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Tag: Hydroponics

High Pressure Aeroponics – Proper Plumbing

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Laying Proper Pipe Will Provide Success!

High Pressure Aeroponics needs reliable piping that can handle its needs OR you are risking disaster! If a system leaks it can create a massive mess, not work properly, and WORSE your plants will suffer or even DIE! This is why you must properly choose all the pipelines AND proper fittings. This should be done in the design phase of your DIY project. Also check out our post on Nutrient Solution’s Worse Enemy! LIGHT.  

Pipe / Tube

The pipe you select will have the purpose of transporting your nutrient solution throughout your system. It will start by up-taking it from the nutrient reservoir to transport it to the misting nozzles for your plant roots. 

Design Concerns

Most important thing to think about is design of your system. Like a car, the plumbing of your system needs to be selected based on your design. You can always “overbuild” the plumbing but that can quickly get costly and serve no purpose.

  • What pressure are you running your system at? Different pipe will be “rated” for different pressure ranges. I ALWAYS say it is best to be at least 30% or more UNDER the maximum pressure range of your piping. This is in case there are any weak spots or just like anything, the pipe can slightly weaken over time. 
  • Budget as money is KING! Everyone would love just to overbuild or make the “best” system possible. But blowing a budget on elements like piping you will never receive any benefit from is just a Waste of funds!
  • Ease of use and/or installation: Different types of piping we discuss below will have advantages and disadvantages. One of the big ones are ease of installation. A pipe that bends easily or has simple fittings can be a huge benefit of simplication. 

Types of Pipe For HPA

There are many different options, but you will see many of the “major” families of pipe. I go over the different major types below where they all have different advantages and disadvantages. Sometimes using multiple different types maybe the best solution for your hydroponic system. Many times systems will use one type of pipe for simplicity but sometimes other systems will be designed to use 2 or more types to take advantage of their strengths in different parts of the hydroponic system. Example of this commonly seen is Poly tubing for most of the hydroponic system with Stainless Steel being used for the mist nozzle manifolds inside the root chamber only.  

Stainless Steel

Stainless Steel Pipe

Stainless steel is going to be your most expensive option. It has many advantages including cleanliness, strength for high pressure, and more. But it does have the disadvantages of being harder to work with due to being rigid and biggest being high cost. You will see it mainly used in commercial High Pressure Aeroponic systems especially as mist nozzle manifolds inside the root chambers. It is not popular for smaller residential systems. For most I would discourage its use mainly due to high cost.

Poly Types:

Black Food Grade Poly Tube

Different polymer “Poly” tubes are very popular in all hydroponic systems. They are easy to work with, lower cost, and come in many different varieties. Honestly this is my tubing of choose as it has very few disadvantages.

  • Ease of Use: This tubing is easy to cut and has a massive amounts of “push to connect” fittings to choose from. It also easy bends instead of being rigid, so it does not require nearly as many fittings as rigid types. Finally it can be cut with both special cutters for nice clean cuts or as simple as a box cutter. No need for special grinders, saws, or etc. 
  • Low Cost: This option is low cost comparative to stainless steel as it generally only costs couple cents per foot. 
  • Varieties: It comes in “endless” varieties as it is used in so many different applications from soda machines, engines, water systems, and so much more. You can easily find the needed dark color, different sizes, and pressure ratings to match your design.

 

PVC

Black PVC Pipe

Let’s just get this one out of the way. Even though you will see it used for Low Pressure Aeroponics and in some DIY projects. PVC pipe is a HORRIBLE idea and should NEVER be used. Let me say that again! DO NOT USE PVC piping for High Pressure Aeroponics. 

The reasons PVC is a “No Go” for High Pressure Aeroponics:

  • Many types do not hold high pressure and will burst. Only Schedule 40 or higher have decent pressure ratings. 
  • It has the disadvantage of being rigid which is more difficult for installation requiring more fittings.
  • Fittings generally are glued so unchangeable once installed. 

Copper Pipe

Copper Pipe

Copper pipe is many times the “pipe of choose” you will see plumbing many houses and/or buildings. It is rigid and holds pressure very well like Stainless Steel we talked about earlier. But let’s say it together! DO NOT USE COPPER PIPE IN A HYDROPONIC SYSTEM!!

WHY NOT??

  • Copper pipe is very expensive and why it is targeted by thieves in abandoned homes, construction sites, and etc. 
  • Copper pipe LEECHES heavy metals when it is regularly exposed to nutrient solution! This is NOT safe!!!
  • It will also degrade overtime in acidity of nutrient solution. This is a common known issue for copper pipe plumbing systems in buildings.
  • It is very difficult to install as it requires very expensive fittings and/or fittings that require “sweating” them in place. This is basically melting them in place for people that are do not know plumbing terms.

So Let me make it has clear as possible. DO NOT USE COPPER PIPE!!  

What to Avoid in General:

  •  Coloration: You should use black or dark colored tubing. White or clear tubing will allow light to reach your nutrient solution which creates issues. See our article on Nutrient Solution’s Worst Enemy: Light for more information.
  • Overspending: WATCH YOUR BUDGET as purchasing high-end tubing that holds 10X the pressure rating is a waste when other upgrades such as additional filters, better timers, and etc would provide an actual benefit to your system. 
  • Food Grade ONLY: Ensure ALL your tubing and plumbing is food grade. You do not want bad chemicals being picked up by your plants that may be passed to you on consumption. This includes heavy metals!

In Conclusion:

Yes! Lighting system or fancy nutrient dosing systems are important and always a “fun” subject to learn about. But you CANNOT forget the importance of the basic infrastructure of your hydroponic system. I always recommend everyone doing very good research on what they are using as a broken pipe, leeching heavy metals, and more issues can all be caused by a simple poor selection of piping. These issues with plumbing are very easy to avoid.

NEXT we will discuss FITTINGS which are the unions of all the plumbing. Fittings also are very important and definitely overlooked many times. They are part of the “backbone” of all hydroponic systems.  

General Types of Indoor Growing Environments

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Introduction:

Large Corn field at a farm

When many people think about farming and agriculture, massive corn fields are what come to mind here in USA. I am sure that is different depending on where in the world you are located but the same idea. HUGE OUTDOOR FIELDS is what comes to mind. 

But today we are talking about Many Different types of Indoor Growing Environments. Many people see Indoor Growing as a way of the future. But due to its higher entry cost, it is less common. This is changing as our world is changing which is causing more & more large scale “indoor growing” operations are popping up everywhere.  

Indoor Growing - In General

Indoor growing is the act of cultivating plants “inside” VS traditional “outdoor” agriculture where plants are cultivated outside. Indoor growing can have many different advantages basically due to your ability to “take control” almost all growing conditions known as Environmental Factors (Check Out Our Article). The more optimum growing conditions you provide? The better your crops will do growing faster, stronger, and most likely better yields. 

Large Commercial Greenhouse Complex

Pro's

  • Better control of growing conditions
  • Can control almost all conditions instead of just “some” with outdoor growing
  • Extend the growing season
  • Allow plants that can’t grow outdoors in certain climates to be grown. 
  • So much more!

Con's

  • Much higher cost per sqft of growing space.
  • More complicated than traditional outdoor growing where “mother nature” takes care of many environmental factors.

Greenhouses

Greenhouses are what most people think of when “Indoor Growing” is brought up. That is because traditionally they have been the center of indoor growing. They provide the benefits of better control of all the environmental factors such as temperature, humidity, CO2 Levels, and so much more like all indoor growing methods. But many places / crops will not require Growing Lights in a Greenhouse unlike the other types of Indoor Growing Environments. This is clearly due to the Greenhouses are usually covered in a transparent material such as glass, plastic, plexiglass, and such. These materials allow natural sun through. 

Greenhouses come in many different forms and size factors from massive commercial greenhouse complexes to tiny “cold frames” that you can’t even walk in. They have many different structural designs from “hoop houses” to more traditional framed greenhouses. They can also range from very economical plain metal frames covered in plastic to very expensive / beautiful iron frames with glass. The types, designs, and purposes are almost endless with Greenhouses.   

Commercial Greenhouse Complex

Commercial Greenhouse Complex example

"Hoop House" Greenhouse

Commercial Hoop House Greenhouse

Residental Frame Greenhouse

Residential Greenhouse Example

Cold Frame Greenhouse

Cold Frame Greenhouse Example

Grow Rooms

Grow Rooms have grown in popularity over the last few decades. This is due to high level of control they provide AND most important security. Many crops raised in Grow Rooms are of very high value where the grower wants better security than a traditional greenhouse can offer. 

Like a greenhouse, Grow Rooms provide all the benefits of the control ability of all environmental factors. They are also many times more “sanitary” with less pest and disease problems compared to greenhouses. However, they are more costly to setup per SQFT compared to Greenhouses due to they require more ventilation, SQFT inside a building, LIGHT for the plants to grow. This light is provided by one or more types of grow lighting systems. Check out our many articles on Grow Lights such as Different Types of Grow Lights (Click Here)

Grow Room Example

Grow Tent

Mars Hydro 8' X 8' Grow Tent

Grow Tents are extremely popular growing solutions for the person looking to grow couple plants. They are very economical compared to a full blown Grow Room, easily movable to new location, and many other advantages. But they generally only come in up to 8′ X 8′ which is a limiting factor if you plan to continue expanding overtime. 

Quality Grow Tents will come with metal pole system as its “skeleton” support structure. AVOID PLASTIC! The material should be a heavy canvas for longevity with quality zippers / clips for openings. They come in many different sizes ranging from as small as 2′ X 2′ for a corner of a room to the larger 8′ X 8′ more suited as a movable “grow room.”

If you would like to learn more about Grow Tents, check out our other articles such as Overview of Grow Tents (Click Here)

Hydro-Unlimited actually sells an amazingly quality line of Grow Tents from Mars Hydro. Check them out by Clicking Here!

Hydroponic Grow Tent Example

Grow Box

Supercloset Trinity Grow Box

Grow Boxes or Grow Cabinets are generally the smallest of the growing units. They generally are used in place of a Grow Tent when the grow is only few plants which require top level security. They range from the size of a desktop computer to very large storage cabinets.

Many people DIY build them or you can buy one from multiple builders such as SuperClosets. They can range in cost depending on options and size from $500 to $5000! 

To Close

In closing, “Indoor Growing” is very important means of agriculture. It has been greatly growing in use over last few decades. This started with the most valuable crops, but it now has become way more common in many more different crops. This has been greatly due to the rise in commercial hydroponics which is mainly done in Greenhouses. Indoor Growing has allowed for plants to be grow in different climates more successfully, provide food when late frosts destroyed traditional outdoor crop yields, and so much more. We have and will continue to write many articles on Indoor Growing so please explore our blog and subscribe for our regular new articles!

Introduction Low Pressure Aeroponics

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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

Low Pressure Aeroponic System Diagram

Root Chamber

Vertical Aeroponic towers greenhouse

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. 

Aeroponic Net Pot Layout

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

Nutrient Reservoir Examples

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)

Low Pressure Aeroponic Pump Example

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

Low Pressure Aeroponics Mist Spray

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. 

Blog Update: YouTube Channel Creation

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NEW Launch!

We are happy to announce have opened a YouTube Channel to Vlog. Hydro-Unlimited.Com Youtube Channel (Click here) We hope to offer our blogs with videos for better content but also post summaries for people that are more “visual” learners. You shall be seeing many “updates” to existing blog posts to include videos. But also videos being used from now on for many new blog posts!

CLICK HERE for New Hydro-Unlimited.Com Youtube Channel

Give our new channel “subscription” to keep up to date with new video releases! We hope it will be another AMAZING way for us to bring quality Hydroponic information to all our followers!

Business Update: 2022 Here We Come!

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Wow 2021 is Almost Over!?!

It has been an amazing and weird year for everyone here at Hydro-Unlimited. This year we followed thru with the re-opening of our website both for the Blog and Online Store. This reopening alone was crazy enough! But we had many other events that have made the year one to remember! 

Huge Successes!

  • Reopening of Hydro-Unlimited.Com Store & Blog: We hope that one day to rebuild the massive knowledge base Hydro-Unlimited provided the world for many years back in the early 2000s. Along with the great store many people trusted for good advise, pricing, and service! 
  • Partnership with Mars Hydro: We signed as an official distributor for Mars Hydro, so we can offer our clients their amazing quality Grow Lights, Grow Tents, and much more!
  • Re-Branding of our Business: Any business owner knows how important but difficult this can be. It has been a massive success for our business!
  • High Pressure Aeroponic System Development: We took leaps and bounds on the development of our own high pressure aeroponic system. We are developing “turn key solutions” AND NOW ALSO DIY solutions! We wish to offer the right solution to as many of our clients as possible! 

Difficulties & Challenges from 2021:

  • Covid-19! Can I say this one enough? Our world as we knew it was turned upside down by a virus which brought our modern world to its knees. This has created so many issues from many tragedies across the world, limited supplies, supply chain issues, and so much more! Through it all, we “rolled with the punches,” so we could re-open and serve our customers the best we could. We did this by increasing stock of popular items when available, changing business strategies to deal with the many issues, and so much more! We are proud to say we think we fared it successfully as possible.  
  • Re-Starting our Online Presence: This was huge even though we had done it very successfully before. Many things had changed over the years but extensive planning and long hours made it happen. YES it has been a GREAT SUCCESS!
  • FIRE! FIRE! FIRE! Our office actually burned down in the middle of the year due to an freak electrical fire in the building! Most everything was a total lose, but great business practices of off-site backups allowed us to continue on with minimal setbacks. 

In Conclusion

2021 is a year that will always be remembered. We re-opened our website but also the whole world faced massive “way of life” changes. Our business has made “leaps and bounds” in the right direction, so we cannot be more thankful! Hydro-Unlimited wishes to thank all our NEW and Loyal Existing Customers for helping make it all happen! We have many exciting things in store for 2022 so stay tuned!  

Hydroponic Growing Environments

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Introduction

Hydroponic systems generally do best in well controlled indoor growing environments. This is mostly accomplished by a few different methods. They include greenhouses, grow tents, grow rooms, and grow cabinets. This allows for cleanliness, control of the environmental factors, and more. Controlling the environment increases yields, crop quality, and less issues with the hydroponic system. 

Main Types of Grow Environments

Greenhouses

Greenhouses range from small residential wall units to massive commercial operations. Wooden structures with glass have become a things of the past. They have been replaced by metal structure with polycarbonate “glass.” These structures are not only cheaper but last longer than traditional greenhouses. 

Hydroponic Greenhouse Example
Hydroponic Greenhouse Example

Pro’s

  • Provide great environmental control if setup correctly. With heating systems they can be used year around even during harsh winters. 
  • If lighting systems are used, they are used as supplemental light as greenhouses allow for sunlight.
  • Many times provide more room than other grow environment options

Con’s

  • Generally the most expensive option by far.
  • May be unavailable to people without land to install them on. 
  • Some land especially in HOA’s may have covenant restriction against building a greenhouse at your home.

Grow Rooms

Grow rooms are also a popular option for people that have extra space in their basements. Basically you have a walled off room, walls need to be flat white, and electrical available. You will need to install all the ventilations and grow lighting will be required unlike a greenhouse. But many times people build them similar size or larger than many residential greenhouses. They are mostly seen as the best truly indoor option.

Grow Room Diagram
Grow Room Diagram

Pro’s

  • Can be done in houses inside HOA’s or restrictive land covenants due to its inside the house. 
  • Depending if you already have a walled off room in your basement, can be much cheaper than building a greenhouse

Con’s

  • Requires grow lights unlike the greenhouse
  • Can be expensive if you have to wall off a new room in your basement.

Grow Tent

Grow Tents are a great option for people that have less space than a full grow room. They are like their names sounds, a frame holding up a tent to create this controlled environment for your plants. They can also be a great option for someone wanting something the size of a grow room but do not want to wall off their basement. We carry a Mar Hydro 8’X8′ unit that is like a mini grow room in size. 

Mars Hydro 4'x4' Grow Tent
Mars Hydro 4'x4' Grow Tent

Pro’s

  • Very cheap and affordable option compared to above two.
  • Portable if you ever need to move it.
  • Provides a great controlled growing environment for your plants.

Con’s

  • Require grow lighting to provide all light for plants
  • Wear out faster than above two more expensive options. But you can get years of service out of a quality product. 

Grow Cabinets / Boxes

This method of controlled growing environment is normally the smallest. They can be as small as a PC up to a large wall cabinet. Most people that use them live in apartments or have limited space. They are popular as they are less obvious in appearance compared to a more affordable grow tent.   

Grow Box example

Pro’s

  • More stealthy in appearance compared to any other option.
  • Many sizes available to fit even small spaces.
  • Portable if needed. 

Con’s

  • More expensive than a Grow Tent
  • Customization is more difficult 
  • Harder to transport as they can be very heavy

Different Types of Hydroponic System

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Introduction:

Hydroponics is the agricultural method of growing plants in the none traditional medium of water/air instead of soil. Against popular belief, hydroponics is an extremely old agricultural method but only became a household name in the last 20 or so years. There are many different types of systems that all have their advantages and disadvantages. Below I will be giving a short overview of each of the most common types.

Deepwater Culture Hydroponics

Deepwater Culture Hydroponic System Diagram

What is Deepwater Culture Hydroponics?

DWC Hydroponics is a method of growing where the roots of the plants are suspended in a well aerated nutrient solution. It is one of the simplest and most common type of hydroponics. It only has few parts including the root chamber, air pump, airline, airstone, and net pots. The pH and nutrient concentration has to be monitored regularly to ensure plant health. 

Pro’s

  • One of simplest especially for DYI
  • Cheap cost to get started
  • Very little can go wrong during grow

Con’s

  • One of least efficient hydroponic system
  • One of the most high water usage of hydroponics

Drain & Flood Hydroponics

Drain & Flood Hydroponic System Diagram

What is Drain & Flood Hydroponics?

Drain & Flood Hydroponics does not have all the roots of the plants constantly suspended in nutrient solution. Instead there is a separate reservoir and root chamber where the aerated nutrient solution is pumped from the reservoir to “flood” the root chamber. Than the extra solution drains slowly back to the reservoir. This is all done on a set interval controlled by a timer.  

Pro’s

  • Less change of algae growth or diseases
  • Not many moving parts to break
  • Still very simple and cost effective for DIY system

Con’s

  • Not much more efficient than DWC
  • Still high water usage
  • Pump has to be monitored to ensure it is operating or plants will die.

NFT Hydroponics

Nutrient Film Hydroponic System Diagram

NFT hydroponics is what I would call a mix of DWC and Drain & Flood. The nutrient solution is pumped into the root chamber on one side and drains out the other side circulating. The root system are exposed to more air than DWC but also has nutrient solution circulation like Drain & Flood. It is very popular for large scale operations of herbs and leafy greens.  

Pro’s

  • Great for large scale production
  • Allows for easier nutrient solution management 
  • Inexpensive initial costs to setup

Con’s

  • If pump goes out, nutrient solution flow stops and crop failure if not noticed quickly enough
  • High water use

Low Pressure Aeroponics (LPA)

Low Pressure Aeroponic System Diagram

In general, Aeroponics is much different than other types of hydroponics. 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.  

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 Pressure Aeroponics (HPA)

High Pressure Aeroponic System Diagram

High Pressure Aeroponics (HPA) has the roots completely suspended in the air. A very fine mist many times 100PSI in smaller system only discharges in the root chamber for few second very 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

Check out our new blog post Overview of High Pressure Aeroponics (Click here). We are creating a section dedicated to HPA due to it is our specialty. 

Aquaponics

Aquaponics Hydroponic System Diagram

Aquaponics is many times similar to NFT where the nutrient solution circulates between reservoir and root chamber. But the big difference is the nutrient source. In Aquaponics, it is a balanced mini-ecosystem with fish instead of adding nutrients. The fish create waste that dissolves in the water for the plants to feed off. Many larger scale Aquaponics operations are farming both the plants grown and the fish being used. 

Pro’s

  • Extremely environmental form of agriculture.
  • Low need for additional chemical products to maintain nutrient solution.
  • Can grow plants and fish at the same time.

Con’s

  • Complicated system and higher costs with similar yield results as other systems
  • Balancing the system to be most efficient takes a lot of knowledge of both plants, aquaponics, and fish care. 

Partner Blogs

New way we want to benefit our readers is going to be adding links to other QUALITY blogs with additional information on our subjects. Check them out below as we add them to articles. 

Welcome!

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Welcome to my new/old blog about hydroponics Hydro-Unlimited. I am, Chris, a hydroponics expert through both experience and education. I will be writing many different types of articles that have to do with hydroponics, green houses, and particularly high pressure aeroponics. I started this website in 2007 which bloomed into a success Hydroponics blog and online store. I scaled back to follow my career in landscape design but recently wanted to branch back out. I hope everyone will enjoy and learn truly the best growing method available for feeding our starving world.

Hydroponics is basically the method of growing plants in a water or mist media instead of traditional soil medium. Hydroponics has proven grow plants more efficiently and quickly than traditional agriculture. There are many different types of hydroponics including Deepwater Culture (DWC), Drain & Flood, Aeroponics (Low & High Pressure), and few others. They all have their “Pro’s” and “Con’s.”

I hope you will come back to start reading my articles I will be writing on the many different subjects. Also if you are an expert yourself, please Contact Us if you are interested in writing a guest article for the blog!