Low VS High Pressure Aeroponic Systems
High Pressure Aeroponics
High Pressure Aeroponics (HPA) has the roots completely suspended in the air. A very fine mist (20-50 micros in size) many times 100PSI in the smaller system to 25PSI in commercial systems. Mist is only discharged in the root chamber for few seconds every few minutes. It is by far the most efficient, complicated, and effective form of hydroponics. But systems are by far more complicated than other types of hydroponics. They include high pressure pumps, electric valves, accumulator tanks, pressure valves, and much more.
Pro’s
- Most efficient with extremely low water and nutrient use
- Best plant growth speed and crop yields of any form of Hydroponics.
- Many systems can continue to run without power or backup power for periods of time
Con’s
- Most costly system
- Most complicated to setup and run
- Pump failures can lead to crop failures within hours if not address quickly
Low Pressure Aeroponics (LPA)
In LPA (Low Pressure Aeroponics) the roots are suspended in air and/or partly in the nutrient solution. Then the root system is misted with a nutrient solution on a regular basis. Low Pressure Aeroponics the roots are heavily misted and many times reach down into the nutrient solution reservoir. In LPA, pumps are selected more for higher water volume than pressure. The mist is course and much larger in size than HPA. Some people call it “soakoponics” due to the roots stay dripping wet.
Pro’s
- Way more efficient than other types of hydroponics
- Still lower initial costs
- Way less complicated than High Pressure Aeroponics
Con’s
- Pump failures can lead to crop failure if not monitored regularly.
- Higher water usable than High Pressure Aeroponics
High VS Low Pressure Aeroponics
Initial Cost
Low Pressure Aeroponics wins with a much lower costs. This is due to the system being much less complicated. HPA requires many more different parts for it to operate properly.
Operating Cost
High Pressure Aeroponics wins with much lower operating costs.
- HPA uses very little nutrient solutions so it saves on nutrient costs. It can use 90% less than some types of hydroponics.
- HPA just uses a pump to pressurize few times per day when the pressure tank is properly sized. LPA requires the use of a high volume / low pressure pump for hours per day. This means much less energy is use by HPA.
Pump Type
- High Pressure Aeropoincs uses low volume / high pressure pumps for pressurizing the system. This is how 20 – 50 micron droplets are created. Examples: Aquatec 8800 Series
- Low Pressure Aeroponics uses high volume / low pressure pumps for misting the root systems. This is how the system keeps the roots well supplied with a nutrient solution that is usually re-circulated. Most commonly used pumps are pond type pumps.
Mist Type
- High Pressure Aeroponics has more of a “fog” mist that is 20-50 microns in size.
- Low Pressure Aeroponics has more a spray of mist that is much larger droplet size.
How Nutrient Solution is Managed
- High Pressure Aeroponics uses very little nutrient solution as the mist is very low volume. Many people choose to go “Drain to Waste” where any extra is let to drain away not to be reused. To limit the waste, this requires tuning the system in very well so not much drips from the root system. This means that new nutrient solution is balanced and doesn’t need to be constantly monitored pH and ppM of nutrients.
- Low Pressure Aeroponics is usually always a re-circulating system of the nutrient solution since it uses high volume when spraying. The nutrient solution supply needs to be constantly monitored for ppM of nutrients and pH since it is being reused.
Ease of Operation
This truly depends on on user’s idea of “ease.” They both have their advantages and disadvantages. Once High Pressure system is set up, I feel HPA is much easier to operate as nutrient solution doesn’t need monitoring except to re-fill it. LPA require constant monitoring and adjusting of the nutrient solution.