4 Reasons Why I Don't Use NFT for Hydroponics

[@kennethmorales8200]

your system makes so much sense. it also lessens the amount if time to check on it especially for individuals who needs to do a lot of things this is brilliant. will slowly gather the materials and build this. thank youu

[@SustainableAgriculture16]

This video provides such a fresh perspective on the challenges of using NFT systems for hydroponics. 🌱 It's great to see someone sharing real-world insights and practical experiences instead of just the hype. Thank you for highlighting these important considerations-it’s really helpful for those of us exploring hydroponic setups! 🙌

[@Junzar56]

Very nice! I really need to get this set up. It makes so much sense! I have done some Kratky, but that doesn’t work for strawberries. A system that has aeration is good for any crop, your system can grow several crops at the same. I like that.

[@erich1394]

I run NFT at home but I've got it set up so it can go into Kratky mode if we lose power. I also use a simple USB power bank to keep the water running for up to 2 hours after power loss. I used to run with variable spacing but I ended up going with standardized spacing and I'm using a separate spray box to propagate. I think your system is objectively better than mine for what you're attempting.

[@SimpleGreensHydroponics]

Cool! Yeah my systems basically go into Kratky mode when the pump shuts off.

[@GMT439]

@@SimpleGreensHydroponics NFT seems to be the most popular Commercial Method worldwide for growing all kinds of fruiting and flowering indoor crops. So this proves you are wrong. Many of the CLAIMS you make in this video are not Valid and having a separate area to veg plants is not a problem at all. It also means you can always have plants ready to go straight into the system when you harvest. Your Power outage claim is utter nonsense because the lights and heating would go out with all indoor grow systems. You could also hand water the NFT plants if you wanted to just like if they were in any medium. But if you had no light or heat then the plants can't photosynthesize anyway obviously! You are attempting to sell something for a profit by basically making false claims about the most popular hydro method in the world. Prove anything I just said there WRONG.. Actual Proof not CLAIMS.

[@erich1394]

@@SimpleGreensHydroponics So, after running for the first season, I'm planning some changes. One of which is to eliminate the incline and transition towards a DWC system like yours, at least partially. I plan to keep about a half inch of water stored. Reasons why: - Power loss turned out to be annoying. I was constantly converting my system back and forth. It's cheaper to buy a few pvc fittings than to buy a larger backup power bank! - I noticed that my longer-term plants were creating these dense root mats that raised the water level quite a bit. This became an issue when I added or removed plants upstream of other plants because the resulting change to water was a shock to the remaining plants in the system. A flat system will let me lower the flow rate considerably, reducing the degree to which the water level will be altered by obstructions. A slower flow rate also means that the system as a whole will be more tolerant of obstructions in pipe fittings. - I also ran an outdoor, reservoir-fed system of Kratky tomato buckets this year. The total lack of root rot and general success of these tomatoes convinced me that aeration of roots can happen without turbulence. How do you keep your longer term plant tenants from clogging your interconnect piping with root growth? Thanks!

[@GMT439]

If you lose power you lose light and heat as well so that argument isn't valid anyway. That would be a problem for all indoor methods. & Yes, believe it or not hydroponic mediums can be hand watered too. This entire video is heavily biased against NFT for a reason. The same reason that loads of other channels are promoting soil / organic growing.

[@erich1394]

@@GMT439 I mean, my indoor system is next to a window and I have gas heating. I work 40 hrs a week and I'd prefer to have my hydro system be passively failsafe. I have had plants dry up and die quickly in my previous NFT build when the power went out. I really don't understand why DWC vs NFT has anything at all to do with soil growing or organic systems. My argument is perfectly valid. Do whatever you want with your system... I'm sticking with the plans I selected based on my specific set of needs based on actual data from using my actual hydroponic system. As for the bias of this channel, I don't really see some secret conspiracy against NFT... that would be incredibly niche. That being said, you have the right to believe whatever you want lol

[@zaldyyamaro6708]

Very practical system for small scale. Thanks, hope you more subscribers

[@SkeleOfNi]

I've been using a nutriculture nft table for a decade. I find it's easieast to get your seeds started by simply filling the large rockwool cube with soil and just putting the seed in there. I run lowly nuted water through it until they have grown a little and then add full nutes.

[@SkeleOfNi]

but yeah nft table is quite different from the rails. I always have a spare pump but I've only replaced once in these 10 years.

[@PeteCorp]

You should make one like Dr. Kratky where a float valve auto refills your rails. That's what I've done.

[@shawnmaxwell4496]

Really like the idea. How do you clean it? How often? Any problems with waterborne illness, mold?

[@offswitch1]

Great question!Would like to hear the answer to this.

[@larrymarcum1673]

Prone to root rot

[@offswitch1]

@@larrymarcum1673 I have had mine goine over 120 days with my strawberrys and about 40 days of lettuce before the strawberrys and only done a water change twice so far. I have seen zero root rot. I check the pH and ppm when I add water or when the plants tell me something is wrong.

[@محمودالزهراني-خ4ص]

Hello, nice video, how do u change the level of water in your system instead of nft ?

[@faithwalker2313]

Just finished my system. Had a little issue with Mars Light, so hopefully next week will begins seedling's. Going to have to tune down my pump a bit, water is touching the bottom of the net cups throughout the system. Dont know if that matters..? Appreciate the great system!

[@user-gh8wt2zi2n]

I know some people just put the seedlings on the bottom of the rail directly in the Nutrient Film. Then your seedlings have access to water. Of course you'll still have the issue if the electricity goes out or your pump stops working. Some people run 2 pumps so if one goes out plants still recieve water

[@TravelingStacker]

@@lyingeyes6000 His system does have a pump for circulation. It flows from one channel, to the next and then down to the return reservoir. So it has the flow and oxygenated water of an nft, but can survive days if your pump fails.

[@KoopsTech]

Really want to build that system. Looking for a strawberry guide that would be amazing

[@DM-sc4zy]

The "my system" you're referring to is called DFT, for me only benefit is allowing pump/power failure. growth on NFT is way faster which is more important for indoor grow.

[@SimpleGreensHydroponics]

I have also grown using NFT systems and did not notice a growth rate difference

[@rfemail1515]

Can I ask you about oxygen level of your set-up? I mean I used to have simple NFT system but to me, the plants always seemed to be overwatered everytime. I dont even imagine running higher level of water where the plants have been sitting. Sure I ran airpump in the tank 24/7 as well..i bought DO meter and measure 8mg/l which should be enough. Really dunno what was wrong with the system. Never had a problem with any other hydroponic system like drip for exemple. Thanks for your advices...

[@larrymarcum1673]

Just my opinion…….Totally prone to root rot. your roots are brown showing this, they should be white. You need to use hydroguard like product if you are going to have roots in water like this. I grew the same way but got tired of the hydroguard so switched to NFT

[@lifebehindtheselens]

Bro just because roots are brown and not fully white does not mean there's root rot okay that's bullshit I have grown plans where the roots were Brown as fuck zero root rot got the best Harvest I've ever gotten

[@jqc5]

how often do you clean your system?

[@gazorbpazorbian]

how do you manage the ph levels and keep the water circulation with this system?

[@SimpleGreensHydroponics]

I have a submersible pump circulating nutrient solution through the system, similar to NFT.

[@durritidumange]

Do you have a continuous flow of water/nutrients through the system or do you have your pump on a timer?

[@SimpleGreensHydroponics]

I'm currently doing both methods depending on what I'm growing, but mostly I do continuous

[@ErwinvanHolten]

Aha .. this answers my question on how to get seedlings going. So you're using the Kratky method that only look like a NFT, right? Very inspiring, thanks you very much.

[@SimpleGreensHydroponics]

Not exactly, my system still recirculates similar to NFT, but has deeper water in some rails to allow for seedlings. Once you turn the pumps off it essentially turns into a Kratky system.

[@ErwinvanHolten]

@@SimpleGreensHydroponics Interesting. So how is the water moving? i ebb and flow? aeration?

[@timothyblazer1749]

​@@ErwinvanHolten pumps. It's continuous flow.

[@bobhuber6628]

Good info. Well thought out.

[@joshb5346]

Great videos! I can’t seem to find the 1.5” net cups. I followed the link you have in some videos but it send me to a 50mm cup (2”). Any suggestions? I can’t seem to find 1.5”

[@ZacharyLobato]

If you read the details on the 50mm Beautyflier cup, it says 1.5" below the lip and 2" at the lip. I just got that type and it was 1.5", but when I placed the cup the hole was too tight as it was 1.5" on the inside. So, I ended up placing a 1.5" hole saw in a 1.75" hole saw and using that to widen the hole a smidge. The cups all now lay flat and have a little wiggle room for micro adjustments, which I prefer. The 1.5" caps work and fit perfectly, I just have to place them inside an empty net cup. Another tip, if you're building the rails is to check the spacing of your holes with the net cups you get to take into account their lip sizes. Had I not done this, I wouldn't have been able to widen the holes.

[@gilguzman8359]

The link to your guide isn’t responding.

[@SimpleGreensHydroponics]

Sorry about that, it should work now 👍

[@45valk]

I have a question, how do you support tomatoes and peppers when they fruit out and get heavy? Normally when using the traditional in ground method you would stake them or a tomato ring. Any advice would be greatly appreciated

[@TastyDizaster]

trellis netting is a common go to

[@autumnsky8647]

Thank you!

[@karelmartinek5306]

Thx!

[@GMT439]

NFT is proven to be most popular commercial method for growing fruiting and flower crops that exists. Your video is completely biased.

[@dr.kennethnoisewater26]

Moist

[@GarryRosemond-e7n]

Nft is shit hand down