Build a Homemade Hydroponics System

If you're short on space, or your soil is so poor that it won't even grow weeds, you can skip the soil and grow using hydroponics methods.

You can buy a hydroponics system, or you can build one yourself.

This article discusses doing just that, building a homemade hydroponics system.

Begin by purchasing or scrounging the parts and supplies you'll need.

Then put it together and start growing your own crops, without soil.

Things You'll Need

Hydroponics nutrients - (Grow formula, Bloom formula, Supplements,)

External pump

Air line/tubing

Air stones

Water proof bin, bucket, fish tank to use as a reservoir

Sheet of Styrofoam (polystyrene)

Mesh Pots

Growing medium - Rockwool, Grow rocks, etc.

Black spray paint (only required if the reservoir is transparent)

Sharp object - Knife, box cutter, scissors (This is not a task for minors. Kids, get help from an adult.)

Steps

Only a few items are required to get you up and running in no time. (See the "Things You'll Need" section, above).

1. A rectangular reservoir is optimal. The top and bottom should have the same dimensions to promote even plant growth and nutrient distribution.

   Find a container to use as reservoir, such as a fish tank or a bin/bucket of some sort. (If at all possible, use a fish tank.)

   Allowing light to enter the reservoir will promote the growth of algae. To eliminate this problem, the reservoir should be painted black (or covered with a thick black trash bag if you want to reuse the tank) if it is not light-proof.

2. Spray paint the tank (if translucent) and let dry. Using your sharp object, score a line (scratch off some paint in a straight horizontal line) across the tank. This line will be your water level meter (that line allows you to see how much water is in the reservoir).

   Creating this line, however, is not necessary as you can determine how much water is in the reservoir simply by noticing how far down the polystyrene floater has sunk. Adding the line gives a more accurate and convenient view of the nutrient solution level.

3. 

   Use a tape measure to get the length and width of your reservoir. Measure the inside of the reservoir from one end to the other.

   Once you have the dimensions, cut the polystyrene 1/4" (6 mm) smaller than the size of the reservoir.

   For example, if your dimensions are 36" by 20", you should cut the polystyrene to 35 3/4" by 19 3/4".

   The polystyrene should fit nicely, with just enough room to adjust to water level changes.

4. If the reservoir tapers off at the bottom (the bottom is smaller in dimension than the top), the polystyrene floater should be 2"-4" (5-10 cm) smaller than the reservoir, or more if necessary.

5. Do not place the polystyrene in the reservoir yet.

   Cut the holes for the net pots. Place the net pots on the polystyrene where you want to set each plant. Using a pen or pencil, trace around the bottom of the net pots.

   Use your sharp tool to follow the trace lines and cut the holes for pots. (Kids! Get help from an adult.)

   On one end of the polystyrene (either end), cut a small hole for the air line to run into the reservoir.

6. The number of plants you can grow depends on the size of the garden you build and the types of crops you want to grow. Remember to space plants appropriately so that each receives ample light.

7. The pump you choose must be strong enough to provide enough oxygen to sustain plants. Ask for advice choosing a pump at your local hydroponics supply store. Tell them the size of your reservoir (in gallons - 2, 5, 10, or liters - 8, 20, 40, etc.) and they should be able to recommend a good pump.

   If you don't know the size of your reservoir, use a one gallon bucket/bottle or any container of known capacity and fill the reservoir. Count how much it takes to fill the reservoir and you will know the capacity of your reservoir.

8. Connect the air line to the pump and attach the air stone to the free end. The air line should be long enough to travel from the pump into the bottom of the reservoir or at least float in the middle somewhere so the oxygen bubbles can get to the roots.

   It also must be the right size for the pump you choose. Most pumps will come with the correct size air line.

Setting It Up

1. Fill the reservoir with nutrient solution.
2. Place the polystyrene in the tank.
3. Run the air line through the hole/notch you cut in the polystyrene.
4. Fill the net pots with growing medium and place one plant in each pot.
5. Place the net pots into the holes in the polystyrene.
6. Turn on/plug-in the pump and start growing with your fully functional, homemade hydroponics system.

Tip

A homemade hydroponics system like this is not ideal for a large scale production or commercial usage. This particular system does not offer a way to conveniently change nutrient solution. You'll need an extra container to hold the floater while you change the solution.

Plant growth usually reduces the pH of the water drastically, so be sure to check pH with a dropper kit.

Make sure to protect your reservoir from light in order to discourage the growth of algae, which can disrupt growth of your plants by diverting oxygen to the wrong plants.

Warning

Be careful when cutting polystyrene with a box cutter or knife. Although it's a relatively soft material and does not require deep cuts, a small misstep can still cause a lot of finger/hand pain.

Kids should not build this system alone. Please get help from an adult when using sharp or heavy objects.

A Video on Building a Hydroponics System

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Parts of How to Build a Homemade Hydroponics System provided by wikiHow, a wiki how-to manual. Content on wikiHow can be shared under a Creative Commons license.

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