What is the Nutrient Film Technique

Гидропонная система Nutrient Film Technique (NFT) часто используется для беспочвенного выращивания растений. Оборудование устанавливают, как на крупных предприятиях, в теплицах и оранжереях, так и на частных огородных участках, в домашних условиях.

NFT позволяет выращивать на маленькой площади большое количество овощей, ягод, зелени, декоративных растений. В чём основной принцип системы? Как собирать установку своими руками?

Everybody dreams of having a beautiful green space in their homes. But what’s greater than having a garden that you can both enjoy and use?

In the domain of soilless culture, the nutrient film technique system (or NFT system) is also fairly popular with hydroponic growers due to its simple yet effective design.

The nutrient film technique is often used to grow smaller and quick growing plants like different types of lettuces. Apart from lettuces, commercial growers also use this system to grow herbs baby greens and strawberries.

Nutrient Film Technique is a versatile and familiar hydroponic system that include components the same as Ebb and Flow but different in configuration.

Let’s find out more about this technique.

Depending on the size of your grow room, select the right sized NFT System. The system’s planting channels are about 8 feet long and the reservoir ensures you have plenty of room to optimise your grow space. Based on the nutrient film technique, the system offers your crops’ complete access to oxygen, nutrients, and water. At London Grow you’ll find a range of NFT Systems accessories to help you achieve the best growing conditions for strong and healthy plant development.

NFT SystemsExplore our NFT Growing Supplies products

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So you’ve thought of a great idea for an NFT project, you’re either working on your own or in a team, and you’ve possibly even developed some of the artwork. You’ve got a great vision for your project, and you want it to go all the way to the moon.

To ensure that you are able to sell your NFTs, you’ll need to build a community around it.

The most obvious way to promote your NFT project is using social media. Social media is an amazing – and vital – way to build a community around your NFT.

The strength of your community will play a huge role in the success of your NFT project.

Here are some of our top tips for growing a strong community around your NFT and building momentum for the launch of your collection and beyond.

Co-founder of popular NFT project Junkyard Dogs, Chef Dizzy, speaks candidly on how to build a strong, organic community for your NFT project.

He emphasises the importance of being authentic, because that is how you’ll connect with people the most.

Use your social media platform to tell people why you’ve started this project, inform them about the process, and introduce the team so that there’s a face behind the product.

For most NFT collectors and enthusiasts, they are not just looking for the best investment, they are looking for community.

People can also quickly see when something is inauthentic or gimmicky. So rather take time to build a project you’re proud of, and then find people who will love it as much as you do. It also builds trust and lets your community know that you’re in it for the long haul.

2. Choose your channels

Discord: Discord used to be a gaming-oriented platform but is now a broader space that encompasses the NFT crypto community. What’s great is that it’s highly customisable; you can start different channels, such as ones for general info, chat, question of the day, etc.

Reddit: Setting up a subreddit for your project gives you a space for longer discussions and allows you to reach a wider audience.

3. Generate a buzz

You can award badges or NFTs to people who have showed up early. One of the best ways to do this is by using Proof of Attendance Protocol (POAP), which are unique NFT badges on the xDai sidechain.

Other ways to build a buzz: by using your channels to announce new features, through giveaways and airdrops, and through time-limited events, like meetups on Discord or Clubhouse.

4. Engage with your community

It’s no good setting up all these social media platforms and not interacting with your community members.

If you’re doing the social media yourself, you’ll need to take at least twenty minutes a day to answer questions and respond to comments. Most likely, you’ll need a community manager who can take on a public role and engage with the community.

Whoever is managing your community needs to be clued up on the product, in order to answer any specific questions that come up.

5. Collaborate with artists and influencers

Collaboration is key for brands, says Chef Dizzy, because it represents the cross-pollination of ideas and communities.

You could collaborate with influencers, other projects, and even artists.

For example, you could join up with another project and airdrop something special to members of both your communities.

Another great idea is to collaborate with an artist, who could create a version or derivative of your NFT.

Enlist the help of experts to grow your community

If you would get some momentum going for your NFT project, Volume 99 can help. We’ll help you build a strong community around your NFT for maximum impact, including all aspects of marketing – social media management, copywriting, design, email marketing, Discord management and more.

Nutrient Film Technique (NFT) growing is primarily used for growing leafy green plants. Using this method a thin stream of water flows through a rectangular channel about 3″ to 10″ wide (wider channels are used for fodder crops). Because the nutrient stream forms a thin film in the bottom of the channel it gives the method its name. Plant roots are bathed in this stream of nutrients and grow very quickly.

CropKing offers channel with a slightly raised middle to help the film spread widely rather than concentrate plant roots into the middle of the channel. The CropKing channels have removable top caps to keep dirt from contaminating the nutrient film and to make it easier to clean the channels. These caps are punched with specially sized holes to enable a grower to precisely space crops for best growth. In addition, the covers prevent evaporation loses.When installed the channels are sloped about one inch over every thirty-six to forty inches to allow the nutrient film to flow easily. The nutrient liquid is pumped in through a small diameter feed line, flows down the channel to be collected at the lower end. At the lower end the film flows back into the reservoir ready to be reused.What Plants can be Grown in NFT ChannelsNFT channels are primarily used to grow leafy green plants with a short growth period. Bibb and leaf type lettuce is an ideal plant for such a system but you can grow other leafy green plants such as spinach, broccoli Raab, and certain herbs. Larger plants such as cabbage, that take longer to grow, are heavier, and have larger root systems are not suitable for an NFT system.Starting Seedlings for NFT ChannelsMost hydroponic plants are started in cubes and transplanted into the channels. The cubes can be made of rockwool, coir, peat moss or a type of spun polymer that allow the nutrient film to soak the cube but also allow the film to flow past it.

To start seedlings the first step is to wet the cubes. Run several quarts of water through the cubes. This not only wets them but also cleans out any excess salts in the cubes. set the cubes in standard seedling flats before placing a seed in the dimple in the center of the cube.You will find it difficult to set a single seed in the middle of each cube because the seeds are so small. For that reason many growers use pelletized seed even though it costs a little more. Seed about 10% more seeds than you will need to allow for wastage or poor germination. Water the cubes with warm water (70-75o or 21o to 23o C). Keep the seedlings damp and keep the temperature in the germinating area around 65 to 75o (18o to 23o C) Keep the temperature around the seedlings at least 55o (13o C) at night and up to 65o (18oC) during the day. Moisten the seedlings with either water (no nutrients) or half strength nutrient solution until the plant roots reach the bottom of the cube in about ten days to two weeks.How to Plant Your NFT System

When you see roots at the bottom of the cube or when the seedling leaves are around 2″ long, transplant into NFT channels and fertilize until the plants reach harvestable size. When placing cubes in the channels the slots in the bottom of the cube should run along the channel to help the nutrient film flow easily. Nutrient flow at this time should be about 8 to 10 ounces of solution per minute at a pH of 5 to 5.8 depending on temperature and time of year.Harvesting Your CropTo harvest the crop, the lettuce and its cube are gently lifted out of the channel. The cube can be disposed of by trimming the roots away, or it can be left in place depending on what your buyer prefers. You might also have to trim away any leaves with brown tips or discoloration. Immediately after harvesting the crop should be cooled, packed and shipped. Delays are critical to the quality of your product at this stage.Cleaning Your NFT ChannelsAfter each crop your NFT channels should be cleaned to prevent any pathogens moving on to your next crop. The CropKing NFT channels are relatively easy to clean in that the top caps can be lifted off exposing the channels for cleaning. To clean the channels you can make up a mixture of water with a half cup of bleach added to kill of organisms and then rinse with fresh water or you can clean with a bacterial fungicide such as Oxidate or Zerotol. By cleaning your channels regularly you will not transport bacteria or pathogens from one crop to the next.Mixing NutrientsIf you are planning a small system, using concentrated solution is an option, but at CropKing we recommend using an easily dissolvable granular fertilizer called Hydro-Gro. Hydro-Gro recipes are based on the plant requirements only. However, if your water supply analysis tells us that your water already contains specific elements we can change the formulation to suit your water supply. Because some fertilizer materials react together in storage, CropKing supplies them in separate containers for the grower to mix in separate tanks. Only after the granular fertilizer is dissolved is it mixed together.After mixing the nutrient solution is pumped to the upper ends of the channels allowing gravity to move it down toward the lower end. At the lower end the solution is funneled back intot he reservoir. In some systems the nutrient system flows continuously, while in others it is pumped through the system every three or four hours.nutrient film techniqueNFTnutrientfilmtechniquehydroponicshydroponic

In this article we explain how to grow weed using the Nutrient Film Technique (NFT) , how it works, what to avoid and top tips. One of the greatest things about growing Cannabis using hydroponics is how versatile the different systems can be. An excellent example of this is an NFT system which is used commercially for large-scale farming across the world. Nutrient Film Technique is a very simple system that uses gravity, a pump, and rockwool cubes.

How does nutrient film technique work? How often does the NFT hydroponics reservoir need changing? The advantages of using NFT to grow cannabis. The correct pH and E.C levels for growing cannabis with NFT hydroponics. Things to avoid using NFT cannabis systems.

An NFT (Nutrient Film Technique) system comprises a reservoir below and tray above that the plants in rockwool cubes permanently sit in, allowing them to bottom feed for the duration of their lifecycle. As the top tray is angled downwards slightly, gravity allows the nutrient solution to flow evenly down a white rooting mat and to return back to the reservoir where a small-sized pump will release the nutrient solution back down the upper part of the tray.

Commercial-scale farmers in the USA choose to grow lettuce and other smaller-sized plants in NFT hydroponics using white plastic tubing, where the nutrient solution flows down and returns via a pump. This allows them to take advantage of the space and, by planting the lettuce inside rockwool and then allowing them to sit in net pots, the roots can begin to work their way into the pipe canal. When growing Cannabis using hydroponics , this type of design is also perfect for making vertical systems that can house smaller-sized plants.

How often does the NFT hydroponics reservoir need changing?

When using the nutrient film technique hydroponics method, generally a cannabis grower will want to change the reservoir and to refill it with fresh nutrient solution once a week. The way to do this correctly is to attach a hose to the pump and then siphon the water out into a toilet or nearby drain if there is no other option, but to minimize the environmental impact the better option is to release the solution into a garden space. Growers need to make sure that the new nutrient solution filling the reservoir has been adjusted to the correct pH and E.C.

The advantages of using hydroponics system NFT to grow cannabis

Having discussed how nutrient film technique works, let’s review the benefits of using a system which has been around for decades and used by farmers to maximize outdoor / greenhouse hydroponics. The benefits associated with the hydroponics system NFT  method are:

The correct pH and E. C levels for growing cannabis with NFT hydroponics.

If growing Cannabis using hydroponics (including the nutrient film technique hydroponics principle) , it is essential to maintain the correct pH and E.C levels for the roots to uptake nutrients at an optimal rate. The ideal pH for NFT hydroponics systems is 5.5-6.0 and your E.C levels of 1.5-2.5 depending on the strains and stage of the Cannabis plant’s life cycle.

3 Things To Avoid Using NFT Systems

Top Tip: Buy nutrients made especially for hydroponics. These will be a bottled range of nutrients that will be 2-3 parts.

Top Tip: Using a black, light-proof top cover is best advised. This will keep the light out and the roots in darkness and guarantee no development of algae.

Top Tip: Placing an aquarium heater at the bottom of the reservoir tank is the best way to keep your temperatures in the right zone. Adding a heater will make a huge difference when growing Cannabis using hydroponics

Disclosure: You may also purchase the products from the links provided below in this post. We earn a small commission for qualified purchases, but it has no impact on your price. They help this site continue to provide valuable information to our readers.

A nutrient film technique (NFT) hydroponic system is one of the most popular types of hydroponic systems. NFT systems are very efficient and can be set up quite easily and maintain – with a little bit of planning and effort, you can have a thriving NFT system up and running in no time.

In this blog post, we will discuss how to set up an NFT system, the benefits, and drawbacks.

What Is the Nutrient Film Technique (NFT) Hydroponic System and How Does It Work?

The Nutrient Film Technique (NFT) is a type of hydroponic system that uses a thin film of nutrient-rich water to deliver nutrients to plants. The roots of the plants are constantly bathed in the nutrient solution, which provides them with everything they need to grow.

The water is circulated through a series of small channels that are covered with a net or screen. The roots of the plants hang down into the channels and are bathed in nutrient-rich water. NFT systems are very efficient and can be set up quite easily. Also, the NFT systems are typically well-aerated, which is another key factor in plant growth.

Benefits of Using the NFT Hydroponic System

There are a few key benefits of using an NFT hydroponic system: Each of these benefits will be discussed in more detail below.

1 . NFT systems are very efficient in terms of water and nutrient usage.

Because the roots of the plants are constantly bathed in a thin film of nutrient-rich water, there is very little wasted water or nutrients. This makes NFT systems an excellent choice for growers who are looking to cut down on their water and nutrient usage.

2 . NFT systems are relatively easy to set up and maintain.

Compared to other types of hydroponic systems, NFT systems are fairly straightforward to set up and maintain. This makes NFT systems a good choice for growers who do not want to spend a lot of time on setup and maintenance.

3 . NFT systems can be easily expanded or modified to meet the needs of the grower.

NFT systems can be easily expanded by adding more channels or modifying the existing channels. This flexibility makes NFT systems a good choice for growers who want to experiment with different growing techniques or who want to scale their operation up or down as needed.

4 . NFT systems provide an ideal environment for plants to thrive.

The roots of the plants are constantly bathed in a thin film of nutrient-rich water, which provides them with everything they need to grow. In addition, NFT systems are typically well-aerated, which is another key factor in plant growth.

Now that we’ve gone over the benefits of using an NFT hydroponic system, let’s take a look at how to set one up.

How to Set up a Nutrient Film Technique (NFT) Hydroponic System

Key components to an NFT system:

You can select the best container, water pumps, grow channels, timers, air pump and air stone or complete kit by click the links.

Here are the basic steps for setting up an NFT hydroponic system:

With these four steps, you can have a basic NFT system up and running. Once you have your NFT system set up, you can start adding plants!

If you have no time to DIY,consider buying one from Amazon.

LAPOND proving a complete NFT set up for $139.99 (Save 7%)

INTBUYING selling four (4) pipe NFT system with 110V pump ladder for $94.99

Downsides of Using the NFT Hydroponic System

NFT systems have a few downsides that growers should be aware of before setting one up.

Despite the downsides, NFT hydroponic systems are popular for many indoor growers because of their efficiency and easy maintenance.

Final Thoughts

Now that we’ve gone over the benefits and drawbacks of using an NFT hydroponic system and how to set one up, you should be ready to start growing!

NFT systems are a great choice for growers who are looking for an efficient and easy-to-use hydroponic system.

If you’re thinking about setting up an NFT system, be sure to do your research and plan ahead to ensure success. NFT systems are a great way to grow a variety of plants indoors with little effort.

Thanks for reading!

Also, read:7 Cost-Effective, DIY Hydroponics for Home4 Common Types of Outdoor Hydroponic SystemsSuccessful Hydroponics in Any Climate

Growing cannabis is progressing, and growers appear to be looking for new ways to sustain growth techniques. Rather than relying on soil, growers investigate and experiment with new systems. When it comes to growing cannabis efficiently, the Nutrient Film Technique (NFT) has gained popularity.

While some people are intimidated by growing pot hydroponically, an NFT set-up can save you time, effort, and money. Many home gardeners enjoy growing in pots and compost, and it’s easy to see why: pots are simple to use and inexpensive to set up.

Compost is also forgiving, acting as a buffer against pH changes and overfeeding. Best of all, you can get pretty good yields with compost and pots – plus, it’s always fun to get your hands dirty!

When you first start, you have a lot on your plate, such as figuring out your growing environment and learning how your plants react to different light levels, food, and training. However, once you’ve dialed in your environment and are satisfied with your set-up, consider hydro for the best yields.

Many growers consider active hydroponics overly complicated, preferring hand-water pots or using passive hydroponic pot systems that require a capillary medium, such as compost or cocos. In reality, active hydroponics can be as simple or complex as you make it.

Source: Hemp Plant

The nutrient film technique can be applied to an indoor growth system in a hydroponic lab. In a structural sense, the NFT method is the same as the ebb and flow method. With cannabis legalization quickly becoming a reality in more states and countries, the country may be entering a prosperous age of (legal) cannabis cultivation.

And nothing beats growing your marijuana, which means not only you’ll be aware of where the weed is coming from and the cultivation processes, but also you can ensure you have your supply – and at a fraction of the price you’d pay at a dispensary.

What are the requirements for cannabis plants to thrive?

Cannabis, like any other plant, requires several necessities, including light, air, water, and nutrients, a location and method of cultivation, and careful temperature regulation.

What exactly is NFT?

NFT, or Nutrient Film Technique, is a continuous flow hydroponic system that has shown incredible results. NFT is used by advanced hydroponic growers worldwide and is widely regarded as one of the most productive single hydroponic systems available.

This method has traditionally been used to grow cannabis plants quickly and has proven effective.

Source: Greenhouse Grower

Utilization of NFT system for Cannabis production

The nutrient film technique is simple to implement because it involves using shallow streams of nutrient-filled water that are consistently re-circulated throughout the plant’s root system.

Both the ebb and flow method and the nutrient film technique use water pumps to help provide nutrients to your cannabis garden. The ebb-flow method floods the cannabis plants and drains them repeatedly. Water flows in a small stream-like action in the NFT method.  The flow rate is good when a litre of nutrient-rich water is applied every minute.

Doctor Allen Cooper discovered the NFT method in the early 1960s. This is the most preferred method in many hydroponic laboratories. Compared to methods like «Kratky» and «Wicking,» it is quite effective. Furthermore, it is a healthier and more environmentally friendly method of cannabis cultivation.

The NFT system is a fantastic method of growing cannabis, allowing the grower to harvest a higher yield. In addition, because the process allows the roots to be watered directly, no medium is required. It makes it easier for the cultivator to harvest the plants when ready.

Source: Royal Queen Seeds

Why choose NFT over other systems such as simple Pots?

-Faster growth and higher yields – you can achieve up to three times the yield of traditional soil growing.

-Simplicity – Once set up, it is a very simple operation; it is the set-up that takes time and dialing in.

-Water efficiency – Because NFT systems are self-contained and re-circulating, water loss is kept to an absolute minimum.

-Accurate feeding – Your plants consume only the amount of nutrient solution they require. They are not soaking in nutrients or drying out; they have everything they require.

-Fewer pests – The absence of soil or growing medium reduces the number of places where pests can breed.

Although the system’s concept and mechanics are simple to understand and operate, we would classify it as a step from a basic Wick System or DWC system.

The cost of increased productivity is a finely balanced system that can occasionally malfunction. A simple power outage overnight could destroy the entire system and kill your plants.

In addition, the three basic hydroponic requirements (air, water, and nutrients) must be provided in a more balanced manner than in some simpler systems. For these reasons, if you are an intermediate or advanced hydroponic grower, we recommend installing an NFT system.

The widespread use of NFT as a productive hydroponic cultivation technique for everyday crops demonstrates its effectiveness as a productive hydroponic cultivation technique.

Advantages of using the NFT system for Cannabis production

There are many advantages to using the NFT system. It saves energy and water, which is the most important advantage when growing cannabis. The water is recycled during the process of using this method. As such, no water is lost except when the leaves transpire.

The nutrient film technique does not require any high-powered water pumps. In the reservoir, recycled water is kept as cold as possible. As a result, you will save time, money, and energy because you will not need to use a water chiller or a large water pump to grow cannabis.

The Water Pump

The water pump delivers pre-fertilized water to the grow tray, allowing the roots to become saturated.  The grow tray is angled so that gravity allows water to flow continuously over the roots before draining into the pipe and returning to the reservoir.

The pump pulls the water out again at this point, and the process is repeated.

Conclusion

While the NFT system has many advantages, there are a few drawbacks to using it when growing cannabis. The main disadvantage is that moisture cannot be stored anywhere because the roots have no medium to grow in.  As a result, if the water pump fails, the cannabis plants will receive no nutrients.

It is worthwhile to research individual models, read reviews and comments, and ask questions in growing forums. Consider the space you have. You’ll need space in use for the system and plants and space to work around the system? What kind of grow lights are you going to use? The size of your NFT system should correspond to your lights’ output.

Article by Ananya Bhattacharjee, Beverage Trade Network.

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Технология NFT позволяет эффективно выращивать растения на питательной среде небольшого объёма. Система экономичная, востребована у гроверов. Необходимо правильно выбрать культуры для гидропоники, чтобы получить хороший урожай или правильно подобрать установку для отдельных растений, которые не отличаются длинными корнями. Чтобы собрать гидропонику NFT, необходимо подготовить основные элементы.

Необходимо предусмотреть площадку, где будет располагаться установка и метод крепления для оборудования. Конструкция может быть одноуровневой или многоуровневой, располагаться горизонтально, вертикально или лесенкой. Для стеллажа нужен профиль.

Для гидропоники дополнительно приобретают средства для измерения и нормализации кислотности, для измерения электропроводности электролита. Понадобится светильник, который имитирует солнечный свет. Если установка располагается в помещении, то потребуется вентилятор, чтобы постоянно обеспечивать саженцев свежим воздухом.

Из профиля делают устойчивую лестницу на вертикальных стойках. Длина горизонтального профиля 1,75 м; его укладывают для ступеней. На них будут располагаться трубы. Количество элементов зависит от количества ступеней.

Для 4 уровней потребуется 4 профиля. Их располагают на вертикальных стойках на высоте 60, 70, 100 см. Чтобы растения не мешали друг другу расти, уровни располагают в разных плоскостях. Если их расположить друг над другом, то на гидропонике можно выращивать только низкорослые культуры.

В трубах делают разметку для стаканчиков. В системе их располагают в шахматном порядке. Шаг между ячейками 15-20 см. Для выращивания огурцов, томатов, перца, делают шаг в 30 см. Для клубники 20-25 см. В местах отметок проделывают отверстия диаметром 8 см. Для этого применяют коронку и шуруповёрт.

Укрепляют трубы на профиле. Для этого используют шуруповёрт. Чтобы система была герметичной, все места соединения обрабатывают герметиком. Все модули соединены коленом, хомутами и уплотнителями; их укрепляют через уровень. Они переводят раствор из одного модуля в другой. На свободный край трубы устанавливают заглушку. От последнего модуля делают отвод в бак с раствором.

Некоторые гроверы, чтобы легче было устанавливать все элементы, края смазывают мылом, но надо быть готовым к тому, что мыло постепенно будет вымываться р-ром. При этом в модулях и в баке образуется пена. Её надо убирать. Регулярно измеряют рН питательной жидкости. Если в него попадает мыло, то кислотный баланс меняется, снижается. Для его повышения используют лимонную кислоту.

Чтобы питательная жидкость хорошо поступала к субстрату и к корням растений, в стаканчиках проделывают отверстия; используют паяльник. Ёмкости заполняют керамзитом, перлитом, пемзой.

При использовании кокосового субстрата, внутреннюю поверхность стаканчиков рекомендуют застелить нетканым материалом, агротекстилем. Он хорошо проводит воду, задержит волокна в ёмкости, не даст им попасть в раствор, который находится в модуле.

Технология NFT

Гидропоника NFT позволяет выращивать культурные растения на питательном растворе. Его изготавливают из специальных средств, которые предлагаются промышленниками, или из минеральных удобрений; выбирают рецепт, наиболее подходящий для определённого вида культуры. Раствор постоянно циркулирует внутри системы.

Схема гидропоники представляет собой закрытый короб, внутри которого находится питательная жидкость. Гидропонную систему NFT рекомендуют использовать для культур, которые способны наращивать длинные корни.

Питательная среда закрывает лишь кончики отростков. Объём жидкости корректируют в разные вегетационные периоды. Короб почти полностью заполняется, если растения только начинают развивать корни. В конце вегетации, слой питательной жидкости может уменьшаться до 1-2 мм.

Короб располагают под наклоном, поэтому р-р постоянно находится в движении. По сливной трубе он возвращается в бак. Необходимо регулярно проверять кислотность жидкости и ЕС электролита. В стоке рекомендуют установить фильтр, чтобы продукты жизнедеятельности не попали в бак.

Питательный раствор находится в отдельном баке. В систему он нагнетается с помощью насоса. В коробы он поступает снизу. Растениям необходим воздух. Они получают его в самой ёмкости и вместе с раствором. В коробе корни лежат свободно, проветриваются, но не высыхают из-за высокой влажности. Аэрация питательной жидкости происходит посредством компрессора.

What Is NFT Hydroponics?

NFT, or nutrient film technique is a kind of recirculating hydroponic system.

The nutrient film technique gets its name from the very low-flow irrigation that feeds the plants in the system. Water is pumped into a flat channel slowly so that a thin “film” of nutrient solution is constantly present.

HOW DOES THE NUTRIENT FILM TECHNIQUE WORK?

What you need to build a nutrient film technique system (NFT)

In the NFT system, there are 2 main components: the grow tray (or channel) and the reservoir that contains water and nutrients.

In the grow tray, there are net pots that contain the growing media (perlite, coconut, Rockwool) to hold the plants and reserve nutrients from the nutrient solution. But in reality, most growers don’t use growing media in the NFT system as the roots have had enough moisture, nutrients, and oxygen from the system.

The plant roots grow into a dense mat in the channel and the foliage sits on top, sometimes provided with support by a trellis system.

The NFT system uses a pump to deliver water to the grow tray and a drained pipe to recycle the unused water nutrient solution.

How does this work? The grow tray is placed at an angle (supported by a rack or on a bench) to let the water flow down towards the nutrient return pipe. The excess nutrient solution will flow out of this pipe and move into another channel or tube, where it is recirculated through the system again.

The roots of the plants hang down to the bottom of the channel where they come into contact with the shallow film of the nutrient solution and absorb the nutrients from them.

The thin film of the nutrient solution allows the plants to be watered but not entirely soaked. This thinness also allows the upper part of the roots to remain dry and have access to oxygen in the air.

What Plants Grow Best In an NFT System?

As with most hydroponic systems, you grow almost anything, but what you grow is a different story. It all comes down to convenience and efficiency.

Most growers (including commercial growers) use NFT systems to grow leafy vegetables like lettuce, spinach, bok choy, kale, and herbs. These fast growing plants thrive under constant irrigation.

On the other side of the spectrum, certain fruiting plants like tomatoes, peppers, and cucumber plants do better with carefully limited water supplies.

Also, because no growing media is used, other than maybe a small chunk of rockwool, larger plants will lack support in an NFT system.

You won’t be able to grow a large tomato plant in a system like this without building in some kind of trellis or support to keep it propped up and supported.

How Does NFT Work?

NFT is designed around that thin film of liquid running through the system.

When root systems touch the film, they can drink up the nutrient solution they need without sacrificing aeration. By balancing the right amount of water, nutrient concentration, and oxygen in the system, impressive yields can be achieved with little effort.

A long flat channel, almost something like a rain gutter on your house, is set up at a slight angle.

Holes are drilled in the top of the channel to house net cups with seedlings in them.

A reservoir with a water pump sends nutrient solution up to the channel where it flows down pulled by gravity, contacting the plant’s roots along the way.

At the end of the channel, the water drains down into the same reservoir where it started.

This system is very similar to an ebb and flow system, except that with NFT the irrigation runs constantly and only a thin film of water is allowed to drip through the channel.

While many people put air stones and air pumps into their nutrient film technique systems, this isn’t necessary.

The whole point of NFT is to keep a very shallow nutrient solution level of water flowing through the channel to leave plenty of room for the plant roots to absorb oxygen.

It’s the empty space inside the channel that makes the magic happen.

What I see many growers doing is flooding their NFT channel, which cuts off the plant’s oxygen supply. To remedy this, they add an air stone and pump to the system to get that oxygen back.

NFT with excess nutrient solution flow becomes a kind of modified ebb and flow system which misses the point of the nutrient film technique.

That being said, a stone and pump certainly won’t your system, it’s just an unnecessary cost that can be avoided by simply tweaking the flow.

And that is the tricky part of NFT—getting the channel length, channel slope, and flow rate correct. More on this below.

How Do You Set Up an NFT Hydroponics System?

You can build an effective NFT system yourself at home. The materials to do this are affordable and the setup is simple.

You can tweak this system to your liking, using different materials or configurations.

What you will need:

How to Build an NFT Hydroponic System Step by Step

Step 1: Cut your 4-inch PVC pipe down to size. You can make this as short as you want or up to around 30 feet. This will be your channel.

Step 2: Drill a ½-inch hold into one of the end caps.

Step 3: Drill or cut a series of 3-inch holes in the top of your PVC pipe, about 8 inches apart. This is where your plants will go.

Step 4: Drill a ½-inch hole into the bottom of the pipe, on the opposite side of the holes you just cut.

Step 5: Attach the end caps.

Step 6: Take your plastic tote and drill two ½-inch holes into the lid, one on the left and the other on the right. Place the water pump into the tote.

Step 7: Take your scrap 2×4 and cut two 6-inch sections. Cut a groove into each one, a simple “V” will do. These grooves are to hold your pipe in place. Cut or sand down one of these pieces on the bottom to make it slightly shorter than the other.

Step 8: Now decide where you want your NFT channel to sit. You can place it directly on the plastic tote or on a table or bench nearby. Set up your two pieces of wood and place your pipe on top so that it rests securely in the grooves.

Make sure the shorter piece of wood is on the drain end, so that water will run towards the drain.

Step 9: Cut a length of your ½-inch poly tubing long enough to connect the pump to the hole in the end cap. Stick one end of the tube into the end cap, and run the other end through one of the holes on the reservoir lid and attach it to the water pump.

Step 10: Cut a short length of ½-inch poly tubing to connect the small hole on the bottom of the PVC pipe to the other hole on the lid of your plastic tote.

Step 11: Place net cups with seedlings into the 3-inch holes in the pipe.

Step 12: Add nutrient solution and turn on the pump.

NFT Tips for Channel Slope, Flow Rate, and Modifications

The root systems of your seedlings should just barely touch the bottom of the channel.

Tweak the flow of the pump so only a film of water runs through the bottom of the channel.

If you keep the water flow low and let it run constantly, you won’t need an air pump, air stone, timers, or any special equipment like that.

The slope of your NFT channel could be as low as 1:100 but most slopes run closer to 1:30 or 1:40. With the slope of a nutrient film technique system, the trick is to get a subtle decline but not allow any pooling to occur.

As long as a thin layer of water is flowing through the channel and draining on the end, you are golden.

A quick note on flow rate—

When channels are longer than 40 feet, your plants may suffer from a lack of nutrients. The plants closer to the source of the nutrient solution will suck up nitrogen, depriving the plants on the end of the channel of this essential nutrient.

When this happens, the plants on the end of the channel won’t grow properly.

To prevent this, all you need to do is keep each channel less than 40 feet.

Alternatively, you can make channels as long as you want and just add irrigation lines from separate reservoirs into the channel every 20 feet or so.

If you have multiple irrigation lines in your channel, make sure you turn down the flow of each of them. You don’t want twice as much water in your channel, you still just want a thin film.

AND, a note on air stones

Some growers like to put an air stone into their NFT reservoir—this is unnecessary. The whole point of NFT is to keep the water levels low so the plant roots get plenty of oxygen but still contact enough solution to thrive.

If you need to add an airstone, you are probably running way too much water in your system, basically turning it into an ebb and flow system rather than a true NFT system.

The nutrient film technique is so widely used for good reason, but it can’t do . There are a few limitations to be aware of.

WHAT IS THE NUTRIENT FILM TECHNIQUE (NFT)?

There are various ways to design a nutrient film technique system; however, all of them take after the design of a very shallow nutrient solution pouring down through the tubing. The bare roots of the plants will absorb the nutrients in the solutions when they come into contact with the water.

The NFT system is similar to the Ebb and Flow technique for one reason: They both use water pumps to deliver the nutrients to your plants.  However, unlike the flood and drain mechanics of an Ebb and Flow setup, the NFT system is a constantly flowing one.

While systems such as the Wicking or The Kratky Method are passive, simpler to build and easier to run, they don’t provide optimal conditions for plants to grow like the NFT system, which is an active one (meaning they require moving parts to work).

WHICH PLANTS TO GROW?

The NFT system is best suited to grow lightweight, fast-growing plants that can be harvested quickly like different types of lettuces. People have also grown perennial plants like strawberries in commercial production with great results.

If you want to grow heavy fruits like tomatoes or squash, you need a self-standing trellis system to support the plants.  The NFT is not suitable to plant heavy crops that require much support because the roots are not in a medium to hold a lot of weight.

There are two main components of an NFT system:

THE GROW TRAY

To enable all of the nutrient solutions to pass through the roots, growers use slightly downward tubes or channels instead of flat trays. Using tubes or channels also make it easy to set the grow tray at an angle.

Usually, the channels are made of water-tight materials such as a PVC pipe, plastic film or a round tube.  On the PVC pipe, there are holes to fit the net pots and seedlings.

These materials are cheap and easy to obtain if you are a hydroponic hobbyist.

However, using PVC as the material has one disadvantage: The film will not evenly coat the roots. The roots in the middle will have access to a greater depth of the solution while the roots closest to the edges will only have a shallow depth access.  To solve this problem, you should use a flat-bottomed channel.

There are two ways to place seedlings.

Option 1 is to place seedlings directly into the holes of your PVC pipe or channel.

Option 2 is to put seedlings into net pots for greater stability and place them into the holes.

Like I mentioned earlier, most growers don’t use growing media in the NFT system. If you decide to use, make sure you don’t put much into the net pots for the roots still deep enough to fall through the bottom. Regardless of the seedlings method, you should check and trim the plant roots often to prevent long roots that can clog the system.
Another important factor of the grow tray is its length.

As the nutrient solutions flow over the roots, the nutrient concentration and the oxygen levels will decrease. This problem can be eliminated by using “short run” trays instead of long ones. “Short run” trays can ensure that the plants at the end of the line receive nutrients with the same composition like those in the beginning of the line.
With “long run” trays, you can also avoid this problem by making sure to check the PH and nutrient levels and replenish your solution. If you notice the plants at the end of the line don’t grow as much as the ones at the beginning of the line, it’s time to switch to a short run system.

THE RESERVOIR

The reservoir joins the grow tray via a nutrient pump on the high end and the nutrient return pipe on the low end. Inside the reservoir, there is an air stone connected to an air pump outside to oxygenate the water.

The reservoir is used to contain the nutrient solution since the NFT system is a recirculating one. The reservoir size depends on the number of plants that you want to grow. If you want to grow a system of 40-50 plants, you need a reservoir with a minimum 5-gallon capacity.

To grow each additional 20-25 lettuce size plants, you should add a gallon of capacity. It’s advised to have a little more volume capacity than it is needed rather than to be short.

The NFT system doesn’t use an automatic timer connected to the water pump like other hydroponic systems so the water pump runs constantly. This can cause a problem in case of power shortages, outages or system failures, so make sure to check the pump, fill tube regularly and have a backup ready.

Как работает оборудование?

В сеть включают насос и компрессор. Система начинает заполняться раствором. Устанавливают горшки с растениями. Жидкость должна подниматься к субстрату на 1 см. По мере развития растением корней, уровень снижают. Когда корни ложатся на дно модуля, питательный слой делают тонким, 1-2 мм.

Жидкость подаётся в верхнюю трубу. Из неё, по колену она проходит в другой модуль. В дальнейшем цикл повторяется. Из последней трубы р-р отводится в бак. Цепочка замыкается. Из жидкости растения потребляют питательные вещества, поэтому необходимо регулярно проверить ЕС, добавлять минеральные удобрения в основной бак.

Сначала р-р поднимается до горшочка. Субстрат впитывает влагу, поддерживая питание растений. Когда из ёмкости начинают появляться корни, уровень жидкости снижают. Для этого в системе предусматривают поплавковую систему, которая контролирует количество раствора в трубах.

Гидропонику NFT легко собрать. Для неё необходимо продумать систему контроля уровня жидкости в системе. Основные модули приобретают от производителя или делают своими руками из труб ПВХ, вентиляционных коробов. Среди недостатков технологии отмечают зависимости системы от электроэнергии.

Список используемой литературы:

NFT Frequently Asked Questions

You can start your seeds or use seedlings like you would in any other hydroponic systems.

Take a piece of rockwool (or a Rapid Rooter) soaked in water or a gentle nutrient solution and place your seed in it. Pop it into a tray and set it in the sun or under grow lights.

Once the seedling has developed a strong root system, just place it into a net cup and put it into your NFT system.

The only trick is to make sure that the plant roots will reach the film of nutrient solution on the bottom of the channel from the moment the seedling enters the system.

If the roots or rockwool don’t yet reach the nutrient solution, you can set your seedling to grow a while longer in a deep water culture, ebb and flow, or Kratky system to allow the roots to lengthen.

Alternatively, you can just put the seedling into your NFT channel and temporarily increase the water flow so the roots or rockwool touch the solution.

But, be sure to turn the water back down once the roots are long enough. You don’t want to run too much water in an NFT for very long or you will starve the plants of oxygen.

Also, be sure to check the ph and nutrient levels on a regular schedule and dispose of used nutrient solution properly.

Are There Premade NFT Kits For Sale?

Yes, you can find fully-equipped premade NFT hydroponic kits online, like this one on Amazon

These systems are great if you want to quickly jump into NFT hydroponics and don’t want to spend the time rigging together a DIY build.

However, buying a premade NFT system will cost you a bit more than building one yourself.

Can You Use an NFT System Indoors?

Yes, the only difference is that you will need to put your system somewhere with an ample amount of sunlight or use grow lights.

Because most of us don’t have that much natural lighting indoors, the best course of action is to invest in a quality fluorescent or LED light.

With grow lights, I always recommend going for a full-spectrum light that emits both blue and red light.

Blue light promotes chlorophyll production and foliar growth while red light encourages blooming.

While leafy greens can get by with just blue light, you will get the healthiest plants and have the most versatility with a full-spectrum bulb.

For an average-sized NFT system, I’d recommend a light like this one

This is an affordable LED grow light that has enough power for your NFT and has better coverage than popular square-shaped grow lights.)

An LED light should be positioned 12 to 24 inches above your plants. Just make sure to leave plenty of headroom to grow plants!

PROS AND CONS OF THE NFT

The NFT system is a highly easy-to-set-up the system and operate. It’s ideal to grow fast-growing plants that you can harvest in a few weeks.

With this system, you can grow various leaves, Bibb and Cos type (Romaine) lettuces, mustard greens, kales, many oriental vegetables, and herbs as well.

A few edible flowers such as nasturtiums and pansies, which can be added to enrich salads and food presentations, can also be planted with the NFT system.

You can use this system to for quick results and then plant new seedlings for future harvests. This will fulfill the dream of any home hobbyist with a green space and continuous supply of produce.