Post by admin on Sept 3, 2007 20:02:35 GMT -5
How To Build A Homemade Hydroponics System
If you would like to know how to build a homemade hydroponics system, the first thing to know is that it is simple and inexpensive. The second is, what type of system to build? There are several to choose from, each with advantages and disadvantages.
Most people opt to build an "ebb and flow" hydroponics system - simple, inexpensive, low-maintenance and suitable for growing a wide variety of plants. Also called a "flood and drain" system, a pump with a timer regularly floods the planting tray with a nutrient-enriched solution which then drains back into a reservoir. As it drains, growth-promoting oxygen - also a vital part of hydroponics - is pulled in around the roots.
Although you can build this hydroponics system using specialist hydroponics equipment and supplies, available online or from specialty gardening stores, there's no need. At the end of the day, a "hydroponics pump" is a pump, and any container with the right strength and dimensions for your plants works as well as a "hydroponics planting tray." In fact, everything you need to build this homemade ebb and flow system should be available locally and inexpensively.
The basic components you need to build a homemade hydroponics systems are:
A good source of natural or artificial light.
Planting tray strong enough to support the weight of your plants and wet growing material, such as a PVC tote.
Growing medium such as vermiculite, coconut fibre, rockwool or grow rocks, which retain moisture but drain well.
A reservoir/drainage container to hold and recapture the nutrient solution, such as another tote placed under the planting tray. Choose a dark-colored container to minimise algae growth.
A pump to flood the planting trays with the nutrient-rich solution. Again, there's no need to buy a hydroponics pump - an aquarium pump works as well.
Two pieces of tubing, one to deliver the nutrient solution from the pump to the planting tray and the other to drain it back into the reservoir.
A timer to turn the pump on and off at regular intervals (typically four to eight times a day).
Plant pots (optional). You can place individual pots in the planting tray instead of filling it with growing material - ideal for decorative plants that you would like to be able to display. Pots should be gently sterilized and left to dry.
It should cost no more than $50 to build this homemade hydroponics system. The next step is to learn about nutrients, and how often to flood the planting tray. This will vary according to the type of plants you want to grow. Thanks to the popularity of hydroponics, plenty of plant-specific information is available online, as well as more detailed guides on how to build a homemade hydroponics system.
Copyright 2007 Jenny Green
Jenny Green has been a keen hydroponic gardener for many years using homemade hydroponics systems and hopes her articles inspire others to discover the many benefits and pleasures of hydroponic gardening. www.homemadehydroponicsreview.com/
If you would like to know how to build a homemade hydroponics system, the first thing to know is that it is simple and inexpensive. The second is, what type of system to build? There are several to choose from, each with advantages and disadvantages.
Most people opt to build an "ebb and flow" hydroponics system - simple, inexpensive, low-maintenance and suitable for growing a wide variety of plants. Also called a "flood and drain" system, a pump with a timer regularly floods the planting tray with a nutrient-enriched solution which then drains back into a reservoir. As it drains, growth-promoting oxygen - also a vital part of hydroponics - is pulled in around the roots.
Although you can build this hydroponics system using specialist hydroponics equipment and supplies, available online or from specialty gardening stores, there's no need. At the end of the day, a "hydroponics pump" is a pump, and any container with the right strength and dimensions for your plants works as well as a "hydroponics planting tray." In fact, everything you need to build this homemade ebb and flow system should be available locally and inexpensively.
The basic components you need to build a homemade hydroponics systems are:
A good source of natural or artificial light.
Planting tray strong enough to support the weight of your plants and wet growing material, such as a PVC tote.
Growing medium such as vermiculite, coconut fibre, rockwool or grow rocks, which retain moisture but drain well.
A reservoir/drainage container to hold and recapture the nutrient solution, such as another tote placed under the planting tray. Choose a dark-colored container to minimise algae growth.
A pump to flood the planting trays with the nutrient-rich solution. Again, there's no need to buy a hydroponics pump - an aquarium pump works as well.
Two pieces of tubing, one to deliver the nutrient solution from the pump to the planting tray and the other to drain it back into the reservoir.
A timer to turn the pump on and off at regular intervals (typically four to eight times a day).
Plant pots (optional). You can place individual pots in the planting tray instead of filling it with growing material - ideal for decorative plants that you would like to be able to display. Pots should be gently sterilized and left to dry.
It should cost no more than $50 to build this homemade hydroponics system. The next step is to learn about nutrients, and how often to flood the planting tray. This will vary according to the type of plants you want to grow. Thanks to the popularity of hydroponics, plenty of plant-specific information is available online, as well as more detailed guides on how to build a homemade hydroponics system.
Copyright 2007 Jenny Green
Jenny Green has been a keen hydroponic gardener for many years using homemade hydroponics systems and hopes her articles inspire others to discover the many benefits and pleasures of hydroponic gardening. www.homemadehydroponicsreview.com/