Been doing soil growing for ~10 years, but I’m thinking about making the switch to hydro. However, I’m a little overwhelmed sorting through all the details.
There are so many different styles to choose from. So, both for the sake of general discussion, and for my noob education: what method of hydroponics is the best/your favorite, and why?
Great topic @Redrum92 
I like RDWC when set up as a shallow recirculating system … I can still do drought stress and quickly adjust feed to meet plant requirements. My media is only a 3” x 3” rockwool cube so less media for bugs and waste to clean up ect. The biggest thing with any hydroponic system is going to be how you treat your water in the reservoir. You definitely wanna spend some time understanding, beneficial bacteria, or sterile reservoir Options. Two different camps to choose from. One is not better than the other. It’s just some people do better with one or the other. I currently run beneficial in my reservoir’s but years ago, I used to run sterile. I’ve seen great results with both so just personal preference… Cheers !!!
I’ve grown both DWC and low-pressure Aero.
Aero was awesome with incredible growth rate and excellent buds, but if your pumps go out or spray heads get clogged and you don’t catch it right away, your plants can suffer badly.
DWC is good too start with. Inexpensive self-contained system in a bucket with an air stone. If the air pump goes out, you have time to catch it before catastrophe. Just have to keep the reservoir topped off and check the pH and ppm/ec regularly.
With either of these 2, you have to check/adjust for ppm/ec regularly.
In my experience, either one is much more productive than soil.
Hempey Buckets for simplicity. Hand water, reap harvests
pine
I’ve used aeroponics for all 16 years I have been growing. Plants grow fast, and a pump pushing a drip spinner is pretty simple. Plus, the grow rock is reusable.
I have reservoirs to feed my grow reservoirs, with float valves in both. I’m setting up Simplicity dosing pumps to supply nutrients on a scheduled basis, so we can go off camping.
I’m gonna jump in here and say my all time favourite would still have to be nft tables yea they grow smaller plants than dwc but just something about it
Coco for me 
My first (and only so far) run was a modified flood & drain system. I’m currently setting up for my next run that’ll be more of a “traditional” version.
There’s a lot of variation in systems, you can make something exactly to your needs and specifications.
It’s convenient ain’t it?
Can be treated like soil as well, love the flexibility.
Octopots for versatility, ease of use and reliable, repeatable results.
Check it out:
And,
Just Sayin,
-Grouchy
Absolutely i refer to it as “soil on training wheels” 
Yeah man
I used to grow dwc but I definitely prefer Coco it just feels right for me, less hassle.
I ran a current culture for a few years and really liked it. Transitioned to top feed drip in coco slabs, and eventually drip in a coco based soilless mix.
Swooosh! Pyroponic industries approved!
I like rdwc w/ a sterile reservoir. With no chiller its better for winter runs.
Ive always wanted to try those flood and drain buckets with hydroton. I bet water temps would be less of an issue.
But also…god made dirt…dirt dont hurt.
I’m also a RDWC guy when it comes to hydro.
This is my 4 site fallponics RDWC set-up with the res outside the 4x4.
Best yields I’ve ever had indoors but limited to 4 plants so I have not brought it out since 2021.
I use Ice Probe aquarium chillers in my veg/bloom reservoirs. Although the quality is not what they were 25 years ago.
@Redrum92 my first grows were based on builds in this thread on RIU…
https://rollitup.org/t/harvest-a-pound-every-three-weeks.116859/post-1420523
Boy, do i love a guy who posts pics with all the words. I know i asked for words, but I’m a simple man, and that big root ball is a beaut
