Hydroponics glossary
The small set of terms that makes manuals and nutrient labels easier to read.
Air gap
The moist, oxygen-rich space between solution and a plant support in a passive system.
DWC
Deep water culture: roots hang in an aerated nutrient reservoir.
EC
Electrical conductivity, an estimate of the total concentration of dissolved ions.
Growing medium
Material that supports roots while holding different proportions of air and water.
Kratky method
Passive water culture in which a falling solution level creates an air gap.
NFT
Nutrient film technique: a shallow flow passes along a channel beneath roots.
Net pot
A slotted pot that supports a plug and lets roots reach the solution.
pH
A measure of how acidic or alkaline a solution is.
Reservoir
The tank that holds nutrient solution.
Run to waste
A feed system where drainage is collected or discarded rather than returned.
TDS
Total dissolved solids, often displayed as ppm using a meter-specific conversion from EC.
Top up
Adding water, or a deliberately mixed solution, to restore reservoir level.