Accept and Give - Free and opensource automated hydroponics.

Modern hydroponics, born in the 1950s, has served us well but necessitates routine PH and EC testing to maintain nutrient and PH balance. Since my first experience with hydroponics in 2010, following instructions on instructables.com, I was convinced there was room for simplification. The EC and PH balancing was anything but simple, and certainly not organic.

Recently, two changes have emerged that allow most home growers to forego the burdensome PH and EC testing/adjusting. Unfortunately, large hydroponic farms or systems might not benefit from these adaptations. Yet, I've successfully tested these novel methods with NFT, DWT, and flood and drain systems.

The first breakthrough came from a basic question: Why are we subjecting ourselves to the repetitive chore of PH and EC balancing every 10-14 days? The answer, ironically, was to challenge scientific convention and approach the issue from a user's perspective.

The fundamental change lies in feeding the nutrients daily. Instead of adding a lump sum of nutrients to your reservoir every few weeks, distribute the prescribed amount of nutrients evenly over the duration between each water dump. This approach allows the plants and the biome in your rooting media to balance the PH naturally, much like in a thriving garden.

However, there's a catch with monocropping. If you're growing only one type of plant, the unused nutrient concentrations may build up over time and become toxic. The solution: mimic natural ecosystems and incorporate a mix of plants in your hydroponics system, with each species consuming different nutrients, ensuring a balanced environment.

Now, if the idea of daily feeding seems daunting, hobby electronics can automate the process. However, the ultimate goal remains to create an easier, faster, and simpler hydroponics system.

For organic farming enthusiasts, I agree that soil-based organic farming is the real deal. But for those with constraints in terms of space, time, or physical energy, hydroponics, especially with organic nutrients and natural insecticides, is a viable option. It's "Hydroponic Organic," a different, yet health-friendly category.

Numerous organic nutrients have been tested with this simplified hydroponics method, from worm castings to composted manure. I've found MaxiGrow, which might have PH balancing properties, particularly effective when combined with wildcrafted emulsified fish/kelp in a 6-gallon reservoir growing about 20 plants.

For different hydroponic systems, such as Flood and Drain, NFT, and DWC, adjustments can be made to accommodate this simplified method. For instance, in the case of DWC, we made changes to account for the inevitability of roots fouling the water sensor and valve, thus making the system more resilient and efficient.

In conclusion, this updated method, which we call "easy hydro," redefines conventional hydroponics by adding simplicity, organic elements, and increased nutrient richness. This system not only makes the process less labor-intensive but also results in rapid plant growth and high-quality harvest.