How to Build Your Own Hydroponic System
Hydroponics is a method of growing plants without the assistance of soil. This method, when properly used, allows plants to be grown in conditions usually hostile to its species. In many instances, hydroponics is used in conjunction with greenhouse growing in a complex structure designed for high production at low costs. For the home grower, less complex hydroponic growing containers are constructed using items available at your local hardware store. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Drill with bit
- 5-gallon plastic buckets, 2
- Screening
- Scissors or wire cutters
- Staple gun and staples
- Air stone or filter
- Small air pump with tubing
- Small submersible pump with tubing
- Air line
- Bag of small gravel
- Hydroponic fertilizer
Instructions
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1
Drill three holes in a row near the bottom of your first bucket. Cut a piece of screening to fit the inside bottom of the bucket, using scissors or wire cutters. Cover the holes by stapling the screening in place.
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2
Attach your air stone or filter to the end of the tube running from your air pump. Place the stone inside your second bucket, with the air pump placed outside the bucket.
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3
Put your submersible pump inside your second bucket. Place the first bucket next to the second and run the drip or drain line from your submersible pump to the bottom of your first bucket.
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4
Mix your hydroponic fertilizer with water as directed by the manufacturer. Place the mixture in the second bucket, over your pump and filter stone.
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5
Put small gravel into your first bucket until it's two-thirds full. This is where you will place the plants.
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6
Turn on your air pump and submersible pump in the second bucket. Plant your seedlings or plants in the first bucket.
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Tips & Warnings
Place the buckets in large drip pans or in an area that has a drain. Runoff from the planter bucket will occur.
The pH level of the nutrients must be checked often. Use chemical strips available at nurseries and consult with professional growers for the right pH levels for the plants you are growing.
