An NFT (Nutrient Film Technique) Sliding Bench System (A.k.a Moving Gully System or Mobile Gully System (MGS)) is the most efficient user of greenhouse space for any type of NFT system.
The system requires a minimum of two workers to operate, and it is very easy for staff members to plant, harvest and clean the system.
An NFT Sliding Bench System (MGS) is especially suitable for growers who wish to grow one variety of plant such as lettuces, and for those who wish to maximise available greenhouse space as much as possible.
In a typical Sliding Bench NFT System (MGS) you can grow approximately 20.5 plants per square metre of greenhouse area (including pathways around the bench) or 26 plants per square metre excluding pathways.
Lettuce growers can expect to achieve a minimum of 8 crops per year in the NFT Sliding Bench system based on a good-sized lettuce sold by weight.
13 – 14 crops per year or more can be achieved if a smaller size lettuce is to be grown, or if a larger seedling was produced in the nursery area to enable less time in the NFT system.
Pure Hydroponics can design a nursery system and NFT system to suit any preference.
Pure Hydroponics supports a 2-stage growing system. Seedlings are raised in an Ebb and Flow propagation system. Then, when the seedlings are ready for transplanting, they are transplanted into the main NFT system. The root system is therefore only disturbed once before harvest.
Pure Hydroponics specialises in Manual NFT Sliding Bench Systems (MGS). (as opposed to robotic systems with a mechanical underside). The NFT gullies are isolated and disconnected from the feed system and manually moved along the bench by two workers and then reconnected. Gullies with mature plants are harvested and the empty gullies are then transported outside of the greenhouse on special trolleys where they are cleaned and sanitised. They are then transported into the opposite end of the greenhouse and placed into the vacant space on the bench and replanted for another crop cycle.
It is the perfect system for growers who wish to achieve a high level of productivity with minimal full time labour input.
The key aspects of the NFT Sliding Bench system are as follows:
The manual system achieves everything that a robotically planted and mechanically moved system can achieve but with a much lower set up cost.
- It has the highest yield per m2 of greenhouse space for any type of NFT system.
- It is a manually operated system requiring only two workers to plant, harvest and move the gullies.
- The nutrient solution is recirculated through the NFT gullies and back to the pump room where it is automatically dosed and re-oxygenated.
The NFT Sliding Bench (MGS) system is operated as follows:
- The system comprises of one continuous steel framed support bench running the length of the greenhouse with pathways on all four sides.
- NFT gullies are then placed onto the bench and spaced according to the growth stage of the crop.
- Seedlings are typically propagated in 25x25x40mm Rockwool cubes or media filled cell trays or pots in an Ebb and Flow plant propagation system. The seedlings are then transplanted into 100x50mm Hydro Pure NFT gullies.
- Gullies containing young plants are then introduced at one end of the sliding bench (the planting end). These gullies are then gradually moved along the bench and spaced further apart as the plants mature.
- By the time the gullies reach the other end of the bench (the harvesting end) the plants are ready for harvest.
- A sanitation system in the pump room targets any pathogens which may be introduced into the growing system.
- On harvesting days, the gullies containing mature lettuces that are ready to be harvested are removed from the sliding bench at the harvesting end of the bench. Two workers are then required to move the remaining gullies along the sliding bench to fill the vacant space left by the harvested gullies.
- This process fills the gaps left by the harvested gully and allows room for newly planted gullies to be introduced to the sliding bench.
- The harvested gullies are then taken out of the greenhouse, cleaned and sanitised and then replanted and introduced at the planting end – allowing the next crop cycle to begin.
- A Bluelab Pro Controller Wifi dosing control system is used to monitor and control the nutrient and pH levels in the NFT system mixing tank.
- The Bluelab Pro Controller Wifi control system uses Triple Peristaltic Pumps to dose nutrient stock solution and pH corrector into the mixing tank.
- The nutrient solution flowing from the NFT gullies is collected in the catchment system of the sliding bench and directed to a return line, which gravity feeds back to the pump room for recirculation.
- The nutrient solution is filtered as it is pumped to the NFT gullies as well as when it is drained back into the mixing tank.
- An oxygenation system ensures there is an abundant supply of dissolved oxygen at all times in the nutrient solution.
- Growers can steer the crops to be more vegetative or generative or to have hard or soft foliage by adjusting the nutrient strength (EC) of the nutrient solution.
Pure Hydroponics can design and supply full Sliding Bench systems to fit an existing greenhouse, or we can supply a turn-key system comprising of an NFT Sliding bench system, greenhouse and climate control.
For growers located in distant countries we also offer a Design and Shopping List service which allows growers to source PVC pipework and common equipment locally. Pure Hydroponics can then assist with any specialist equipment that may not be available such as NFT gullies, dosing control system and NFT system accessories. This keeps the freight and set up costs down for the grower and supports their local economy.
The grower can install the systems themselves using local labour with the assistance of technical drawings and online support from Pure Hydroponics. Or we can supply an onsite installation supervisor to supervise local labour and provide full training once the system is commissioned.
The main objective is to get new growers set up with a properly designed hydroponic system, at the best price possible.
We can then offer a full support package such as online and onsite advisory, nutrition and consumables to ensure the grower can secure their place in the market, repay their investment and be successful.
Please contact Pure Hydroponics for a turn-key NFT Sliding Bench system quotation or our Design and Shopping List service.
All interested parties must complete the attached Commercial Design Questionnaire as part of their enquiry.
Commercial System Design Questionnaire
