With literally thousands of hydroponic websites, systems, nutrients, pumps, lights, etc., it is easy for someone to get overwhelmed with all the choices and price points. A good rule of thumb to remember is that hydroponics is a very old science and it has been around for thousands of years. Any bucket, some water and fertilizer and you should be good to go, after all the ancient people of Rome and Babylon didn't have access to all these whiz bang inventions. It's best not to over-complicate your hydroponic garden especially if you're just starting out. Start small and affordable, remember you have to add up the cost of the nutrients and other supplies you will use during your growing cycle for a good total cost of ownership and that is doesn't break the bank.
A simple Deep Water Culture system (DWC) is a great method for introducing you to hydroponics and they are very affordable to start. DWC requires only a few items for getting your system up and running and doesn't take up a lot of space either. Basically DWC's consist of a bucket for your reservoir, a lid with a hole cut out, a net pot with clay pebbles, a seedling in rockwool, an air pump, air hose, water aerator and a grow light. Most of these items are available at your local hardware store and aquarium shop with the exception of clay pebbles perhaps which can be ordered online.
The reservoir is filled just high enough so that the water bubbles from the aerator splash the bottom of the roots, you do not want to fill the reservoir all the way up as you don't want the rockwool holding your seedling to be soaked all the time, the goal is to wet just the roots. Most plants do very well using the DWC method and its a perfect method for someone just starting out in hydroponics.
A simple Deep Water Culture system (DWC) is a great method for introducing you to hydroponics and they are very affordable to start. DWC requires only a few items for getting your system up and running and doesn't take up a lot of space either. Basically DWC's consist of a bucket for your reservoir, a lid with a hole cut out, a net pot with clay pebbles, a seedling in rockwool, an air pump, air hose, water aerator and a grow light. Most of these items are available at your local hardware store and aquarium shop with the exception of clay pebbles perhaps which can be ordered online.
The reservoir is filled just high enough so that the water bubbles from the aerator splash the bottom of the roots, you do not want to fill the reservoir all the way up as you don't want the rockwool holding your seedling to be soaked all the time, the goal is to wet just the roots. Most plants do very well using the DWC method and its a perfect method for someone just starting out in hydroponics.
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