Hydroponic Culture

Our Products :

Hydroponic Systems

There are many hydroponic techniques on the market, NFT, Flood and Drain, Drip Irrigation, Aeroponics, Passive, and all these can be recirculating or run to waste. Esoteric Hydroponics sells them all but for sanity's sake we have illustrated by far the most practical, easy to use, most popular systems on the market. These are, Nutrient Film Technique and Flood and Drain aka Ebb and Flow systems. The NFT system suits smaller budgets, gives good performance and is easy to use, however, it has a couple of drawbacks. These are lack of aeration to the root ball resulting in restricted results, lack of support for your heavy yielding plants resulting in you having to string or support your plants by whatever means you can think of. If pump failure strikes and you are away for the day with your lights on, it's kick the bucket time for your beloved plants. Apart from these drawbacks, which can be overcome, NFT cannot be mocked as its creation sparked the whole hydroponics revolution. However, hydroponics has evolved a bit since NFT. For example, the Flood and Drain Pod system has taken the drawbacks of all the other hydroponics systems available on today's market and has overcome them in one fell swoop. Outrageous aeration to the rootball; superb support for your heavy yielders; at least three days grace if pump failure strikes, even if lights are constantly on; built-in overflow so no spills, modular - can be rebuilt to fit the most awkward spaces, hidden reservoir so no waste of valuable grow room space, a large capacity reservoir for reduced visits. As well as stupendous performance, it is becoming the definitive indoor hydro system and yes, even the largest 24 podder will fit through a loft hatch. All your concerns dealt with in one comprehensive technique - the Pod System™, invented, designed and manufactured by Esoteric Hydroponics.

Hydroponic Systems

Grow Lights (HPS, MH, Ballasts, Fluorescents, Shades, Light Movers & Lamps) With the onset of cheap, nasty, home- made, dangerous lights that have dogged the hydroponics market, we thought it best to say a few words. There are lights and there are proper horticultural, professional grade lights on today's market. The former are quite frankly death traps; they are constructed from the cheapest, obsolete, end of the line components that are usually mismatched and wrongly configured. To think that these poorly built, badly wired, misconfigured lights are gracing people's damp, humid and sometimes wet grow rooms is a scary thought, especially if it's in the home. And all in the name of a bargain. Not only do you risk your own life with these tacky lights but everybody that lives with you. So don't do it! Look before you leap! Our lights all carry CE certifications and have BS approved components. They are made by horticultural lighting companies that have built lights for the hydroponics trade for over a decade. They are professional grade, no hassle lighting units that have all been personally tested, and demonstrated by ourselves. They all carry a two year parts and labour manufacturer's guarantee (except for the lamp). The 250W, 400W, 600W and 1000W are all high pressure sodium and metal halide compliant, so the one light can run either lamp. Lighting is possibly the most important decision for indoor horticulture; cheap normally represents a health risk. For the sake of saving £50 is it worth it? You have been warned!

Hydroponic Systems

Nutrients & Additives As with all hydroponic systems, it is only as good as the food that you use. It is our belief that some nutrient in some cases give better performance or pH stability than others. However, personal preference and subjectivity rules the day. A lot of the time it's like asking what's better? Red or white wine? Bitter or lager? It depends apparently on what you're eating with your drink! Well, if you believe that, then you'll believe anything. Hydroponics is the same. If you find a nutrient you like and you believe it performs well then stick with it. If you are unhappy with your results then experiment with another make, or a combination of makes and products; you've got nothing to lose. Nutrients are a very important part of the hydroponic growing process and we at Esoteric Hydroponics have sourced the best nutrients that are available on the market today. Generally speaking, there are grow nutrients (for young plants and vegetative growth) and bloom nutrients (for flowering and fruiting). While it is true that plant "foods" for soil are not suitable for hydroponics, it is quite possible to use hydroponic solutions for soil growing. You can actually achieve great improvements this way because the plant is fully supplied as it may not have been before.