto the plant roots. <ref>Hydroponics for Everyone, Dr. Struan K. Sutherland</ref>

Commercial systems recycle the nutrient solution to maximise efficient use of water and nutirent.  The three most common systems used in commercial growing are Nutrient Film Technique (usually simply called NFT), "flood and drain", and drip feed. NFT involves running a constant stream of nutrient solution over the plant roots in a thin film.  The flow rates are fairly high, and oxygenation of the roots is favourable, but this solution is very sensitive to system failure.  A pump stoppage of a few minutes could result in the roots drying out and the plants dying.  Flood and drain, sometimes called table drain, systems alternatively flood the medium with nutrient solution and allow the solution to drain away.  As long as the time between drainning and re-flooding is managed, the plants roots will not dry out.  If a pump fails, the drain can be plugged while repairs are underway.  Drip feed, as the name suggests involves the dripping of the nutrient solution directly onto the plant roots.<ref>Hydroponics for Everyone, Dr. Struan K. Sutherland</ref>

Hydroponics covers an extremely wide technological range.  Some commercial growers use the most advanced computer controlled environments micro-managing the entire environment of the plants, including the water, nutrient, atmospheric gases, temperature, winds, light levels and spectra.  In contrast, aid organisations sometimes provide disaster survivors in under developed locations with “self sufficiency” systems consisting of a flood & drain table with coir medium, seeds or seedlings, and a bucket for liquid manure. <ref>Practical Hydroponics and Greenhouses</ref>

Hydroponics covers an extremely wide technological range.  Some commercial growers use the most advanced computer controlled environments micro-managing the entire environment of the plants, including the water, nutrient, atmospheric gases, temperature, winds, light levels and spectra.  In contrast, aid organisations sometimes provide disaster survivors in under developed locations with “self sufficiency” systems consisting of a flood & drain table with coir medium, seeds or seedlings, and a bucket for liquid manure.<ref>Practical Hydroponics and Greenhouses</ref>

==See Also==

==See also==

* [[Nitrogen cycle]]

* [[Nitrogen cycle]]

* [[Nitrification bacteria]] convert [[Ammonia]] into [[Nitrate]]s

* [[Nitrification bacteria]] convert [[Ammonia]] into [[Nitrate]]s

* [[Medical marijuana]]

* [[Medical marijuana]]

==External Links==

==External links==

* [https://duckduckgo.com/?q=Hydroponics Search for Hydroponics on [[Duck Duck Go]] [[Privacy]] search engine]

* [https://duckduckgo.com/?q=Hydroponics Search for Hydroponics on [[Duck Duck Go]] [[Privacy]] search engine]

* [http://www.backyardaquaponics.com Backyard Hydroponics]

* [http://www.backyardaquaponics.com Backyard Hydroponics]

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[[Category : Permaculture]]

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[[Category : Aquaponics]]

[[Category:Aquaponics]]

[[Category : Hydroponics]]

[[Category:Hydroponics]]

[[Category : Aquaculture]]

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[[Category : Survivalism]]

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[[Category : Hobbies]]

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[[Category : Self-Sufficient Living]]

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