Home Hydroponics, the easy way!


If you are interested in building a complete and inexpensive home hydroponics system then this is the place for you! hydroponic system

So... where to start? Let's start at the beginning.

Hydroponic systems have been around for centuries. The Aztecs designed floating rafts covered with dirt in which they planted food crops. The dirt was taken from the bottom of the lake so it was loaded with nutrients and the roots of the planted crops would dangle into the lake for water.

These rafts would just float around until harvest time. It has even been suggested that the famous 'Gardens of Babylon' were elaborate hydroponic systems.

Hydroponics, or 'soiless gardening', was always a mystery to me - it brought to mind warehouses full of supporting equipment and multi-thousands of dollars to keep it running.

This may be true for some of the larger commercial enterprises but not for the home-builder.

Simple home growing systems can be built completely on your own even if you have little to no mechanical ability such as myself. They can be as simple as a glass jar, an aquarium air-bubbler and some plant nutrient to grow one plant or can consist of a 5 gallon cooler, an aquarium air bubbler, nutrient and something to float the plants on such as styrofoam.

My Home-Built Systems

hydroponic system








This is a picture of 2 growing systems in my portable greenhouse; one I purchased and one I virtually built by myself.

Both systems are an ebb and flow design also known as a flood/drain system. The system in the foreground uses 2 separate growing containers holding an amazing number of plants and the background system is designed for 1 plant per container for 12 containers. They are very compact and easy to maintain.

Combined, both systems grew 9 basil plants, 11 parsely, 6 carribean scotch bonnet pepper plants, 3 cilantro and 3 green pepper plants.

Or it can be as complex as a water pump on a timer periodically pumping in nutrient solution to groups of plants arranged in a container.

In other words, once you get past the idea that plants NEED soil to grow properly you can design and build any number of systems for yourself. The sky is the limit!

Just think of soil merely as the means to anchor a plant - it is the mineral salts mixed with the soil that plants need to grow.

So feel free to make yourself at home and 'browse' to your heart's content.

Hopefully you will glean some valuable information and either build your own system or gain the knowledge to select a good pre-made system.

Have Questions?

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References

  • Nicholls, Richard E., "Hydroponics - Soiless Gardening". Running Press (1990).
  • Crockett, James Underwood, "Vegetables and Fruits, The Time-Life Encyclopedia of Gardening", Time, Inc. (1972)
  • Crockett, James Underwood, Tanner, Ogden, "Herbs, The Time-Life Encyclopedia of Gardening", Time, Inc. (1977)
  • Crockett, James Underwood, "Greenhouse Gardening, The Time-Life Encyclopedia of Gardening", Time, Inc. (1977)
  • Connolly, Bryan, "The Wisdom of Plant Heritage: Organic Seed Production and Saving", Northeast Organic Farming Assoc. (2004)

Site Map

Policies of Hydroponics-at-Home.com
Policies of Hydroponics-at-Home.com including Disclaimer, Privacy and Terms of Use

General Hydroponics, an Overview
This section, General Hydroponics, is meant to give you a little background so you can better design and maintain your hydroponics systems

Hydroponics Nutrients
Hydroponics Nutrients are a blend of all the essential minerals needed to sustain a plant

Hydroponic Lighting Systems explained!
Indoor Hydroponic Lighting systems are state-of-the-art with much to choose from.

Hydroponics Plant Propagation
Plant propagation in a hydroponics system is fairly easy provided you follow certain basic rules.

Hydroponics Growing Medium
The main purpose of a Hydroponics Growing Medium is to anchor the plant.

Keeping a complete hydroponics system running smoothly
Keeping a complete hydroponics system running smoothly and efficiently

Build your own Hydroponics System; an Ebb and Flow Design
Build your own Hydroponics System; an ebb and flow, timer-controlled design

Mittleider Hydroponics Grow Box Design
The Mittleider Hydroponics Grow Box incorporates both soil and soiless gardening. Here's how...

Setting up Greenhouse Hydroponics
How to build a portable, seasonal greenhouse for greenhouse hydroponics

Privacy Policy of Hydroponics-at-Home.com
Privacy Policy of Hydroponics-at-Home.com

About the Author
About the Author of Hydroponics-at-Home.com and how he was led to Hydroponics gardening

Useful garden links to sites of interest
Garden links and hydroponic links to quality websites

Gardening Videos
Gardening Videos on gardening techniques whether for dirt or hydroponics

Hydroponic FAQ
Questions and answers about hydroponic systems; a hydroponic FAQ

Hydroponics Feedback for Hydroponics-At-Home.com
Leave Hydroponics Feedback including questions, comments and concerns regarding Hydroponics-at-Home.com

Beneficial Insects
There are beneficial insects in your garden as well as the nuisance insects - use them to your advantage

Build a Home Hydroponics Container System
Step by step instructions to build a home hydroponics container system that requires low maintenence.

Heirloom Seeds and Vegetables
Heirloom seeds are of those varieties handed down through the generations and genetically distinct from modern hybrids

The Grow Room
A grow room will give you complete control over your plants.

Cost of Electricity
Calculate the cost of electricity per month for grow room lighting.

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