Hydroponics - 8 Must-Have Tools for Hydroponics Farming

Hydroponics is a method of growing plants without soil in which roots are suspended in a mineral nutrient water solution. There are numerous advantages to hydroponics over soil-less farming, including fast plant growth rate, high yield, occupying less space, consuming less water, and keeping the environment healthy due to the absence of fertilizers, herbicides, and pesticides. Commercial growers have used hydroponic systems for years, but many home gardeners are embracing the concept as a way to have year-round homegrown vegetables. If you're considering trying hydroponics, you're probably wondering what kind of hydroponic tools you'll need and how much this gardening method will cost.

Hydroponics Farming- 8 Must-Have Equipment for Hydroponic Farming

Let's Know What exactly is hydroponics farming

Commercial growers have used hydroponic systems for years, but many home gardeners are embracing the concept as a way to have year-round homegrown vegetables. If you're considering trying hydroponics, you're probably wondering what kind of hydroponic tools you'll need and how much this gardening method will cost.

Basic Tools and Equipment Needed for Hydroponic Farming

What you want to grow, your budget, the amount of space available, how much you want to harvest, and your time availability are all important considerations when setting up a hydroponic system.

1. Growing Container

The container for plant roots is the growing chamber. Depending on your preference, you can use fish tanks or trays. However, it is preferable to use opaque containers because too much light may be harmful to the roots. The chamber size is determined by the type of plant, the size of the plant root, and the type of hydroponic system.

2. Reservoir/ Flood Chamber

Choose a plant nutrient solution reservoir. The nutrient solution must be pumped from this reservoir to the growing chamber. Any plastic or glass container will suffice, but make sure that the plastic does not react with the nutrients/chemicals. Your reservoir should be lightproof (or else microbes will grow into it), so cover it with paint or colored paper. Plant nutrition products can be purchased online.

3. Submersible Pump

Submersible pumps are one of the essential pieces of equipment you'll need to build a hydroponic system. This pump is required to move nutrients (water) from the reservoir to the growing chamber. This equipment is available at a reasonable price in any hydroponic supply shop or garden supply store.

Remember that cleaning this pump once a month (which is simple) is critical to preventing nutrient contamination.

4. Delivery System

A delivery system is a connection that allows nutrition to be pumped to the roots of the plants in the growing chamber. This is the simplest structure you can construct using standard PVC tubing and connectors or blue/black vinyl tubing and connectors.

You could add sprayers or drip emitters. Make a couple of them at home if you can, as they clog easily. Purchasing emitters can be very expensive! Learn more about the drip irrigation system.

5. Simple Timer

When using artificial lights instead of natural sunlight, a timer is essential. It can assist you in keeping the off/on time of the light, drip, drain, flood, and aerobic system consistent. However, some aeroponics systems may require individual timers, so double-check.

6. Air Pumps

The installation of an air pump in a hydroponic system is optional. It is, however, inexpensive and widely available in aquarium supply stores. It aids in the delivery of oxygen to the plant's roots.

An air pump in a water culture system prevents plants from suffocating when their roots are submerged in nutrient solution 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Furthermore, the air pump's rising bubbles aid in the constant movement of nutrients in the water.

7. Grow Lights

Hydroponic systems do not require to grow lights. However, if you want to grow plants inside your home (indoor hydroponic system), you must use grow lights. The LED grow light is highly recommended for an indoor garden. LED grow lights differ from household lights in that they emit a specific color spectrum (similar to sunlight) and aid in photosynthesis.

8. Electronic Meters

Electronic meters accurately tell you the conductivity (ppm or EC), pH, or temperature of the nutrient solution - the three critical parameters essential to plant growth and health in any hydroponic system. There are pH testing kits available, as well as pH testing stripes, which are easily available from local pharmacies. Bluelab pens or hand-held meters are ideal for accurate solution testing in a small hydroponic system.