subject: Homemade Hydroponics System [print this page] Homemade Hydroponics System Homemade Hydroponics System
According to the Britannica Concise Encyclopedia, Hydroponics defined as the cultivation of plants in nutrient-enriched water, with or without the mechanical support of an inert medium such as sand or gravel. Fertilizer solution is pumped through the system periodically. As the plants grow, concentration of the solution and frequency of pumping are increased. A wide variety of vegetables and florist crops can be grown satisfactorily in gravel. Automatic watering and fertilizing saves on labor, but installation costs are high and fertilizer solution must be tested frequently. Yields are about the same as for soil-grown crops.
It is entirely possible to build a homemade hydroponics system, given that it is both simple is economical. It is necessary to know though what type of system to use, because there are several hydroponic systems to choose from.
Usually, a homemade hydroponic system is built using the Ebb and Flow system which is extremely simple, inexpensive, requires low maintenance, and is adequate for cultivating quite a variety of plants. The Ebb and Flow system is also known as the Flood and Drain system, which a pump fitted with a timer that regularly moistens the planting tray with the nutrient solution. The solution then drains back into the reservoir. In the process, the plant roots are oxygenated, which is a very vital part of hydroponics.
Although you can use the Ebb and Flow method for your homemade hydroponic system, and use special supplies that are available at online or other special gardening stores, there is no need to spend unnecessarily! After all, a hydroponics pump is just an ordinary device, and any container with the appropriate strength and dimensions for your plants would suffice for you homemade hydroponics system.
Following are the items that you need for a good homemade hydroponics system:
Powerful natural or artificial lighting, such as grow lights
An adequate growing medium such as expanded clay pebbles, rockwool, vermiculite or coconut fiber
A strong container to use as a planting tray
A dark-colored container another tote will do for your "reservoir. This should be placed under the planting tray for storing and recapturing the nutrient solution.
Dark-colored tubing for providing the nutrient solution to the planting tray, and for drainage back to the reservoir
Wire meshes to wrap around the ends of the tubes, to avoid clogging with grow media.
Silicone to close the holes where the tubing is inserted into the planting tray
A pump working at least at 500 liters per hour to regularly moisten the planting tray with the nutrient solution. An aquarium pump would work well as a hydroponics pump for your homemade hydroponics system.
A 24-hour timer to operate the pump 4 to 8 times a day, with 15 minute and 30 minute "on" time options.
As an alternate to filling the planting tray with grow media, you can replenish individual plant pots and set them in the tray.
Your homemade hydroponics system should cost no more than $50 to build! Happy Gardening!
