HydroponicsSupply.net is dedicated to providing you with the hydroponic supplies and information so that you can have a successful hydroponic garden. We know that there are many choices on the internet for hydroponics supplies, but much of it is confusing and not very well organized. Our goal is to provide quality information so that you can make the best decision based on your needs and desires. Please feel free to leave a comment or feedback so that we can better serve you.
Hydroponic Supplies – What do you need to start your hydroponics garden
If you have decided to start your own hydroponic garden, then you will want to get the right hydroponic supplies for your needs. First you will have to decide what type of garden that you want, how many plants that you would like to grow, and how much space that you will dedicate to your garden.
There are 5 different types of hydroponic gardens that people use to grow with. These types are:
- Ebb and Flow (also called Flood and Drain)
- Deep Water Submersion Method
- The Drip Method
- Aeroponics
- Aquaponics
Ebb and Flow
In the Ebb and Flow systems, plants sit in a “flood tray” that is separate from the water/nutrient reservoir. The plants are fed by way of a pump that delivers nutrient from the water reservoir to the plants for a predetermined amount of time. Afterwords, the nutrient drains back into the reservoir until the next time that is set for feeding.
Deep Water Submersion
In this hydroponics method, plants sit directly in the nutrient solution. Many times this happens through holes cut directly into the top of the water reservoir. Special pots are used to hold the plants so that they are properly supported and their roots can grow freely in the reservoir.
The Drip Method
The Drip Method uses tubes to deliver nutrient to the plants in a slow and steady fashion. Many times in this method, plants are held in individual pots, and have small tubes delivering food to each plant. This method is not only great for those who want to grow hydroponics, but also for soil growers as well, since the soil can soak up the nutrient and deliver it to the plant efficiently.
Aeroponics
This method is not really hydroponics, since the roots of the plants are allowed to grow freely in the air, but it still uses the basic hydroponic structure, so it can be classified here as well. Aeroponics uses tiny sprayers to spray the plants with the nutrient, and deliver food. This method has been very successful for growers, since plant roots need oxygen to grow and flourish.
Aquaponics
Aquaponics can be added to any of the methods above, with one variation. Instead of a nutrient solution used in the reservoirs to feed the plants. Actual fish are used. The waste from the fish is actually perfect food for plants, so this method ends up being its own mini ecosystem. Aquaponics can take a little more time to get set up and running, but many hydroponics growers swear by this method citing that it uses less chemicals, and is better for the environment.
Once you have decided on the type of hydroponics system that you would like to run in your own garden, the next thing to do is to figure out how many plants you would like to grow, and how much space you will dedicate to your garden.
After that, the process of getting all of the hydroponic supplies becomes a necessity. Below is a basic list of the supplies that you will need to get started:
- Reservoir
- Air Circulator
- Water Pump
- Grow Lights
- Various tubes and fittings
- Flood Tray (for Ebb and Flow Systems)
- Nutrient
- Seeds or Clones
That is basically it. Of course the specific supplies will change depending on the type of hydroponics system that you use. Once you put all of your hydroponic supplies together, you will be well on your way to growing your own plants and having an endless supply of quality produce that you grew yourself.
