Richard bray

Deep-Water Culture
Deep-water culture systems are easy to modify and customize. Basic DWC systems are best for beginners who want to work towards a profitable setup.
Deep-water culture aquaponic systems (DWC) are best for large-scale hobby operations. They are more difficult to build, but much easier to work with. The beds are also lighter and easier to customize. However, due to a lack of grow media, this system needs an extra biofilter and may need added nutrients for some crops.
Deep-channel systems can be either flood-and-drain or continuous flow.
Continuous flow systems are more popular, and utilize rafts that float on top of the grow beds to hold plants. The major benefits of this system are that the fish have a consistent level of water in the tank, and the water has more contact with the bacteria that break down waste.
Flood-and-drain systems can be more difficult to maintain, since the roots will be exposed to open air each time the grow bed drains. If the system isn’t timed correctly, the roots can dry out and kill the plants. These systems use a solid frame over the grow bed with holes to hold the plants.
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Pros: Cons:
• Easy to plant and harvest • Unable to support fruiting plants
• More stable water temperatures • More filters required
• More stable pH values • Higher cost to heat or cool water
• Larger margin of error for maintenance • Up to 75% more fish feed required
• Faster plant growth • Additional aeration methods
Floats/Rafts/Frames'>Floats/Rafts/Frames
Instead of a growing media, deep-channel systems use either a fixed or floating structure to hold plants in place. Floats and frames will have holes cut into them to hold netted pots filled with rockwool, growing media, or both.
In a continuous-flow system, floating rafts can support plants on top of the water. In a flood-and-drain system, the grow beds will be empty frequently, which requires a solid support frame on top of the grow bed.
Floats/Rafts
Rafts are the lightest and easiest plant support structure to work with. They can be moved for planting and harvesting, and taken out for maintenance on the system. Use a plywood template with holes cut the
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appropriate size and distance to make cutting your rafts easier and more consistent.
Rafts are constructed using lightweight, buoyant material. These materials are usually inexpensive and easy to find: