Hey there, I am a newbie and interested in growing with the NFT system. I am trying to learn as much about it as I can before I buy. Does anyone else use this system? Would love to see some pics!

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~christine

Glether's Easy NFT (Nutrient Film Technique) is easy to construct with materials available at home improvement stores. The system uses 4 vinyl gutters run parrallel. 4 drip lines feed the 4 gutters and up to 60 plants.

The gutters are run in 10 foot legnths, with 2 inches of drop over that length. The gutters drain into a 25 gallon res. Overgrow recommends the use of light proof covered gutters and reservoirs to avoid algae issues.




The system uses 3" rockwool cubes set directly into the gutters. Covered gutters are recommend (gutter covers are available at most home improvement stores) to avoid algae problems and root illumination issues. The drip lines feed at the top of the gutters and drain back through to the reservoir. The system employs a Little Giant NK1 210gph water pump. The two center gutters drain straight to the reservoir. The two gutters on the outside have 90 degree elbows, as shown in the image below. The reservoir is aerated by a whisper 400 air pump and air stone.



Glether uses multiple 430 watt Diamond lights and claims to harvest on average 14 to 16 ounces per light! One additional tip, he notes that clogged drip lines are easily cleared using compressed air.

wow! thats impressive! thank you. do systems ever come in smaller sizes? like for a walk-in closet?

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~christine

Sure, just make the runs shorter. The fall is supposed to be 1/4" per foot. So it you have a 4' wide closet cut the gutter 3' long and make one end 3/4" lower then the other, for a 2' system make one end 1/2" lower then the other.

What about when the roots get really big? Unless I'm misunderstanding this, it would be like leaves in a gutter. I like how easy this is to build, my only concern would be overflow. This is something I would be real willing to try if I understood more. I guess it would be an adjustment of the amount of flow.

there's a lot of problems i don't get about nft systems that most hydroponic guides out there don't address. SmokerE pointed out a good question about blockage from the roots but it also looks like a huge algae build up would happen. Another thing is i've always been told that roots hate light, with that kind of set up it looks like the roots would be totally exposed to the light.

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You could work around that with gutter guards. They are made of the same kind of plastic as a rubbermaid container. I think I could get out of that engineering problem. Just imagine the roots holding so much water back that it overflows and floods your whole grow room. The way I've seen roots grow in those hydro setups the amount of "damming" it would do would var from day to day. I guess you could double up and use a smaller gutter size (thats if they even make one) and the larger one on the outside, unless I'm missing something easier.

I am not sold on this type of system yet. I need to read and learn more. It does seem like there is a lot of room for trouble.

I've done a couple of grows using GH's AeroFlo, which I call an enhanced NFT. And a lot of folks make this system using square plastic fence posts.

One thing to consider. Hydroponics is an advanced method of growing. NFT is an even more advanced Hydro method, and when there is no medium to buffer the roots, the nute soup must be perfectly maintained. The slightest slip-up could mean death for your plants.

HTH

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hi i've just started to use this technique i cant tell you the out come but from what ive heard and read its good for beginners in hydro. i had to buy a bubbler but other then that its self-contained i just have to top up nuti every now and then and change it once every 2 weeks the roots are under the silver corex they flow down the table with the water flow and drop off the end in to the reservoir thats what the bubbler is for to keep roots airy other then that I'm clueless learning as i go any advise would be much appreciated thank you