Introduction Low Pressure Aeroponics
What is Aeroponics VS Hydroponics>??
Let’s get some confusion out of the way. Aeroponics is a TYPE of Hydroponics! Hydroponics is growing method of growing plants in a water / air instead of traditional agriculture using a soil media.
Now there is TWO Subtypes of Aeroponics! Their main difference is the idea of high volume of nutrient solution at low pressure VS low volume of nutrient solution at high pressure. This is the Ideological difference between High Pressure VS Low Pressure Aeroponics.
The two systems types have many other types of differences but we discuss in other articles such as Low VS High Pressure Aeroponics (One of our most popular articles currently!) Today is about the Introduction of Low Pressure Aeroponics known widely as LPA.
What is Low Pressure Aeroponics?
In general, Aeroponics is much different than other types of hydroponics. In other Hydroponic types, root systems are generally “in” hydroponic solution. While in Aeroponics, the roots are suspended in air and misted with 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 larger in size.
Basic LPA System Design
Root Chamber
Shape / Size:
The root chambers come in many different shapes & sizes. Most chambers are setup completely dependent on type of crop being grown. They can range from upright / horizontal pipes for small leafy greens OR very deep for large crops such as tomatoes.
Plant Net Basket Layout:
Net baskets are mostly used with hydroton media. They are generally layout based on the type / size of crop being grown. MORE spacing is of course is needed for larger plants.
Nutrient Reservoir (Combined):
Sometimes the Root Chamber & Nutrient Reservoir are combined together. This is especially true for smaller home systems. So when they are combined the systems can be almost be both DWC & LPA as the roots will hang down into the solution. If they are not combined than the extra nutrient solution not uptaken by the roots will drain back to the reservoir for re-circulation.
Nutrient Reservoir
The reservoir is simply a storage area for already mixed nutrient solution between spraying cycles for Aeroponics. The reservoir like said above can be a separate part of the system many times. This is always true for larger systems but depends on design for small ones. Larger nutrient reservoirs can add capacity between maintenance but require monitoring of pH and ppM levels.
Pump (Nutrient solution)
Pump(s) are required to create pressure to spray the plants’ root systems. In Low Pressure Aeroponics, pumps are selected for high volume rather than high pressure. Size needs to be based on design of the system including overall size, number of nozzles, and more. For smaller home based systems, Pond Pumps are popular.
Nozzles
Nozzles need to create a good spray pattern to well coat the root systems. In Low Pressure Aeroponics, they are selected for pattern and higher volume. The nozzles will operate at low pressures such as 10-30PSI.
