NFT System

[GaryD]

Hi,

One of the features of the our NFT system is its portability. It breaks down into pieces, is easily carried by one person and could almost be stuffed into a tent bag.

When fully assembled, two people are needed to move it about.....not for its weight but rather because of its size.

The addition of a small nutrient reservoir and a pump and you've got a 48 plant growing system that can be set up and operating in minutes.......and a very good one, too.

If I lived in places where things freeze solid in winter.....or are scorched to a crisp in summer......this would be my growing system of choice. You can bang it together in minutes in the optimum growing season and then pack it away in the basement when it gets nasty outside.


Gary

[GaryD]

Hi,

Here's the latest photos of the NFT system.

Gary

[Pugo]

Extremely impressive, Gary. I'm feel envious. Hard to believe that is NFT even though I know it is.

[GaryD]

Hi Pugo,

NFT, in the right hands, is a very effective growing system.

I placed the first of the strawberry runners - and some tomato and cucumber seedlings in the system - around 23rd August.

The strawberry plants have already yielded their first fruit.....and the volume of flowers suggests that there's plenty more on the way.

This is just as well because my 3 year-old grandson (with his own unique perspective on things) can see the underside of the NFT troughs....and any strawberries that are hanging from the plants.

The tomato plants have formed several small fruit. While I don't remember the variety, the tomatoes are bush (rather than vine) plants.

The cucumbers withered and died. The most likely reason would be that we chose the wrong variety.

The main issue that I have with NFT at this level is the cost of the nutrients. Fortunately, there are lots of options for those who wish to pursue cheaper DIY solutions. The cost of bottled nutrients is offset by the convenience that they offer.

Our little system is currently using around 60 - 70 litres of water per week.....for a total of 40 plants.

We change the nutrient mix each week. The left over nutrient is poured onto adjacent raised bed gardens. We then make up a full barrel of water and add the required amounts of the two-part nutrient mix.

A couple of days ago, I changed to a flowering/fruiting formulation. Prior to that, we had been using a vegetative formulation.

We ran the system on straight rainwater for about a week between the two types of nutrient mix......by circumstance rather than design.

Contrary to what aquaponics sales folk keep telling those who don't know better, hydroponics need not use any more water than aquaponics.....and aquaponically-grown plants do not grow any better......or faster......than hydroponically-grown ones.

Gary

[GaryD]

Hi,

The tomatoes have filled out and are almost ready to pick.

Gary

[Pugo]

Beautiful looking tomatoes, having problems keep the bugs off mine, they kill them off before I can get a tomato from the plant

[Pseudoreality]

Thanks for sharing Gary. It's a nice looking system. I thinking about incorporating NFT into my indoor (and possibly outdoor) aquaponics set up. With proper mechanical and bio filtration I don't really see the point of media beds. I know a lot of large scale and commercial systems use raft technique. I haven't had much success with floating plants and am hesitant to make a raft tank, but I really like the idea of NFT for it's portability and adaptability.

Contrary to what aquaponics sales folk keep telling those who don't know better, hydroponics need not use any more water than aquaponics.....and aquaponically-grown plants do not grow any better......or faster......than hydroponically-grown ones.

Gary

Dr. Nick Savidov may disagree with you there. His data suggests that after 4 months of maturing aquaponic systems plant growth outpaces that of hydroponics by up to 4 times. Now I haven't seen that data repeated anywhere else so there is very much debate.