Due to its popularity, scalability and unlimited modification options Nutrient Film Technique System Designs are plentiful. We will cover what’s out there and show you how to build the most popular and useful NFT systems.
The Nutrient Film technique NFT system has long been one of the most popular hydroponic systems in commercial hydroponic farming before Aeroponics and Vertical farming came into the mainstream.
Horizontal Trays/Channels
Overview
With this Nutrient Film Technique System Design, we cheat a little by purchasing prefabricated trays from the manufacture for the easiest NFT set up here. It’s actually about the same cost overall just a little more difficult to get. If you can’t wait and want to start right now review the next design.
Budget
Approximately $350 (plus $150 for 2- LED grow lights)
Build Time
2 days
System size
40 plants
Area
12′ long x 4′ wide x 3′-6′ high
Pros
Easy to build and maintain. Easy to expand
Cons
Initial start-up costs. Shipping costs
Nutrient Film Technique Designs
Horizontal PVC pipe
Overview
Look familiar? It should, it’s the same exact system except we used off-the-shelf components from the local home improvement store to build the NFT trays/channels. Notice the cost is only a little more than the Tray system. A 10′ section of PVC pipe with end fittings is nearly the same price as a 10′ section of tray/channel with end fittings. However, the labor of making all the cutouts for the plants is already completed from the factory!!
Nutrient Film Technique System with PVC pipe trays, GrowWithoutSoil.com
Budget
Approximately $320 (plus $150 for 2- LED grow lights)
Build Time
2 days
System size
48 plants
Area
12′ long x 4′ wide x 3′-6′ high
Pros
Easy to build and maintain. Easy to expand. Get materials from the local home improvement store. No shipping fees.
Cons
Initial start-up costs. Need to make your own end cap section to properly have an NFT system and not a DWC system. (see notes on the build page)
Nutrient Film Technique Designs
Horizontal Trays/Channels – Stacked Vertical
Overview
Some would call the following systems vertical hydroponics and in many cases it is. They are actually horizontal NFT systems stacked on top of one another in different ways. This is the same horizontal PVC pipe system above except with 2 more complete systems stacked on top.
Budget
Approximately $1050 (plus $450 for 6- LED grow lights)
Build Time
5 days
System size
144 plants
Area
12′ long x 4′ wide x 6′ – 8′ high
Pros
Easy to build and maintain. Easy to expand. Compact design
Cons
Initial start-up costs. Shipping costs. If something is out of balance with your nutrient solution you could lose all your plants in one shot! Requires a much larger reservoir (Not sown to scale here)
Nutrient Film Technique Designs
Horizontal PVC pipe – Stacked Vertical
Overview
Look familiar? It should, it’s the same exact system except we used off-the-shelf components from the local home improvement store to build the NFT trays/channels.
Budget
Approximately $960 (plus $450 for 6- LED grow lights)
Build Time
5 days
System size
144 plants
Area
12′ long x 4′ wide x 6′ – 8′ high
Pros
Easy to build and maintain. Easy to expand. Get materials from the local home improvement store. No shipping fees.
Cons
Initial start-up costs. Need to make your own end cap section to properly have an NFT system and not a DWC system. (see notes on the build page). Requires a much larger reservoir (Not sown to scale here)
Nutrient Film Technique Designs
Horizontal PVC pipe – Stacked Vertical – Zig Zag Method
Overview
If you don’t have much floor area but want a nice size garden this may be a good solution for you. This system uses 10 -5′ PVC pipe sections instead of 4 -10′ sections in a smaller footprint.
Budget
Approximately $360 (plus $150 for 2- LED grow lights)
Build Time
3 days
System size
77 plants
Area
7′ long x 2′ wide x 6′ – 8′ high
Pros
Easy to build and maintain. Easy to expand. Get materials from the local home improvement store. No shipping fees. More plants in a smaller floor area.
Cons
Initial start-up costs. Need to make your own end cap section to properly have an NFT system and not a DWC system. (see notes on the build page) Light access for lower-level plants
Nutrient Film Technique Designs
Horizontal PVC Pipe Stacked Vertical – A-Frame Method
Overview
This is a pretty big system that requires a large footprint and vertical height.
Budget
Approximately $1060 (plus $600 for 8- LED grow lights)
Build Time
5 days
System size
300 plants
Area
12′ long x 6′ – 8′ wide x 6′ – 8′ high
Pros
Easy to build and maintain. Get materials from the local home improvement store. No shipping fees. More plants in a smaller floor area.
Cons
Initial start-up costs. Need to make your own end cap section to properly have an NFT system and not a DWC system. (see notes on the build page) Light access for lower-level plants. Not expandable vertically. Hard to reach and manage top-level plants. Requires a very large reservoir (not shown to scale here)
Nutrient Film Technique Designs
