How to Set Up Hydroponics
Hydroponic gardening has become alternative to the green-space projects springing up in cities around the world. Hydroponic planting does not require soil, nor do plants need to be outside to grow; instead, plants grow in a nutrient bath. Plant lights provide the light the plants need to grow. You can set up hydroponic planting in any house, and it is an easy project for the green-thumbed. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Planting pot with drainage holes
- Wire mesh
- 2-gallon bucket
- Water-flow pump
- Bag of vermiculite or pea gravel
- Nutrient solution
- 2 plastic tubes
- Two clips
- Water pump timer
Instructions
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1
Fill the plant pot with vermiculite or growing medium of your choice, to about 1 or 2 inches from the top of the pot.
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2
Attach wire mesh to the top of a 2-gallon bucket so it is secure enough to hold your planting pot, and place the pot on top of the mesh.
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3
Fill the pot with the nutrient solution required by the plant you are growing. Place the planting pot on top of the 2-gallon bucket so it can catch the nutrient solution as it drains.
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4
Place a water pump next to the bucket. Attach a plastic tube to the input end of the water pump. Place the other end of this tube in the bucket. Attach the tube to the top of the reservoir using clips to hold it in place; the end of the tube should be close to the bottom of the bucket, but without touching the bottom.
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5
Connect the other small plastic tube to the output end of your water pump. Feed this tube into the top of the plant pot and attach it to the pot with the other clip, making sure the water flow is not cut off by the clip.
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6
Attach the timer to the water pump. Test the water pump action; fluid should be drawn from the 2-gallon bucket into the plant pot at intervals set by the timer. Check to make sure the nutrient solution drains properly back into the bucket.
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Tips & Warnings
Change the nutrient solution as recommended to keep the mixture fresh and effective.
