Effect of Suction Heads and Nutrient Solutions on Flow-Rates of Peristaltic Pumps Used in Hydroponics

To ensure the healthy growth of plants in hydroponics, it is crucial to determine the amount of nutrient solution that peristaltic pumps inject per unit time under various hydraulic conditions. The aim of this study is to test the effect of peristaltic pumps, suction heads and nutrient solutions on the flow-rate of the peristaltic pump. The tests of the flow-rate were conducted as aging and main test. Treatments consisted of 3 pumps (PP1, PP2 and PP3), 2 suction heads (30 (SH30) and 60 cm (SH60)) and 5 solutions (tap water (S1), stock A (S2), stock B (S3), nitric acid (HNO3) (S4) and potassium hydroxide (KOH) (S5)). In both tests, the volume of liquid pumped by the pumps for 2 minutes was determined and the volume-time relationship was utilized to calculate flow-rates. Aging tests showed that the new peristaltic pumps should be used in nutrition dosing after aging number was equal and greater than 5. All treatments had significant effect (p