Nutrient Film Technique (NFT) Hydroponics System Tutorial
video description
Date: 2022-07-18
Related videos
Comments and reviews: 15
Richard
I have an experimental NFT system I am trying. Basically as you described.
I used 2 10 ft sections combined to provide a 20 ft overall length of 5 in rain gutter for the trough, covered with 1/2 in foam insulation panel cut to 6 in wide. In the foam, I cut the holes for the net pots on 6 in centers. The covering allows for evaporation and plant stability control in the otherwise open top guttering.
(NOTE: I just started a setup using a 10 ft X 4 in square vinyl fence post to determine if a totally enclosed 'tube' has any significant advantages to offset the higher investment cost over guttering)
Using a 7 gallon storage tote for a reservoir, I added a cheap air pump with 6 in stone from Walmart, and a small 120 gallon per hour pump I had on hand. The pump has a valve assembly on the outlet that allows me to 'throttle' the flow to the trough, and adds agitation/oxygenation on the return into the reservoir.
I am running the Flora series nutrients in the system on a continuous pump cycle. By adding a 'riser' to the discharge end, I can control the level of liquid maintained in the trough which allows me to raise the level for new planting (keeps smaller roots in solution, and then drop it as roots grow. The variable height will be used to a greater degree as I add more vertical and/or horizontal troughs, and can control depth as plants are planted/removed in each section.
Currently, I have some pepper, tomato, basil, leaf lettuce and sweet pea plants growing. I just pulled a net pot with lettuce today, and have excellent root growth (approximately 18 inches in length) with about 1/2 in depth of nutrient flow. Other varieties of plants are showing similar root growth patterns.
I tried the timed cycles, and had distinct problems with root damage due to the heat in the greenhouse. By using continual flow, the internal temps are better controlled in my situation. I would suggest determining the flow patterns based upon individual growing conditions.
Look forward to your progress with this.
reply
I have an experimental NFT system I am trying. Basically as you described.
I used 2 10 ft sections combined to provide a 20 ft overall length of 5 in rain gutter for the trough, covered with 1/2 in foam insulation panel cut to 6 in wide. In the foam, I cut the holes for the net pots on 6 in centers. The covering allows for evaporation and plant stability control in the otherwise open top guttering.
(NOTE: I just started a setup using a 10 ft X 4 in square vinyl fence post to determine if a totally enclosed 'tube' has any significant advantages to offset the higher investment cost over guttering)
Using a 7 gallon storage tote for a reservoir, I added a cheap air pump with 6 in stone from Walmart, and a small 120 gallon per hour pump I had on hand. The pump has a valve assembly on the outlet that allows me to 'throttle' the flow to the trough, and adds agitation/oxygenation on the return into the reservoir.
I am running the Flora series nutrients in the system on a continuous pump cycle. By adding a 'riser' to the discharge end, I can control the level of liquid maintained in the trough which allows me to raise the level for new planting (keeps smaller roots in solution, and then drop it as roots grow. The variable height will be used to a greater degree as I add more vertical and/or horizontal troughs, and can control depth as plants are planted/removed in each section.
Currently, I have some pepper, tomato, basil, leaf lettuce and sweet pea plants growing. I just pulled a net pot with lettuce today, and have excellent root growth (approximately 18 inches in length) with about 1/2 in depth of nutrient flow. Other varieties of plants are showing similar root growth patterns.
I tried the timed cycles, and had distinct problems with root damage due to the heat in the greenhouse. By using continual flow, the internal temps are better controlled in my situation. I would suggest determining the flow patterns based upon individual growing conditions.
Look forward to your progress with this.
reply
Christopher
It seems to me that this would be better for a higher production value for the space. Just a deep reservoir gives you a single plain to cultivate from, this expands on the plain size and since you're moving the nutrient rich liquid along the plain rather than using the reservoir, you're actually able to ensure that there are no spots where bad bacteria can cultivate in the place of good bacteria. If you add to the another sub straight to the grow tables you could probably get rid of most of the bad bacteria in one level of the grow table, like a second type of filter. Say like one tray has stone in the tray for the full length. You could then remove and clean the medium pretty easily.
reply
It seems to me that this would be better for a higher production value for the space. Just a deep reservoir gives you a single plain to cultivate from, this expands on the plain size and since you're moving the nutrient rich liquid along the plain rather than using the reservoir, you're actually able to ensure that there are no spots where bad bacteria can cultivate in the place of good bacteria. If you add to the another sub straight to the grow tables you could probably get rid of most of the bad bacteria in one level of the grow table, like a second type of filter. Say like one tray has stone in the tray for the full length. You could then remove and clean the medium pretty easily.
reply
Hucklebrau
I set up my NFT last year and had great results, especially with the large leaf veggies. Regarding your comment about the timer: I didn't have one at first and added it later when I started to get root-rot. The continuous flow of water around the root mass didn't allow for enough oxygenation of the root fibers. I now have it on a timer that goes on and off many times daily. The rate depends on the time of year and temperature. This allows the roots in the center of the root ball to recover several times a day. I haven't used the air-stone, but I'm probably going to try one. Cheers!
reply
I set up my NFT last year and had great results, especially with the large leaf veggies. Regarding your comment about the timer: I didn't have one at first and added it later when I started to get root-rot. The continuous flow of water around the root mass didn't allow for enough oxygenation of the root fibers. I now have it on a timer that goes on and off many times daily. The rate depends on the time of year and temperature. This allows the roots in the center of the root ball to recover several times a day. I haven't used the air-stone, but I'm probably going to try one. Cheers!
reply
Ivn
There is a BIG mistake in every other diagram around, including this video. The air pump should NEVER sit below the waterline of the container, especially if the highest point of the air line is not at least a foot over the water. An air pump can fail and the water can siphon back into the pump when you are trying to see what's going on. Air pumps are not always electrically safe if the water gets inside and you could have a very nasty shock. Stay safe, set the air pump higher than your reservoir.
reply
There is a BIG mistake in every other diagram around, including this video. The air pump should NEVER sit below the waterline of the container, especially if the highest point of the air line is not at least a foot over the water. An air pump can fail and the water can siphon back into the pump when you are trying to see what's going on. Air pumps are not always electrically safe if the water gets inside and you could have a very nasty shock. Stay safe, set the air pump higher than your reservoir.
reply
Vincent
I have a deep water pot, called the Gemini, has clay pebbles an 10ltr water is what the max am doing, I fill up a bucket, do my ph, mix all my feeds, so it's on 700 to 800 on my stick an 1. 8 but after about 2, 3 days my ph shoots up an my ppm goes to 1400 now I changed all the water an done all new feed again to the right ppm, an it's done it again can you please tell me what's happing or where am going wrong, thanks
reply
I have a deep water pot, called the Gemini, has clay pebbles an 10ltr water is what the max am doing, I fill up a bucket, do my ph, mix all my feeds, so it's on 700 to 800 on my stick an 1. 8 but after about 2, 3 days my ph shoots up an my ppm goes to 1400 now I changed all the water an done all new feed again to the right ppm, an it's done it again can you please tell me what's happing or where am going wrong, thanks
reply
Spicy
Hey great video and explanation, one thing that I don't have an understanding of at the moment is, do you have to do anything particular to allow for the roots to reach the water? Commercially they would still use rockwool blocks, but at the stage of putting them into the NFT system, I don't imagine the roots already go straight into the water?
reply
Hey great video and explanation, one thing that I don't have an understanding of at the moment is, do you have to do anything particular to allow for the roots to reach the water? Commercially they would still use rockwool blocks, but at the stage of putting them into the NFT system, I don't imagine the roots already go straight into the water?
reply
trojanGoat
I see a mix of methods when people use NFT, so I have a few questions. When the water falls back into the reservoir it creates little air bubbles, that's not enough to oxygenate the water? If you are using a timer to intermittently cut the water supply from the roots, wouldn't that be enough to prevent the plant from drowning?
reply
I see a mix of methods when people use NFT, so I have a few questions. When the water falls back into the reservoir it creates little air bubbles, that's not enough to oxygenate the water? If you are using a timer to intermittently cut the water supply from the roots, wouldn't that be enough to prevent the plant from drowning?
reply
Archie
Maybe I missed it. What about a pipe on a slope, a water pump and a reservoir = nutrient or = film? How does it differ from the many other hydroponic setups that are practically identical that are not referred to as the nutrient film technique. Throw an old dog a bone 'n explain how this name came into being.
reply
Maybe I missed it. What about a pipe on a slope, a water pump and a reservoir = nutrient or = film? How does it differ from the many other hydroponic setups that are practically identical that are not referred to as the nutrient film technique. Throw an old dog a bone 'n explain how this name came into being.
reply
trubet64
just water or do you need nutrients? If nutrients are needed which ones are the basic nutrients for a beginner? I struggle with this and get overwhelmed when looking on line for a nutrient to use.
reply
just water or do you need nutrients? If nutrients are needed which ones are the basic nutrients for a beginner? I struggle with this and get overwhelmed when looking on line for a nutrient to use.
reply
Paul
I would suggest some type of physical filter on the return from the NFT to catch roots and crap that will pollute your reservoir, also a UV light to kill bacteria in the reservoir.
reply
I would suggest some type of physical filter on the return from the NFT to catch roots and crap that will pollute your reservoir, also a UV light to kill bacteria in the reservoir.
reply
Frank
great video, beginner here, always learning something new, building an Ebb and Flow, have only experienced DWC, and this will be new gardening technique, changes it up a little.
reply
great video, beginner here, always learning something new, building an Ebb and Flow, have only experienced DWC, and this will be new gardening technique, changes it up a little.
reply
bob
Surely the return water splashing into the reservoir will put oxygen back into the water? I do that with my home brewing without the need of an air pump to keep the yeast happy!
reply
Surely the return water splashing into the reservoir will put oxygen back into the water? I do that with my home brewing without the need of an air pump to keep the yeast happy!
reply
Abdool
Epic Gardening - Hi, What about the nutrient? We just add it periodically directly into the tank? Will be appreciated if w can have an idea on the amount to be added.
reply
Epic Gardening - Hi, What about the nutrient? We just add it periodically directly into the tank? Will be appreciated if w can have an idea on the amount to be added.
reply
Random
what about the mechanical and biofiler? Supposedly an nft system doesn't have a lot of space for beneficial bacterias to grow like a dwc or media bed has
reply
what about the mechanical and biofiler? Supposedly an nft system doesn't have a lot of space for beneficial bacterias to grow like a dwc or media bed has
reply
Impulsive
Why do you need to slope the tube? i'm pretty sure there are ways to make it perfectly horizontal because that sloped tube gives me OCD issues.
reply
Why do you need to slope the tube? i'm pretty sure there are ways to make it perfectly horizontal because that sloped tube gives me OCD issues.
reply
Add a review, comment
Other channel videos
