Deep Water Culture Hydroponics System The Definite Guide    

Deep Water Culture Hydroponics System (DWC ) is an easy and simple hydroponic growing system or method. Deep water culture system strengthens plant root that holds a nutrient solution and water every time i.e. 24/7. Deep Water Culture is not like other hydroponics system such as Drip system, Aeroponics in which plants are watered only on a regular basis.

By “deep”, it means that the roots of the plants must be submerged deep into the water. The reservoir must hold a good amount of water to hold the plant roots. The solution full of nutrients will be more stable if there is more water in it and require less management. In other hydroponics system, such as drip system, aeroponics, roots of plants are suspended in the air with continuous flow of water, while in DWC or deep-water culture roots are submerged in water every time.  

Plants to grow in Deep Water Culture System

Plants that are most suitable to grow with DWC or deep-water culture systems are anything that doesn’t have to flower including many cultivars of lettuces, spinach and different herbs. These plants grow very fast and healthy. You can also grow chillies, peppers, tomatoes and even larger fruits like squash even though they take more effort. Plants grown in Deep water culture system strengthens and encourage plant root that holds a nutrient solution and water every time i.e. 24/7. 

Types of Deep Water Culture Hydroponics System

• Single Reservoir: In this type of deep-water culture system a single large bucket like container is present which holds the plants in nutrient solution and water. 
• Multiple Reservoir: In this type of deep-water culture system multiple large buckets like containers are present which holds the plants in nutrient solution and water and each container is connected by the means of nutrient solution in it. 

Hydroponics equipment

• Growing tray: Growing tray is made up of various different materials is used to support the root system of the plant. There are different designs of Growing tray. 
• Hydroponic nutrients: It consist of solution full of nutrients which are beneficial for the growth of plants.
• Air pump: It is used in bubbleponics system of DWC. 
• Airstone : It is also used in bubbleponics system of DWC. 
• Reservoir: It is a bucket like container which holds the plants in nutrient solution and water. 
• Net stones: It is used in DWC system. 
• pH controller: It controls the pH of the nutrient solution which is provided to the plants. pH should be 5.5 to 6.5 approximately.

Methods of Aeration

Through Air bubbles

In hydroponics system such as drip system, aeroponics and DWC air bubbles are formed by the air pump and airstone to the solution full of nutrients. Air volume is provided by the air pump. The airstone is made of rock-like substances and has small pores in it which form small air bubbles that will come to the top of water. The smaller the air bubbles, the better aeration and dissolved oxygen they will provide to the nutrient solution because they have more contact surface with water.

Falling water method

This method of falling water where the surface agitation is produced which on splashing around will create aeration for the nutrient solution. The larger the volume of water, the more downward force it produces when it will hit the water’s surface. The stronger the downward force, the more will be the dissolved oxygen there is. 

Recirculating Deep Water Culture (RDWC)

When the Conventional deep water culture system has disadvantages and cannot benefit, it is when the Recirculating DWC is formed or created. Recirculating Deep Water Culture works like a flood and drain, but the nutrient solutions never get out of the system. You can have many containers, and they must be connected to the central reservoir. Plants will be provided with the solution of nutrients and water through one bucket which will circulate at specific interval of time to another buckets. At least, grow 2-4 plants per bucket and plants more than four will be harmful to the roots of the plant. 

Bubbleponics

Bubbleponics is a top feeding deep water culture and a recirculating system. It proves to be useful at the starting or initial phase of your plants when the roots are short and cannot reach the water below. Plant roots grow faster, when provided with the solution full of nutrients and water. Equipment’s required for bubbleponics are airstone and air pump. This equipment play an important role in bubbleponics recirculating system. Bubbleponics is most important recirculating system. It plays an important role in growth of plants; it helps the plants to grow faster by providing nutrients and water which are essential for plant growth.  

Why DWC is successful

Deep water culture system of hydroponics is relatively easy to set up and maintain, making them suitable for beginners. It requires less effort for maintenance compared to some other hydroponic methods or systems. In deep water culture system nutrients are directly delivered to the plant roots, promoting rapid growth and high yields. DWC systems recycle water, minimizing water wastage compared to traditional soil farming. Constant aeration of the water promotes better oxygenation to the roots, aiding in growth. Plants are grown without soil; the risk of soil-borne diseases is significantly reduced.  

Advantages of Deep Water Culture Hydroponics System

It can be created easily and require less maintenance. Due to superior uptake of nutrients and oxygen from the nutrient solution there is sudden change in growth of plants. For example, you can grow Spinach and harvest it in 35- 40 days instead of 55-65 days in soil or field conditions. Crops can be grown anywhere, where no soil exists. Maximum yield in minimum time is possible, which makes it economically feasible. Chances of soil borne diseases are less. It is better for consumption.

Plants grown in DWC system are without soil because of which the risk of soil-borne diseases is significantly reduced. Plants grown in DWC systems tend to grow faster due to the optimal nutrient and oxygen availability provided to the plants. DWC systems often result in higher yields compared to soil farming.

Advantages	Explanation
Simple Setup	DWC systems are relatively easy to set up and maintain, making them suitable for beginners.
Low Maintenance	Requires minimal effort for maintenance compared to some other hydroponic methods.
Efficient   Nutrient Delivery	Nutrients are directly delivered to the plant roots, promoting rapid growth and high yields.
Reduced Water Usage	DWC systems recycle water, minimizing water wastage compared to traditional soil farming.
Increased Oxygenation	Constant aeration of the water promotes better oxygenation to the roots, aiding in growth
Scalability	Can be scaled up or down easily to accommodate different plant sizes and growing spaces.
Reduced Risk of Soil Borne Diseases	Plants are grown without soil; the risk of soil-borne diseases is significantly reduced.
Enhanced Growth Rates	Plants tend to grow faster in DWC systems due to the optimal nutrient and oxygen availability.
Higher Yields	With optimal conditions, DWC systems often result in higher yields compared to soil farming.

Disadvantages of Deep Water Culture Hydroponics System

In DWC system we cannot grow large plants. This method of hydroponics is not suitable for plants having longer growing period. DWC depends upon air pump which works from electricity so, electricity dependency is the disadvantages of deep-water culture system. Water exposure of roots for too long can lead to root rot. Failure of this system leads to rapid death of plants. Sometimes it can lead to system failure, leading to crop loss. pH and nutrient imbalance are also the main disadvantage of deep-water culture system.

Disadvantages	Explanation
Potential for Oxygen Depletion	Inadequate aeration can lead to oxygen depletion, causing root rot and stunted plant growth.
Risk of System Failure	Equipment such as air pumps or water pumps may fail, potentially leading to crop loss.
pH and Nutrient         Imbalance	Maintaining the correct pH and nutrient        l        levels can be challenging and requires frequent    monitoring.
Vulnerability to   Temperature   Changes	DWC systems are sensitive to temperature fluctuations, which can affect plant health and growth.
Prone to Algae Growth	Algae growth can occur in the nutrient solution, especially if the system is exposed to light.
Limited Crop Variety	Not all plants thrive in DWC systems, limiting the range of crops that can be grown effectively.
Space Requirement	DWC systems may require more space compared to other hydroponic methods due to the reservoir size.

Conclusion

Deep water culture system is the practice of growing plants in oxygenated water. Many people consider this system of hydroponics to be the pure form. If you are a beginner in the field of growing plants with a hydroponics system, this is less costly than others and simple to setup. Sufficient aeration in the water and the optimum temperature, the plant roots will thrive, and the growth rate and yields that can be achieve by this technique will be phenomenal.

Deep Water Culture system strengthen plant roots that holds a nutrient solution and water every time. Deep Water Culture system is not like other hydroponics system such as Drip system, Aeroponics in which plants are watered only on a regular basis.