A hydroponic system relies above all on infrastructure: where are your plants located? Where is your nutrient solution stored?
Containers are often made of plastic, because of the lightness, waterproofing and neutrality of the material. However, you have to be careful with the plastics you choose: they must be compatible with food use. You don’t want any carcinogenic contaminants in your nutrient solution! Rest assured, all the material we offer here has a suitable plastic.
In this category, there are :
- Bins : The infrastructure where the pots are inserted.
- Reservoirs : Containers for the nutritive solution.
- Pots : The receptacle for the substrate and the plant.
Hydroponic containers
Your plants will sit in a container. These can be regular pots if you are using the Kratky method, but basically there are two sizes:
- Tide tables. These are large containers with grooves at the base. You put the pots on them and the nutrient liquid will come in at intervals to soak the roots.
- PVC tubes. This is the epitome of hydroponic systems: long rows of plants housed in holes in long PVC tubes. They can also make rows
Then there are an infinite number of more specific formats:
- The Libra tank, which is like a very small tide table, all in length. It is very practical to house a rockwool bar, which avoids having several substrates to handle.
Hydroponic liquid nutrient tanks
In all hydroponic systems, you will need a reservoir to hold the nutrient liquid. This is usually where you will dose the nutrient concentration. It must have several features:
- Protect the nutrient solution from light. It can participate in the oxidation of the content and promotes the development of algae. Ideally, you want to choose an anti-UV tank, for a total protection.
- Keep the nutrient solution at the right temperature. It should not be too hot, or algae and bacteria may develop. It should not be too cold, or it may damage the plants.
- Make it easy to prepare the nutrient solution. The container must be practical.
Choosing your hydroponic pots
In hydroponics, your plant rests in a “substrate” (an inert material that holds the roots, such as clay balls or coconut fiber), which itself rests in a pot. There are different types of hydroponic pots:
- Textile pots
- Net pots or basket pots
- “Air-pot
- Mapito pots
- Biodegradable pots
The variables to be taken into account will be
- Its size. If the pot is too big, the roots may not be well supported and if your plant grows too high, it may collapse.
- The ability for the roots to come down. In general, you want your roots to be able to spread out, so they capture nutrients and oxygen better.
- Your hydroponic system (Kratky, DWC …) may require a specific type of pot.