Active Hydroponic Systems use submersible water pumps to deliver fresh water/nutrient solution to the plants so the environment is refreshed by a solution that hasn’t been mined of nutrients and oxygen. Active hydroponic systems include deep water culture (DWC), ebb and flow (flood & drain), drip systems, and aeroponic systems.
Deep Water Culture (DWC) systems keep the roots bathed in an oxygenated water/nutrient solution. Mesh baskets filled with leca are usually used for this system. The baskets are suspended above the water level and the roots hang down into the oxygenated water. The roots have total access to water, nutrients and oxygen which are dissolved in the water. Large air pumps supply air through air stones in the reservoir keep the solution oxygenated.
Ebb and Flow systems use a reservoir to hold the water/nutrient solution and a tray to hold the plant containers, or rockwool cubes with the plants in them. Water/nutrient solution is periodically pumped into the tray, and then allowed to drain back into the reservoir. The planting medium holds enough moisture between watering’s to meet the needs of the plants. Oxygenate the reservoir with an air pump and air stone and maintain a temperature of between 68F-73F using a submersible water heater.
Drip Hydroponic Systems work by delivering water slowly to the planting medium or soil using an emitter or dripper stake. These are installed at the end of the 1/8″ irrigation tubing, which is connected to the 1/2″ hose coming from a submersible pump. The submersible pump delivers water from a reservoir, through the 1/2″ hose , then through the 1/8″ irrigation tube to the emitters or drip stakes, which are positioned above or in the planting medium. Every plant container or rockwool cube is serviced by its own emitter or dripper.
Aeroponic Systems spray an atomized mist of water/nutrient solution directly on the roots. The tiny droplets of fast moving water are well aerated so they constantly replenish the roots with oxygen. The water/nutrient spray also delivers nutrients in an absorbable form which encourages extremely fast growth. In both cloning machines and plant systems the plants are held in small baskets, usually filled with leca or rockwool. You must use a strong submersible pump in order to get a fine mist. Less powerful pumps result in a coarser spray. Aeroponic systems leave little room for error. If the pump quits or the misters malfunction the plants can go down in a matter of hours. This is why most aeroponic systems are only used in small reliable clone machines.
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