How to Create a Hydroponic Garden

For someone starting out, the ebb and flow hydroponics gardening system is probably one of the easiest systems to build and maintain. Typically the ebb and flow system comprises of a growing tray, water reservoir, water pump and a timer.

The water is passed up to the growing tray by a pump and then released back to the water reservoir by means of the timer and the water pump. The tray holds growing supplements like grow rocks, clay pebbles, coconut fibers or rockwool into which the plants are placed. The following explains how to build a basic ebb and flow hydroponics gardening system.

Items Necessary to Build a Hydroponics System

The items needed to build a hydroponic garden can be obtained at most hardware stores.

Water tank: A second hand fish tank is ideal to use as the water tank for the hydroponics system. It should be placed under the growing table to allow the water to flow back into the tank.

Hydroponics growing tray: Avoid using a metal tray as this can rust and could affect the nutrition of the plants. A plastic tray is ideal. It should be deep enough to house the growing supplements. Some people have successfully made a growing tray out of a series of PVC plastic gutters laid out alongside each other. Plant pots with holes in the bottom can be placed in the growing tray to contain the growing supplements and the plant instead of putting them directly into the growing tray.

Structure to support the growing tray: This can be an old table or work bench, as long as it is strong enough to support the weight of the growing tray when filled with growing supplements and water.

Tubing: Plastic tubing will work as long as it is not clear tubing. Clear tubing is prone to algae growth and will clog up the hydroponics system. A length of garden hose will work as long as it can be connected to the pump and other fittings. Connect one end of a length of tubing to the bottom of the growing tray and the other end to the pump. A second length of pipe should act as an overflow, allowing the water to flow back into the water tank.

Water pump and timer: The timer should be able to switch the pump on for 15 to 30 minute intervals. A simple aquarium pump should be adequate for a small hydroponic garden. If the pump is too strong, the water won’t drain quickly enough out of the overflow pipe.

Growing supplement or growing medium: This is the medium that holds the plants in place while they grow. It can be grow rocks, clay pebbles, coconut fibers or rockwool. Growing supplement or growing medium can be bought a a gardening shop.

A small garden doesn’t require a lot of space and can be easily set up on the balcony of an apartment building as long as there is sufficient sun. A hydroponic garden can be ideal for elderly people or people with back problems, as the table can be set at a height that doesn’t require bending down. This type garden can be a lot of fun to build, so get the children involved. Why not turn the building of a hydroponic garden into an educational family project?

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