From Continuous Flow to Intelligent Nutrient Management (ElecSys Lab)
NFT — or Nutrient Film Technique — is a hydroponic growing method where a shallow stream of water flows through channels, delivering nutrients directly to plant roots. While simple in principle, maintaining optimal nutrient levels and environmental conditions in real time is critical for healthy growth and high yields.
That’s where the ElecSys NFT Controller comes in — enabling real-time nutrient correction, data logging, and safe automation for continuous hydroponic systems.
- A thin film of nutrient-rich water flows continuously through channels
- Roots absorb dissolved nutrients directly from this stream
- System is recirculating — requiring regular adjustments to EC, pH, and temperature
¶ Unlike batch fertigation, NFT systems require continuous nutrient balance — making real-time monitoring and correction critical
- Recirculating stream flows through NFT channels
- Sensors read EC, pH, and temperature continuously
- When values deviate, the controller doses nutrients or pH adjusters
- Logs every reading and adjustment for traceability
- Optional pump control and tank refill logic
- Real-time EC, pH, and temp monitoring
- Automatic nutrient/pH adjustment to target setpoints
- Crop-specific presets or fully custom schedules
- Circulation pump control with optional timers
- Onboard logging and visual trend charts
- Safety cutoffs for out-of-range or dosing failure
- Climate-controlled leafy green farms
- Recirculating DWC/NFT hybrid systems
- Urban vertical farms and educational greenhouses
- Systems where stable EC/pH are critical 24/7
- Central mixing tank with EC, pH, and temperature sensors
- Nutrient tanks with dosing control
- Pump and delivery line to each NFT channel
- Solenoid or relay-controlled outputs for each zone
- Float level sensors for dry-tank cutoff
- Optional overflow or return detection
- EC/CF high quality smart graphite probe × 1
- Industrial grade pH probe × 1
- Stainless steel digital temperature probe × 1
- Liquid level float sensor probes × 5
- Pump box with 3 × 500 ml/min peri-pumps + cable
- Field controller box with all cables
- 7-inch touchscreen interface unit
- 24VDC power supply with mains cables × 2
- EC/CF + pH + Nutrient Temperature Control — complete care package for your plants
- Automatic Temperature Compensation for EC and pH — highly accurate readings round the clock
- 7.1" color touchscreen for full control — easy to use, no cryptic error codes
- Liquid level monitoring and dry-run protection — alerts for refill/leak/low water situations
- Hourly and daily parameter trend charts — visualize performance without a PC
- Full remote access — no subscriptions, access via browser or smartphone
- Remote alerts FREE for first year — then $25/month (vs. $$$ others charge)
- 5+ years of onboard logs (Excel format, USB export supported)
- Open, flexible design — integrates with iHydro and most third-party systems
- Built in NZ — 24/7 local support with English interface and documentation
- Modular zone expansion — add more zones at ~60% unit cost
- 12-month probe + 2-year system warranty — peace of mind protection
- Sensors: EC, pH, and temp (industrial-grade)
- Dosing Pumps: A/B nutrient + pH up/down
- Display: 7" touchscreen or web dashboard
- Control Interface: Local + VPN/web access
- Protocols: MQTT, Modbus TCP
- Power: 12–24V DC, UPS-compatible
- Real-time EC/pH/temp correction with charting
- Safe cutoffs and alarm handling
- OTA firmware updates
- 24/7 NFT reliability engineering