How to Start a Homemade Hydroponics System

Overview

Hydroponics systems allow you to grow plants indoors in a small space without the need for soil. Instead of soil, hydroponics uses a nutrient solution that is mixed in water to provide the nutrition needed for your plants to grow. One of the simplest, and cheapest, ways to start a hydroponics garden is using the buckets system. Using 5 gallon buckets and an air pump to keep the solution moving, this simple system is cheap and easy to execute.

Step 1

Place your pot on top of the lid of your bucket and draw a hole that is wide enough to allow the pot to hang into the bucket but not fall through. Cut out the circle of plastic from the lid.

Step 2

Drill a hole into the lid the size of the air hose and feed the air hose through.

Step 3

Fill the inside of the bucket with your nutrient solution, mixed according to the instructions on the label and to your specific plant's needs.

Step 4

Attach the air hose to the air pump and place the air pump outside of the bucket. Connect the other end of the hose to the air stone and feed the air stone to the bottom of the bucket. Turn on the air pump and test its functionality.

Step 5

Fill the mesh pot with your potting mixture and moisten it with a small amount of nutrient solution. Place your plant inside the potting medium and place the pot in the hole at the top of the bucket.