How To Hydroponics

What you should do first is take some time to just learn a little bit about what the hydroponics hobby in general is and what it can offer you. Basically what the term hydroponics refers to is just the growing of plants but there are some additional aspects that we want to look at as well.

Specifically hydroponics is a method used to grow plants utilizing mineral rich nutrient solutions without using any dirt. This is why hydroponics is such a favored method of growing plants indoors.

In order to grow homemade hydroponics properly,and for a relatively inexpensive cost, you will need to look at getting some supplies that are essential. I am providing a list of essentials that can get you set up to grow with hydroponics quickly and cheaply.

1. 10 gallon aquarium
2. small fish tank pump
3. check valve
4. a bubble stone
5. Styrofoam about 2 inches thick big enough to cover aquarium
6. posterboard
7. air filter
8. clear silicone caulk
9. bag of gravel
10. your potted herbs
11. If you choose not to put your aquarium in a window then you will need grow lights as well. This can exponentially increase the cost of your homemade hydroponics though.

1. The first thing that you need to do to set up your hydroponic tank is cover the glass on the fish tank. You do this by cutting pieces of the posterboard the same size as the glass panels. When you get them cut, fit them in and tape the edges. You want to make sure that all the edges are sealed as no light should get into the tank.

2. The second thing you might want to do is take some contact paper of the design that you favor and place it over the posterboard just for aesthetic appeal. It should also help to keep out more light.

3. The next thing that you want to do is to cut your Styrofoam so it will closely fit around all edges of the inside of the tank. You don't want to type so that when you pour water into the tank it won't rise to the top, but you wanted tight enough so that light cannot enter the water.

4. Next you are going to want to drill the holes into the Styrofoam piece that you cut. The holes need to be the same size as the inside of the upper ridge of your planter pot. This is so that when you go to place your planters in the holes they will not fall through but rest on the edge of the Styrofoam.

5. Before we get too carried away, we need to stop and silicone the airline into one of the corners. First you want to place the bubble stone into the bottom of the tank, and run the hose from the connection on the bubble stone along the bottom and up the corner. Next you want to put a piece of tape at the upper corner to hold the hose in place. When you have the hose secured you then want to unplug it from the bubble stone and move it out of the way. You then take your silicone gun and run a small bead up the corner. After this is accomplished take your finger and smooth it out. You then want to gently press the tube into the silicone and let it sit overnight, be sure that there is enough there to reach the bubble stone.

6. The next day you want to start off by setting up the aeration system. Take the hose and hook it back up to the bubble stone and place it in the bottom of the tank. After this is done you want to connect the other end of the hose to the pump.

7. The next step entails placing the Styrofoam in the bottom of the tank and then filling it up with water until the Styrofoam reaches the top edge of the tank.

The next up process is to get your plants ready for the pots. Take your plants and loosen up the soil around the roots by placing them in water. You then want to tear loose the filler material and rinse both the roots and the gravel clean using clean water.

After this is done and you have the gravel and the roots clean take some paper towels and wet them down thoroughly. When they are thoroughly wet gently wrap up the root wads with the wet paper towels. Carefully then place them into their pots and placed the rinsed gravel around them until they're standing up by themselves.

When this is accomplished place the pots into the holes in the Styrofoam which you had cut.

if you're using lights then you just need to place the terrarium where you want it to be located, and hang the lights above your plants. If you're not using lights then simply place your new hydroponic set up in close proximity to a well lighted window.

When this is accomplished besides giving you plant the proper nourishment all you need to do is sit back and watch the show.