There are a variety of different hydroponics systems available; however there are only a select few systems that the others are based upon. These hydroponic systems are:

Wick
This hydroponics system does not require an aquarium air pump as it uses a common candle wick. It uses these wicks to move the water soluble rich nutritional solution from the clay pellets or even lava chips to the plant roots. This hydroponic grow system is the most inexpensive route, but it can become unhealthy for the plants as they become too wet. This is the major drawback and tends to produce less surviving plants, in the long run.

Ebb and Flow
This indoor gardening system is also known as the Flood and Drain system. It is an indoor growing system that requires an aquarium air pump to push the rich water soluble nutrients to the plant roots where low oxygen contained air is constantly changed air rich in high density oxygen. The pump for this system remains active for roughly 15 minutes, until the high nutrition water soluble fluid reaches the required level. When this happens, the drainage tube drains the excess fluids back into the holding tank. As this indoor gardening system required low maintenance so this is a great pick for the beginner hydroponics hobbyist.

Continuous Drip
As another good beginner system, this hydroponics active system may be used for both, a recover / non-recovery depending on whether or not a tray is used underneath to collect and recycle the nutrient solution. It is considered as an active system due to the usage of a pump to push the solution to the nutrient lines that thread through each plant, connecting them for supplying proper balanced nutrition. To stabilize the plant, a growing medium, like rockwool, is used.

Nutrient Film Technique
This indoor growing hydroponics system is a recovery system that requires the help of gravity, through the means of slanted grow tubes which take the rich nutrient fluid back into the unit. These growing tubes allow the plant roots to be exposed to the nutrient solution which makes this system less forgiving. The reason being is that the plant roots are totally dependent on the continual flow of the nutrients for sustaining plants. This system required higher maintenance and more technical knowledge.


Aeroponic
In this hydroponics system the roots of the plants are continuously misted with nutrient solution. Roots are suspended in midair and receive air constantly. The nutrient mist consists of 20% oxygen, which allows the plan to access a maximum amount of oxygen possible which results in tremendous growth of the plant. As far as hydroponic systems goes, this one is not for the beginner as it’s better suited for the advanced gardener.

There are a variety of hydroponic systems available, however when you’re choosing one it’s best to do your research and know exactly what you want before buying one.