Hydroponics Question

[puffernutter]

Ever since visiting Gardener's World Live at the NEC in 2019 we have had one (and now 3) hydroponic set up.

They are simplicity themselves and use 4" diameter ducting in a series of zig-zags to move the water from the top to the bottom and with a pond pump - repeat!

Plants are grown in plastic nets where the roots drag along in the water.

We have been recommended that as the plants do not need to take up water overnight, the pumps are turned off.

This has led to an occasional problem where the pump does not start in the morning (they are all on timers).

So the simple question is, is there any harm in letting the pumps run overnight? I can't immediately think of one, there is cost, but the electric usage is trivial.

The pumps are 3000l/hour with a 2.5m head and probably Chinese, so is that the false economy?

Does anybody here have any experience?

Cheers

Peter

 

[Brad93]

If they’re proper pond pumps it will not harm them at all. I’ve had bargain pumps right up to £450 OASE pumps on my koi pond.

I now use £100-150 pumps. At the minute I have one Superfish 14000 and one little 8000.

 

[Parm]

Ever since visiting Gardener's World Live at the NEC in 2019 we have had one (and now 3) hydroponic set up.

They are simplicity themselves and use 4" diameter ducting in a series of zig-zags to move the water from the top to the bottom and with a pond pump - repeat!

Plants are grown in plastic nets where the roots drag along in the water.

We have been recommended that as the plants do not need to take up water overnight, the pumps are turned off.

This has led to an occasional problem where the pump does not start in the morning (they are all on timers).

So the simple question is, is there any harm in letting the pumps run overnight? I can't immediately think of one, there is cost, but the electric usage is trivial.

The pumps are 3000l/hour with a 2.5m head and probably Chinese, so is that the false economy?

Does anybody here have any experience?

Cheers

Peter

Is this a new sideline?

Are we gonna see you on the news soon?

 

[addjunkie]

Is this a new sideline?

Are we gonna see you on the news soon?

Not with only 3 set ups........thats just medicinal, honest Mr Judge!

 

[Barking Mat]

This is a welding website @puffernutter , suggest you try... For example...

How do I grow me weed . Com (humour).

Failing that PM me, I know some fine people.

Oh... tomatoes, you say.....

 

[Parm]

This is a welding website @puffernutter , suggest you try... For example...

How do I grow me weed . Com (humour).

Failing that PM me, I know some fine people.

Oh... tomatoes, you say.....

I hear they call it by the name of the smell produced by a certain animal?

 

[Barking Mat]

No, I'm sure he's growing tomatoes.

Maybe basil, sage, oh no, that's herb(s)....

You were asking for this @puffernutter ......

 

[puffernutter]

Ha ha! Very good!

This is the pump used - https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Water-Pu...var=611463790368&_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649

Cheers

Peter

 

[puffernutter]

 

[Wozzaaah]

Is this a new sideline?

Are we gonna see you on the news soon?

Next winter I’ll be looking out for the roof with no snow on it.

 

[Wany]

Save a timer, leave them on 24/7.

 

[brightspark]

a grand a plant so I believe fully grown

 

[eSCHEn]

So what you describe puffernutter is a Nutrient Film Technique (NFT) where the growing medium is replaced by a trickle feed of water loaded with relevant nutrients. Normally the water would run 24/7 as you are effectively replacing soil with the wash of nutrients.

If you were using a ebb and flow system then yeah you need to have that ‘dry’ period as there is a growing medium involved and you’d rot the roots otherwise.

Do some research though, NFT should aide in the search. Have a look at ‘aquaponics’ as well where you use the waste from fish to feed the plants which purify the water back to the fish. Very cool if you can get it working

 

[Kayos]

One fifth of the worlds electricity is used on pumps.

Interesting fact, not sure if it's relevant

 

[puffernutter]

So what you describe puffernutter is a Nutrient Film Technique (NFT) where the growing medium is replaced by a trickle feed of water loaded with relevant nutrients. Normally the water would run 24/7 as you are effectively replacing soil with the wash of nutrients.

If you were using a ebb and flow system then yeah you need to have that ‘dry’ period as there is a growing medium involved and you’d rot the roots otherwise.

Do some research though, NFT should aide in the search. Have a look at ‘aquaponics’ as well where you use the waste from fish to feed the plants which purify the water back to the fish. Very cool if you can get it working

Fascinating - thanks. I'd never heard it called that. The plants are held upright with clay balls and the roots dangle in the passing water. We were told that it didn't need to run during darkness as the plants wouldn't be taking up any nutrients during that time (I assume no photosynthesis). If I can leave them running there are pros and cons as if there is a leak we wouldn't know if it happened overnight, but at the moment on a number of occasions the pumps stall, a bit of percussive maintenance and they start, but again that's more serious if it's hot and light and no water.

Cheers

Peter

 

[eSCHEn]

Yep that's NFT. Another one is rockwool collars to hold the plant and roots dangle. When you see vertical systems on walls they're normally NFT.

No, no photosynthesis without sunlight but I wouldn't have thought that nutrient pickup would necessarily need sunlight so would occur in the dark as well as the light.

Remember also that the water and nutrients are effectively replacing the soil. This means turning the pump off deprives them of water and you could get drying or weaker plants.

If it were me I'd leave them on 24/7. Occam's razor and all that.

 

[Rig Pig]

My pond pump runs 24/7 apart from when it chokes up with weed! I'm building a bio filter for my pond with an upper pool full of water plants to hopefully reduce the pond weed and duck weed in the main pond. Assisted by a determined dredging and netting!

 

[bigegg]

I skipped the pump, completely:
"Kratky" method, i i believe its called

Basically, a container half full of nutrient.
Plant is held above water - it needs an air gap
Check nutrient once a month and top up as needed.

No worries about power cuts.

 

[R Kraft]

Next winter I’ll be looking out for the roof with no snow on it.

He snorted all of the snow ?