How does this NFT systemwork??

Hey all, after looking over the net ive decided to give hydroponics a try using this NFT system.

http://www.newagehydro.com/shop/details.php?prodId=445

Problem is i got no idea how it works, could someone explain the process from clone to harvest how to use it please??

+rep for all who can help, peace

NFT is "Nutrient Film Technique," I think (it'zs early doors where i am so forgive any spelling / rubbish am writing).

Basically it works by constantly feeding the roots of the plant water, by pumping the water from a reservoir (where you also put in your nutrients) onto a tray which has channels on it and allows the water to run through them, covering the cube and roots of the plant.

The tray of the reservoir is covered by a cotton like (I think its cotton) sporeader matt, which soaks in the water and nutrients and allows the roots to grow in and through it.

You can do many things with the nmft system, adding air stones, water heaters, but you need to try and maintain the ph at around 5.8, although a friend of mine who used to do this swore by a ph upto 6.2.

It's a simple system to use and setup and for a beginner like you (myself included) it's really easy to setup.

They are also cheap and easy to maintain, but can yield excellent results. I'm lucky, where I stay I have a decent quality of water and consistent PH which helps me with the system.

You can also use a clay medium as well I believe instead of the spreader matt, it's just something for the roots to get into really, but the basics are all the same essentially.

Basically, you put your clone or from seed, into a pre soaked rockwool cube / net pot (for say 24 hours) in nothing but water. Place the rockwool cube into a propogator and wait for the roots to come through the bottom (and if this uses larger cubes / mediums do the same again, into the larger one then wait for the roots to appear in bottom). Now if this thing uses something different than rock wool, it doesn't matter, it's the same thing, wait for the roots to come through the bottom and place into the system. Turn the pump on and my adivce is not to let the pump run 24/7, but to ensure the roots / medium gets water, then gets some air, gradually until it requires the 24/7 pump.

Does this help chief?

The Serpent said:

NFT is "Nutrient Film Technique," I think (it'zs early doors where i am so forgive any spelling / rubbish am writing).

Basically it works by constantly feeding the roots of the plant water, by pumping the water from a reservoir (where you also put in your nutrients) onto a tray which has channels on it and allows the water to run through them, covering the cube and roots of the plant.

The tray of the reservoir is covered by a cotton like (I think its cotton) sporeader matt, which soaks in the water and nutrients and allows the roots to grow in and through it.

You can do many things with the nmft system, adding air stones, water heaters, but you need to try and maintain the ph at around 5.8, although a friend of mine who used to do this swore by a ph upto 6.2.

It's a simple system to use and setup and for a beginner like you (myself included) it's really easy to setup.

They are also cheap and easy to maintain, but can yield excellent results. I'm lucky, where I stay I have a decent quality of water and consistent PH which helps me with the system.

You can also use a clay medium as well I believe instead of the spreader matt, it's just something for the roots to get into really, but the basics are all the same essentially.

Basically, you put your clone or from seed, into a pre soaked rockwool cube / net pot (for say 24 hours) in nothing but water. Place the rockwool cube into a propogator and wait for the roots to come through the bottom (and if this uses larger cubes / mediums do the same again, into the larger one then wait for the roots to appear in bottom). Now if this thing uses something different than rock wool, it doesn't matter, it's the same thing, wait for the roots to come through the bottom and place into the system. Turn the pump on and my adivce is not to let the pump run 24/7, but to ensure the roots / medium gets water, then gets some air, gradually until it requires the 24/7 pump.

Does this help chief?

Click to expand...

Thanx for the reply man sure did help +rep.

What i dont understand is how do i water the plant until the roots are long enough to reach the nutrients flowing through the channel? Do i need to top feed until they are long enough?? or does the flowing nutrients soak the rockwool and this is enough for the plant to drink and feed??

yeah, thats pretty much it. There's lots of people who use their own methods for nft, i know a guy runs his water pump 24/7 from the off and gets good results, some like to set them up on a timer at first whilst the seedlins are small to give the roots time.

Have a look for an easier system, the GTO series is what I use, it's really easy to set up, the reservoir sits under the tray instead of in a bucket, and the tray isn't closed shut like that but uses corex (plastic type carboard stuff) to cover the rockwool cubes (which you cut holes out of).

If your first getting into NFT it's a real simple system to use. However, that one you linked to seems really cool, and works essentially in the same way I'd say, maybe with clay pellets / pebbles medium instead of a cotton like spreader matt.

I keep my plants out my NFT system until the tap roots etc are coming through the bottom of the larger rockwool cube, then they go into my system with roots which will rech the media. Essentially the water will just cover and run over them, thus giving them the nutrients.

What kinda setup you got? PM me for anything mate, I'm no expert and just starting out but got a little experience now.

n.f.t systems when ran properly are great ,.....especially if you want decent yields but dont wanna have to deal with a lot of pots and soil,.....i did a n.f.t grow and loved it ,......the only reason i switched is beacause i moved and didnt have enough space .....you can go to you tube and they'll show you how to build a better system then the one youre looking at ,...at half the price

Yeah i agree w fellow toker above me ... i have built many nft systems... pm me if u have other questions cuz u can build one instead of buy one for pennies on the dollar..