Deep Water Culture System (DWC)

DWC is another very simple hydroponic system. Its based on growing plants in aerated water.

The plants are suspended on a floating platform (usually styrofoam) and the root system of a plant is immersed in oxygenated water (nutrient solution). The DWC systems relies on air pump with an aquarium air stone to oxygenate the nutrient solution. The water level has to be high enough to saturate the growing medium by means of getting it wet or even moist via the action of the air bubbles.

Aquarium or another transparent container can be used, which make the system very popular for classrooms because the roots of the plants are visible hanging below the floating platform.

Deep Water System is a good choice for growing herbs (parsley, coriander, basil, etc), lettuce and leafy vegetables.

The biggest disadvantage of this kind of system is that it doesn’t work well with large plants or with long-term plants.