Week 1: What in the world is Hydroponics?

Before I may begin the actual construction of hydroponic system or being growing plants, I need to dig into (hah - dirt pun) the topic and figure out the best course of action. Going into this all I have is basic build experience, and general knowledge about how to keep plants from dying. After doing some research, there are a few things that you need to know: what system to use, what plants to grow, what nutrients they need, and how to get your plants started. 

When It comes to systems there are four distinct systems that are widely used (there are others, but those are less common)...

Wick System: A wick brings water up to the roots of the plant from basin of water 

Pros: Low cost, easy to maintain, no electricity required 
Cons: Slower than dirt 

Deep Water System: Roots are suspended in water and contently aerated

Pros: low maintenance, compact 

Cons: small margin of error, root rot 

NFT System: Water is continuously run over the roots 

Pros: cheap, little maintenance, efficient 

Cons: very, very small margin of error, takes up a lot of space, root rot

Ebb and Flow System: Plants are in a grow basin which is flooded and drained periodically 

Pros: low maintenance, large margin of error, efficient 

Cons: malfunctions 

Things which are similar between all of the systems are that they require no dirt. That's it, also that someone how they deliver water and nutrients to the roots of the plants. For this project I have decided to go with an Ebb and Flow system. After all of my research, Ebb and Flow appears to have the largest margin of error while also being easy to put together and maintain. Because, unlike in the other systems, the roots are not continuously submerged, the chances of root rot accruing are lower. 

Buying an Ebb and Flow system pre-made is pretty pricey ($300 pricey), so to meet my meager (an in my opinion much more reasonable budget) I will be building the system myself. Exactly what the best way to build the system is, I have yet to discover, but that’s what the second half of this week is for.