Is your closed hydroponic farm correctly designed for stock solutions
Most automated systems installed in closed hydroponic systems use injectors rather than proportioners. A simplified diagram of where to install such a system is provided...
Category Archives: Closed systems
Closed hydroponic systems allow the grower to re-circulate the nutrient effluent. It is the way of the future, to protect the environment and save cost on fertilizers. These are huge benefits but the system design can put a lot of pressure on water born diseases.
Mechanical filtration of nutrient solution in NFT hydroponic systems
Mechanical filtration is not an effective tool to prevent water borne diseases in NFT hydroponic nutrient solutions. It has been found that the total organic...
Flow rate in gravel NFT hydroponic systems – crucial for optimal system performance
The correct flow rate of closed hydroponic systems is critical for optimal growth of plants. The flow rates are important for all types of closed...
Serious diseases found in NFT hydroponic systems
The pythium fungus is one of the serious diseases that growers can encounter in hydroponic systems. The disease can be kept at bay if the...
Differential nutrient removal from hydroponic nutrient solutions
Nutrient removal is quite often neglected in closed hydroponic systems since it is difficult to measure and control. The reason is that not all nutrients are...
Refilling nutrient solutions and refilling frequency
Refilling nutrient solutions are only required when a closed (NFT) system is used. With open hydroponic systems the nutrient solution is not re-used so no refill solution is...
What is the difference between LDPE and HDPE Irrigation pipes
LDPE HDPE Difference is crucial when designing a good system. You can either save a lot of money initially and waste a lot later when...
Which hydroponic irrigation pumps should be used
Hydroponic pumps are at the heart of your irrigation system. Many people tend to neglect this area just because they do not understand what is...
Cheap inline sediment filter that works
Installing a sump on small closed hydroponic systems is also easy. The same basic concrete sump can be build but a simple ‘T-piece’ as described...
Simple method to keep hydroponic NFT nutrient tanks clean
The irrigation water of hydroponic systems must be filtered to keep foreign objects out of the system. Open systems are relatively easy to filter since...
What is the optimum gravel depth for hydroponic channels
The correct gravel depth is important for the development of the roots system. Too shallow gravel will not only restrict root development and volume, but...
How to mix fertilizers in a nutrient tank
The following procedure should be followed when mixing fertilizers in nutrient tanks: Fill the tank with water Check if the pH is between 5.5 and...
Small nutrient tanks vs. large nutrient tanks
The basis on which to choose a small nutrient tank or large nutrient tank will be: The relative volume circulating at any given time in...
Position of hydroponic nutrient tanks and catch-up tanks
Hydroponic nutrient tanks can be made from any type of material as long as it does not react or cause a reaction with the nutrient...
The secret of successful plastic gullies in closed hydroponic systems
Plastic gullies (or also called hydro-liners) are made from thick durable plastic with a thickness between 125 micron and 500 micron. The recommended thickness to...
