Best Hydroponics Systems for Cannabis Grows

There’s a long-standing debate among marijuana growers about whether not hydroponics or soil is the best way to grow plants. Regardless of where you stand, it’s undeniable that hydroponic systems have their benefits.

Soil provides support for plants because it develops a physical structure for the roots to hold on. In a hydroponic grow system, the physical support provided by soil can easily be replaced.

Hydroponic systems like our #1 recommended Hydrofarm RS5GALSYS Root Spa Deep Water Culture Bucket System are hugely popular for growers who want to have more control over the growth process.

This guide is for adults 21+ growing where it is legal.

A Selection of Reliable Hydroponic Systems:

Bubble Boy (DWC) Hydroponic Bucket System

The Bubble Boy DWC bucket system is a practical and affordable way to grow plants hydroponically. The Bubble Boy system uses what is known as deep water culture (DWC). In DWC systems, the roots are suspended in highly oxygenated, nutrient-rich water.

Hydroponic nutrients are already dissolved in a form roots can take up, which is one reason hydro plants can grow quickly. Aeration is essential in DWC, so the kit includes an air pump and air stone.

The air pump and air stone keep oxygen in the water so the roots don't suffocate. The reservoir is black and the lids block light, which helps prevent algae in the solution.

Pros

• The system is highly oxygenated and nutrient-rich
• Air pump and air stone included
• Light-blocking lid helps prevent algae
• Large bucket capacity

Cons

• Bucket may leak
• Does not have enough hydro stone for some larger grows

General Hydroponics Waterfarm Complete Hydroponic System Grow Kit

The Waterfarm by General Hydroponic features a unique four-sided construction that allows you to pack modules closely together to create large, as well as high-density installations.

Each Waterfarm is a standalone single-plant bucket system, and you can add more units as you expand.

It is a recirculating drip system, not NFT. A pump lifts nutrient solution from the reservoir to a drip ring, and the solution trickles through the growing medium back down to the reservoir.

Adding an air stone to the reservoir helps keep the solution oxygenated.

Pros

• The four-sided shape allows for high-density installations
• Plug-and-play design that is easy to use
• Recirculating drip ring

Cons

• The pump is a bit noisy

SavvyGrow DWC Hydroponics Growing System

The SavvyGrow DWC system is a small deep water culture kit.

It is a beginner-friendly starter kit. It is a compact multi-site tub with small net cups, which suits seedlings, clones and herbs better than full-size cannabis plants. Check the current listing for dimensions.

The package comes with a sachet of hydroton clay balls, which acts as the growing media for the plants. There is also an air pump that runs at the bottom of the reservoir.

With this system, you’ll also get two air stones, which provide plenty of air bubbles, providing adequate oxygen for your plants. The reservoir is very sturdy and thick for durability. The unit has a locking lid that ensures the inside of the tank is dark and also prevents algal growth.

Pros

• A complete kit that is low maintenance, easy to set up and use
• Air stones included
• Good for seedlings and clones

Cons

• Vague DIY instruction manual
• Reservoir may leak

AeroGarden Ultra with Gourmet Herb Seed Pod Kit

The AeroGarden is a top-of-the-line indoor hydroponic system, which is highly resourceful for growing fresh flowers, salad greens, vegetables, and herbs.

It is a countertop hydroponic garden with seven plant sites and a built-in LED grow light on an adjustable arm.

Its limited light height makes it a better fit for herbs, greens and seedlings than full-size cannabis plants.

The control panel reminds you when to add nutrients and water. AeroGarden's product lineup and support have changed in recent years, so confirm availability and replacement parts before buying.

Pros

• Grows flowers, salad greens, vegetables, or fresh herbs
• Can grow up to seven plants at a time
• Built-in LED grow light
• Easy control panel with reminders

Cons

• Too small for mature cannabis plants

PowerGrow Deep Water Culture Hydroponic Bubbler Bucket Kit

The PowerGrow Bubbler Hydroponic Bucket Kit is an easy and inexpensive way to grow your plants hydroponically. This system distributes nutrients through deep water culture, which is super easy to use. The deepwater culture allows for fast growth with little effort.

In this system, the roots hang in oxygenated nutrient solution. One air pump runs all four buckets; check the current listing for bucket size.

Pros

• Highly effective deep water culture
• Each bucket has a water level indicator
• One air pump runs all four buckets

Cons

• pH drifts and must be checked often, as in any DWC

What to Look for in a Hydroponic System

There are several things you have to look for when shopping for the best hydroponic system, including the hydroponic method and the growing mediums you want to use.

Hydroponic Methods

There are several hydroponic methods or techniques you can consider. Before choosing a system, make sure that you know which way feels the most comfortable for you to use.

• Aeroponic System

With aeroponic systems, the roots hang in the air and are misted with nutrient solution, with little or no growing medium.

That gives roots plenty of oxygen, but a pump failure dries them out fast. Mist emitters also clog and need regular cleaning, per New Mexico State University.

Most systems run the misting pump on a timer.

• Deep Water Culture (DWC)

The aeroponics technique is considered the most advanced, but the deep water culture is the most popular technique for indoor cannabis growers.

DWC systems have net pots in a lid over a reservoir. Clay pebbles hold the plant in the net pot while the roots grow down into the solution.

DWC is one of the simplest systems to set up. Its weak points are oxygen and temperature: keep the air pump running and the reservoir from getting warm, since root rot pathogens like Pythium thrive in recirculated water, per a review of cannabis diseases.

• Drip Ring Technique

Drip systems use a pump, often on a timer, to feed nutrient solution through small emitters or a drip ring onto the growing medium.

Use a fast-draining medium such as clay pebbles, coco or rockwool so water does not pool around the roots.

Recirculating drip systems return the runoff to the reservoir. Drain-to-waste systems use fresh solution each time, which is simpler to manage but uses more water and nutrients.

• Ebb and Flow System

Ebb and Flow is essentially a sub-irrigation technique. A pump on a timer periodically floods a tray of potted plants with nutrient solution, which then drains back to the reservoir by gravity.

It is fairly easy to set up. How often you flood depends on your plants and medium. Loose media can wash into the drain and clog the pump, so use filters or screens.

Growing Medium

The second most important consideration when choosing a hydroponic system is the growing medium. The ideal growing medium is supposed to hold oxygen, water, and nutrients, and support the root system. The most popular and reliable hydroponics growing media are:

• Hydroton

Hydroton is a brand of expanded clay pebbles (LECA). They have lots of pore space, hold oxygen and can be reused, but they hold little water, per New Mexico State University. Rinse them before use, and block light from the surface to limit algae.

• Rocks

You can use different types of gravel or stones as your grow medium. This is by far the most economical grow medium. Some of the best rock materials to use include river rock, lava rock, and pea gravel. Rocks drain fast and hold little water.

• Coco Coir

This is a relatively newer growing medium made of fibers from the husks of coconuts. Coco coir can vary from one manufacturer to another. Coco coir holds water well while staying airy. Quality varies, and some coir carries excess salt, so buy rinsed and buffered coir or rinse it yourself. Fine particles can clog pumps and emitters.

• Rockwool

This medium is made from rock that is melted and spun into fibers. It holds a lot of water while staying well aerated.

Rockwool is sold as cubes, slabs and plugs for propagation. It starts out alkaline, so soak it in pH-adjusted water before use. Dry fibers can irritate skin and lungs, so wear gloves and a dust mask when handling it.

pH and Nutrient Solution

Most hydroponic crops grow well with a solution pH between 5.5 and 6.5, per New Mexico State University. Check pH and nutrient strength often with a calibrated meter, since both drift as plants feed.

Final Thoughts

For people who want to grow marijuana indoors, soil can be messy and too hands-on for indoor grow spaces. Hydroponic systems can grow plants fast because they feed roots a precise mix of nutrients, water and oxygen. The trade-off is less margin for error than soil when a pump fails or pH drifts.

To get started with a proven system, check out the Hydrofarm RS5GALSYS Root Spa Deep Water Culture Bucket System…you’ll be glad you did!

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Recirculating hydroponic systems can use substantially less water than soil growing, since unused solution is reused. There is also no weeding. Keep electrical gear above water level and plug pumps into GFCI-protected outlets.

We hope this article gave you some insight into the benefits of hydroponics systems and whether or not hydro is the right medium for your grow style.

Sources

• Hydroponics: Water-saving Farming for New Mexico's Arid Environment, New Mexico State University
• Emerging diseases of Cannabis sativa and sustainable management, Pest Management Science (via NIH PMC)