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Category: Tips & Guides

Best Plants For NFT System
We will be discussing what plants are best for the NFT system. The versatile Nutrient Film Technique (NFT) is a type of hydroponic system basically used to cultivate leafy greens or vegetables. It is a hydroponics or aquaponics technique that is especially suited for commercial purposes.
The nutrient film technique makes use of a thin film of hydroponic nutrient solution to run smoothly across the root of your plant. The thin flow of steady nutrient solution to the root of the plants’ channels is where the name of this technique was derived from. Read on to discover the best plants for the NFT system.
Best Plants Grown In NFT System
Nutrient film techniques are only fit for growing some particular types of plants. These types of plants include broccoli raab, certain herbs, spinach, salad or leafy greens, cruciferous vegetables.
Let’s take a look at these plants in details:
1. Certain Herbs: some certain herbs are ideal for the NFT system and they are the popular options grown in the NFT channel. An excellent type of herbs is basil because they are the simplest and popularly grown. Their root system is not large and they grow pretty fast. Other types of herbs suitable to grow in NFT include cilantro, parsley, Thai, lemon, Genovese, and so on.
2. Salad or Leafy Greens: they include various types of spinach, lettuce, and arugula.
3. Brassicaceae Family: also known as cruciferous vegetables include mustard greens and kale. However, the nutrient film technique is not ideal for the types that form heads like broccoli and cabbage because of the space limit. They grow big and have massive roots and their maturity period is lengthened thus, making them inappropriate plants for the NFT system.
4. Certain Fruits & Flowers: certain flowers and fruits are not left out in the NFT system. Examples of fruits that can be grown in the NFT channel are strawberries. Strawberries are not big growing fruits and they can fit in a shallow system. Thus, making them ideal for NFT. Examples of flowers that can be grown in NFT channels include orchids, pansies, and nasturtiums.
NFT system is basically for growing leafy greens with a growth period that is short. However, nutrient film techniques are not suitable for larger or taller plants like cabbage, trees or shrubs, and root crops. They are also not suitable for plants with larger root systems or plants that take longer to grow.
Characteristics To Consider When Choosing Plants For NFT
The nutrient film technique (NFT) is a narrow and limited channel that allows a thin flow of nutrient-filled solution below the plant roots. This thin channel allows the upper part of the plant to be subjected to air and also remain dry.
Therefore, when choosing the plants to grow in your nutrient film system, you should consider the following characteristics.
1. The Root System Should Be Minimal: one crucial thing to consider is the root system. The root system should be minimal and accommodating enough to convey the nutrient solution for your plants’ growth. We don’t want a heavy root system as this can consume all the space available and clog up the nutrient film channel.
2. Plants Should Be Lightweight: because the nutrient film system is narrow, you should only consider growing lightweight plants. Plants that are heavy and need supports like the heavy-hanging fruits are not ideal for the NFT system.
3. Short Harvest Period: another thing to consider when choosing plants to be grown in your NFT system is the harvest period. The time to harvest should be short. We are talking about plants attaining maturity within 3 months starting from the seed sowing period. Leafy greens are mainly in this group. Some seed pack comes with the information of the harvest time.
Planting With NFT System
To commence planting in the NFT system, we normally start with seeds. Usually, most hydroponic growers prefer starting seeds in cubes and transplanting them into the hydroponic system.
We recommend the same for NFT and as the seedlings attain a height of about 2 inches; they can be transplanted into the NFT channel. Supply the necessary nutrient solution into your NFT channel till your plant attains harvest size.
When harvest time comes, harvest your crops by carefully lifting your plants out of the NFT channel.
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02/03/2026 07:02 am GMT
FAQ’s
What is a NFT system?
NFT stands for Nutrient Film Technique. Most of the indoor growing enthusiasts are using NFT for growing plants. NFT is a very popular hydroponic method among growers. In fact, NFT has become a favorite among indoor growers.
If you are a newbie, then you must be wondering about what exactly is NFT hydroponic system. Well, NFT is a very simple technique which can be used for growing plants without any hassle. This is because NFT is a completely new and innovative concept of hydroponics. This technique helps the plants to absorb nutrients from the solution or water which is being used.
In this method, a nutrient solution is continuously sprayed on the growing media which helps the plants to absorb nutrients through roots. NFT is a very effective way of growing plants. It is also a very cheap method. This technique is mostly used in the greenhouse.
Is it affordable?
Yes it is. It is very easy to maintain and requires very little space. It is also a very cheap method. One can easily buy the required equipment at low cost. Using NFT hydroponic system is eco-friendly as it does not use any pesticides, fertilizers or any harmful chemicals.
What plants can grow in NFT system?
There is no hard and fast rule, but here are some examples of plants that will grow well in NFTs. The list is not exhaustive, but it will give you an idea of what you can grow. Hydroponic gardeners can use a wide range of plants to grow, as long as they are adapted to low-nutrient, nutrient-poor media. These include herbs, salad greens, lettuce, and radishes, as well as fruits, vegetables, and flowers.
Also, sunflowers, lettuce, tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, melons, squash, herbs, bulbs. If you want to grow a lot of plants, it’s the best choice. I used NFTs for many years and they worked great.
Can you grow strawberries in NFT hydroponics?
The best way to grow strawberries is to use a strawberry grow kit. The benefits NFT hydroponics is an environmentally friendly, easy to use system that allows you to grow your strawberries without any soil or water.
It’s a very simple system that takes only about an hour to set up, and there are no chemicals involved in growing your strawberries. This is a good system for beginners who are just starting to grow their own fruits and vegetables.
The benefits of growing strawberries in NFT hydroponics are:
Grow strawberries anywhere (even on a balcony)
No need to buy soil or nutrients
Grow strawberries year-round
Get great looking plants
Enjoy the benefits of growing your own food Save money (you don’t have to pay for soil or nutrients)
Easy to grow (no need for expensive equipment)
You can grow strawberries in a very small space (compared to traditional gardening methods) You can grow strawberries in areas where there isn’t much sunlight
You don’t have to worry about pests and weeds The system is very simple to use You don’t need any chemicals You can grow your own food and save money The system is inexpensive to purchase and set up
The system is very easy to use, and it doesn’t require any training.
Conclusion
We have concluded that the best plants for NFT systems are mainly leafy greens. The plants should also have minimal root systems, be lightweight, and have a short harvest time.
If you can comprehend and follow these rules for planting in NFT systems, you can be sure of enjoying a smooth and productive harvest.
May 9, 2021
Transferring Soil Plants To Hydroponic
Transferring soil plants to hydroponic is quite possible if you follow the right steps. Rather than waiting on germinating seeds and growling seedlings, you can simply send them into the soil. So, when they reach about 3 to 4 inches long, they are set to be transferred into your hydroponics.
However, you need to get the process of transferring soil plants to hydroponic correctly or they won’t come out successful.
This is why we’ve put together this article to enlighten you on the steps to successfully transfer soil plants to your hydroponics system. So, read on to learn.
Materials Needed For Transferring Soil To Hydroponic
The following materials are required for transferring your soil plant into a hydroponic system:
- A plant from dirt.
- Water to wash off the root system.
- Growing medium.
- Net pots.
- Hydroponic system.
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Steps On Transferring Soil Into hydroponic
Even though transplanting traditional soil plants into the hydroponics system looks pretty easy, it’s important you get the steps right. This way, common errors that some growers make are avoided and you get an accurate result at the end.
Transferring soil plants to a hydroponic system is pretty easy. Just follow these steps to achieve a smooth transition:
1. Use Matured Plants Only
The first thing is to obtain your plant or seedlings and make sure they are fit enough for the transition. Use seedlings that are at least 3 inches tall.
1. Remove Plants From Soil
With care, remove the plant from the soil and ensure you don’t pull it out. Make sure the roots are safe and intact as you carefully take them out.
1. Remove Soil And Clean The Plant
Next, carefully give the root a little tap and remove the dirt around the plants still ensuring the root is safe. After doing this, go ahead and rinse the plant with water. Try to dip the whole root into the water and rinse carefully.
If you notice any pests around your plant, rinsing them will take them out. However, you can make use of neem oil to further rid them off.
1. Place In Hydroponic Net Pots
Now, get your net pots and put a little growing medium. Gently spread the plant root into the net pot and fill it up with the growing medium of your choice.
1. Add Appropriate Nutrients
Supply your plants with the appropriate nutrients. Try not to overfeed or underfeed the nutrient.
1. Leave Set Up In The Dark
Allow the plant to adjust its new environment by leaving it in a dim light area for a couple of hours. The root does not really require light to develop.

Additional Tips To Avoid Shock
Plant shock when it comes to transferring soil plants to a hydroponic system is not unlikely, especially among beginners. If your transplant fails to develop after transplanting, you might be wondering what you did wrong. Just do a bit of check and try again carefully this time.
Also, take note of the following tips so you can prevent plant shock as your plant transition into your hydroponics system:
- Make sure the plant to be transplanted is healthy and matured enough.
- Prepare your growing medium-well.
- Sterilize the new environment your plants will be transitioning to. Remember they are vulnerable, so try to keep them healthy.
- It helps to pick plants to be transplanted during their vegetative and seedlings periods. Never allow them to reach or near their flowering period before transplanting.
- Make sure the temperature is maintained optimally. Nutrient water temperature should fall between the range of 65 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Try to select roots with more hairs or long hairs. This is so the roots are capable of reaching the nutrient reservoir and absorbing adequate nutrients for growth.
- Try to balance the soil conditions and hydroponic conditions as your plant transition. For example, you need to supply your transplanted plant with the right nutrient for its healing and growth. If you can, it helps to measure the soil nutrient before transplanting so you can keep the same nutrient levels when you transplant.
Plants That Has High Chance Of Smooth Transition
You should know that not all types of plants will transition successfully. Some plants have a higher tendency for the smooth transition than others. Examples are Pepper, tomatoes, spinach, mint, spring onions, basil, parsley, cilantro, and so on.
Conclusion
The transition of soil plants into a hydroponic system needs to be done accurately to avoid plant shock. If you follow our guidelines, you can be sure of a successful transition.
May 9, 2021
What To Feed Tilapia In Aquaponics
If you’re into raising tilapia and you’re wondering what to feed your tilapia in aquaponics, we’ve got the right answer for you. One added reason, why most farmers love raising tilapia for their aquaponics, is that they feed on broad varieties of food.
Tilapia feeds on food sources that are at the bottom of the food chain. However, the best type of food to feed your tilapia for your aquaponics system is to feed them with organic tilapia food. This organic fish food contains the right nutrient requirements for your tilapia and plants.
Types Of Tilapia & Their Feeding
First, let’s understand the different stages of tilapia feeding.
- Newly hatched tilapia known as fry feed on organisms that float on water such as detritus and neuston. Their foods should be in smaller pieces.
- The juvenile tilapias (fingerlings) are omnivores that is; they can feed on both plants and animals such as worms, insects, duckweed, etc.
- The adult tilapias are herbivores, so they feed on plants such as algae, duckweed, bacteria, detritus, and other plants.
What Should You Feed Your Aquaponics Tilapia?
We mentioned earlier that tilapia can feed on a wide variety of food. In their wild habitat such as streams, lakes, etc, they usually feed on diatoms and a lot of blue-green algae.
However, you should know to keep them far away from feeding on your algae. This is because algae are needed by your plants in the aquaponics system for nutrient recycling.
Feeding With Pellets
Adult tilapia can also be feed with pelleted food which comprises all important nutrients like vitamins, minerals, and proteins. You can as well feed the newly hatched fry with pellets, but they should be in smaller pieces.
Organic Tilapia Feeding
If you’re a fan of all organic, then everything that goes into your aquaponics should be organic. Examples of organic food to feed your tilapia fish includes cassava plants, lengko plants, duckweed, sweet potato plants, lettuces, cocoyam leaves, etc. Among all these plants, duckweed has the smallest food sizes and it will fit all stages or sizes of tilapia.
You can combine these organic foods with commercial fish food to increase their proteins and for a more balanced filled nutrient.
Other Types Of Tilapia Feed
- Bran chaff feed such as white bran or wheat bran.
- Pomace feed and cereal feed such as rice sprouts, malt, etc.
- Oil cake feed such as rapeseed meal, cottonseed meal, or soybean meal.
- Animal feed such as blood meal, meat and bone meal, fish meal, etc.
- Compound feeds are the pelleted feed and extruded feed.
Common Varieties Of Tilapia: What They Feed On
The common varieties of tilapia are the Nile tilapia, the Mozambique tilapia, and the Blue tilapia. Here is what they feed on:
- Nile tilapia feeds on detritus and phytoplankton.
- Mozambique tilapia feeds on vegetation and bottom algae.
- Blue tilapia feeds on detritus and zooplankton.
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Tilapia Nutrient Requirements
Nutrient requirements in your aquaponics tilapia are crucial so your plants can have access to adequate nutrients. Although various species of tilapia require various growth periods, thus, their nutrient demand will be a little different.
Nile tilapia fingerlings for example require about 35% to 40% protein contents. While adult tilapia of about 45 to 50 grams requires 20% to 25% protein content.
The blue tilapia fingerlings will require a protein content of about 36%. While for the adult blue tilapia, they will require about 26% to 36% protein content.
Avoid Overfeeding
You should avoid overfeeding your fish. If you supply your fish with an excess amount of food, these foods will end up in your floating system causing hindrance and water clog. You can scoop out uneaten food. Also, pay attention to how much they eat and readjust when next you feed them.
You should always feed them twice a day and the food should be eaten within 30 minutes of feeding. However, if you feed them and you notice they aren’t hungry, scoop out the food and don’t feed them for a while.
FAQ’s
What is the best food to feed tilapia?
When choosing a tilapia food, you want one that is a good source of calcium and phosphorous, and contains other minerals and vitamins.You can feed them live or frozen. A combination of live and frozen is best, as they both have a more natural flavor. Fish Food – This is another good source of protein. You can purchase dry, freeze-dried, and canned fish food. Tilapia food is typically made from a mix of various ingredients.
You can also buy foods that are specifically designed for tilapia. Some of these include: Aquarium Fish Food Tilapia – This is a specially formulated tilapia food. It has a high level of calcium, and other nutrients. Tilapia are omnivores, so they need a variety of foods, and this is a good way to ensure that they get all of the nutrients they need. The food will provide them with a more natural flavor, as well as more nutrients.
Shrimp Food Tilapia – This is another great food for tilapia. It has a natural shrimp flavor, which is beneficial for the health of your fish. Feeding Tilapia Tilapia should be fed on a regular basis. Depending on the size of your tank, you should feed your fish once or twice a day.
How can I make tilapia grow faster?
The only thing I can think of is to reduce the size of his ration. If you are feeding him twice a day, he should eat roughly 1/2 of the amount you are feeding the rest of the fish. So if you are feeding 1/4oz. twice a day, then he should eat 1/8oz. of food twice a day. You can also try adding some live plants to the tank. This will increase his appetite.
What do tilapia eat naturally?
Tilapia are omnivorous fish that eat both plants and animals. They can be a vegetarian when fed a diet of algae.
But like most fish, they need meat to survive. So, what’s the best way to feed them? Well, there are two ways to feed them: live food and dry food. Live food is a great option because it keeps your fish in good shape and allows them to grow quickly.
Tilapia is a freshwater fish that is native to South America and Africa. It is one of the most common fish species in the world, with an estimated total production of about 25 million tons per year. Tilapia are generally kept as aquarium pets, and there are many varieties of them. There are two types of tilapia: the goldfish-like tilapia and the black carp-like tilapia. The goldfish-like tilapia is much smaller than the black carp-like tilapia. Both types of tilapia are commonly found in ponds and tanks in home aquariums. The fish is also known as cichlid or lake tilapia.
Final Say
Tilapia feeds on just a bit of everything. It’s why they are the most commonly reared fish in aquaponics. Feeding your tilapia fish the appropriate food will increase their growth in just about 240 days. So, get them eating well so you can have a heavy pound of fish at the same time healthy plants by the end of harvest time.
May 9, 2021
How To Raise Catfish In A Tank
Let’s explore how to raise catfish in a tank. Catfish is one common fish that are raised among aquarium hobbyist in the United States. It is particularly raised for its delicious taste, healthy, and proteinous features.
It is easy for anyone to breed or raise catfish in aquaponics, a pond, aquarium, or a fish tank. You don’t even need to be an expert to rear catfish. Continue reading if you would like to know how to raise catfish in a fish tank.
Why Raise Catfish In A Tank – Features
You stand to benefit a lot from choosing catfish as the fish to raise either as a hobby or commercial purpose. The following features will give you some good reason why choosing catfish in your fish tank or aquaponics will be of great benefit to you:
- Catfish is very easy to raise even for beginners especially in aquaponics.
- They grow and breed rapidly. So you will enjoy a quick harvest.
- They are also very forgiving and can tolerate even the least oxygenated water environment.
- With their resilient nature, they are resistant to most fish diseases and they don’t die easily. However, it’s good to give them good conditions so you can enjoy amazing yield.
- Catfish will serve as a good source of protein for your family.
- With the right knowledge, you can be sure of a well invested and profitable commercial produce when dealing with catfish.
Learn How To Raise Catfish In A Fish Tank
Even though we mentioned earlier that catfish is pretty easy to raise. It still requires you to accurately pass through the right guidelines for successful catfish production.
Catfish Per Gallon Of Water
Before we go into the main steps on how to raise catfish in a fish tank, we need to first understand how many catfish per gallon of water should be stocked in a fish tank.
The appropriate stocking density for catfish is one pound of fish (fully grown) per 8 gallons of water. This way, they can have more room to access oxygen thereby reducing stress. Also, catfish grow very fast, so they need to have adequate room to fully grow.
Catfish Tanks
One crucial point to note is that catfish will require a large tank to grow. The stocking density of 8 gallons per fish we pointed out alone shows that catfish will need a bigger tank.
Raising catfish in tanks is very accessible especially if you are unable to acquire a big land for a fish pond. Just ensure the width and depth of the tank is deep enough to provide spacing for your catfish.
Water Quality
Another important tip is to make sure your fish tank can generate a good flow of consistent water. Ensure the water quality is good as this will also boost their appetite encouraging them to eat more. While low water quality will reduce their appetite and make them susceptible to infection thereby reducing catfish growth.
Learn more about Where to Buy Fish for Aquaponics Systems and the Best Plants for Small Aquaponics
Choosing The Type Of Catfish
Once you’re done figuring the appropriate fish tank and water ratio, you can now proceed to choose the type of catfish you want to raise.
There are different types of catfish to choose from. However, one of the best types is the channel catfish. Channel catfish are very tolerating and they will grow very fast. They can grow approximately at the rate of 3 pounds in just one year.
You can start with juvenile catfish but make sure they are of good quality. Low-quality juvenile catfish may result in decreased growth or even death.
To know a healthy juvenile catfish, they should be moving about actively. Also, make sure their body does not have any defects.
Catfish Feeding
Catfish can be feed with fish food pellets. We recommend you feed your catfish 2.5% of their body weight. You can do a rough estimation of their weight to determine this.
Also, ensure you keep a close eye if there’s any uneaten excess food floating or settling at the bottom of the tank. If this is so, then you will need to adjust their feeding so your fish tank is not polluted.
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FAQ’s
Can catfish be raised in tanks?
Yes, but they require a minimum of 4 gallons (1.5 liters) of water to thrive. Catfish are cold-blooded fish so they can’t survive without some sort of heat source. The tank heater is what they need to keep warm. If your tank is too small for the catfish, you’ll have to add a separate heat source. A: The filter should be changed about every two weeks. It is easy to do, but make sure that you use a good quality filter that is designed for aquarium use. A gravel filter is probably the easiest to maintain, but it also uses more water than other filters.
There are different breeds of catfish, and each breed has different characteristics that make them more suited for certain types of environments than others.
What are the different ways that you can raise catfish?
There are different ways to raise catfish. Some people put them in ponds, some people use water tanks and some people use a system called “tournament style”. The problem with pond-raised catfish is that they are usually smaller than tournament-raised catfish. Also, they need a lot of space because you have to keep the water clean and clear for the fish to live.
Water tanks are a great alternative but it is difficult to raise enough catfish to get good size. That’s why the tournament-style catfishing is so popular because you can catch a lot of big fish in a small area. Most tournament catfishing systems use large plastic water reservoirs that are designed to hold several hundred gallons of water. These systems are used by large commercial catfishermen and they require a lot of maintenance. They can cost thousands of dollars to buy and they can be very expensive to maintain. The best tournament-style catfish system is one that has a self-contained reservoir that does not require a pump or other equipment. This type of system is much less expensive to build and it’s easy to install and maintain. You can have a good tournament-style catfishing system for a fraction of the price of a commercial system.
How do you raise catfish in a tank?
It’s pretty easy to raise catfish in a tank, as long as you have the right equipment. You don’t need a fancy aquarium setup to raise catfish in a tank. Just make sure your tank is big enough. They require a lot of space, and they need lots of room to move around. You also need to have a filter and a heater that will keep it clean and warm. There are some other things that you’ll want to consider before you start raising catfish in a tank, however.
They will eat fish food, but you have to feed them a special diet. It’s called a pellet diet, and you can buy it from your local pet store.
Can you have other fish in the tank?
They don’t like to be kept in an aquarium with other fish, as they don’t get along well. They are very territorial, and won’t let other fish near them.
Conclusion On How To Raise Catfish In A Tank
Raising catfish in a tank is absolutely possible with the right knowledge. Simply follow our tips and enjoy great yields of catfish production.
Remember not to overcrowd catfish in their fish tank so their growth is not hindered. They need enough spacing so they can develop well. One full-grown fish to 8 gallons of water is great.
April 20, 2021
How Much Is A Hydroponic System
How much a hydroponic system cost varies and will solely depend according to your preference. A hydroponic system can be cost-effective or require more if you put some things into consideration. However, you should know it will require an initial investment to get it up and running.
Hydroponic farming involves the use of a soilless technique to grow plants and it makes use of a nutrient-filled solution for plants’ development. It is pretty easy to venture into with the right knowledge.
Either you’re into hydroponic farming for business or a hobby; we will give you an idea of how much a hydroponic system cost.
A Cost-Effective Hydroponic System
You can get a hydroponics system for a very reasonable price because there are various types of hydroponics systems to choose from.
Even with the cost-effective type, you can rest assured of enjoying amazing yield. Again, this cost-effective type of hydroponic does not limit you from growing just a few plants. You can grow as many plants as you can at a time with this moderate hydroponics budget like the compact NFT system.
However, if you invest more money into hydroponics (about $250 to $500) it will offer you extra features and greater designs. It will also allow you to grow more plants and result in abundant yield.
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Figuring Out How Much A Hydroponic System Will Cost
A logic we recommend to knowing how much a hydroponics system will cost is to know the components involved with the system.
You will be better off purchasing a complete hydroponic system rather than sourcing for the various parts as in DIY. Here are the components of a complete hydroponic garden:
- A hydroponics system.
- Hydroponic nutrient-filled solutions.
- Inert media.
- Light source.
- Air pump and air stone.
Types Of Hydroponics Systems
1. Nutrient film techniques.
2. Aeroponics.
3. Deepwater Culture (reservoir method).
4. Ebb and flow (flood and drain).
5. Wicking.
6. Drip system.
There is also passive hydroponics known as the Kratky method. We can say this is the cheapest type of hydroponics system. It only requires some basic hydroponic components, a container reservoir, and a cover lid opening for plants.
Types Of Hydroponics Systems According To Cost
Let’s distinguish the types of hydroponic system standard according to their cost:
1. High Standard: this type of hydroponics system is of high standard technology that features a complete system control. Commercial growers that seek a high yield of crops for profit usually go for this type. This high-standard technology hydroponic system can cost tens of dollars in thousands. An example is the vertical farming hydroponic system.
2. Semi-high Standard: this type of hydroponic system is also of standard technology. They are made of quality technology such as water flow control. It also comes with grow light and it has more features. This type of system is used both indoors and outdoors. The cost for this type of hydroponics system is around $350 to $1000.
3. Moderate Quality/ Standard: this type of is of moderate technology. They are budget-friendly and can be obtained either as a unit or DIY. The cost is about $50 to $200 for both the unit and DIY construction.
FAQ’s
Is a hydroponic system worth it?
The average gardener might look at the price of a hydroponic system and scoff, thinking, “Why would I spend so much money on something that isn’t going to work?”. But it doesn’t have to be this way! A hydroponic system can be installed for a fraction of the cost of an outdoor system. And the quality of your plants is going to be better.
Here are some great reasons why you should consider a hydroponic system as an option. Hydroponics vs. Indoor Farming: Why You Should Consider a Hydroponic System
It’s Easy
If you’re looking to start growing in a new way, there’s nothing like having the freedom to grow whatever you want, whenever you want. This is the main reason why many people opt for hydroponic systems over indoor farming. With hydroponics, you can grow almost any type of plant with no soil or other restrictions. You’re free to grow the exact plant you want at any time of year, and you won’t need to spend a lot of time tending to your crops.
It’s Safe
Hydroponic gardening is much safer than growing crops in soil because it eliminates the risk of disease. In fact, you won’t even have to worry about pests, which means that you can plant a wide variety of fruits and vegetables without having to be concerned about insects.
It’s Affordable
You can buy a simple hydroponic system for a reasonable price. The systems you can find at your local garden center are usually only going to cost as little as a $100, and that’s a fraction of what it would cost to grow plants in soil, and it will still provide you with the ability to grow food all year long.
It’s Eco-Friendly
When you use a hydroponic system, you won’t need to use any pesticides or fertilizers. This is an important benefit because pesticides can have negative effects on the environment and can even be dangerous to humans. With hydroponics, you won’t have to worry about those things.
In a hydroponic garden, you take the seedlings out of the ground, and you grow them in a nutrient solution that you mix with water. The nutrients are then absorbed by the roots of the plants, and the leaves will get all the water they need from the air.
Why is hydroponic so expensive?
There are many factors that go into the price of hydroponics, but the biggest factor is that it’s a new product. There’s no established market for hydroponics as there is for other products in agriculture, such as seeds, fertilizers and pesticides. But hydroponic growers are starting to see some of the same problems that traditional growers have seen with these other products.
For example, hydroponic plants have been known to develop nutrient deficiencies because they don’t receive all of the nutrients that they need from the soil or nutrient solution. This is why many hydroponic growers use a combination of liquid fertilizer and soil amendments. The cost of growing food, which includes the cost of water, electricity and fertilizers can be quite great.
When you grow plants in a hydroponic system, you can control the water quality better than you could in a soil-based system.
You are paying for the inputs and then charging a premium for the product. Hydroponics is a high maintenance hobby and it requires more equipment and labor. But that doesn’t mean it can’t be done cheaply. You can still do a great job of growing plants in a container without spending a fortune.
Can you save money hydroponics?
It is possible to save money hydroponics but it is not easy. You will need to understand what your needs are and what you want to grow and then set out to buy the best equipment that meets those needs and meets your budget. You can save money hydroponics by growing less than you would otherwise, by growing in a less expensive environment, by using cheaper seeds and by growing your own supplies.
Grow less, grow faster. This is one of the most important ways to save money hydroponics. If you do not have enough space for a full size hydroponic system, do not grow as much or as fast. In a small space, you can get away with only a few trays. You could even grow in a single tray if you wanted to. It is also possible to grow more on less space by using smaller pots or growing containers. The same is true for light. Do not use as much light as you would otherwise. A lot of people think that they need lots of light when they start a hydroponic garden. This is not true. You will be fine with as little as 1/3 of the light you would normally need.
Other Cost To Consider
There are additional things you should also consider when it comes to knowing how much a hydroponic system cost. There might be some additional materials you may need to purchase even with your complete hydroponic system.
For a DIY construction, there will always be arising needs or expenses. You may need to invest in nutrient solutions, grow medium, grow light, etc.
However, already built hydroponics may also require extra. For instance, already made hydroponics may still require you to purchase a pH meter, grow medium, grow light, or even nutrient solutions. Just a grow light might cost $15 to $20.
- Space: another factor to consider is space, ensure you have space for your hydroponic system. If not, that’s an extra and you might need to purchase or rent a farm space. You will have to decide if your space is for a horizontal or vertical system. However, space will solely depend on if you’re considering large-scale hydroponics farming.
- Size: the size of your hydroponics system will also determine how much a hydroponics system will cost. A smaller hydroponics system used for a hobby will be less expensive. However, if you’re thinking of a higher yield, a larger hydroponics system will be required and it will be pretty expensive.
Therefore, it’s crucial you consider all these factors so you can accurately sum up how much it will cost to build a complete hydroponics system.
April 20, 2021
Kratky Method For Strawberries
can If you wish to learn about growing strawberries using the Kratky method, we will let you know in this post. A Kratky method is a form of passive hydroponic method and it is known as the simplest form of hydroponic system.
This type of simple hydroponic technique is named after Bernard Kratky who’s a researcher at the University of Hawaii. You can grow various plants such as herbs, leafy greens, pepper, or tomatoes, as well as strawberries successfully using the Kratky technique.
Kratky Method
The Kratky method is another great way of growing various plants without the use of soil or dirt. The plants are suspended above a nutrient solution and it’s a clean and productive way of gardening.
The only difference is Kratky technique does not make use of an air pump or aeration for air and water circulation. Therefore, no electricity is needed.
How To Grow Strawberries With Kratky Method
There are two ways you can grow strawberries from. You can grow strawberries from seeds or a young strawberry plant. However, we recommend you grow strawberries from young plants because growing them from seeds might take a while to get results.
Growing Strawberries With Young Plant
For growing strawberries using the Kratky method, you will need the following materials:
- Container to serve as a reservoir for holding nutrients (most growers use 5-gallon bucket).
- Net cups.
- A cover lid or grow tray to insert the net cups.
- Growing media (such as hydrotons balls, pebbles, rock wool, coco coir, etc).
- Healthy young strawberry plants.
To grow strawberries using young strawberry plants, you will need to obtain a healthy young plant either from the soil or from an existing hydroponic strawberry garden. Make sure you rinse off the roots if you are taking your strawberry plants from the soil.
Next, get your net pots and slide the little plants into the net pots. Fill the net pots with your desired growing medium to support your strawberry plant. Try gently pull some roots of the young plants so that they can come out at the bottom of the net pots.
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By doing this, you can perfectly set the roots to sit in the nutrient-filled water. Only the tips of the roots should touch the nutrient solution, we don’t want any part of the upper plant submerged in water. The gaps between the roots supply oxygen to the plants from inside the nutrient container.
Kratky Nutrient Solution
Now you can set them in your Kratky nutrient solution. Supply your set up with some grow lights if you’re growing indoors. However, if you’re growing outdoor, find a good sunny spot in your yard and you’re good to go. You should begin to see a new leaf and root growth in a couple of days. After about a month, you should notice some good growth with your strawberry plant with flowers and broad leaves. You should also begin to see some little strawberries growing.
When the nutrient solution has almost been exhausted, your strawberry plant should have been ready for harvest. This means a single nutrient solution should be enough to go for a growing cycle and no need for replacement. However, if you notice the nutrients solutions are almost completely dried or used up, you should replace them.
Strawberry Runners
When strawberry plants get fully established, they will begin to shoot out runners. It will be a great thing if you can cut and replant or clone these runners to another setup so you can have some new strawberry plants. This will also help trim their edges so they don’t look too bushy.
Recommended Temperature For Kratky Strawberry
Temperature is one of the most crucial requirements for strawberry plants. Without the right temperatures, your plant will be slow in flower and fruit yield therefore, no production good growth and production.
The appropriate temperature range for strawberries is around 60 to 70 degrees.
Light Requirements
Strawberry plants usually consume a lot of energy. Therefore, the appropriate light requirements we recommend for your strawberry plants will be 14 to 16 hours daily. This way, your strawberry plant will be well established and yield plenty of fruits.
Harvesting
After about 8 to 10 weeks of planting your strawberry, they should start showing their lovely bright red colors. This means they should be ready for picking.
FAQ’s
What can you grow with the Kratky method?
The Kratky method is a simple way to create a vegetable garden in an urban setting. It’s an easy-to-grow and versatile system, requiring little space and only the time and effort it takes to plant your seeds and water them every few days. It’s also a great way to enjoy fresh vegetables right from the garden.
Here are some of the most common vegetables you can grow with the Kratky method. Arugula Arugula is one of the easiest plants to grow in the Kratky method. This cool-weather herb is a great addition to any salad or pasta dish. If you want a quick harvest, you can start arugula seeds indoors a month or two before planting out. In cooler climates, wait until the last week of March or first week of April to plant outside. Asparagus Asparagus is another favorite.
It’s not only delicious, it’s one of the earliest vegetables to mature. You can start asparagus indoors in late February or early March and transplant outdoors after all danger of frost has passed. If you grow in a warm climate, you can expect your asparagus to be ready for harvest in about six weeks. I recommend growing your own because they are much fresher than what you can find at a store. Celery can be planted in May in cooler climates and in July in warmer climates. It will produce for about two months. Chives Chives, carrots and cauliflower are another great plant to grow with the Kratky method.
Can you grow strawberries using Kratky method?
You can certainly grow strawberries using the Kratky method. The only thing to keep in mind is that it will take a while for the strawberries to mature. You can start with seeds or transplants (which are called “strawberries” in nurseries).
Using Kratky Method Kratky Method is a way of growing strawberries in a small area. It’s an old method that was used by people in the past. You can still find it being used today for growing strawberries. The Kratky method is simple and requires very little equipment. You can do this all by yourself.
There are many ways to grow strawberries using the Kratky method. You can grow them in pots or planters, but a good place for growing strawberries is a sunny spot in your garden. If you have a lot of room in your garden, you can also plant them in rows. You will need to get started with your strawberries by planting them. You can either buy them from a store or you can start them from seed.
The seeds are tiny and very fragile, so it’s best to buy them already planted. They should be planted right away because they take a long time to grow. Once you have your plants, you will need to keep them watered. If they dry out, the leaves will wilt and the fruit will be damaged. You will need to water them at least once every day for about 10 days after planting. After that, they will need to be watered every other day.
How do you start the Kratky seed?
If you start the Kratky seed, then you need to wait until it has germinated. You can do this by placing the seed in a paper cup, with a plastic wrap and water on top of the cup. Check the cup every day and make sure that there is enough water. If you don’t want to use the paper cup, you can use an old, clean coffee cup or even a flowerpot.
You can start to plant your seedlings as soon as they are about 5cm tall. As long as you plant them in a sunny spot, you should be fine.
Final Say On Kratky Method Strawberries
Growing strawberries using the Kratky method is pretty easy and beneficial. It is a soil-free method that will result in abundant fruit production all year round. You also, get to enjoy the fresh and juicy fruits at the comfort of your home.
April 18, 2021
What Is A Bulkhead Fitting For Aquaponics
The question we’re going to be answering today is: what is a bulkhead fitting? A bulkhead fitting is a point of attachment for connecting pipes to tanks or reservoirs.
Bulkhead fitting helps secure your piping connections thereby preventing leakage. It also helps give the right direction to where water is required to flow through.
Bulkhead fittings are especially used in hydroponics or aquaponics plumbing connections. These fittings are used to fill water or drain water easily from your hydroponics or aquaponics system.
Let’s discuss further the key components of bulkhead fittings, how to install a bulkhead fitting, and their uses.
Main Parts Of Bulkhead Fitting
Bulkhead fitting materials are usually made of fortified and long-lasting components such as PVC, brass, plastic, and other quality materials. Most parts you will find in bulkhead fittings consist mainly of 3 parts.
- Body of Bulkhead: the first part of the bulkhead is the body which is the exterior and interior threads.
- Gasket: the next part of the bulkhead is the gasket. It might come in one or two. The gasket will fit onto the body of the bulkhead.
- Nut: the third and last part is the nut or locknut. The nut is attached to the exterior thread. It will thread into the place of the bulkhead fittings seating up against the gasket thereby creating a tightly sealed water tank.
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Let’s move forward by learning how to install the bulkhead fittings.
How To Install A Bulkhead Fitting
Below are the steps to installing bulkhead fittings:
1. Hole Drilling: a bulkhead fitting is installed by first cutting or drilling a hole by the bottom of the tank or reservoir to which the pipes can be connected. Make sure you measure and determine the size of the bulkhead exterior so you know the size of the hole to drill.
2. Bulkhead Fitting: after drilling the hole, you can now insert the bulkhead fitting with the threads inside or outside the tank or reservoir (whichever way you want it to fit your connections).
3. Gasket and Locknut Fittings: then fit the gasket into place. If you have two gaskets, use each one on either side of the walls. Now thread the locknut down by tightening it with your hand to apply pressure to the gasket. The locknut will then provide a good tight liquid seal with no leaks. But make sure not to over-tighten too much so you don’t break or distort the gasket thereby causing a leak.
Having fixed all that, you can now go-ahead to connect any type of pipes or PVC fittings.
Benefits Of Using Bulkhead Fittings
- Bulkhead fitting will create a perfectly tight liquid sealed connection.
- They are great for hydroponics or aquaponics plumbing connections.
- They allow for easy flow of water through the tanks or reservoir.
- There’s no problem with water leakage with bulkhead fittings.
Other Uses of Bulkhead Pipe Fitting
- They are used in hot water pipe systems especially the brass bulkhead fittings.
- Bulkhead fittings are used in hydroponic and aquaponic systems for connecting pipes to allow easy drainage along with the water tank or reservoir.
- They are also used in ponds for installing water to connect pipes that enable easy drainage. This makes changing water easier rather than scooping water out of the bucket.
- The kitchen sink also makes use of several bulkhead fittings for easy flow of water.
- Generally used in transporting liquid containers.
- They are as well used in any type of mechanism that requires large drums or barrels that needs to be filled with water.
What To Consider When Purchasing Bulkhead Fittings
Anytime you purchase a bulkhead fitting, always consider the type of liquid that will flow through your fittings. If it is a hot liquid you should go for the strong type such as the brass bulkhead fittings. If you will be working with cool water you can go for the regular type.
Also, put into consideration the speed or pressure at which your water will be flowing. For instance, high speed or pressure will need a strong fitting and vice versa.
All these considerations are to make sure you don’t end up with a distorted or cracked gasket due to pressure. The goal is to prevent any leakage.
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FAQ’s
What is a bulkhead fitting?
The most common bulkhead fitting for aquaponics is the standard 1-1/4″ x 1-1/2″ copper pipe. This is an ideal fit for a single tank setup, where you have one sump and one fish tank. However, the 1-1/4″ diameter of the pipe is also too large to be easily used in multiple tanks (more on that later).
It is a good choice for any aquaponic system where there is only one fish tank or sump, but it is not suitable for multiple tanks. It is also not recommended for systems where water must pass through a filter. Most standard 1-1/4″ x 1-1/2″ copper pipes are made with 1/8″ thick walls, which is not strong enough for more than one tank. If you have more than one tank in your system, you will need to upgrade to a stronger bulkhead fitting. If you are planning to put your aquaponics in multiple tanks, you should use a bulkhead fitting that has at least 3/8″ thick walls.
How do you install a bulkhead fitting?
The standard method is to use a drill and a 1/4″ bit. If you don’t have a drill, then you can use a 1/4″ drill bit. Attach the bulkhead fitting to the edge of the wall with a screw. Drill a hole through the bulkhead fitting and into the stud. Insert a washer (or two) into the hole.
Attach the screw into the bulkhead fitting, and the washer will hold it in place.
How do I stop bulkhead fitting from leaking?
There are many reasons why you might have a leak. First, I would check your system for leaks in the main tank or other components. If you find any, they will need to be repaired before anything else. Second, I would take a good look at the fitting and see if you can identify what is causing the leak. Some leaks occur because of manufacturing defects. Others occur because of damage to the fitting. You may have to disassemble the bulkhead to get a better view.
Third, you may need to look at the valve that controls the flow of water. If the valve is damaged, it could be leaking as well.
How do you replace a bulkhead?
The best thing to do would be to remove the old one and then install the new one. If it is a solid piece of material, it may be difficult to remove without destroying it, but if you can cut it off with a hacksaw or similar tool, it shouldn’t take more than an hour or two to do so.
Once the old one is removed, install the new one
How do you seal a bulkhead fitting?
If your bulkhead is a simple pipe fitting that has no special features (eg, a threaded nut), then there is no need for a seal. The pipe will be pressed tightly against the wall of the tank, so there won’t be any leakage. If your pipe fitting has a threaded nut, then you’ll need to use an appropriate sealant to prevent leakage.
Conclusion
With that said, we do hope you have grabbed one or two things about what a bulkhead fitting is. If you have any questions feel free to drop a comment and we will respond.
April 11, 2021