If you are used to growing cannabis with soil and wonder how to grow hydroponic cannabis and what the best hydroponic setup is, then this article is meant for you! Hydroponic cannabis growing is a complex task compared to working with a soil mix, and there are many advantages to growing hydroponic cannabis.
In this article, I break down what hydroponic cannabis is, how to grow hydroponic cannabis, the advantages and disadvantages, Atami’s systems for hydroponic cannabis growing, and my top tips for hydroponic cannabis grow.
What Is Hydroponic Cannabis?
refers to cannabis plants grown in an automated watering system. Growing hydroponic cannabis simply means using an inert soilless growing medium. Water supplies the nutrients and food a cannabis plant needs from seed until harvest.
There is a wide range of hydroponic systems, each with its own unique function and different growing methods. Some systems are optimal for growing tents and small grow rooms, while others are perfect for commercial-scale operation.
Cannabis Hydroponic Grow Systems
It can be pretty overwhelming to decide which hydroponic cannabis system is the best to use, especially if it is your first time growing hydroponic cannabis. Below is a list of the different hydroponic cannabis growing systems.
Top dripper systems
The system requires a pump, drip lines, pots, and an inert growing medium such as Hydro Rokz. By using a pump and timer, water is emitted from either a dripper stake or drip ring for 15 minutes per time or can be left on over 24 hours.
Nutrient film technique
The table is sloped at an angle allowing water to flow down from the top side to the reservoir. The system is designed to feed the plants 24 hours a day and recirculate the nutrient solution back to the top. NFT systems are well known for achieving super yields.
Floor and drain
A flood and drain table or ebb and flow system uses rockwool cubes or small pots containing clay balls. A pump connected to the reservoir tank floods the top table several times daily, submerging the growing medium with an oxygenated nutrient solution.
Aeroponics
Cannabis plants will sit inside a chamber using net pots and clay balls, which allows the roots to be suspended underneath and sprayed with nutrient solution. The roots are exposed to air the entire time, encouraging plants to grow quickly.
Deep water culture
DWC systems submerge the plant’s roots in an oxygenated nutrient solution 24 hours a day using an air stone. Cannabis plants grown in deep water culture hydroponic setups can produce huge yields and are optimal for growers with limited space.
What Equipment Do You Need for a Cannabis Hydroponic Grow?
Hydroponic cannabis systems are quite complex and involve buying a complete hydroponic kit. Below is a short list of all the equipment needed to start a cannabis hydroponic grow.
● System and reservoir tank
● Water pump
● Drip lines
● Air stone
● Timer
● pH pen
● E.C Pen (electric conductivity)
● ATA Clean
● Hydro Rokz
● Rockwool cubes
Advantages and Disadvantages of Growing Hydroponics vs Soil Mixes
If you are still deciding whether to use a soil mix for cannabis or work with a cannabis hydroponic set, below is a breakdown of all the advantages and disadvantages of both to help you make your mind up. If you are currently growing cannabis with soil, Royal Queen Seeds advises that ebb-and-flow systems, deep water culture, and wick systems can be achieved in the same size tent as soil grows.
| The advantages of hydroponic cannabis | The disadvantages of hydroponic cannabis |
| Hydroponic cannabis grows can produce huge yields in comparison to using a soil mix. | Growing hydroponic cannabis can be an expensive hobby with large overheads. |
| There is no need to hand water the plants which can save time and effort. | Hydroponic nutrients can also be expensive compared to using a soil mix. |
| Hydroponic cannabis setups are ideal for growers who cannot be in their grow rooms daily. | There is a greater risk of problems occurring with hydroponics if the system is not maintained. |
| Cannabis hydroponic setups are clean and sterile, ensuring there are no pathogens or bacteria present. | A grower is required to constantly check the pH and E.C level of the nutrient solution to prevent nutrient lock out or over feeding. |
| Indoor growers with limited space can produce the biggest yields using cannabis hydroponic systems. | Hydroponic systems rely on electricity so can be at risk of a power cut, and pumps may break down over time. |
Advantages and Disadvantages of Soil-Grown Cannabis
| The advantages of soil-grown cannabis | The disadvantages of soil-grown cannabis |
| Soil is ideally suited for a first-time grower, and it does not cost much to get started. | Overwatering soil can cause the roots to become starved of oxygen, and can produce harmful bacteria around the root zone. |
| Cannabis buds will have the most refined flavour compared to hydroponically grown cannabis. | The yield of soil-grown cannabis will be significantly lower than that of hydroponically grown cannabis. |
| Soil can be reused after each growing cycle, saving a grower money. | Not all soil mixes will be optimal for growing cannabis, and many will be overfertilised which can cause seedlings and clones to burn. |
| There is a 72-hour buffering zone with soil mixes, meaning a grower has much more time in the event of overfeeding. | Organic soil-grown cannabis plants may grow slower compared to hydroponic grow setups, so they are not as efficient over a long period. |
| Maintaining the soil cannabis pH levels is not as complicated as using a hydroponic system | Soil can contain pests that will attack plants, and require predators or organic pesticides to kill them. |
Atami’s Wilma System for Hydroponic Cannabis Growing
The easiest way to start your hydroponic cannabis growing career is to use the Atami Wilma system. This dripper system is one of the easiest ways to grow hydroponic cannabis. These systems are excellent for small spaces and growing tents and are available in different sizes to suit your practical needs and accommodate the legal plant limit in your country.
A Step-by-Step Guide for Setting Up A Wilma System
The following step-by-step guide is for a Wilma Large four-complete kit with 11-litre pots. This hydroponic setup is 75 cm x 75 cm x 20 cm, so it is optimal for growers with a 1 – 1.2 tent.
Step 1: Wash Hydro Rokz before using it to remove any dust and debris.
Step 2: Fill the 11-litre plastic pots, leaving 2 inches of space from the top.
Step 3: Connect the drip lines and drip stakes together and connect them to the main tube.
Step 4: Place the water pump inside the system and connect the main tube.
Step 5: Fill the base with water and a mild nutrient solution.
Step 6: Place the 11-litre pots on the top table and insert the drip stake into the substrate.
My Top Tips for Growing Hydroponic Cannabis
Growing hydroponic cannabis does require a lot of skill and frequent maintenance, and there are lots of things that can go wrong along the way. Below are my top tips to consider helping you avoid any common mistakes and get the most out of your indoor hydroponic cannabis grow.
Tip 1: Always check the pH level
Hydroponic cannabis growing is a faster way to grow indoor cannabis than using a soil mix. Cannabis plants use nutrients within a specific pH range between 5.5 and 6.5. My tip is always to check the reservoir’s pH level and make sure your plants are in the optimal pH range to avoid nutrient lockout.
Tip 2: Buy a spare pump
There is no worse feeling than checking on your cannabis hydroponic grow and discovering the water pump has stopped working. Without a spare close by, your reservoir risks becoming stagnant, and the plants are deprived of nutrients. My tip is to always have a spare pump in your grow room in an emergency.
Tip 3: Clean the drip lines
It is very important to keep your cannabis hydroponic set-up as clean and sterile as possible. One great habit to develop is to use ATA Clean after every harvest. Nutrient salts can block drip lines over time, so my tip here is to frequently maintain your systems and ensure the drip lines are always clean and clear.
Tip 4: Temperature and humidity levels
Temperature and humidity levels play a major role in plants growing in hydroponic systems and can easily affect the reservoir water temperature. Air conditioning and dehumidifiers are the best permanent fix for those that suffer regular, stubborn high ambient temperatures and high RH issues as advised by Dutch Passion.
Atami’s Conclusion on Hydroponic Cannabis vs Soil
Hydroponic cannabis is one of the easiest ways to produce epic yields and make the most of your indoor grow space. You must be extra vigilant and aware of pH levels, E.C levels, and water temperature, humidity levels and the grow room temperatures.
Unlike a soil mix for cannabis, hydroponic cannabis growing is far less forgiving, and the risk-to-reward ratio is far greater; however, once you master cannabis hydroponic growing, you will never look back! Good luck learning the ropes and finding out which hydroponic cannabis system is best suited for your skill level and indoor grow space.
