How to Build a Small Hydroponic System

Do-it-yourselfers can build a small hydroponic garden system utilizing largely commonly available materials. Construct the project on any scale up to 4 feet wide and 8 feet long. The system creates a floating surface to hold plants above a pool of nutrient-enriched water.

Things You'll Need

• 2-by-6-inch treated lumber
• 12 nails, size 16d
• Plastic sheeting
• Water
• Staple gun and 1/2-inch staples
• 1 1/2-inch-thick Styrofoam sheet
• Net pots
• Hydroponic micronutrients

Instructions

1. Build a wooden frame for the hydroponic system. Cut two 2-by-6-inch treated boards to the planned width of the hydroponic system and two 2-by-6-inch boards to the planned length of the system. Nail the boards together with three 16d nails at each corner, forming an open box frame, 6 inches high. Place the box on the ground, solid table or raised surface. The supporting surface should be smooth and free of any debris that might puncture the plastic liner.

2. Place a plastic sheet within the frame, extending the plastic beyond the frame on both the length and width. Do not fasten the sheeting in place at this time.

3. Pour 20 gallons of water into the frame. This pulls the plastic sheeting down into the bottom of the frame and causes it to fit to the corners of the frame.

4. Fasten the plastic sheeting to the top of the frame with 1/2-inch staples. Trim any excess plastic sheeting from around the frame.

5. Add and measure additional water to the frame until the water depth reaches 5 inches. Note the total amount of water held within the frame. This total is used to calculate the amount of nutrients to add to the water before using the system.

6. Cut a piece of 1 1/2-inch Styrofoam to fit loosely within the frame. Allow about 1/2 inch of space on each side of the Styrofoam to allow easy movement.

7. Cut holes in the Styrofoam to accommodate the net pots. Cut the holes in rows placed about 6 inches apart with the holes every 6 inches within the row. Use a sharp utility knife to cut the holes the same diameter as the net pots purchased for the hydroponic garden system.

8. Add nutrients to the water within the frame at the rate recommended by the producer of the micronutrients for each gallon of water.

Tips & Warnings

• Place plants with a started root system in the net baskets rather than starting the plants from seed. The bulk of the root mass remains above the water level of the floating hydroponic system with some of the fibers extending into the nutrient enriched water.

References

• University of Florida: Building a Floating Hydroponic Garden
• University of Florida: Growing Vegetables Without Soil