Hydroponics Terms

Aeration: This involves introducing air into nutrient solutions using air pumps, water pumps, and circulation. rop health needs to create an aerobic environment beneficial for plants, as opposed to anaerobic conditions that can harm crops.

Aeroponics: A method often used for plant propagation involves misting or spraying the nutrient solution on the roots of plants supported by net pots or collars. Aeroponics is known for rapid crop development and is considered advanced, though current technologies are more user-friendly than earlier versions.

Add Back Kit: This kit is used for replenishing nutrient solutions in systems or reservoirs between nutrient changes, such as when the EC level drops due to nutrient uptake by crops. It allows the gradual addition of nutrients, additives, descaling solutions, and pH buffers to prevent shock.

Air Flow Regulator: A device to standardize and calibrate aeration rates in hydroponics systems, reservoirs, or cisterns. It helps growers adjust aeration, prolongs the life of air and water pumps, and prevents excessive aeration.

Air Pump Bank: A space for multiple air pumps, connected individually or in series, to provide pressurized air for system aeration. Air Regulators control the output.

Air Stone: Made of porous, inert material, it diffuses pressurized air into tiny bubbles in water or nutrient solutions. Specialty air stones are preferred in hydroponics due to the nature of the solutions.

Boneless Under Current System: An UnderCurrent system equipped with Spin Tight fittings for customizing module spacing in grow plans, with the installer providing the piping.

CCH2O Lid: A sturdy cover for growth modules or Epicenters in hydroponic systems, featuring access ports for root inspection without disturbing the lid.

Chiller: Used to maintain optimal temperatures in hydroponic nutrient solutions, especially in warm environments. It helps maintain dissolved oxygen levels and prevents root pathogens.

CIP (Clean In Place): Techniques for efficient sanitation of grow rooms and equipment without disassembly, saving time and labor costs.

Cloning: The asexual propagation of plants, producing new plants from selected shoots without seeds, resulting in genetically identical plants.

Cloning Collars: Foam-like discs supporting cut plant stems in cloning systems facilitate root development.

Cold-water loop: A plumbing strategy for chilling multiple hydroponic systems using a centralized chiller and heat exchangers.

Crop Cruising: A less intensive approach in RWC applications, focusing on stable growth conditions with minimal parameter micromanagement.

Crop Steering: A more intensive approach, especially in Drain To Waste systems, involves detailed irrigation cycle management for optimal results.

Cultured Solutions Nutrients: High-performance, precise crop nutrients, including various supplements and enhancers.

Deep Water Culture (DWC): A method where plant roots grow in aerated nutrient solutions, often with minimal growing media, supported by net pots or collars.

Delivery Manifold: A component that delivers aerated nutrient solution to the Epicenter in hydroponic systems.

Descaling, Descaler Additives: Additives that reduce nutrient salt accumulation and biofilms, maintaining healthy conditions in hydroponic systems.

DO (Dissolved Oxygen): Important for stimulating plant growth; higher DO levels in nutrient solutions lead to faster growth and higher yields.

Drain-Out Kit: A kit for emptying hydroponic systems efficiently, equipped with piping and fittings for complete drainage.

Drain-Out Pump: A pump used with the Drain-Out Kit to empty hydroponic systems.

Drip irrigation: A method delivering controlled moisture directly to plants, ranging from simple to complex systems.

Drop-Tee: A plumbing fitting for complete drainage in hydroponic systems, preventing water pooling.

EC (Electrical Conductivity): Measures the concentration of fertilizer in nutrient solutions, crucial for monitoring nutrient levels.

Epicenter: The central part of an RDWC system, where nutrient solution is circulated and monitored.

Feeding Schedule: A plan for providing nutrients to crops at various stages of growth, often tailored to specific growing methods and environmental factors.

Fertigation System: combining irrigation with applying nutrients or fertilizers.

Float Valve: A device for maintaining stable conditions in hydroponic systems by adding fresh water or nutrients as needed.

Flush: reducing nutrient concentration in the root zone or growing media with fresh water or mild nutrient solutions.

Growth Module: Individual planting sites in hydroponic systems, acting as chambers for plant roots.

HPAC (High-Pressure Aeroponics Cloning System): A system for rapid root development in plant cloning using high-pressure misters.

Hydroponics: Growing plants in water-based nutrient solutions without soil.

Joint: Connects two growth modules in a hydroponic system.

Linear Air Pump: A quiet and reliable air pump, scalable for different air output requirements.

Liquid fertilizer: Fertilizers in liquid form for easy application and solubility in hydroponic nutrient solutions.

Media Water Filtration: A step in water purification, often part of reverse osmosis or used for treating marginal water supplies.

Mother Plant (Donor Plant): A plant maintained for providing shoots for cloning, ensuring genetic consistency in the propagated crops.

Multi-Mod Chamber: A versatile hydroponic growth chamber adaptable for various plant sizes and systems.

Net Pot: A mesh pot for supporting plants in hydroponic systems, allowing root growth into nutrient solutions.

Net Pot Insert: A disc fitting on a net pot to block light and reduce the need for growing media.

Net Pot Insert Collar: A foam disc supporting plant stems in hydroponic systems, especially in cloning applications.

Nutrient: Elements required for plant growth, supplied through roots or leaves.

Nutrient Change-Out: The refreshing nutrient solutions in hydroponic systems according to a feeding schedule.

ORP (Oxidation Reduction Potential): A measure of the disinfection power of a substance in water.

Oxidizer: A substance that oxidizes other substances, used for neutralizing unwanted substances in hydroponics.

pH (potential hydrogen): A measure of acidity or alkalinity of a solution essential for nutrient absorption and root zone health in hydroponics.

PPM (Parts Per Million): A nutrient or fertilizer concentration measure in a nutrient solution or water quality indicator.

Recirculating Deep Water Culture (RDWC): A hydroponic system with uniform pH and EC levels, offering high productivity and ease of use.

Regenerative Blower: Used for aeration in large-scale hydroponic applications, offering high efficiency and long service life.

Remote Epicenter: A variant of the Epicenter, located away from plant modules for convenience and to avoid disrupting photoperiods.

Reservoir: A storage unit for water or nutrient solutions in hydroponic systems.

Return Manifold: A component in the UnderCurrent System that draws aerated nutrient solution back to the Epicenter.

Return Pump: The pump circulates water, nutrients, and oxygen through the Under Current System.

Reverse Osmosis: A water purification method producing highly pure water essential for hydroponics.

TDS (Total Dissolved Solids): Indicates the amount