Deep water culture hydroponic system

Abstract

The specification discloses a DWC hydroponic system that includes a plurality of grow tanks, a circulation pump, a nutrient supply line fluidly connecting the outlet of the circulation pump to the grow tanks, and a tank drain line fluidly connected to the grow tanks. Each of the grow tanks is fluidly connected in parallel between the nutrient supply line and the tank drain line. The system further includes a pump suction line fluidly connected to the inlet of the circulation pump, and a plurality of bridge connectors each fluidly connecting the tank drain line to the pump suction line in accordance with a defined pattern. The DWC system may further include a nutrient supply fluidly connected to the circulation pump intake through a valve arrangement.

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows: 
     
         1 . A hydroponic system comprising:
 a plurality of grow tanks;   a circulation pump having an inlet and an outlet;   a nutrient supply line fluidly connected to the outlet of the circulation pump;   a plurality of tank supply lines each fluidly connecting the nutrient supply line to one of the grow tanks;   a tank drain line fluidly connected to the inlet of the circulation pump;   a plurality of tank drain connection lines each fluidly connecting one of the grow tanks to the tank drain line; and   a nutrient supply connected to the inlet of the circulation pump.   
     
     
         2 . A hydroponic systems as defined in  claim 1  wherein the nutrient supply comprises a nutrient supply tank. 
     
     
         3 . A hydroponic system as defined in  claim 2  further comprising control valve arrangement between the nutrient supply tank and the inlet of the circulation pump, control valve arrangement including a shutoff valve enabling the nutrient supply tank to be shut off from the inlet of the circulation pump. 
     
     
         4 . A hydroponic system as defined in  claim 3  wherein the control valve arrangement includes a foot valve. 
     
     
         5 . A hydroponic system as defined in  claim 1  wherein the nutrient supply includes a syringe.