Several materials are needed for starting hydroponics and if you can manage them properly, you will be able to run the project successfully. So, let’s go on to reading about the materials which are most important for you to start your job.
Buckets: Firstly, the most important material for you is the bucket. Without it, you will not be able to start your hydroponics system. The bucket can be whichever you wish, but choose the size accordingly. If you want to grow more plants in one bucket, you need to have large sized bucket for better results. Select a good, sturdy bucket. After all, it will contain essential nutrients, so you don’t want anything that will crack or have holes. There are a variety of vegetables bayou can grow like squash, cucumbers, and tomatoes.
Trays: The type of tray will vary depending on the method you’ve selected, drip systems are one type where trays are used. The trays can be with holes and without holes also, as these two types of trays are being used for different types of hydroponics systems. The trays with holes will help you to filter water and nutrients to your plants from your pond directly and absorbed by the roots of the plants. Plants which have long roots are the perfect plants for trays.
The trays which have no holes are for other types of hydroponics systems. Plants which have short roots are the perfect plants for these types of trays. Choose the tray according to your hydroponic system thusly, or it will serve no purpose.
Pump: As with the trays, different types of submersible pumps are also needed for you to run the hydroponics system. If you fail to select the best pumps, you will also fail to run your project successfully. Many pumps can be found through various companies, but you should select one from a reputable company. Find something guaranteed, with a warranty or return policy and perhaps read the reviews from previous customers first. This will eliminate any doubts on the quality of the product. Choose a submersible pump to help you with your system.
Lights: You need to have different types of lights which will assist in the proper growth of your plants. The lights will act as sunshine. Without lights, your plants will not be able to grow, which defeats the whole purpose of this project. Actually, for the indoor hydroponics system the lights are very urgent because there is not enough light for the proper growth of your plants. If you reside somewhere there is a shortage of daylight, you need to have artificial lights for the proper growth of the plants. You need to use red and blue lights for your garden because these types of lights provide the waves which are very important for the proper growth of your plants. The lights will be able to illuminate around 12 inches, so you should place the plants 12 inches away from one another.
Kit: You should have pH testing kits for your garden, otherwise you will fail to measure the pH accurately. If you can’t manage the pH properly, you will not be able to grow your plants, as they will die from too much acidity. The pH needs to be balanced for the plants to thrive. This is mandatory. You can get the kits from pharmacies among other stores.
Nutrient solutions: You already know that for the hydroponic system you won’t be using soil, but nutrients are still required. There are some major nutrients for like phosphorus, potassium, and nitrogen. You can get these major nutrients from fertilizers. But there are likely some minor nutrients which you can’t get from fertilizers. The minor nutrients are iron, boron, copper, zinc, manganese, molybdenum, and chloride, etc. Without these mandatory nutrients, the hydroponic system will not be successful.
Timers: For the hydroponic system, the timers are also very important tools for you. Actually, the supplementation of water needs to be in proper time; otherwise it will be harmful for the growth of your plants. The pump which you will need to use should power on and power of in proper timing. In addition, timers can control the fans, pumps, and also the light’s timing. But be careful about that; you need to use a high duty timer for the controlling of lights. Proper use of a timer will help you to get the best growth of your plants; used incorrectly, and it will cause harm for your hydroponics system.