Hydroponic FAQs
Bato Bucket
Bato Buckets, also known as Dutch Buckets, are plastic containers with drains on the bottom that measure 10″ x 12″ x 10″ (L x W x H). The buckets sit on a steel table frame or directly on the ground. The working solution feeds at the top of the buckets and drains into 1.5″ PVC pipe, back to a reservoir.
What is CEA?
Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA) is the growing of crops while controlling certain aspects of the environment in order to reduce pests, increase efficiencies, be more sustainable, increase yield or save costs.
What is CF – Conductivity Factor?
The Conductivity Factor (CF) of dissolved salts in a given solution is a measurement of conductivity. CF (conductivity factor) is basically EC multiplied by 10, and is used in some places because it eliminates the need for a decimal point. For example, an EC of 1.4 is equal to a CF of 14.
What is Channel?
Main equipment of an NFT system. Made of 100% virgin UPVC and can be extruded at almost any length. Also named troughs, gullies or tubes.
EC – Electrical Conductivity ?
IPM (Integrated Pest Management) is a broad-based approach that integrates practices for economic control of pests.
What is IPM?
IPM (Integrated Pest Management) is a broad-based approach that integrates practices for economic control of pests.
What is NFT?
NFT (Nutrient film technique) is a hydroponic technique where in a very shallow stream of water containing all the dissolved nutrients required for plant growth is re-circulated past the bare roots of plants in a watertight growing channel. This is our preferred method of growing leafy greens due to quick crop turns and affiancey.
What is Nutrient Analysis?
A nutrient analysis is a test of the working solution. Once a reservoir is filled with source water and charged with stock solution and pH adjuster, a sample is taken and tested. If you take the same test before the working solution is dumped (3 to 6 weeks after first charge), you get a clear snap shot of how balanced the nutrients is. Nutrient analysis test for:
Nitrate-Nitrogen, Ammonium-Nitrogen, Phosphorus, Potassium, Calcium, Magnesium, Boron, Copper, Iron, Manganese, Zinc, Molybdenum, Sodium, and Aluminum, Nickel, Silicon, pH, Electrical Conductivity (EC).
Nutrient Conductivity?
It’s common knowledge that 1 ppm is the same as 1 mg/ liter or 1 gram of nutrient in 1 million grams of water. The universal method of measuring the strength of a nutrient solution (where any one in any country will be speaking the same language) is Electrical Conductivity (EC) or (CF) which is really EC with the decimal point moved one digit to the left. For example: 0.8 EC = 8 CF. Stating the solution strength in ppms, (which many growers do) can be misleading, as different salts may weigh the same but have different ppms when dissolved in water. The ppm measurement actually came from waste water treatment or TDS (total dissolved solids), where there are several conversion factors where 1 EC equals either 600 ppm, 640 ppm, 700 ppm, or 750 ppm. That is why EC (Electrical Conductivity) is the industry standard.
pH?
pH is the acidity or alkalinity of the nutrient solution. It is a measurement of activity of dissolved hydrogen ions. They are most active in the zone where all the elements remain in solution and available for plant uptake.
Plants can survive in the pH range 4.0 to 8.0. Below 4 there is a danger of the roots being burnt and some minerals are not available to plants. Above 8.0 some of the minerals can be precipitated or are not available to the plants. If roots are ever exposed to extremely low or high pH, turn off irrigation, bleed 50% of the tank, add fresh water, get pH spot on and then turn irrigation back on. Most times you can save a crop with this method.
The most important thing to remember is to keep pH between 5.5 and 6.5. Aim for 6. All the elements are available in that range. When plants are growing in good light and warm conditions, the normal trend is for the pH to rise and we have to add a pH lower (acid solution). In cool, dark, short day conditions, it can be normal for the pH level to fall and we have to raise the pH with pH raise (alkali solution). As a rule, as plants feed, their root waste (sometimes in the form of ethylene gas) is basic and raises pH. In media based systems, microbes eat most of this up so pH is fairly stable.
Stock Solution
Stock Solution is the concentrated version of your nutrients. There is an A Stock Solution and a B Stock Solution that you feed into your reservoir until your desired CF/EC (ppm) is reached.
VPD
VPD (Vapor Pressure deficit) is the difference between the amount of moisture in the air and how much moisture the air can hold when it is saturated.
Water Analysis?
A water analysis is a very important first step for any hydroponic system, regardless of type and size. If the water is to hard (high salt content), a Reverse Osmosis System must be used. A water analysis tests for the following:
Nitrate-Nitrogen, Ammonium-Nitrogen, Phosphate, Potassium, Calcium, Magnesium, Boron, Copper, Iron, Manganese, Molybdenum, Sodium, Sulfate, Fluoride, Chloride, Carbonates, Bicarbonates, pH, EC, Aluminum, Iron, Manganese, Zinc, Copper, Molybdenum, SAR, Alkalinity(mg CaCO3/liter), Total Dissolved Solids (TDS), Hardness
