Curious about your Next NFT Build

(the Texan)

I am just curious to know if you are building a new NFT system? I am about to build one, but was kind of concerned about the dam for the water level.

Answer: Texan- I have had plans for a while to build another hydroponic system, much like my most successful system, but using 6 inch PVC pipe instead of 4 inch PVC. Unfortunately, many things have kept me from doing so lately. I can run down a list of reasons why I want to use the bigger pipe, as well as some of the benefits.

With the 4 inch PVC pipe, it is tricky keeping the water level high without causing small leaks here and there out the planting holes. Also, the volume of plant roots running through the 4 inch PVC towards the end of the growing cycle started to cause the water flowing through the system to back up, forcing me to reduce my flow rate in order to prevent a much bigger leaking problem. I did not notice any negative affect on the plants because of the change, however, I would like to have the system designed and ready for success without having to adjust it as it goes. Maybe I ask too much, lol.

Both of these problems, I imagine, would be largely fixed by using 6 inch PVC for the system instead of the 4 inch PVC....which brings me to the dam. In a 4 inch PVC system, there is not enough nutrient solution in the pipes themselves to support healthy plant growth without constantly testing and adjusting the nutrient solution. Therefor, a nutrient reservoir is needed in addition to the hydroponic system itself. Furthermore, the nutrient solution needs to be transferred back and forth, from the nutrient reservoir to the system, and from the system back to the nutrient reservoir.

Moving nutrient solution from the system, back to the nutrient reservoir, while maintaining the proper water level inside the hydroponic system- THAT is the tricky part in a 4 inch PVC system. That is why I came up with the dam method. By cutting out a small half circle of plastic and caulking it into place at the end of the system, more water is allowed to spill out of the system if the water level begins to rise (for whatever reason). It's both a simple and very effective solution to the problem.

However, a system made from 6 inch pipe has it beat. Since the pipes hold so much water, there is no need for a separate nutrient reservoir. In order to create a flow within the system, you simply pump nutrient solution from the "end" of the system and release it back into the starting point of the system....both ends of which can be capped off (eliminating the possibility of leaks from either end point). Also, the rate of fluid leaving the system is always the same as the rate of fluid entering the system, since it is all the action of the same pump!

The only negative I can think of (and I have considered the design for many, many hours) would be the nutrient solution changes. In the 4 inch PVC systems, they are very convenient....simply dump the reservoir and replace it with fresh nutrient solution. With the 6 inch PVC design, I think I would have to use the nutrient solution pump to "pump out" the system, than would have to use a reservoir of some sort to mix up a fresh batch of nutrient solution, than would use the pump to refill the system with the fresh solution. Maybe a touch more work, but worth it considering all of the other issues the design tends to fix. I hope this helps you out, and Happy Growing!