Commercial Hydroponic Systems

When you are researching the most effective hydroponics system for your company, you might not realize that depending on the system you want you will need different hydroponic supplies. Our concentration in water purifying systems has led us to be experts in piping and design of water systems that are needed for a hydroponic watering system. From standard filtration to complete removal of contaminants, our professionals know how important water systems are to the creation of a great hydroponics system. Our commercial service machines use water pressure to supply water, oxygen and nutrient solution for your plants.

Types of Commercial Hydroponics Systems

To start your own hydroponics for your business you will need to first establish what type of hydroponic system you would like to use. Although there are limitless options when it comes to selecting how you want the water to be distributed (e.g. commercial vertical hydroponic systems) there are 7 basic hydroponics systems that constitute all the possibilities of the entire commercial hydroponic watering system.

1. Wick System

The Wick system has plants placed in a growing medium and supplied water and nutrient solution through a wick. A growing medium is meant to replace soil as the way plants are fed nutrients and how their roots are kept intact and moist. Commonly used growing mediums include: Perlite, Vermiculite, Pro-Mix and Coconut Fiber. The Wick System is seen as a passive system since there is no water flowing (except in the water reservoir where the wick is fed from) and the plant receives nutrients through a growing medium and not directly. This is the closest hydroponic system to traditional gardening in your backyard since you are reliant on the growing medium supplying the plant with nutrients as opposed to relying on the water system to provide nutrients.

Wick System Cons:

• Large Water Usage. A large reservoir of water is kept below the growing medium in a separate container. This system uses a lot of water since the wick is constantly feeding the growing medium water.
• Nutrient Solution may be used faster than supplied. Since the nutrients needed for the plant to grow are only added to the growing medium, not all the nutrients supplied are delivered to the plant.

2. Water Culture System

Plants float directly on a container that is directly on top of the nutrient solution. Normally this container holds the plant in a way that the leaves are exposed to the air and the roots are submerged below in a nutrient solution. An air pump is then used to supply oxygen to the roots of the plant through the nutrient solution. Ideal for Lettuce Cultivation.

Water Culture System Con:

• This hydroponic system is ideal for hydrophilic plants like lettuce. Very few other plants require as much water as this system supplies and will work well for large or long-term plants.

3. Ebb and Flow (Flood & Drain)

This hydroponic system temporarily floods the grow tray you have your plants in with a nutrient solution. Then a timer is set to drain back all the nutrient solution back into a reservoir. Timer controls when grow tray is pumped and when it drains.

Ebb and Flow (Flood & Drain) Cons:

• Your roots can dry out quickly when no growing medium is used
• Plants are susceptible to power outages
• Plants are susceptible to pump failures
• Plants are susceptible to timer failures

4. & 5. Drip System (4. Recovery System/ 5. Non-Recovery System):

The Drip System is the most commonly used hydroponics system. A timer controls a submerged pump that drips a nutrient solution directly above the plant through a small drip line. There are two types of drip systems, recovery and non-recovery drip systems. The addition of the recovery system will help collect the excess nutrient solution. The solution would then be fed back into a reservoir to be used again to directly drip on the plants again.

Drip System Cons:

• Recovery System Con: With the recycling of the nutrient solution back into the reservoir your nutrient solution has more difficulty maintaining the right pH balance. Constant upkeep and maintenance of the right chemical pH balance for your nutrient solution is key to keeping your nutrient solution effective.
• Non-Recovery System Con: Heavily reliant on timer. Plants are susceptible to any power outages or pump failures that could potentially occur. Little need to check and maintain pH balance and nutrient solution levels.

6. N.F.T: (Nutrient Film Technique)

In this system, a constant flow of nutrient solution is supplied to the roots directly on a thin film. The plants themselves hang in a small plastic basket with the roots poking through onto a thin film. No growing medium is used, since the roots are fed the nutrients directly. This is an optimal hydroponic system if you do not plan on using any growing medium. Timers are not needed, since an air pump and the nutrient solution is constantly flowing.

N.F.T Con:

• Plants are susceptible to any power outages or pump failures, so keeping proper maintenance of equipment is vital. The roots of the plant will dry out quickly if the nutrient solution is halted for an elongated period due to equipment failure.

7. Aeroponic:

An Aeroponic system will use mist to feed the roots of the plant. Plants are lined up and placed on a plastic container that is concealed except for the roots. The roots are fed through a nutrient solution mist that sprays the roots of the plant while leaving the leaves dry. A timer controls how often the roots of the plant are sprayed. Short time cycles every couple of minutes allows the kind of nutrients the plant normally needs.

Aeroponic System Con:

• The plant is susceptible to any malfunctions from the timer. The roots will dry out rapidly if misting is not timely since roots are exposed directly to the air.

Hydroponic Supplies or Commercial Hydroponic Systems and Supplies

Now that you know the kinds of hydroponic systems you can create, we can help make the ideal commercial hydroponic system. To develop most of the hydroponic systems we have mentioned you will need a circulation pump to feed the plants nutrients and/or an aeration pump to feed the plants oxygen if the roots are placed in water. Ask us about how we can provide you hydroponic supplies for your business. We will be able to supply the feeder tubes, punch, valves, filters and hardware you need for any kind of nutrient delivery system for your commercial hydroponic system. As a provider of commercial hydroponic systems and supplies, we will be able to create schematics for any growing channels, nutrient reservoir, sprinkler or drip system you want to create. Let the water treatment experts provide you hydroponic supplies.

Michigan Hydroponic System & Michigan Hydroponic Supplies

If you are in need of a hydroponic watering system then get water solutions from the piping and water systems experts. When you need a Michigan hydroponics system designed for your Midwest business contact us. We have designed water systems to match our customers’ specifications and leave room for operations inside their facilities. If you are looking for a way to provide a fresh fed supply of nutrient solution and water to your plants, trust the company that can set up a Michigan hydroponic system or Midwest hydroponic system and supply you with any hydroponic supplies you need. Contact Ken Morgan for any inquiries at (269) 964-0257.