Hydroponics
Should I grow in soil or using a hydroponic system?
How do I maintain a hydroponic system?
What is hydroponics?
Hydroponics is the art and science of growing plants without using soil. Plants are grown in an inert medium (such as rockwool) and fed with a nutrient solution, a mixture of nutrients and water. A close watch must be kept on both the acid/alkaline balance (the pH) and the strength of the nutrients (measured in EC/ppm/TDS/CF/DS).
Plants grow quickly and are highly productive, and the systems are also very clean compared with soil. However hydroponic systems are not as forgiving as soil, which provides a buffer for the roots. Hydroponics has little or no buffer and nutrients go directly to the plants root system. If a pump fails, the nutrient solution is too strong, pH out of desired range etc then problems can hit hard and fast. However the benefits of faster growth and bigger yields attract alot of growers to hydroponics. We do recommend you have some growing experience before using a hydroponic system.
There are many differents types of hydoponic system out on ther market today, but most fall into a few basic types:
NFT
NFT stands for nutrient film technique, a shallow layer of nutrient solution is recirculated over the plants roots. This systems runs constantly, allowing the plants to take up nutrients as they are needed. NFT due to its design gives the plants have access to water, nutrients and oxygen is abundant amounts, which makes this one of the most productive methods of growing hydroponically. As with many hydroponic systems pump failure or pH imbalance can seriously damage your plants.
Flood and Drain 
Also known as Ebb and Flow is known for its simplicity and reliability of operation. In these systems pots or trays are periodically flooded with nutrient solution, which then drains out sucking in large amounts of oxygen straight to the plants roots. The growing medium is simply used to hold the plants roots in place, and act as a reserve of nutrient solution.
Dripper Systems
Another very popular hydroponic system, probably because of its similarity to soil growing. Also known as trickle irrigation or microirrigation. In dripper systems plants are often in normal plant pot's and are watered by allowing water to drip slowly to the roots of plants, either onto the soil surface or directly onto the root zone, through a network of tubing. Fans of growing plants in pots with soil will probably find dripper systems the best transition from soil to hydroponics.
Aeroponics
You could say aeroponics is a more advanced form of hydroponics. In an aeroponic system the plants grow in an air or mist environment without the use of soil or an aggregate medium. Unlike hydroponics, which uses water as a growing medium and essential minerals to sustain plant growth, an aeroponics systems has no growing medium and the roots are sprayed or misted with the nutrient solution.
Should I grow in soil or using a hydroponic system?
Soil gardening is not rocket science but can be more tricky than most people think. The soil acts as a buffer for nutrients, they go into the soil and then into the roots, unlike hydroponics which goes straight to the root system. Also unlike hydroponics soil often contains nutrients for the plant. Growing in soil can be an easy as just watering when the soil starts to dry up, making it a favourite of novice growers.
Obviously there are a range of soils available, each slightly different but with the same basic principle. Soil wants to be well draining, with good aeration and a good balance of nutrients. Depending of experience growers either made their own feeding programs using liquid or powder nutrients, or use a pre-fertilised soil and just give plain water to the plants. More experienced growers use liquid or powder nutrients to control the nutrients available to plants.
Basically put growing in soil much simpler than hydroponics, however with more work comes the possibility of better and bigger yields. We would advise most people start with soil as it is cheaper and easier to get started. Then once you are comfortable with growing plants you can switch over to a hydroponic system.
How do I maintain a hydroponic system?
It is of utmost importance that a hydroponic system is maintained properly. After filling your system with water you need to add nutrients (plant food) to the water so that the plants have all they need to grow. As the nutrients go directly to the plants roots, the strength of the nutrients needs to be right for the plant. Giving young plants high doses can be as problematic as underfeeding older plants.
Most hydroponics nutrients are quite well balanced and a basic Grow and Bloom nutrients will provide your plant with what it needs to grow. The nutrient strength (EC/CF/TDS/PPM) can be measured with a digital EC metre or nutrient metre. pH is also very important in a hydroponics system and needs to be kept between 5.5 and 6.5. Never let it go above 6.5.
Once the EC is at the right level and the pH has been adjusted, the system is ready for your plants. It is also important to do a regular change of your nutrient solution, most growers recommend doing this one a week. Empty the reservoir and fill with fresh water and nutrients. Try and keep the system as clean as possible as this will limit potential problems.
During the week the water level will drop as the plants use water, so its important to try and keep it topped up with water, checking the EC and pH as needed. You should always add the nutrients before setting the pH as many nutrients are acidic and will alter the pH.
Just remember keep an eye on it and change your solution weekly...your plants will thank you for it.