Refilling nutrient solutions and refilling frequency
Refilling nutrient solutions are only required when a closed (NFT) system is used. With open hydroponic systems the nutrient solution is not re-used so no refill solution is...
Lime – a cheap way to reduce greenhouse temperatures
Cooling a greenhouse can be just as expensive as heating, well almost. There are some very practical methods that you can use to save money. ...
Insect screens in greenhouses – effective biological control
Insect screens or thermal screens are designed to reduce heat in summer and increase temperatures during the night, but also to reduce the number of insects entering the...
Thermal screens greenhouse cooling – are they effective
Heat is always a problem in greenhouses during summer months and even during winter in some areas. Extreme high temperatures cause stress in plants and...
Evaporative pads – maintenance in commercial hydroponics
The installation of new evaporative pads is expensive. The material should last at least two years if not more. With good regular maintenance, evaporative pads...
Cooling a greenhouse with evaporative pad-and-fan
Pad-and-fan systems, also called evaporative pad-and-fan systems, is the most common method of cooling a greenhouse in warm weather regions. Although not optimal, it is better...
Cooling a greenhouse with fogging nozzles
Many growers have tried reducing temperatures (cooling) with fogging nozzles. The concept of spraying the air with microscopic water droplets which absorb the heat in the...
Natural ventilation in humid regions.
Ventilation of greenhouses in humid tropical areas presents the grower with a complete new set of problems. There are various methods available but none have...
Natural ventilation of single span tunnels in arid regions.
Arid regions are characterized by low rainfall, low humidity and high temperatures during summer. The largest problem is temperature during the day time inside the...
What is natural ventilation
Ventilation is the exchange of air inside the greenhouse with air taken from outside the greenhouse using either natural or forced methods. Ventilation efficiency...
What is the difference between LDPE and HDPE Irrigation pipes
LDPE HDPE Difference is crucial when designing a good system. You can either save a lot of money initially and waste a lot later when...
Which hydroponic irrigation pumps should be used
Hydroponic pumps are at the heart of your irrigation system. Many people tend to neglect this area just because they do not understand what is...
Cheap inline sediment filter that works
Installing a sump on small closed hydroponic systems is also easy. The same basic concrete sump can be build but a simple ‘T-piece’ as described...
Simple method to keep hydroponic NFT nutrient tanks clean
The irrigation water of hydroponic systems must be filtered to keep foreign objects out of the system. Open systems are relatively easy to filter since...
What is the optimum gravel depth for hydroponic channels
The correct gravel depth is important for the development of the roots system. Too shallow gravel will not only restrict root development and volume, but...
