Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

They're standard NFT hydroponic channels...

No problems Cityroots.... let me know the invoice address... and I'll look up the flight info....

yeah I wish I could afford that, actually I wish I could afford to go there! My weather sucks right now. Oh and I had found all the info on your channels like a min before you posted but it is hard to search through all your post... you kind of have a lot. I am just hoping the local hydro shop has some that aren't and arm and a leg because I just looked up some online with shipping and yeah $100+ for shipping is a little much.

[quote="CityRootsFarm"]So the main guy that runs this company had said he has one of the most efficient systems. [/quote]


most efficient at departing people from their money is what he means...

I have a magic filter too! I call it the RC4000 ! Grows any crop better, faster and more nutritious!


On the topic of NFT's, I run them too and a few of the downsides to think about are heat and risk of crop loss from power outages... Which you will fare a bit better with if using DWC. You are also more limited on the crops you can grow. All that said, they have their place.

Yes, heat transfer is a consideration... and power outages need to be considered.... by that's just as true for any method...

DWC will certaqinly buy you more time.....

As to being limited on the crops you grow.... well I don't see what crops can, or are typically grown in DWC... that can't be grown in NFT....

Yeah this system is going in my garage so I am not sure heat will play a major factor but cold might... Yeah I plan on having a back up system but something to think about. Yeah and I am confused because there is a hydro farm around here that is nft that only does tomatoes which you couldn't do dwc at least not easily so what doesn't do we'll in nft? I am actually finding it pretty hard to get the tubing itself right now so that's playing a factor. But I am still waiting for a call from the local hydro shop.

Ok so I am restarting this topic a little bit. So I have been pricing and pricing and then some more pricing. I can get 10 8ft (2.4m) channels with shipping for $279. Now the recommended spacing means each channel would have 12 holes. So 120 spots. I can build a DWC trough for $100 and 4'x8' (1.2x2.4m) holding about 128 holes from what I have figured. I have room for two troughs so I could have 2 for cheaper than the NFT. Now is NFT that much more productive that the cost would be returned with speed of growth? I have thought about doing the DWC and then later on doing a vertical wall with NFT channels. The nice thing about the NFT is it is everything I need -FT and pump. Experts and non a like what are your thoughts?

DWC has the stability aspect as well. Depending on your yearly temp ranges, it would be worth the extra consideration. Another option would be to make your own NFT channels from guttering.

Yeah I have been pricing that out too and I am still coming up with almost $20 a channel 4" PVC tubes at 10' long are like $13-16 bucks. Plus all the caps and such. PVC downspout about $15 for a 10' channel. And still 10x 10'channels is still like 16 holes I think. So 160 holes for around $200. Rupert was saying that nft are more productive and I thought I would have issues with getting liner for a good price but $50 for a 6x10 liner ( for an 4x8 bed) isn't too bad. Since it is kind of indoors the temp will be like 80f to 40f but I will have a water heater in the winter

DWC can be just as productive Cityroots... if the costs are cheaper... and if it's going to be indoors... then go for it...

Just remember to oxygenate the troughs...

Yeah there is another thread talking about drowning plants but someone mentioned Venturi method I have just gotten done reading about that and other methods of raising the DO. now what methods have you guys found to work best. I have seen a couple people aerating the GB as well as the fish tank.

I'v e seen people aerate the raft troughs...

And a few people have suggested they might aerate the grow beds... but I don't think anyone has actually done so... (or what the real benefit might be)...

Do you use an aerator for your nft system? Or what method do you use for aeration?

Depends... last system.... the fish tank was aerated... and the grow beds and NFT all drained back to the sump... providing aeration...

Previously... I have aerated the sump that supplies the NFT.... and that's probably my preference...