There are six main types of hydroponic systems: Kratky Method, Ebb & Flow (also known as flood and drain), NFT (Nutrient Film Technique), Deep Water Culture, Drip Systems and Aeroponic systems. No matter what kind of system you choose, the goal is the same: to provide an optimum environment in which plants will thrive, growing faster and healthier than you’ve ever seen before.

The Kratky Method

The Kratky Method is the simplest system for growing plants hydroponically.

This is because there are no pumps, bubblers, wicks, or timers required. A Kratky hydroponic system requires no electricity and very little effort and money to build.

Best of all, it’s a passive method—you just set it and forget it.

Ebb & Flow Systems

The plants are usually grown in pots with a growing medium. The pots sit in a plastic tray that sits above a reservoir filled with nutrient solution. Since the system relies on gravity to do the work, the growing tray must be higher than the reservoir. A pump in the reservoir is connected to the bottom of the tray. When the pump turns on, the tray fills with water, temporarily submerging roots. When the pump turns off, the water runs back down through the pump into the reservoir.

Nutrient Film Technique

Nutrient Film Technique, NFT, is mostly used in large commercial applications. A basic NFT setup involves a thin layer of nutrients flowing over the roots of the plants in the system. NFT is really only suitable for small, fast-growing plants like lettuce.

Nutrient Film Technique uses tubes or channels instead of flat trays for the grow tray. This makes it easier to set it at an angle and to make sure that the nutrient solution flows directly to the roots without wasting any of it

The nutrient solution flows in a thin film over the roots, ensuring that they are watered and fed but not completely soaked. The thin film ensures that the upper part of the roots will remain dry and have access to oxygen in the air.

Nutrient Film Technique works best if you choose plants that do not require a lot of support- lightweight, fast-growing plants that can be harvested quickly. If you want to grow plants such as tomatoes or squash, just make sure that you have proper support systems in place such as trellises. The roots are not suspended in a growing medium in this system, so they cannot handle supporting a lot of weight from a top-heavy plant.

Deep Water Culture

Deepwater culture systems are some of the least expensive and easiest systems to start up. They are usually made up of a bucket filled up 1/3 of the way with water and a net-pot-bucket-lid, filled with HydroCorn (Grow Rocks) that sits on top of the bucket allowing the roots to grow through the net pot and then into the water.

The water is continuously being bubbled with air from an air pump/air stone combination. The water solution is filled with nutrients and pH’d to the proper levels. Voila!

Drip Systems

Drip systems are the most widely used hydroponic systems in the world. They’re commonly used in commercial facilities for growing long-term crops like tomatoes and peppers. Similar to your backyard irrigation system, the nutrient solution is literally ‘dripped’ onto plant roots before being recycled through the system’s reservoir. These systems are great for budget-minded beginners.

Aeroponic Systems

Plant roots are suspended in the air and misted by high-pressure sprayers which break nutrients into small particles and saturate the roots. The roots are grown in a misty, humid environment, with minimal grow media. Due to the water’s constant circulation and the action of a high-pressure pump, the levels of oxygen in the water are kept high.