NFT hydroponic system is pipeline cultivation, this is a form of soilless culture, mainly based on hydroponic leaf vegetables. The vegetables produced in this NFT hydroponic system are clean, pollution-free, and can be picked and eaten directly. The pipeline cultivation includes table type NFT hydroponic system, vertical hydroponic system, zipper pipeline hydroponic system, widely used in hydroponic supplies for greenhouse vegetable production.
JY supplies commercial NFT hydroponic systems for greenhouse growers, vertical farms, agricultural projects and wholesale buyers. As part of our hydroponic supplies for sale, the NFT system is designed for efficient leafy vegetable and herb production, using a thin, continuous nutrient film to deliver water, oxygen and nutrients directly to plant roots.
Our NFT product range includes hydroponic grow tables, PVC hydroponic pipes, hydroponic zipper pipe, vertical hydroponic system options and hydroponic tower designs. Buyers can choose a standard system or request a customized NFT layout based on greenhouse size, crop type, planting density and project budget.
The NFT (Nutrient Film Technique) hydroponic system has significant advantages over traditional soil cultivation in many aspects.
NFT is effective in saving water and fertilizer. The NFT system recycles nutrient solutions in a closed loop, using only 1/5 to 1/3 of the water used in traditional soil cultivation, and the reuse rate of the nutrient solution can reach over 95%.
The NFT hydroponic system has high space utilization, supporting multi-layer vertical planting (such as A-frame racks and vertical hydroponic tower system), increasing planting density per unit area by 2–3 times.
NFT hydroponics allows dynamic adjustment of the nutrient solution formula according to the growth stage of the crops, improving the vitamin C content of tomatoes and providing better mineral content in spinach.
NFT hydroponic crops have better appearance and taste, leaves are uniform in size and color, and leafy vegetables like lettuce have a sweeter and crisper taste.
NFT hydroponics has higher safety, as soil-free cultivation prevents heavy metal contamination and pesticide residues, meeting green food standards.
NFT hydroponics cuts off soil-borne disease pathways, enhances pest and disease control in a soilless environment, and reduces pesticide dependence.
NFT hydroponics offers stable and predictable yields. Light, temperature, humidity, and nutrient solution parameters can be accurately controlled, reducing the impact of climate fluctuations.
NFT hydroponic growth cycles are shorter, and yield per unit area is higher.
NFT hydroponics also has environmental and sustainability advantages, reducing pollution, eliminating herbicide use, and consuming only 10% of the water compared to traditional agriculture.
It is adaptable to extreme environments, supporting applications in deserts, rooftops, and ocean vessels.
Carbon emissions are significantly lower than traditional cultivation.
NFT hydroponics has a high degree of automation, integrating pH/EC sensors and IoT devices, allowing remote monitoring and control via a mobile app.
In summary, the NFT hydroponic system, through precise environmental control, resource recycling, and soilless cultivation, achieves high efficiency, enhanced quality, and green agriculture, making it particularly suitable for urban agriculture, plant factories, and areas with limited resources. For real application reference, see JY’s NFT Leaf-vegetable Project.
Hydroponic System | NFT Hydroponic | Ebb and Flow Hydroponic | DWC Hydroponic | Aeroponic Hydroponic |
Working Principle | The plant roots are placed in inclined planting pipes, and the nutrient liquid flows continuously as a film 1–2 cm thick. Some roots are immersed in the liquid film to absorb water and nutrients, while others are exposed to humid air to obtain oxygen. | Periodically flood the root through a timer and water pump (simulating tides), then return it to the reservoir, achieving nutrient and oxygen supply. | The plant roots are fully immersed in oxygenated nutrient solution, with oxygen continuously supplied through an air pump. | The plant roots are suspended in the air, and the nutrient solution is regularly atomized and sprayed directly onto the roots through a misting device. |
Performance Features | *Energy-saving, material-saving, high automation; *Requires stable power supply. | *The frequency of flooding and drainage can be controlled through siphon or water pump. *DIY is flexible, but attention to preventing algae and root rot | *The structure of DWC is simple, suitable for beginners. *The liquid layer is relatively deep (usually >5 cm) and has a strong buffering capacity | *With the most abundant oxygen supply, the growth rate is the fastest; *The utilization rate of water resources and fertilizers is extremely high; *The technology is complex and the cost is high |
Suitable Crops | suitable for leafy vegetables (such as lettuce and spinach); | It is suitable for a wide range of plant types (vegetables, foliage plants, orchids, etc.) | Primarily used for leafy vegetables and herbaceous plants; | All types (especially high-value crops) |
Advantages | *Low facility investment and lightweight structure. *Sufficient oxygen supply to the root system; *It can be produced annually with high yield. | *Simulate natural environment, with roots alternately exposed to water and air. *Suitable for plants with long roots or requiring high humidity (such as Phalaenopsis). *The system can be extended in a modular manner | *Simple maintenance and low cost; The root system directly contacts nutrients and grows rapidly. *With a large liquid volume, it exhibits good tolerance to temperature and concentration fluctuations | *High yield, water and fertilizer saving. *No risk of pathogen transmission (non-circulatory system). *Suitable for regions with limited space or water resources |
Disadvantage | *Power outages or pump malfunctions are prone to cause wilting. *Closed circulation systems are prone to disease transmission. *High requirements for management skills | *The complexity of the equipment is higher than that of DWC; *Poor drainage can easily lead to root rot. *When used outdoors, it evaporates quickly and requires frequent replenishment | *Relying on continuous oxygen supply, there is a risk of root rot during power outages; *Outdoors, it is susceptible to high temperatures and algae pollution. *Plants that require a lot of air for their root system (such as fruit trees and tuberous plants) are not suitable | *The spray head is prone to clogging and requires high-quality water filtration; *Rely on stable power supply and precise control; *Large initial investment and high maintenance requirements |
The main components of the NFT (Nutrient Film Technique) hydroponic system :
1. The planting trough is usually made of food-grade PVC, with a 1–3° slope at the bottom to ensure uniform flow of nutrient solution, it is commonly 2–3 meters in length and 0.3–0.5 meters in width
2. The nutrient solution tank is used for storing and preparing nutrient solution. For small households, it can be 50–100 liters, while for commercial scale, it can reach hundreds to thousands of liters.
3. The water pump drives the circulation of nutrient solution, with a flow rate generally ranging from 10 to 50 liters per hour.
4. The pipeline needs to be resistant to acid and alkali, and should be made of PVC or PE material
5. The planting system including planting trough with cover and planting basket pots, is used to fix seedlings, with the roots hanging down to contact the nutrient solution
6. As the recirculation structure, a recirculation port is set at the end of the planting trough to allow the nutrient solution to return to the storage tank, forming a closed loop
1. Choose a space with sufficient lighting (or the ability to supplement light) and good ventilation (such as a greenhouse or balcony)
2. Determine the system layout (flat laying, A-frame, or multi-layered vertical) based on the planting scale
3. Build supports brackets and planting trough
* Install load-bearing supports (such as galvanized square steel) to ensure stability; if it is a multi-layer structure, an independent foundation is required to prevent settlement
* Lay out the planting troughs, ensuring a 1–3° slope at the bottom to facilitate the flow of nutrient solution by gravity
* Non-woven fabric can be laid inside the troughs to improve water absorption and ventilation
4. Connect the circulatory system
Place the water pump in the nutrient solution tank and connect the water outlet pipe to the high end of the planting trough.
The lower end of the planting trough is equipped with a return pipe connected to the nutrient solution pool, ensuring no leakage and no air blockage
5. The pipeline must remain sealed throughout its entire length to prevent algae growth or contamination
6. Install auxiliary equipment (optional but recommended)
* Water quality monitoring involves the use of pH and EC meters to monitor the condition of nutrient solutions
* Disinfection equipment, such as medium-pressure ultraviolet (UV) devices, can be installed at the end of the return pipe to kill pathogens, degrade residual chlorine, and remove algal toxins
* Intelligent control, supporting PLC automatic adjustment of flow and lighting
* System testing: After filling with water, turn on the water pump and observe whether the nutrient solution evenly covers the bottom of the tank, forming a "thin film" (with a thickness of about 1-2 cm),
Check whether the backflow is smooth, and confirm that there is no water accumulation or dry area.
| Project Need | Recommended NFT Layout | Best-Fit Crops |
| Commercial greenhouse vegetable production | Table-type NFT hydroponic system | Lettuce, spinach, leafy greens, herbs |
| Higher planting density in limited space | Vertical NFT hydroponic system | Lettuce, basil, mint, small herbs |
| Flexible wall or balcony growing | Hydroponic zipper pipe system | Leafy vegetables and small plants |
| Demonstration, education or urban farming | Hydroponic tower system | Herbs, lettuce, strawberries and ornamentals |
If you are not sure which layout is suitable, provide your crop type, greenhouse size, number of planting holes, target capacity, water tank location and destination country. JY can help you select a suitable NFT hydroponic system configuration before quotation.
NFT (Nutrient Film Technique) hydroponic system uses a thin, continuous nutrient solution flow, while DFT (Deep Flow Technique) hydroponic system maintains a deeper nutrient reservoir for plant roots.
NFT hydroponic system provides higher oxygen levels as roots are exposed to air, whereas DFT relies on aeration systems to oxygenate the deeper water.
NFT hydroponic system is ideal for lightweight plants like leafy greens, while DFT hydroponic system supports heavier plants due to its stable root anchoring and larger water volume.
NFT (Nutrient Film Technique) hydroponic systems work by delivering a thin, continuous flow of nutrient-rich water over plant roots within a sloped channel. The roots absorb nutrients and oxygen directly from the flowing solution, while the excess water recirculates back to a reservoir for reuse. This efficient NFT hydroponic system promotes faster growth by providing plants with constant access to nutrients, water, and oxygen. Ideal for lightweight crops like leafy greens and herbs, NFT hydroponic systems are low-maintenance, conserve water, and prevent overwatering since roots are not fully submerged. Regular monitoring of pH and nutrient levels ensures optimal plant health and productivity.
For fully controlled indoor or container farming applications, buyers can also explore JY’s Hydroponic Container.
Nutrient Film Technique (NFT) places plant roots in a flowing nutrient film with a depth of 1-2 cm, allowing some part of roots to be immersed in the liquid layer while other part of roots are exposed to air. This resolves the contradiction between water absorption and oxygen absorption by roots, and features energy saving, material saving, and automated management. It is mainly used for the cultivation of leafy vegetables. Its facilities consist of planting troughs, liquid storage tanks, and circulation devices.
JY NFT hydroponic system provides a complete set including NFT hydroponic pipes, brackets, planting basket pots, planting cotton, water pumps, water hoses, water tank, power adapters, time controllers, installation instructions, and NFT hydroponic planting instructions. We offer a variety of standard sizes and can also customize according to customer's specific size requirements.
The JY NFT hydroponic system can be applied to the cultivation of vegetables, fruits, herbs, flowers, with a wide range of uses. In practical application cases, NFT technology has increased lettuce yield by more than 10 times, improved water-saving efficiency by 50%, and enabled continuous production throughout the year.
JY NFT hydroponic system provides a complete set of system components, including product supply, installation instructions, and online after-sales service. And had the good experiences on commercial-scale project.
The planting trough is made of food-grade PVC, which is resistant to acid and alkali. The supports bracket is made of galvanized square steel or steel with coated, to ensure stability and load-bearing.
On-line services at any time to customers question, and also visit customer after sale for long-term cooperation.
The NFT hydroponic system not only has no strict limitations on climatic conditions, but also has the advantage of being able to adapt to various extreme or adverse climates through artificial environmental regulation. Such as cold regions, arid regions, high-temperature island salty environments, cities or areas with insufficient lighting. However, it should be noted that the NFT hydroponic system relies on electricity to drive the circulation of nutrient solution.
Temperature: 15–28℃ (suitable for most vegetables), with the root zone ideally at 20–25℃
Humidity: 60%–80% relative humidity
Lighting: Leafy vegetables require 1000–2000 lux or 200–400 μmol/m²/s (PPFD)
CO₂ concentration: 800–1200 ppm can significantly enhance photosynthetic efficiency
The product is packaged and transported with pallets, making it highly convenient for loading and unloading. It is easy to install and operate following our installation instructions.
Artificial monitoring and automated control of temperature, humidity, pH value, EC value, light, CO2, and other growth conditions are maintained within the optimal range for crop growth.
Regularly replace the nutrient solution, such as completely or partially replacing it every 1-2 weeks.
Regularly clean and disinfect the planting troughs, pipelines, and nutrient pools.
Check whether the water pump, power supply, and other equipment are working properly.
Replace the aged pipeline planting trough immediately
NFT hydroponic system and Aquaponics are similar in structure, but the nutrition sources and overall system logic Are completely different.
NFT Hydroponic System | Aquaponics | |
Nutrient Source | Artificially formulated nutrient solution | Conversion of fish excreta |
System Composition | Planting trough, Storage tank, Circulating Pump | Fish pond, biological filtration, Hydroponic unit |
Dissolved Oxygen Method | Liquid film flow + Root exposure | Dependent on liquid flow or additional aeration |
Management Focus | EC/PH regulation, Anti-clogging | Water quality balance, Ammonia Nitrogen control, Fish health |
Advantages | Highly efficient water conservation, high degree of automation | ecological cycle, low dependence on chemical fertilizers |
Risks | Seedlings are prone to die due to power outages, disease transmission | System imbalance affecting the dual production of fish and vegetables |
Typical Crops | Leafy vegetables (lettuce, spinach) | Leafy vegetables and fish (such as tilapia) |
China Jy Resource Co., Ltd.
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