Proportioner systems Open hydroponic systems lend themselves to two different automation systems i.e. proportioner and injector systems. First let look at what a proportioner does. A proportioner can either be electrical or mechanical device that adds liquid, coming from a tank or other source, into a main line in specific ratio’s. For instance, the ratio [...]
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 your irrigation system starts popping. The irrigation pipes ensure that water is supplied to the plants. The most common used pipes are the LDPE types. They range between 1 and [...]
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 involved in selecting the right hydroponic pump and the requirements for pumps used in hydroponic conditions. It must be emphasized that the pumps used in hydroponic systems have different requirements [...]
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 in the figure below can also be as effective. However, floating particles in the water will not be removed with this method. The water in the ‘inline sump’ must not [...]
A basic layout of a dripper irrigation system is provided using bags. Note the position of the filters in relation to the pump and water supply. Solenoid valves can be installed but the position will depend on the size of the block or number of plants that need to be irrigated at a time. The [...]
There are two basic types of dripper systems used in bag culture; 1 mm spaghetti pipes and 8 mm pressure regulated dripper (also called a PC dripper) which is much more expensive. There are advantages and disadvantages of both these types. The 1 mm spaghetti pipe is very cheap and easy to install. If blockages [...]
Root temperature does play an essential part in plant growth. It influences plant dry-mass, uptake of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium. Root zone temperatures between 18–22°C lose less nitrate and phosphate through emissionsMiguel Urrestarazu, María del Carmen Salas, Diego Valera, Adrián Gómez & Pilar Carolina Mazuela (2008) Effects of Heating Nutrient Solution on Water and Mineral [...]
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 6.8 Increase or decrease the pH if necessary with either an acid or base Start stirring the water in the tank. The water in the tank can also be agitated [...]
Bag culture systems requires the use of large tanks to store the nutrient mixture. The tanks are important because: The nutrients are mixed and stored in the tanksThe exact amount of nutrients can be added to a specific volume of water since the size of the tank is known.The exact amount of water can be [...]
