DIY DWC (deep water culture)

The simplest hydroponics. A plant in a cup of clay pellets with holes on the bottom sitting in a solo cup of nutrient solution. An air-pump is used to keep the nutrient solution circulated and oxygenated. Roots like it, pests and diseases do not.

Reuse plastic containers

Plastic lidded storage totes are typically used to make DIY DWC (Deep Water Culture). There many tutorials on this topic, so I won't replicate them here. My latest version uses an empty plastic kitty litter container. Reusing plastic containers to make simple hydroponics systems is by far the least expensive way to get growing. When reusing containers consider that there is a possibility that the plastic will break down over time and may leach into the system. Also, be judicious about which types of containers you choose to reuse. I feel that the kitty litter container is safe enough after being thoroughly cleaned but obviously any container that once held anything toxic should be recycled appropriately.

Recirculating Drip Systems options

Recirculating systems are very inexpensive, modular, and very effective. The recirculating system is the same as a DWC (Deep Water Culture) system with the inclusion of water being pumped over the rooting medium. The best systems use a single air-pump to both aerate the nutrient solution and pump the water up over the rooting medium. Let's take a look at our options:

A single module completely off-the-shelf: General Hydroponics Complete Single WaterFarm Kit

or

dive immediately into their complete system: General Hydroponics Complete 8-pack WaterFarm Kit

or

Most economical choice is a DIY Drip System partially off-the-shelf:



• 5 gallon bucket ( new, or thoroughly cleaned )

• with lid ( cut holes in the lid ) or hydroponics bucket lid basket (various sizes)

• aquarium air-pump ( 1/4" vinyl tubing comes with their kit: )

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