In the previous article on DWC Hydroponics you have learnt about what hydroponics is and DWC hydroponics in detail. Let us continue to know about another popular hydroponic technology - NFT Hydroponics.
1. What is a NFT System?
1. What is a NFT System?
Simply put, in NFT hydroponics a thin film of water rich in nutrients is re-circulated in pipes (generally called channels) which are absorbed by plant roots to grow.
The nutrient solution circulated in these channels contains three main elements, namely-
- Oxygen
- Water
- Nutrients {Mainly NPK (Nitrogen, Phosphorous, Potassium), Micronutrients (Manganese, Zinc, Copper, Chloride, Boron, Iron), Mesa nutrients (Calcium, Sulphur, Magnesium)}
Components of a NFT
Hydroponics System
Components of a NFT
NFT Channels, End caps
Plants
Water reservoir (Tank)
Water pump
Net pots
Air pumps
Air stone
Hose
pH control kit
2. How does a NFT system work?
2. How does a NFT system work?
- A certain number of plants are placed in a channel with the help of net pots, grow media such that roots can touch the water that flows in these channels.
- The water reservoir (tank) filled with the nutrient solution is re-circulated into these channels with the help of a water pump.
- Plant roots absorb the required nutrients from the flowing water, which is sufficiently provided, throughout the process.
- An air pump is used for availing oxygen to the roots and this air pump is the most important appliance in the whole system of hydroponics.
3. How to assemble a NFT System?
3. How to assemble a NFT System?
- Start with preparing the nutrient solution, once ready check the pH, remember the favorable pH shall be between 5.5 to 6.5
- Install NFT pipes, outlet and inlet plumbing connections.
- Connect the water pump to reservoir for pumping water into the NFT channels.
- Place the plants in the net pots and fix the net pots in the grow spaces on the NFT channels.
- From the water reservoir connect the hose and towards the end of it attach the air stone, which would enable producing tiny bubbles.
- After putting up all the above-mentioned apparatus together you can put the system under the light.
4. What are the benefits of a NFT System?
4. What are the benefits of a NFT System?
- Increases availability of oxygen to plant roots.
- Very slight amount of maintenance after setting up for once.
- Adequate nutrient absorption from the solution, improves cell growth rate.
- The time required for plant growth is relatively low.
- Easy to clean and maintain.
- Can be easily scalable.
Confused about where to get a full-fledged NFT kit from?
Confused about where to get a full-fledged NFT kit from?
Try City Greens NFT Hydroponic Kits
City Greens has come up with an easy to assemble and maintain NFT hydroponics kits perfect for beginners or advanced growers. These kits are available both for outdoors & indoors ranging from 24 - 120 planters.
The kit comes with:
- NFT Channels
- Stand
- Plumbing connections
- Hydroponics nutrients
- Air pump
- Submersible pump
- Digital Electronic Timer
- Grow Lights (Full Spectrum/PAR Spectrum)
- Net pots
- Fly Ash Hydrotons
- Coir Coins
- Variety of seeds
How is it different from other Kits?
How is it different from other Kits?
- City Greens NFT kit allows you to open the lid and access the root zone, anytime during the plant life cycle. It also comes with a dual opening mechanism and lift-open mechanism, with this mechanism you can simply lift up the lid and access the root zone even when the plants are still growing.
- The spout of the end cap is designed in such a way that it always hold some level of water allowing you to run the water pump for only few times in a day and time for correcting any pump breakdown.
- The digital timer runs the pump for less than an hour in a day saving electricity cost.
- Allows you to open the NFT channel or pipes, check the water level and clean the system from time to time.
- All the required apparatus is available in one box and at a very affordable cost.
- Perfect for small-scale production or an experiment.
To buy your NFT hydroponics kit visit City Greens Shop