Introduction of DWC Hydroponics System
The DWC system is a soilless cultivation system that enables plants
to grow efficiently by providing the plant roots with a nutrient
solution environment of suitable depth, a stable supply of
nutrients, and sufficient oxygen. This system can effectively
overcome problems that may occur in traditional soil cultivation,
such as uneven soil fertility and soil-borne pests and diseases.
Moreover, it can precisely control the composition of the nutrient
solution and environmental conditions according to the needs of
different plants.
System Components
The Deep Water Culture (DWC) system mainly consists of the
following parts:
1.Planting bench
This is the container for crop growth. It is a rectangular
structure made of hot - dip galvanized pipes and covered with a
layer of waterproof film. The depth of the planting bench is
usually around 15 - 20 centimeters to ensure there is sufficient
nutrient solution to support the growth of plant roots, enabling
the nutrient solution to fully immerse the roots.
2.Nutrient solution circulation system
Reservoir: It is used to store the nutrient solution. Its size
depends on the planting scale and crop requirements. Usually, it is
a large - scale container either underground or above - ground. It
needs to hold an adequate amount of nutrient solution to meet the
growth needs of the crops for a certain period, thus avoiding
frequent replenishment of the nutrient solution. For example, in a
small indoor DWC system, the reservoir may only have a capacity of
several tens of liters, while in a large - scale commercial
planting system, the reservoir capacity can reach several thousand
liters.
Water pump: It is the power source for the circulation of the
nutrient solution. The water pump transports the nutrient solution
from the reservoir to the planting bench, ensuring that the plant
roots can continuously obtain the nutrient solution. Its flow rate
and head should be selected according to factors such as the size
of the planting system, the length of the pipeline, and the
resistance.
3.Pipeline system
It includes the inlet pipe and the return pipe. The inlet
pipe is responsible for transporting the nutrient solution from the
reservoir to the planting bench, and the return pipe returns the
excess nutrient solution in the planting bench to the reservoir.
The pipeline materials are generally required to be corrosion -
resistant and non - toxic, such as PVC pipes. The diameter of the
pipeline should be determined according to the flow rate of the
nutrient solution and the system pressure.
4.Planting board and planting cup
Planting board: Usually, it is a foam board with planting holes,
placed on the planting bench. Its function is to fix the plants,
keeping the basal parts of the plant stems in the appropriate
position and preventing the plants from lodging.
Planting cup: It is a container for placing plant seedlings,
generally made of plastic, with many small holes on the cup wall.
These small holes allow the nutrient solution to enter the planting
cup and provide nutrients for the plant roots. The size of the
planting cup depends on the size of the plant seedlings. For
example, when planting leafy vegetables such as lettuce, the
diameter of the planting cup is about 5 - 8 centimeters.
5.Oxygen - increasing device
Since plant roots grow in the nutrient solution and need sufficient
oxygen for respiration, the oxygen - increasing device mainly
includes an air compressor and a microporous aeration pipe. The air
compressor compresses the air and then injects tiny bubbles into
the nutrient solution through the microporous aeration pipe,
increasing the dissolved oxygen content in the nutrient solution.
6.Water chiller
It can optimize the root growth environment. For example, the
optimal water temperature for hydroponic lettuce cultivation is
between 18 - 22°C. In summer, when the temperature is relatively
high, the water body is likely to heat up and exceed the suitable
range. The chiller can lower the water temperature through its
refrigeration system, preventing the roots from being affected by
high - temperature - induced hypoxia, which could otherwise impact
their absorption function. This ensures the health of the roots and
improves the absorption efficiency of nutrients and water.
Working Principle
Driven by the water pump, the nutrient solution enters the planting
bench from the reservoir, providing nutrients for plant roots.
Plant roots absorb nutrients while being immersed in the nutrient
solution. The air pump injects air into the nutrient solution
through the aeration devices, forming a dissolved oxygen gradient
to ensure aerobic respiration of the roots.
As plants absorb and consume the nutrients in the nutrient
solution, the circulation system will regularly or according to the
detection results, return part or all of the nutrient solution in
the planting bench to the reservoir for supplementation and
adjustment, such as adjusting the chemical properties such as the
pH value and electrical conductivity (EC value) of the nutrient
solution, as well as physical properties such as temperature.
Advantages of Deep Water Culture (DWC) :
I. Excellent Nutrient Solution Supply and Buffering Capacity
Stable Nutrient Supply
In the DWC system, the nutrient solution layer is relatively deep,
usually around 10 - 20 centimeters. This results in a relatively
large total volume of the nutrient solution. For example, in a
larger DWC planting trough, the sufficient nutrient solution
reserve can continuously provide plants with all kinds of essential
nutrient elements, such as macronutrients like nitrogen,
phosphorus, and potassium, as well as micronutrients like iron,
manganese, and zinc. It's like a "nutrient warehouse" that can meet
the growth needs of plants for a long time.
The circulating system of the nutrient solution further ensures the
even distribution of nutrients. Through equipment like water pumps,
the nutrient solution is circulated between the planting trough and
the storage tank, allowing plant roots to evenly come into contact
with various nutrients and avoiding poor growth caused by local
nutrient deficiency or excess.
Buffering Environment
The relatively deep nutrient solution layer can also play a certain
buffering role for environmental factors such as the composition
and temperature of the nutrient solution. For instance, when the
outside temperature changes, the large amount of nutrient solution
can absorb or release heat, making the temperature change of the
nutrient solution relatively slow and providing a relatively stable
temperature environment for plant roots. It's similar to a natural
"air-conditioning system", reducing the damage to plant roots
caused by temperature fluctuations.
It also has a buffering effect on chemical properties such as the
pH value and electrical conductivity (EC value) of the nutrient
solution. If there are fluctuations in the pH value or EC value due
to plant absorption or changes in the nutrient solution
composition, the relatively large amount of nutrient solution can
dilute these changes to a certain extent, providing a relatively
stable chemical environment for plant roots.
II. Superior Root Growth Environment
Adequate Oxygen Supply
In the DWC system, an air pump is generally used to supplement
oxygen to the nutrient solution. Due to the relatively deep
nutrient solution, a good dissolved oxygen gradient can be formed
in the nutrient solution. The oxygen content is high near the air
pump, and in the slightly farther areas, as oxygen diffuses and is
consumed by plant roots, the oxygen content gradually decreases,
but it can still ensure that the roots have enough oxygen for
respiration.
This dissolved oxygen environment is conducive to the aerobic
respiration of plant roots, promoting root growth and nutrient
absorption. For example, for leafy green vegetables like lettuce in
the DWC system, their roots will grow whiter and stronger because
of the sufficient oxygen supply. Compared with traditional soil
cultivation, the root vitality and absorption efficiency are
higher.
Spacious Root Expansion Space
The deep liquid layer provides a broad growth space for plant
roots, enabling the roots to stretch and grow freely. This is very
beneficial for some plants with developed root systems, such as
tomatoes and cucumbers. Their roots can continuously extend in the
nutrient solution, absorb more nutrients and water, and then
support the vigorous growth of the above-ground parts.
III. Easy to Manage and Maintain
Visualized Management
The DWC system usually has relatively transparent or
semi-transparent planting containers, which allows growers to
directly observe the growth status of plant roots, the liquid level
of the nutrient solution, and its clarity. For example, by
observing, problems such as whether the roots are diseased, whether
the nutrient solution is contaminated, or whether the liquid level
is too low can be detected in time.
Convenient Cleaning and Disinfection
Compared with some complex substrate cultivation methods, the
planting troughs and nutrient solution circulation systems of the
DWC system are relatively easy to clean and disinfect. After the
end of a planting cycle, the nutrient solution can be drained, and
then special disinfectants can be used to clean and disinfect the
planting troughs, pipes, etc., preparing for the next round of
planting. Moreover, due to the absence of substrate residues and
complex medium treatment processes, the possibility of pests and
diseases breeding and remaining in the substrate is reduced.
IV. Suitable for Cultivating Multiple Kinds of Plants
Ideal for Leafy Green Vegetables
For leafy green vegetables such as lettuce, spinach, and bok choy,
DWC deep flow cultivation can provide sufficient water and
nutrients, enabling them to grow rapidly. These plants can quickly
absorb elements such as nitrogen and phosphorus in the nutrient
solution, promoting the growth and development of their leaves.
Moreover, by adjusting the formula of the nutrient solution and
environmental conditions, the quality of leafy greens can be
effectively controlled, such as the thickness, color, and taste of
the leaves.
Also Applicable to Some Fruit Vegetables
For fruit vegetables such as tomatoes and peppers, the DWC system
can also provide good growth conditions during their early growth
and fruiting stages. In the early growth stage, strong roots can be
quickly established in the nutrient solution, laying the foundation
for the subsequent growth of the above-ground parts and flower bud
differentiation. In the fruiting stage, a stable nutrient supply
helps with fruit development and quality improvement.
Technical Specifications
| Product name | Deep water culture hydroponics growing system |
| Features | Faster growth and higher yield |
| System components | Planting bench, Nutrient solution reservoir, circulation system,
water chiller, aeration system etc. |
| Bench size | 1.2-1.5m width x 0.7-1.5m height x customized length |
| Bench material | 275gsm zinc coating hot dipped galvanized steel pipe |
| Bench pipes | Φ32mm x 1.5mm round pipe or 50x50x1.5mm square pipe |
| Bench liner | 150micron thickness black-white film |
| Floating plate | XPS foam board |
| Holes on floating plate | Hole size and quantity can be customized |
FAQ:
Q: Are you a factory or a trading company?
A: We are a manufacturer with a factory covering an area of 2,000
square meters and various production equipments.
Q: What is the material of the main structure of your greenhouse?
How long can it be guaranteed to be used?
A: The main frame of our greenhouse is generally made of hot-dip
galvanized steel. This material has super corrosion resistance.
Under normal circumstances, with proper daily maintenance, its
service life can reach 15 - 20 years. It can resist common natural
disasters such as wind, rain, and snow pressure, providing a stable
growing environment for the crops in the greenhouse.
Q: Before placing a large order, we'd like to buy a sample
greenhouse to try it out first. Is that possible?
A: Yes. We can send you a small-scale greenhouse by LCL (Less than
Container Load) sea shipping.
Q: I have a piece of land and I want to grow some vegetables or
raise some fish, but I don't know what kind of greenhouse and what
size I need. Can you help me with the design?
A: Of course. You can tell us the size of your land, your expected
annual output of vegetables or fish, as well as the local climate
information. Based on these data, we can design the style, size and
price of the greenhouse for you. We'll also let you know
approximately how many workers are needed and how long it will take
to complete the installation, and how much yield you can expect in
a year.
Q: Do you provide planting technical guidance after I purchase the
greenhouse?
A: We have a professional planting technology team. After you
purchase the greenhouse, according to the crop varieties you plant,
we will customize a detailed planting plan for you, covering all
aspects such as sowing time, planting density, fertilization and
watering frequency, and key points of pest and disease prevention
and control. During the planting process, you can contact our
technicians via phone, video, etc. at any time, and they will
answer your questions promptly.
Q: How long will it take to receive the greenhouse after placing an
order?
A: Generally, for standard-specification greenhouses, production,
transportation, installation and commissioning can be completed
within 20 - 30 days after you place the order and the deposit
arrives. However, if you customize special specifications or
configurations, or the quantity you purchase is relatively large,
it may take about 40 - 60 days. We will give you an accurate time
estimate when signing the contract.
Q: What kind of assistance can you provide during the greenhouse
installation?
A: We will provide several ways to help you with the installation:
First, we'll provide written installation instructions; second,
we'll offer online installation guidance; third, we'll dispatch
engineers to your construction site for on-site installation
guidance; fourth, if there is our local agent, our agent can also
help you with the installation service.
Q: What are the quick solutions when encountering pest and disease
problems?
A: First, our technical team will help you accurately identify the
types of pests and diseases, which is the key to taking the right
countermeasures. Then, according to different pests and diseases,
we will provide corresponding biological control, physical control
or chemical control solutions. For example, for common pests like
aphids, we recommend using physical control methods such as yellow
sticky traps combined with biological control methods like
releasing ladybugs, so as to minimize the use of chemical
pesticides, which can protect the environment while effectively
controlling pests and diseases.
Q: What preparations should I make before installation?
A: First, obtain the building permit from the government if
required. Second, prepare the tools according to the tool list we
send you. Third, get the workers ready. Fourth, prepare the power
supply if needed. Fifth, prepare a place to store the goods upon
arrival to keep them from getting wet in the rain.
Q: What does your greenhouse after-sales service include?
A: We provide a one-year free warranty service. During the warranty
period, for any parts of the greenhouse with non-artificial damage
or quality problems caused by natural disasters, we will replace or
repair them for free. After one year, we still offer long-term paid
maintenance services.
