PowerGrow Deep Water Culture System
Why do you need the best hydroponic system?
If you’re thinking about taking up hydroponics, you might be wondering why you need the best hydroponic system. Here are just a few reasons:
1. You’ll get better results. With a top- quality hydroponic system, you can expect bigger, healthier plants with higher yields.
2. It’s more efficient. A good hydroponic system can help you save water and nutrients, as well as space.
3. It’s easier to control pests and diseases. When your plants are growing in a controlled environment, it’s easier to keep pests and diseases at bay.
4. You can grow all year round. With a reliable hydroponic system, you can enjoy fresh produce all year round, regardless of the weather outside.
Overall, if you want plants that will mature faster and produce more yield, you may be looking for the best hydroponic system. With the right investment and setup, your plants can produce up to 30% more yield and grow up 25% faster.
Best Hydroponic Systems – Reviews
- PowerGrow Deep Water Culture System – 5 Gallon Kit (Top Pick)
- General Hydroponics EcoGrower Drip Hydroponic System
- Hydrofarm MGSYS Hydroponic Megagarden Ebb & Flow System
1. PowerGrow Deep Water Culture System – 5 Gallon Kit
If you want the best hydroponic system for cannabis or your plants and you don’t want to invest too much, get the PowerGrow Deep Water Culture System (DWC). Deepwater culture systems are probably the easiest to set up and maintain.
These systems are cheap and so the investment is kept to a minimum. We think PowerGrow makes some of the best DWC systems in the hydroponics industry because of their quality and ease of use.
This kit has everything you need to start growing your first plant including a 5 galloon FDA-approved bucket, bucket lid, Growstones growing medium, an air pump, air tubing, an air stone, start plugs, and blue water level indicator. The system is incredibly easy to setup: insert the air hose through the top of the bucket, connect the airstone which helps release oxygen into any water-based solution, connect the tubes to the air pump, fill the basket with growing stones (included in the kit) or a medium of your choice, and finally fill it with your seeds, add water and nutrients.
There is a tube connected to the bottom that gives you a visual indication of the water level, which is a nice feature to have. What makes this system different from the other Deep Water Culture systems is the quality of the air pump, which is the heart of what makes this setup work. The pump in this system is nice and strong enough to sufficiently oxygenate the nutrient solution, which is crucial for plant growth. The pumps on PowerGrow’s DWC system are rarely known to fail and this is why you should choose them if you want a DWC system.
As a basic rule of thumb, you should only have one plant for one bucket. This single bucket system is perfect for someone who wants to get started on growing plants and cannabis using hydroponics.
If you are growing more plants, we recommend you use PowerGrow’s multiple pot system. Overall, this is the best hydroponic system for someone who wants to experiment with growing with a hydroponic system and doesn’t want to invest too much money.
2. General Hydroponic Indoor Garden EcoGrower Drip System
If you want a drip system to grow your plants or cannabis, the General Hyproponic EcoGrower Drip System is the best hydroponic system for you.
This drip system is designed to grow six plants and includes a 17-gallon reservoir, six individual pot inserts with each one 6 inches in diameter, spider pumping columns, a single outlet elite 800 air pump, and clay pebbles.
For those of you who aren’t aware of what a drip system is, instead of flooding the plants with the nutrient solution, this solution is slowly dripping onto the plants. In the EcoGrower, the reservoir acts like a growing tray, holding the plants.
Drip manifolds are connected from the nutrient pump to the growing tray and extend out next to each pot. With the EcoGrower, you have a lot of control over how you feed your plants and how fast or slow you want to drip your nutrients.
It is also inexpensive for the number of plants you can grow and virtually no risk of breaking down. This drip system makes great use of space and is perfect for those growing plants, vegetation, and cannabis in an urban environment.
The only negative thing we can think of about the EcoGrower is that you may have unstable pH levels in the reservoir nutrient tank because of recycling, but this just requires some work to manage pH levels. Also, you are limited to growing six plants, so if you want more you’ll have to upgrade to a bigger system. All in all, for six plants, this is the best hydroponic system for your money.
3. Hydrofarm MGSYS Hydroponic Grow Megagarden Ebb & Flow System
Hydrofarm offers the best hydroponic system if you are looking for an Ebb & Flow system. This system is great for amateurs who want to step away from soil and transition in hydroponic systems.
The Hydrofarm Megagarden has everything you need to get started on your first batch of plants, vegetables, or cannabis. The setup is easy and very efficient: you have trays, pumps, pots, red clay medium, and a timer.
The Megagarden is an ebb and flow system which means it involves soaking your plant roots in a nutrient solution each day for a set interval, draining the solution, and then repeating this process.
There is a 7.5 Gallon reservoir with a water level indicator that is water-tight and holds 15 5-inch plastic grow pots which you fill with the provided red clay medium or a medium of your choice.
One of the advantages of using the Megagarden is that you do not have to deal with stagnant water. The reason is that this leads to roots rotting and infestations and bugs. The timer is capable of up to 12 flood settings so you have many options when it comes to on-off water cycles. Megagarden also comes with nice accessories like 16 oz of its all-purpose nutrient and a pH test kit.
This is a great hydroponic system if you want to max out the number of plants per square foot as well. You can jam in 15 plants in a 22” x 22” x 10” area, which is pretty amazing density compared to most other systems.
FAQ about hydroponic garden systems
Below are answers to the frequently asked questions from our readers.
What is a hydroponic growing system?
Hydroponics is defined as a method of growing plants in a soilless environment using water rich in nutrients. The roots of the plant are supported by some medium such as clay or rocks just for structural support.
Think of hydroponics as a very geeky way of maximizing yields. It’s like growing plants in a chemistry lab with precise measurements all figured out.
The premise behind hydroponics is that you are feeding the plant exactly what it needs when it needs it, properly pH balanced, and at all the right temperatures to make sure the plant has reached its genetic potential.
With soil, there is always a frictional cost for the plant. For example, the plant needs to seek out nutrients in the soil and extract them, which is energy wasted by the plant. With the best hydroponic system, plants can focus more on growing up instead of expanding the root system down the soil. It’s the same concept as spoon-feeding your plant vs having it go hunt in the wild soil.
What are the benefits of Hydroponic Garden Systems
There are many advantages as well as disadvantages of hydroponic systems. For one, it saves space, it saves water, reduces pollution and waste from soil runoff, there’s no need to weed, you’ll have fewer pests and soil-born diseases, you’ll have time savings by having more harvest cycles, and it gives you full control over the final product.
In terms of disadvantages, there are some as well, but not many. First and foremost, hydroponic systems are generally more expensive than an equally sized soil system.
The initial setup can also take a lot more time to set up and perfect. Managing the hydroponics system takes more time and more attention to detail, like monitoring and balancing your pH and nutrient levels every day. Finally, a small failure in your system or a wrong calculation in nutrient delivery can kill your plants within hours. If there’s a water pump failure, your plants will die very fast.
What are the different types of hydroponic garden systems?
There are a few types of hydroponic systems: deepwater culture, nutrient film, aeroponics, wicking, bb & flow, and drip. Deepwater culture systems are probably the easiest to grow plants and cannabis.
The roots are suspended in a nutrient solution with an air pump oxygenating this solution, which prevents the roots from dying. Many people choose deepwater culture systems because there is no drip or spray system, which is susceptible to frequent clogging.
The Nutrient Film Technique is a system where there is a continuous flow of nutrient solution over the roots with the help of gravity. Aeroponics is another type of hydroponics system where the plant is suspended in the air and nutrient solution is misted to the roots.
Wicking is a low-cost hydroponic system that uses capillary action to shuffle nutrients up a cotton wick and deliver them to your plants and cannabis. Then there are ebb & flow systems that work by flooding your plant pots with a nutrient solution at intervals and letting the solution drain back into a reservoir to be reused.
What to Consider When Choosing the Best Hydroponic System
The first thing to consider is what type of plants you want to grow. Some hydroponic systems are better suited for certain types of plants than others. You’ll also need to decide how much space you have available for your indoor garden.
Another important factor to consider is your budget. Hydroponic systems can range in price from a few hundred dollars to several thousand dollars. It’s important to find a system that fits your needs and budget.
Finally, you’ll need to decide what level of maintenance you’re willing to do. Some hydroponic systems require more maintenance than others. Some are fully automated, so if you do not have the time to look after the garden, then you may want to get the fully automated one.
What plants can I grow in a hydroponic garden?
With a little bit of know-how, you can grow almost any plant in a hydroponic garden. The most important thing to consider is the plant’s root system. Plants with small, delicate roots do better in hydroponic gardens than plants with large, aggressive roots.
Some plants, like lettuce and herbs, grow very well in hydroponic gardens. Others, like tomatoes and peppers, require a bit more care. But with some careful planning, you can grow almost any plant in a hydroponic garden.
Can an indoor hydroponic growing system be used outdoors?
Yes, an indoor hydroponic system can be used outdoors. However, there are a few things to consider before using an indoor hydroponic system outdoors. First, the weather conditions need to be taken into account.
If it is too hot or too cold, the plants will not thrive. Second, the amount of sunlight needs to be considered. Too much sun can damage the plants and too little sun will not allow the plants to grow properly. Third, the size of the hydroponic system needs to be considered. If it is too small, the plants will not have enough room to grow properly.
Overall, though you can use an indoor hydroponic system outdoors, we would usually not advise doing it unless you really know what you do.
What does a hydroponic grow kit consist of?
A hydroponic grow kit is a system used to grow plants in a water-based solution. The most common type of hydroponic grow kit is the ebb and flow system, which uses a pump to circulate water and nutrients to the plants’ roots. At times, you may also find a system that has a light.
Hydroponic grow kits can be purchased commercially or built at home with readily available materials. Commercial kits typically include everything needed to get started, including the reservoir, pumps, tubing, and growing medium.
Building an indoor garden system kit at home is a simple project that can be completed in a few hours, but you need to know what you do. So if this is a first-time project, it is best for you to buy a hydroponic system for indoor applications.
Do I need an led grow light for a hydroponic indoor growing system?
If you’re thinking about setting up a hydroponic indoor growing system, you might be wondering if you need an led grow light. The answer is maybe. It depends on a few factors, such as the size of your growing area and the type of plants you want to grow.
Here’s a quick rundown of what you need to know about led grow lights: they emit a specific wavelength of light that’s beneficial for plant growth, they don’t produce heat, and they’re more energy-efficient than traditional grow lights.
So, do you need an led grow light for your hydroponic indoor growing system? If you’re growing plants that require a lot of light (such as tomatoes or peppers), then yes, an led grow light will help them thrive. Otherwise, you can do without these lights.
Note that indoors, we would suggest to always having one of those lights for the winter months. As they are LED, they will not cost much in terms of electricity, but your production will increase dramatically. Such a light will improve how plants grow.
Final words
The PowerGrow Deep Water Culture System – 5 Gallon Kit is the best pick for a hydroponic system. It is affordable and easy to use, making it ideal for beginners. The General Hydroponics EcoGrower Drip Hydroponic System is a close second, as it is also easy to use and is great for those who want to start small.
The Hydrofarm MGSYS Hydroponic Megagarden Ebb & Flow System comes in third place but is very close to the above two products.
