Hydroponics 101

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.

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THIS. THIS IS HYDROPONICS

As I said in my last post, I am spending the second half of my first week actually designing the system that I will be building and figuring out what materials and tools I will need to put it together the right way. I will be building an Ebb and Flow system, where the system automatically floods with water about 2-3 times a day. With this system, a small water pump is submerged in a basin and pumps water into a flood/grow table (where the plants actually are), and then allows the water to slowly drain out, leaving the roots moistened by not constantly submerged (which helps protect against root rot).
For the design that I plan on building, I will need:

• 2 plastic tubs (opaque)
• If these are not opaque, get plastic or spray paint to cover them with
• Clay grow media 
• Small submersible water pump
• 1/2" water hose 
• 1/2" PVC pipe
• Outlet timer 
• 2 x 4 planks
• UV grow light 
• Nails 

Tools: 

• Drill

Digital Design Model

The two plastic tubs will be positioned on top of each other, one acting as the water basin and the other the grow table (where the plants go). The top tub will have three holes drilled in the bottom, and the other one will have them drilled in the top. Through one of these holes the water pump will be able to pump water into the grow table while the others allow the table to drain. Around the outside of the tubs I will be building a wooden frame to serve two purposes: Stabilize the tubs, and hold UV lights (This system will be inside and might not always get another natural sunlight). The outside frame isn't integral to the design, but will still be helpful for the aforementioned reasons.

I have ordered the supplies that I need, and now all I need to do before I start building is carve out some time and get the rest of the supplies. To show how I build it and to further explain the design and how a Ebb and Flow hydroponic system work, I'll post a video blog of the construction along with an explanation on how everything works. Wish me luck!