hi all,
i've been growing in a nft unit for some time now,ive never used any other hydro system,what i've noticed is that the plant thats nearest to to the end of the unit is always a much better plant all round with up to twice the amount of yield as the other plants the roots of the end plant all stretch down into the nutrient tank underneath im thinking thats why the plant does so well.so i think im ready to change my ways and look for another hydro unit can some of you give me some ideas on which unit you think is the best and would recommend for good yield??
many thanks

Flood and drain (dwc) buckets you will never look back nft i.e. nutrient film technique means your roots are covered in water constantly, flood and drain introduces air into your roots, as well as the plants eat more due to them being much thirstier, you will defnately not look back

Hi dude av used ebb x flood for 12 months and DWC (bubblers) for 4 months the diffrance is amazing
my vote bubblers every tlme the growth rate is brill

Hi m8, been doing this for quite a while, tried loads over the years, I thought I'd post as ya got a couple of ebb and flow fans, even though I agree it is good, and it doesn't really matter which path you take, but the full picture is worth having. I agree NFT is not really an option. Most gardeners use either ebb and flow or drippers, also alot of gardeners think that one is better than the other, I believe different situations call for different answers, both systems have good and bad points, ya got to look at a few things first eg How high is your space, NFT sits on the floor, alot of ebb and flo systems have a tank underneath so ya loose maybe 1 metre maybe more, unless like the guy above says you use a bucket based system (some of these are really expensive like the IWS system), while alot of dripper systems also sit low to the ground (the height of your run off tub). Personally I believe the medium you pick to use should affect the system you choose and as you are using NFT this is a big decision what medium ? Rockwool, clay balls, coco, etc.
For example clay balls and ebb and flo work really well, so does coco and a dripper system

How about making a dripper system yourself, it will be cheaper, easy and you will understand how it works from day one. And you can expand it easily. And if set up well the system could run upto 3 weeks on it's own (ya can't do that with a edd and flow because it's recirculating all the time so you've got to bin the water)

Shopping list.
1 metre Aquatrays (3 plants per tray). £5-£8 each
large water tank, the larger the better, £20-£30
Good high pressure pump (not from your growshop though too expensive), £40 flow rate up to 140 L/min ,head (lift height) 5.8m for example
High pressure filter with control valve. ( this also needs a return to stir the tank or you will need another pump (standing water is bad)) £50
loads of good quality tubing The thick stuff (get from your growshop so it matches you drippers). £1-£2 per metre
6-8 high pressure drippers per tray ( with the nipples and thinner dripper tubing) pence
bends and ends for ya tubing
Couple of runoff tubs, £2
Couple of digital timers (no fancy stuff) £15
Canna coca £10 50 litres
Canna feed £30 5 litres
Pk13/14 £5 250 ml (this is really important if using canna feed)
wood to make up a little box type frame for your trays on a bit of a angle
length of guttering for ya runoff

If you haven't got one get a CF meter, no matter what anyone says get one.

I said try coco, as if anything fails, eg pump fails or you run out of water, the coco can go days with out water, Rockwool and clay balls can dry out quickly, Rockwool can't really be re-used but clay balls and coco can, in my experience, so with coco you have a almost fail safe way of growing (I actually use a mix of clay balls and coco, the best of both worlds, and re-use 3 times then throw away).

Always run to waste as perfect food is given each time. Run off lower than what goes in.

I find a dripper system (run to waste), coco medium, canna feed ( don't forget the PK13/14 ), a good place to start, simple, effortless, with excellent results.

Hope I've been helpful.

One last thing. Find a good shop, the shop I use (which is one of the largest in the UK) has been amazing over the years from water tests to advice, don't be scared to ask alot of questions just say tomatoes alot.

i used an aerospring (6 site) for my first run,,, fantastic the fastest yet, although my 5 gal dwc produced huge root balls and massive plants... out grew my room was messing with some random sativas. both are superior if u are growing medical size.... which is my six. for higher amounts in a short form i.e sea of green,,,, go ebb and flow. nutes go with flora nova grow and bloom with floralicious plus and great white for the roots..

thanks for all the replys and help fellas ,,
i think by the sound of it bubblers are the way forward can anyone recommend a reliable unit to me please thanks again kind regards....

Hello mate

Another x nft grower here Its not that I never liked it,infact I had some good results,that was untill I was hit with pythium and gave up on the hydro. However after 3 years growing in compo Im back with the hydro & using coco,cant coment on yield as of yet, but it does look good so far,

Is coco an option? Youll have individual pots and dont have to worry about ones on a tray outfeeding the others.

Goodluck in your dessision.

p&q

ime they all pretty much the same ,

and nft is just as good as any the roots aint constanly covered in water either the film of water passes under the roots constan and ive never known the to not get enough air at the roots unless theres too much water