Wick Systems for Cannabis: A Cost-Effective and Beginner-Friendly Approach

Not everyone has the luxury to grow cannabis outdoors, and there are various reasons for that. 

Sometimes, the weather isn’t friendly. Other times, your neighbors and the local law enforcement may be too “friendly”. 

For a beginner, the best way to grow cannabis is by tossing a seed in their backyard soil and tending to the little seedling well until it sprouts buds. 

But, what do you do when you can’t grow a cannabis plant outdoors and also don’t have the skills necessary for growing indoors using hydroponics? After all, no one can deny that indoor hydroponics can be daunting and confusing for beginners. Setups like aeroponics and aquaponics may seem alluring and exciting, but they are not suitable for beginners, and they are expensive to set up and complex to maintain. 

However, not all hydroponic setups are complicated and expensive to build. There is one hydroponic system called the wick system which is so easy that it may even be better than outdoor cultivation for beginners. What is the hydroponic wick system, how does it work, its benefits and drawbacks, and steps to build one for yourself — learn all you need to know about hydroponic wick systems in this article. 

What is the Hydroponic Wick System for Cannabis?

A wick system is one of the easiest types of hydroponic systems you can use to grow cannabis, and not only is it easy to set up, it is easy to maintain and cheap to build. Most hydroponic wick systems don’t contain complicated devices or pumps, which further makes this the simplest way to grow hydroponic cannabis. 

A wick system works on the capillary action, which is a process where the liquid (read: nutrient solution) gradually travels against gravity thanks to a wick or a piece of cloth. Your cannabis plant helps the liquid flow up into the growing medium, where it can be utilized by the roots, instead of draining down. 

This gravity-defying science is nothing complicated, but this simplicity works in its favor. Since the cannabis plant is controlling the flow of the nutrient water into the growing medium, you don’t have to worry about irrigating your plant every day or even overfeeding; the wick system only gives your plant the water it needs. 

A hydroponic system consists of a few main components, including a growing tray, a reservoir for the nutrient solution, a wick, and an aeration system — the fourth one is optional. Let’s take a look at each of these components and how they work in a wick system. 

1. The Wick

The highlight of this hydroponic system, as the name suggests, is the wick that will pull the nutrient solution from the reservoir and into the growing medium. The wick connects the growing medium to the reservoir underneath and every plant ideally needs two wicks for proper nutrient supply. 

This wick goes through the small holes in the grow tray, and sometimes, you may have to plug the holes with a rubber connector or something similar in case the holes are wider than the thread to prevent any growing medium from slipping through the holes. 

The most common and perhaps the easiest type of wick you can use in your wick setup is a cotton rope, but it is prone to mold, so it’s not the best option available. If you plan to use your wick system for a long time, it’s best to steer clear of this one or at least ensure the wick is good by checking it regularly. Nylon ropes are a terrific alternative to cotton as they don’t get mold so easily. 

Your wick should have two properties: it should be resistant to mold and have a high rate of absorption. Here, synthetic fibers are better than natural fibers like cotton. So, don’t hesitate to use nylon or polyethylene instead of cotton wicks. 

If you have some time on your hands, you can even experiment a little with the type of wick you choose. Take a few cups of water and add some color to them, then place the ends of the ropes into the cups and see which rope transfers water the fastest. You can then decide which one you want. 

2. The Growing Tray 

Unlike other hydroponic setups where you have to use net pots, you only need a grow tray that will hold all the growing medium in a wick hydroponic system. In other words, the grow tray works as the container for all your plants without requiring any other subdivisions.

All you have to do is transplant the seedling into the tray, but you have to pick the right growing medium for this setup. The growing medium shouldn’t drain too fast so that the capillary process can work efficiently. The best growing mediums include perlite, soilless mixes, and vermiculite as they have excellent wicking abilities and will not turn soggy or too moist as regular soil would. 

3. The Nutrient Reservoir

The next thing you need for a wick hydroponic system is a nutrient reservoir, which will basically work the same way as in other hydroponic setups — it will hold the nutrient solution. This large container full of nutrient solution will sit under the plant, and the solution must be changed at least once a week so the nutrient levels can be kept intact and sufficient for the plant. 

For a small setup, you can use something as simple as a bucket, but if you plan to grow a few plants, it is recommended that you get dedicated hydroponic reservoirs. They aren’t so expensive and worth the investment if you plan to grow cannabis for a long time. 

4. An Air Stone (Optional)

Last but not least, you need an air stone, but this is an optional accessory for your wick hydroponic system. This is because the reservoir water will be sitting still for a week, and sometimes, it may lose its oxygen content. And oxygen is important for your plant’s roots. The airstone will also keep the water circulating, preventing stagnancy, which is always a benefit in a hydroponic wick system. 

So, if you’re worried about your plant’s roots lacking oxygen, you can use an airstone in the reservoir to oxygenate the nutrient solution. Such an air stone can be purchased from a horticulture or aquarium store. You don’t need a fancy one, either, as a basic one works just fine for cannabis plants. 

The Physics Behind The Wick System 

As mentioned earlier, a hydroponic wick system is based on the principle of capillary action, but what exactly does it mean? Let’s dive deeper into this phenomenon that is actually quite common in nature and your everyday environment, but you may not have noticed it just yet. 

The capillary action is related to the movement of water within porous substances, and there are many examples of this in the real world. Some of the common examples include water being absorbed by paper towels, the sweat being pulled away from your skin by your shirt, the roots of the plant absorbing water from the soil, etc.

Essentially, when water drops — which are sticky on a microscopic level — get inside a porous material, they stick to the walls of the pores. This phenomenon leads to a curved surface which is known as a meniscus, which is formed at the very top edge of the water molecule. 

Water molecules are held together by surface tension, i.e., the internal bond between water molecules that makes it liquid and not a free-flowing gas. So, in a case where the adhesive force between the capillary walls and water molecules becomes stronger than the surface tension, the molecules of water start making their way upward. 

Of course, the movement of water in a capillary action is determined by the thickness and porosity of the material as well as gravity. This is the principle that’s used by a hydroponic wick system to draw nutrient water from the reservoir and into the soil, where the roots can intake them. 

In such a system, your plant can get by with a single wick — it’s enough — but it is recommended that you use two wicks for maximum effectiveness. 

Advantages of a Hydroponic Wick System 

While a hydroponic wick system may not be as efficient at growing cannabis as an aeroponic setup that’s even used by NASA, it is still a terrific solution for many growers, and you should definitely consider it for growing cannabis at home, especially if you’re a beginner. 

For starters, the biggest benefit of a hydroponic wick system is that it is ridiculously easy to set up, making it perfect for beginners. A regular hydroponic setup requires various pieces of equipment and specialized gear, which can be expensive as well as daunting for beginners. But a hydroponic wick system only uses four to five components! 

You do need to have a basic understanding of growing cannabis and other things, but a hydroponic wick system takes away the burden of managing a difficult or complicated setup. 

A hydroponic wick system also reduces the chances of overwatering, which is quite common among new growers. It’s easy to fall for the “the more, the merrier” philosophy when growing cannabis, but since your plant is in control of the irrigation, this risk is averse entirely. 

Of course, you can even use an automated irrigation system for a hydroponic setup, but that is another headache to set up and maintain, and let’s not forget that it will rely on electricity. If the electricity is cut off for more than a few hours, your plant is at risk of drought. 

Talking about electricity, one of the cost-saving benefits of a wick system is that it doesn't require a water pump or electricity to circulate the solution. In contrast, other hydroponic systems like ebb and flow may rely on pumps for water movement leading to energy costs.

Another benefit of wick systems is that they typically use materials that are not only affordable but easily accessible as well. This makes it an affordable option if your budget is limited. Also, don’t forget that since wick systems use fewer components and moving parts, the chances of equipment malfunction or wear and tear are very rare. This, in turn, reduces your expenses. 

Additionally, a hydroponic wick system does not use soil, so you don’t have to worry about the health of the soil or try to find the best soil in your region and maintain it. Due to the lack of soil, the rhizosphere will be a lot less susceptible to mold, pests, or other forms of contamination. 

Wick systems are great for stealth as well. They operate silently which is advantageous if you want to keep a low profile and avoid drawing attention to your cannabis cultivation activities. 

Lastly, it’s the simplicity of maintaining a hydroponic wick system. This is an entirely passive system that hardly uses any moving parts, so there are not many things in it that can break. You can set up one with household items and it will probably last as much as a store-bought one!

Disadvantages of a Hydroponic Wick System 

No hydroponic system is perfect, and neither is this one. It comes with its set of downsides that you should be aware of before jumping in. Here are some of the downsides or drawbacks of a hydroponic wick system:

• It’s not adequate for strains that grow big or consume a lot of nutrients and water 
• Sometimes, the growing medium may experience salt buildup over time, leading to nutrient toxicity in the plant 
• The nutrient solution in the reservoir may become stagnant 
• If the system is not maintained and cleaned properly and regularly, it is still prone to fungus and mold
• If you seal the reservoir and don’t use an air pump, your plant may experience a lack of oxygen

Understanding these downsides is crucial when considering a hydroponic wick system. As long as you are growing the right strain of cannabis and maintaining hygiene in your grow room, you can surpass these downsides and successfully grow cannabis plants. 

Building a DIY Hydroponic Wick System 

Image Credit - Battousi

Now that you know the basics of a hydroponic wick system, it’s time to build your own. Of course, you can always purchase a pre-built wick system from a hydroponic store, but where’s the fun in that? And a DIY hydroponic system is easy and cheap to build. 

But before you get started, it’s important to put light on the quality of the wick you choose. It is the most critical part of your setup, and the material you use dictates how the nutrient solution reaches the roots. You can use everyday household items as a wick, like mop strings, nylon ropes, strips cut from old clothes, or propylene strips. Remember to test each one of them in colored water to find which one works best. 

Apart from the wick, you also need some other things, such as the following:

• A tray to hold the growing medium 
• Net pots to hold individual plants — this is optional but makes it easy to move the plants 
• A growing medium like coco coir, vermiculite, or clay pellets 
• A reservoir to hold the nutrient solution — make sure it is opaque or black and does not let any light pass through to protect the solution from going bad 

Once you have everything at hand, you can start setting up your DIY hydroponic wick system with the following steps:

1. Make two holes for each plant at the bottom of the tray, and if you’re using a single pot, the same applies there too 
2. Pass your wicking material through the hole 
3. Fill your tray with a growing medium of your choice, and make sure the wick is long enough to touch your plant’s roots as well as the nutrient solution 
4. Place the tray on the reservoir that’s filled with nutrient solution and let the wick’s lower end submerge into the solution 
5. Place an air stone in the reservoir so it can oxygenate the solution 
6. Seal the reservoir with a lid or something similar to protect it from pests and pathogens 

Congratulations, your DIY hydroponic wick system is ready! To maintain your system and ensure your plant grows properly, keep an eye on the water level and nutrient concentration, replace the water every week, and keep the system clean and sanitized. 

Monitoring and Adjusting Your Hydroponic Wick System 

Your DIY hydroponic wick system is a simple setup and requires minimal maintenance, but minimal does not mean it requires no maintenance at all. You still need to keep an eye on a few things to make sure your cannabis grows healthy and happy in this environment. 

One of the biggest drawbacks of a hydroponic wick system is that the wicks may not deliver the nutrients at a fast rate or high volume, which may sometimes be insufficient for your cannabis plant. So, you need to keep an eye on the growing medium to ensure it is moist enough and look for signs of nutrient deficiencies or thirst on your cannabis plant. 

This is usually a problem in regions that are hotter or have drier air, and if you suspect your cannabis plant is suffering from this, you can always add more wicks to your setup. If adding more wicks does not fix it, consider using a different type of wick or replacing the growing medium with something that is more absorbent. 

Always keep your nutrient solution levels up — this way, it does not have to travel a lot of distance to reach your plants. Every week, replace the nutrient solution with a fresh one or at least make sure the water is clean and not getting stagnant. 

In some cases, the growing medium may get too moist and the plant may not get enough oxygen. So, if you haven’t already, consider using an air stone and look out for mold or mildew in the root zone. You can also switch to a growing medium that has better aeration. 

It is also recommended that you flush your growing medium with fresh water every couple of weeks to remove any salt buildup, which is a common problem with many hydroponic wick setups. This is because the medium can sometimes retain more nutrients than necessary, and over time, this can lead to nutrient toxicity. 

Lastly, watch out for signs of trouble in your cannabis plant, which are as follows:

• Stunted or slow growth 
• A smaller root mass than you’d expect 
• Yellowing, curling, or drooping leaves
• Lesions on the stems or roots 
• Weak stems and branches 
• Withering leaves or premature leaf loss 

What is the Cost of Growing Cannabis with a Wick System?

The cost of constructing a wick system for cultivating cannabis can vary based on factors like the scale of your operation, the quality of materials chosen, and whether you opt for building from scratch or purchasing a pre-made kit. Here’s a rough estimate of the expenses involved in setting up a basic indoor hydroponic wick system for growing cannabis: 

1. Growing Space: You’ll probably use a grow tent or a room to grow cannabis, and the costs can vary significantly. It could range from a hundred dollars for a tent to thousands of dollars for a larger and more advanced setup.

2. Wick System Components: To set up a wick system, you’ll need some materials including a wick, containers or trays, reservoirs, and nutrient solutions. The prices for these items can range from $50 to $200 depending on the size of your system and the quality of materials you choose.

• Wick: As mentioned earlier, the wick plays a role in this system as it helps in the movement of nutrients from the reservoir to the growing medium and the plant roots. You can use anything from cotton, nylon, or felt as a wick. However, remember to choose only high-quality wicks as your choice of material can influence how the nutrients are delivered to the plants. You will perhaps spend about $10-$30 for a decent amount of wick material.

3. Containers: To hold your growing medium and plants, you’ll need containers or trays and you can also use pots made of plastic. The number and size of containers you'll need will vary according to the scale and the amount of plants you want to grow. However, if you’re constructing a small setup, $10 to $50 should suffice. If you're planning a larger system, you'll require containers which could range from $100 to several hundred dollars as they will need to be bigger. 

4. Reservoir: Your nutrient solution needs a reservoir where it can be mixed and stored. Make sure you use a sturdy reservoir. If it’s made from food-grade materials, and has a lid that can prevent contamination, it’s even better. Reservoirs are available in several sizes and prices vary accordingly. A basic plastic container can cost around $20 while larger high-quality reservoirs with features like built-in pumps or heaters might go over $100.

5. Grow Lights: For cannabis cultivation, it is crucial to have high-quality grow lights. The cost of grow lights can vary significantly. Basic LED or fluorescent lights start at around $100 while sophisticated lights can can cost several hundred to over a thousand dollars. Remember that you shouldn’t think too much about saving money in this department as the yields depend a lot on the type of grow lights you use. If you use inferior grow lights, you’re not only wasting electricity but the yields will not be worth your while either. On the other hand, if you use high-quality lights that can cost about $300 to $400 as the costs have come down in the past few years, you can reap good rewards. 

6. Ventilation: Proper ventilation, temperature control, and humidity control are essential for cultivating high-quality buds that make your mouth water. Expenses for fans, ducting, carbon filters, and environmental control equipment can range from $100 to $500. 

7. Seeds/Clones: The cost of cannabis seeds or clones varies according to the strain and the seed bank you buy from. Typically, most seeds are available at about $30 to $50 for a pack of three seeds, but this can get more expensive if the strain has a solid reputation. Also, the costs will vary on the type of seed (regular, auto-flowering, feminized, etc) you choose. 

8. Miscellaneous Supplies: Various miscellaneous items such as pH testing kits, timers, meters, and tools can add another $50 to $100 to your expenses. 

9. Electricity: When using grow lights, keep in mind that your electricity bill may increase significantly. The actual cost will depend on where you're located and the size of your setup, which can be quite substantial.

Finally, remember to conduct some research before trying to grow cannabis, especially if you want to do it hydroponically. This will help you save time, energy, and money as well. Also, the costs can vary from one grower to another, depending on what they want to achieve. 

For a small-scale setup, expect to spend anywhere from $500 to $1,000 for an entire growing operation. However, larger and more professional operations could require several thousand dollars or even more as an investment. Also, remember that you may have to spend on maintenance so the system keeps running smoothly. However, growing cannabis in a wick system is a great choice as it reduces the costs exponentially. 

Best Cannabis Strains for Hydroponic Wick System 

Let’s address the elephant in the room — which is the best strain to grow using a hydroponic wick system? As mentioned earlier, it’s best to stick to smaller cannabis strains that are not only easier to grow but have much lower nutrient and maintenance needs. In fact, some of the best strains you can use are autoflowering ones!

Remember, a hydroponic wick system is more of a high-school experiment and less about serious gardening, and it’s reserved for beginner grows who don’t want to get too technical with their hydroponic setups. So, some of the best cannabis strains for a wick system are:

• Royal Dwarf 
• Royal AK Automatic 
• Critical Kush 
• Candy Kush Express 
• Haze Berry 
• Special Queen 1
• Easy Bud 
• Royal Jack Automatic 
• Quick One

Summary: Wick Systems for Cannabis: A Cost-Effective and Beginner-Friendly Approach

In the intricate yet enticing world of cannabis cultivation, some state-of-the-art hydroponic techniques often take the spotlight, but the hydroponic wick system emerges as a beacon of simplicity and effectiveness. It is a testament that, sometimes, the most straightforward method can lead to remarkable results — at least for beginners in this case. 

This hydroponic setup is a breeze to set up, as you saw above, but it also requires minimal maintenance, which makes it ideal for beginner growers. Plus, its cost-effectiveness further improves its allure, making it an excellent choice for other types of growers who want to dip their toes into the world of hydroponics or seasoned growers looking for an efficient and straightforward alternative. 

While the hydroponic wick system may not be the perfect fit for every cannabis strain, it truly shines when it comes to smaller varieties and autoflowering strains. For those seeking a hassle-free growing experience, reduced risk of overwatering, and a more budget-friendly hydroponic setup, this system is a game-changer. 

So, whether you're a beginner taking your first steps into cannabis cultivation or a seasoned grower in search of a reliable and accessible method, the hydroponic wick system invites you to embark on a journey where less truly can mean more. 

Embrace this high-school-experiment-turned-horticultural-solution, and you'll witness your cannabis thrive in an environment that's both approachable and rewarding. Happy growing!