Choosing The Right Hydroponic System

ALIEN® North America offers five different commercial-grade hydroponic systems to suit your needs. All are made with higest-quality, non-toxic, non-reactive, corrosion-resistant materials. Innovative designs with removable and reconfigurable parts provide flexible layouts and later expansion options, along with easy but effective repeated cleaning.

Mostly Medium-Free Options

These systems require a small amount of support medium such as re-usable clay pebbles for the plant to get established and stable. While the systems look similar and can all produce huge yields, they work in very different ways; each has its benefits depending on the environment they're used in. Read more about the differences between deep water culture and aeroponics systems here.

V-SYSTEM™ or RDWC

Both systems utilize the recirculating deep water culture (RDWC) technique that can produce explosive growth and huge yields.

V-SYSTEM incorporates advanced features to greatly enhance growth and grow giant superior-quality plants while reducing maintenance.
RDWC provides traditional recirculating deep water culture with innovative upgrades and reduced cost. Perfect for medium to large plants, with 2 pot sizes.

AERO™

Aeroponics evolved to the next level, AERO's advanced modular design features ultimate control over feeding, with 2 pot sizes and recirculating or drain-to-waste configuration options.

Medium options

RAIN™

RAIN mimics natural rainfall to evenly distribute nutrients to plants in any medium of your choice: soil, coco, peat, rockwool, clay pebbles and more. Configurable as drain-to-waste or recirculating, there are 2 pot sizes to choose from and many innovative features to grow the best plants with less work.

EasyFeed®

EasyFeed is a low-cost, simple but effective system to water and apply liquid nutrients to multiple plants; its unique design allows for controlled dryback to prevent root rot and maximize growth.

Comparing ALIEN Hydroponic Systems:

Feature
Hydroponic method	RDWC	RDWC	Aeroponics	Top-feed	Bottom-feed
Pot sizes available	15.3 gallon (58L)	5 gallon (20L) 9.5 gallon (36L)	4 gallon (15L) 8 gallon (30L)	4 gallon (15L) 8 gallon (30L)	2.5 gallon (10L) 4 gallon (16L) 6 gallon (22L) 8 gallon (30L)
Can be expanded	✔	✔	✔	✔	✔
Minimal medium required	✔	✔	✔	✘	✘
Oxygenates nutrients	✔	✔	✔	✔	✘
Fresh nutrient distribution direct to every pot	✔	✘	✔	✔	✔
Doesn't require electricity	✘	✘	✘	✘	✔
Can be used on uneven ground	✘	✘	✔	✔	✔
Can be used with soil or coco	✘	✘	✘	✔	✔
Can grow root crops	✘	✘	✘	✔	✔

What's the difference between the RDWC and V-SYSTEM?

Both systems utilize recirculating deep water culture methods, but there are a few key differences between the systems.

The RDWC system pump allows water to flow through the bottom of each pot in turn, where it is mixed into each pot by the rising bubbles from the clog-resistant JET-STREAM A.I.R.™ air injection rings. Because nutrients must flow through other pots before getting to pots further down the system, a minor amount of nutrient and temperature imbalance can occur between pots. Unlike most RDWC systems on the market, the drain/recirculation lines run through the base of each pot, allowing for almost-complete drainage of the system during nutrient change-outs.

The V-SYSTEM pump is external (not submersible) so it doesn't heat up the nutrient solution like a submersible pump does. The pump injects the nutrient solution directly into each pot through a Venturi valve to create a super-oxygenated whirlpool to ensure even nutrient distribution to every root in every pot. The water then leaves underneath the pot and recirculates through 5" drain pipes to minimize issues with root clogging.

Sloped pot bases and drain barbs on the drain elbows allow for complete drainage of the V-SYSTEM during nutrient change-outs. Because the pots are round, plants can be easily rotated in their pots without having to lift the plant, making inspection, pruning and spraying simple.

Comparing the V-SYSTEM and RDWC

Feature			Other RDWC Systems
Oxygenation method	Venturi	JET-STREAM A.I.R.™ rings	Air stones
Pot shape	round	square	rectangular
Does not require an air pump	✔	✘	✘
Patent-pending Dual-Flow™ fittings	✔	✔	✘
Silver reflective polymer pots and pipe to reject radiant heat	✔	✔	✘
Easily-cleanable nutrient solution filters	✔	✔	✘
Vortex maximizing nutrient and O₂ distribution	✔	✘	✘
Fresh nutrient distribution direct to every pot	✔	✘	✘
Complete drainage possible	✔	almost	✘
External pump to minimize heat	✔	✘	✘
Plants can be rotated in their pots	1°-360°	90°, 180°, 270° (must lift the lid & plant)	180° only (must lift the lid & plant)
Pot sizes available	15.3 gallon (58L)	5 gallon (20L) 9.5 gallon (36L)	13 gallon or smaller
Drain / recirculation line diameter	5"	2"	2-3" or smaller