Growing Cannabis: Hydroponics vs Aeroponics

This article was originally published on 2Fast4Buds and appears here with permission.

Hydro and soil are two great ways to grow cannabis that work better in different setups, despite their differences, you can have great results in both of them. There are a lot of ways to grow high-quality cannabis. After a certain time of growing, you will find the one that suits you the best and allows you to achieve what you look for, based on your budget, experience, or availability. Aeroponics and hydroponics are methods that have been used for growing vegetables for a long time now, but just for a couple of years, they have been getting implemented in the cultivation of cannabis. These methods consist of growing soilless and exposing the roots directly to the nutrient solution, you can achieve quicker growth and better quality buds if done properly. Here is a quick and simple comparison of both of these techniques:

1. AEROPONICS

Aeroponics is a way of growing where the roots are held mid-air by a special net or pot. Rather than being surrounded in soil, the roots are surrounded by oxygen and CO2 and are misted directly with a nutrient solution that coats the whole roots every 3-5 minutes.

Aeroponics is a method of growing plants where no soil or any other medium is used.

This technique is done indoors as it protects the plants from external elements and allows the grower to have complete control over the environment.

PROS

HIGHER YIELDS

Different from other techniques where plants have to “fight” for nutrients, in aeroponics the nutrient solution is delivered directly to the roots. This translates into bigger yields and faster growth.

BETTER NUTRIENT ABSORPTION

The lack of medium means there will be a higher nutrient absorption. Because the nutrients are misted on the roots, there will also be less or zero waste of water and nutrients.

EASY TRANSPLANTING

If you happen to have to move the plants, there will be almost no risk of damaging the roots. You can just lift the pot and transfer it to another reservoir. Because there is no medium, the plants won’t even feel it.

Aeroponics is a variation of hydroponics where the roots are held in mid-air and water is misted on them regularly.

CONS

HIGH MAINTENANCE

Aeroponics is a system that is super sensitive and requires high maintenance. Because the roots are openly exposed, everything has to work at the correct time. If the power goes out for a couple of hours, they will not get hydrated and will die. The systems also need to be cleaned bi-weekly and be checked on 24/7.

HIGH COST

Because an aeroponic system depends on quite a lot of equipment and uninterrupted electricity and water, the initial costs are high compared to other methods of growing. Although there are some things that you can o yourself at home, some you will need to buy. Don't cheap out on them, they will be responsible for your plant’s growth.

2. HYDROPONICS

Hydroponics is what gave birth to aeroponics and can be used with other types of medium (like coco fiber, clay pebbles, or rock wool among others). By eliminating soil we reduce the chances of getting some pests that rely on soil in their life cycle.

Hydroponic technique consists of soaking the roots of the plant in a solution of water mixed with nutrients and providing lots of oxygen.

This method consists of submerging the roots in a nutrient solution. This way they can feed the amount they need when they need it. The oxygen is delivered either by oxygenating the water with air rocks or draining all the solution every 10 minutes or so.

PROS

WATER EFFICIENCY

Almost all growers who grow in soil or other mediums grow in a drain-to-waste system. This means the runoff water goes to waste. In hydroponics, this can be avoided by recycling the nutrient water. Because the water doesn’t go through any type of medium, it comes out fairly clean and can be reused several times.

MORE CONTROL OVER THE NUTRIENTS

In hydroponics we provide a solution in which plants can feed the amount they need when they want to. Because of this, we have more control over the speed and growth of our plants.

RELATIVELY AFFORDABLE

Although this is a relatively new method of growing cannabis, it is cheaper than aeroponics. The initial cost can seem expensive compared to growing in soil, but in an individual hydroponic system, you can grow a large number of plants which can even yield more and better quality. The extra money spent (compared to soil) will come back in the form of better quality buds and higher yields.

A hydroponic system slightly sacrifices quality to get more quantity.

CONS

DISEASES SPREAD EASIER

Because the plants are all in the same reservoir, if one gets a disease it will quickly spread to others. That is one of the worst things about growing in hydroponics if you aren’t very experienced.

LOW OXYGENATION

In hydroponic systems, you will need to oxygenate the solution that feeds your plants. This means spending an extra couple of bucks on air stones and you will need to check on them every day. If one of them fails, be sure to have a replacement ready. If your plants are submerged in a solution without oxygen, they will drown and die.

3. AEROPONICS VS HYDROPONICS

Both methods of growing work kind of the same, even though aeroponics is considered superior by most growers, because of the simplicity of the system once everything is configured it may be the best choice for you. It solely depends on the experience of the grower, but a general rule would be: A hydroponic system slightly sacrifices quality to get more quantity, while in aeroponics, you slightly sacrifice quantity to obtain a better quality.

Both systems need quite a bit of experience and need monitoring almost 24/7, especially measuring and adjusting pH and temperatures. So the task of choosing the best system is your decision and it will be influenced by the quality and yield you desire, budget, experience and mainly what you can do in the space you have available.

4. WHAT TO KNOW BEFORE SETTING UP YOUR HYDRO OR AERO SETUP

If reading the pros and cons got you excited to start your own hydroponics or aeroponics cannabis setups, read along to know everything you should keep in mind before starting.

SPACE

Before even thinking about what to do, it’s essential you measure the area available as this will dictate how many plants you’ll be able to grow at once. Keep in mind that even the smallest hydro setups need a water pump, lights, water reservoir, etc… So know exactly how much space you have before anything else.

AUTOMATION

Both hydroponic and aeroponic setups are automated as doing so guarantees you’ll have a smooth grow cycle without any major issues, but remember that automating your setup doesn’t mean you get to sit and wait.  You’ll still have to check water levels, and temperatures and make sure everything is working correctly.

UPGRADING

If you’re a beginner, it’s always recommended to start with small setups but keep in mind that certain hydro setups are not expandable or customizable so consider buying a system that will allow you to upgrade it when you’re ready to do so.

PRICE 

The last but most important factor is the price. For beginners, it’s better to go for pre-built hydro or aeroponics systems but there’s also the option to build your own DIY setups. In terms of price, pre-built setups tend to be more expensive than DIY setups but they’re more reliable, this means that pre-built setups will assure a smooth grow cycle and are highly recommended if you’re a beginner. Once you get enough experience, you’ll be able to apply it to building your own setup to your liking.

5. AQUAPONICS -  THE THIRD OPTION

So, there it is. Everything you need to know to make an informed decision about which non-organic cultivation route to go down. Hold up though. What if we told you that there is a third option, and one that you can run fully organically, that can offer all of the benefits of hydroponics? It takes some work to set up, and is just slightly more labor-intensive once you get it up and running - but, it's still very doable and is something that you should be seriously considering. We are talking about Aquaponics, the third and least explored option for cannabis cultivation.

AQUAPONICS EXPLAINED

Aquaponics systems typically consist of two key components: a hydroponic system, and an aquaculture tank. The hydroponics part of the system provides the plants with a nutrient-rich solution from the aquaculture tank, which is essentially an ecosystem of fish.

The process works by cycling water through both components; the fish waste in the fish tank acts as a natural fertilizer for the plants, and in turn, the clean water from the hydroponic system is cycled back into the fish tank. The result is a symbiotic relationship between the two components, resulting in faster-growing and healthier plants and fish.

THE BENEFITS OF AQUAPONICS

• Aquaponics systems are incredibly efficient - they use up to 90% less water than traditional soil-based cultivation methods and about half of a hydro setup. This means that you can save a lot of money and resources in the long run.
• Aquaponics systems also offer a high degree of control over your plants' environment, allowing you to adjust the water temperature, pH levels, lighting, etc. to create ideal growing conditions for your plants. This makes it easier to identify problems with your system quickly and take action quickly.
• While you do have the initial cost outlay of the fish and their tank, they provide all of the nutritional needs of the plants, making them a much cheaper option in the long run. They also provide totally organic nutrients, which come with the added bonus of producing better-tasting and smelling buds.  Plus, the act of raising and breeding the fish is very satisfying.
• Finally, aquaponics systems are far and away more sustainable than traditional methods because everything is kept within a closed-loop system, meaning that there is no need for external inputs or outputs.

Aquaponics systems can deliver everything that hydroponic and aeroponic setups can, with even more control and sustainability. For those looking to go fully organic, they are definitely worth exploring further. However, there is a lot of research involved in setting up, maintaining, and optimizing the system - aquaponics is a whole discipline within itself, and there are truly no shortcuts.

But the results can be incredible, so if you are looking for a sustainable way to grow your sticky icky and love a challenge then we reckon you should 100% check it out!

6. IN CONCLUSION

Hydroponic and aeroponic systems may seem similar at first but they are used in different situations. Both of them need monitoring 24/7 to be sure all the equipment is working properly and you will need to check pH, temperatures, and humidity almost every day. The final decision is solely a matter of preference and what you can do in the size of your grow room. Choosing either one of them, we recommend having quite a bit of knowledge before risking your whole harvest in any of these systems.

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