The concept of Nutrient Film Technique (NFT) was originally
developed by Dr Allen Cooper in the UK. Dr Cooper described
the concept as follows:
“A very shallow
stream of water containing all the dissolved nutrients
required for growth is recirculated past the bare roots
of crop plants in a watertight gully…Ideally, the
depth of the recirculating stream should be very shallow,
little more than a film of water – hence the name
nutrient film. This ensures that the thick root mat, which
develops in the bottom of the gully, has an upper surface
which, although moist, is in the air. Consequently, there
is an abundant supply of oxygen to the root of the plants.”
NFT
- It's uses
NFT systems are used to grow a multitude of crops: Tomatoes,
cucumbers, courgettes, head lettuce, fancy lettuce, endive,
Chinese cabbage, pak choi and similar leafy crops, beans,
sweet peppers, aubergine, strawberries, basil and many
other herbs, varieties of hemp, chilli peppers, silver
beet and many ornamentals. NFT is typically not used to
produce root vegetables or tuber crops.
Over the years we have had ongoing requests from both
hobby customers and commercial customers alike to develop
an affordable UK produced range of NFT extrusions, we
are pleased to be able to offer these now.
NFT
– the advantages
NFT has several advantages, the key one is that being
a simple technique, the plant roots are able to obtain
satisfactory supplies of water, oxygen and nutrition.
In other types of system, say where a medium is present,
there is a conflict in this supply. Resulting in a shortage
or imbalance of one aspect or another. Over time, NFT
systems produce higher yields of quality produce over
an extended period of cropping.
However, NFT systems require reliable supplies of water
and power to ensure the success of the project. Should
this not be possible or poor design is a factor, leading
to the pooling of nutrients, the system will fail.
NFT
Gullys - Technical Information
As a means to limit the chances of pooling occurring,
all NFT gully’s should have a slope of 1:30 to 1:40.
Ideally, a nutrient temperature of 18 to 22 Deg C should
be maintained for optimum growth, although this will alter
depending upon the crop and location of the system.
As a guide flow rates for the nutrient down the NFT gully
should be 1 litre per minute, with a maximum of 2 litres
per minute. This is regardless of the length of the gully.
The longer the gully length the more potential problems
can arise. Over a certain run the oxygen or nutrition
levels start to reduce leading to reduction in growth
rates. The maximum run depends upon a number of factors
such as system design, environmental issues, crop type,
flow rate etc. Typically 18m is considered a long run.
But many systems exist with longer!
Nutrient supply methods typically involve pumps and pressurised
systems. The size of pump and pipefitting specification
will depend upon the size of the system. Equal pressure
should be achieved through each manifold or system section.
This is achieved through valves or system design.
Return pipes must not allow the ingress of soil or dirt
and must be of sufficient size to take the nutrient back
to the holding tank. Tanks are often covered but should
allow for adequate aeration to clear away waste gases
emitted by the roots.
The tank hold the water and nutrient mix, and if needed
additional aeration. It is at the tank and automatic controls
are installed on a commercial or large hobby system. These
controls monitor and automatically dose the tank with
additional nutrient if the mix is too weak or an acid
if the pH starts to rise. Water is added by means of a
float valve to make up for the water lost to the plants
or evaporation. The nutrient can be heated or cooled to
obtain the optimum root temperature of between 15 and
24 Deg C. The nutrient is simply recirculated continuously
over the plants roots.
Polar
Gully
Originally developed in Australia this profile has been
sold in South East Asia, Australia and New Zealand and
more recently in the USA. The unique profile enable it
to be used either under cover or outside if the weather
permits.
The one piece design of the Polar Gully gives it added
strength that enables the gully to be installed at waist
height with few supports that would other wise have been
the case. Integral in the design of the Polar Gully is
the lateral ribs running down its base. These ribs eliminate
the ‘pooling’ effect of water and also ensure
that nutrient is available to the plants across the full
width of the profile, thus preventing dry spots, pooling
and ensuring superior root zone oxygenation.
The Polar Gully is 100mm wide (4”) and is extruded
in 6m lengths. We can supply in 2m, 3m or 6m lengths as
required. We offer the Polar Gully un-drilled or drilled
at 250mm (8”) or 300mm (12”) centres as required.The
Polar Gully is ideally suited to grow smaller plants,
quick growing herbs or for use as a nursery system for
larger plants or cuttings before potting on.
The
Polar Gully is ideal for: Nursery Systems for Commercial
Growers
Nursery Systems for home hobbyist
Taking cuttings and clones
Systems for Lettuces, Head or Fancy
Systems for Herbs
Features…
Super Strong
Multi Use
UV stabilised
Full range of fittings
Eliminates water tracking
Accessories
available
Holding
Clip
Enables snap in attachment of the gully
Allows lateral expansion for heat differentials.
Mounts directly onto our Eazi-Stand system.
End Cap
Seals gully ends for a water/light tight finish.
Mounts internally and is self sealing.
Inline Joiner
Joins lengths of the gully inline as necessary.
Mount externally using silicon sealant.
Hydro
Gully
Designed, developed and produced in the UK (the home of
NFT) the Hydro Gully is a unique product that has a multitude
of uses and applications.
This 2-part product has been designed primarily as an
NFT extrusion but we have also incorporated a number of
features to enable it to become a very flexible product
indeed.
The Hydro Gully is 150mm wide (6”) and is extruded
in 6m lengths. We can supply in 2m, 3m or 6m lengths as
required. We offer the Hydro Gully Lid undrilled or drilled
at 250mm (8”) or 300mm (12”) centres as required.
Customisation of the Hydro Gully is easy. Below are several
patterns from our existing growers.The product consists
of 2 items, the Lid and the Trough. The removable lid
simply snaps into place and is easily removed to enable
easier cleaning between crops. The lid is used to support
the plant and to protect the root zone from both light
and the ingress of unwanted matter. The trough is the
primary component and has been designed to eliminate water
tracking by the use of a concave base profile. This ensures
that the nutrient remains at the centre of the profile,
even in the event of slightly uneven mounting or ground
surface. The trough is a stand-alone product in its own
right. The Trough also features integral vertical flanges
to aid strength and to enable it to be used on the ground
or at waist height to enable easier cropping.
The Trough is a versatile product in its own right:As
a base in NFT mode
It is designed to take Rockwool and Coco Slabs and can
act as a nutrient return product to collect excess nutrient
and control it. Ideal for Drip Feed applications. Using
the End Caps, the Trough can be used as a linear Flood
and Drain product (with or without Lid) to enable the
full term growing of crops or as a nursery system.
The
Hydro Gully is ideal for: NFT Nursery Systems for
Commercial Growers.
NFT Nursery Systems for home hobbyist taking cuttings
and clones and double-spacing them.
NFT Nursery Systems for Commercial Growers by double-pacing
the plants.
NFT Systems for Tomatoes, Cucumbers, Strawberries,
Various Cut Flowers.
NFT Systems for Herbs being grown for Fresh Cut
operations.
Flood & Drain (Ebb & Flow) Nursery Systems
for Commercial Growers.
Flood & Drain (Ebb & Flow) Systems for Commercial
Growers and Hobbyists.
Drip Feed Return Trough for Drip Feed or Slab Culture.
Features…
Super Strong
Multi Use
UV stabilised
Full range of fittings
Eliminates water tracking
Easy to Clean
Accessories
available
End
Cap
Seals gully ends for a water/light tight finish.
Mounts internally and is self sealing.
Inline Joiner
Joins lengths of the gully inline as necessary.
Mount externally using silicon sealant.
Roll
cursor over image to navigate 
Enables snap in attachment of the gully
