Aquaponics Library

THE WICK SYSTEM
 

    The Wick System is probably the simplest hydroponic system.
    It is a passive system by virtue of there being no moving parts and where the nutrient solution remaining static in one place.
    The solution is taken out of a container and led to the plants’ roots through the growing medium by capillary action, conducted through one or more wicks.
    Normally in this system a mixture of of various growing media are used in order to increase to the utmost their capillary capacity.
    This system is also commonly used for ornamental plants in pots containing conventional soil supplemented with fertilizers, with plain water in a container solely for irrigation.
    As a hydroponic system, it is widely used with medium and small plants, especially in small home gardens for growing vegetables as it can be set up on a small scale.
    This system’s biggest limitation occurs with large plants which need large amounts of water which the wicks are unable to supply in adequate amounts.
    In this case, the number of wicks has to be properly dimensioned.