How To Choose the Best Hydroponic Tubing and Fittings

How To Choose the Best Hydroponic Tubing and Fittings

Every decision is important when it comes to choosing the different parts and pieces of your hydroponic garden. Even your choice of tubing and fittings makes a difference in the overall functionality of the system. If you feel overwhelmed by the number of options for tubing sizes and fittings you can attach to your garden, don’t panic! Refocus by learning how to choose the best hydroponic tubing and fittings to make the decision easier on yourself.

Considerations for Choosing Tubing:

Match the Tubing to Your Garden’s Accessories

Sometimes, the decision for which type of tubing to use is easy—all you need to do is look at your attachments and pick the right size. If you’re using a hydroponic container or lid that attaches directly to the tubing, choose the type of tubing that fits best. It might be a ¼-inch tube, or it could be a smaller 16 mm tube if you’re using a micro-drip system.

Avoid Clear Tubing

Because your hydroponic system cycles water and nutrients all day, every day, you don’t want the tubing, fittings, or containers to be clear plastic. Purchasing opaque accessories prevents and stops algae growth in your hydroponic garden since algae need light to grow.

Choose Food-Grade Tubing

The chemicals in typical plastics can poison your plants and could even make them dangerous to ingest. Make sure that your tubing is BPA- and lead-free before you use it in your garden.

Considerations for Choosing Fittings:

Use T-Fittings and Cross Fittings for Splitting the Flow

A tangle of wires and tubes is a burden on your hydroponic garden and your available space. When you have a multi-plant hydroponic system, you’ll need splitter fittings to ensure every plant gets the nutrition it needs in an orderly manner.

Make Sure the Sizes Match Up

Just as you need to match the tubing to your garden, you’ll need your fittings to match your tubing. Don’t settle for fittings with a loose, unsecured fit—they may not be the right size and could result in leaks. It’s also important that you don’t stretch tubing over fittings that are too large, as you could damage the tube.

Close Unused Tubing Ends With Caps

Cap adaptors are necessary for hydroponic systems that may be temporarily missing a plant or have an unexpected absence. You never want an unused or improperly sealed piece of tubing, as it could impact the pressure of the irrigation system and waste resources.

Choose Fittings That Make Your Life Easier

There may be some optional kinds of hydroponic tubing and fittings that you’ll want but won’t necessarily need. These are often from your hydroponics supplies provider and match up to the system you use. Always read the descriptions of fittings to ensure compatibility with your hydroponic garden, and use adapters to switch tubing sizes when necessary. Don’t forget valves to turn parts of your system on and off with the flip of a switch!

For tubing, fittings, and adapters that are reusable and dishwasher safe, browse the collection of accessories for hydroponic gardeners at FloraFlex. Let us help you make your garden greener and make it easier to figure out how to choose the best hydroponic tubing and fittings for your type of garden.