mothernature

Hydroponic (hydro) growing is a way of growing, where all the nutrients the plant needs, come from what has been added to the water supply and none of which comes from the grow medium.

Hydroponics is all about the nutrients/water/grow medium. It is not about lighting, air movement, CO2, odor control, or stealth. It is just one aspect of the whole growing process. For example, having a hydro set up, will not make up for poor lighting, stale air, etc.

Hydroponic systems are set up to deliver the nutrient solution directly to the root systems several times a day, insuring fresh nutrients are available when needed. This "tweaking" to nature's way, increases the overall growth rate of the plant.

However, as the buffer provided by the soil has been removed, any problems, such as over fertilization, are also increased. For this reason, I would not recommend hydro growing to the total beginner grower.

In the ebb and flow style of hydroponic growing, the plants are grown in a raised bed or table, and the reservoir or tank is underneath or below the level of the grow table. The reservoir would have a small sump pump, to pump the nutrient solution up into the plants from below (this is the ebb). After a certain time, the sump pump is turned off and the solution drains back into the tank (this is the flow). This happens several times daily, depending on the grow medium used and the stage of development of the plants. The nutrient solution, in the tank, needs to be completely replaced with fresh solution every week or 2, depending on the size of the tank. The larger the tank, the less often it needs to be changed.

Another important consideration is the PH level. This has to do with how acidic or alkaline the solution is. Plants need a certain PH range to be able to absorb the nutrients. Chemicals, such as are used in aquariums, are used to adjust the PH level in the tank.