Peloquin Homestead

A home hydroponic system is a revolutionary method for growing that uses water instead of using soil. The plants are held together in a substrate called Rockwell. It allows for the roots to clump together while being able to hold the nutrients the plants need.

These systems are great because you can keep your vitamins and other nitrate levels set to what you want. It is also ideal for indoor growing. They can also be incorporated into much larger systems that require little to no maintenance.

Getting Started with a Home Hydroponic System

Purchasing a hydroponic system can be a very pricey endeavor. There are many different systems that you can purchase. Some of these pre-built systems can be expensive. If budget is an issue, you can also build your own for a fraction of the price. 

When you go to look up homemade systems you find a huge variety of different methods out there. Some of these while they may look great are highly impractical. You can make a very effective system just by using PVC piping. PVC piping is cheap and is very strong.

It is important to make sure that you get piping that is the right size for the project. If you get piping that is too big it could be difficult to keep your plants in an upright position. The piping should allow for the free flow of water. It will also act as a guide to help your plants grow without stressing them out.   

Once you have your piping you will want to cut holes on one side of the piping. The holes should be big enough to allow you to take your plants out. The thing you want to pay attention to when you are cutting the holes is that they’re properly spaced.

Getting Started with a Home Hydroponic System

As the plants grow the root systems will expand as well. You don’t want to have different root systems joining together. If this happens roots can cut off other roots and start destroying each other. You want to allow a couple of inches between each plant hole to prevent this from occurring.

Root care is one of the most important things to stay on top of when you grow with hydroponics. If the roots get damaged they will not be able to gather the necessary nutrients. Damage to the roots can also stress out the plants. It can cause them to have stunted growth and a smaller yield than you are looking for.

Building a Home Hydroponic System

The placement of the PVC pipe should be at a slight angle to allow you to replace the water. To have a successful system you have to watch out for mold and other kinds of fungus. The water you are using is the perfect place for mold to grow. Mold will destroy your plants while presenting a health hazard to you. To get this angle you have two options that are the easiest.

You can use a wood frame or you can have the piping hanging from a beam. The hanging method tends to be the easiest and most cost-effective way to go. Using a chain or ropes you can adjust the height and angle of the piping. You don’t want to have the piping at a super steep angle. You want it just enough that you can easily let the water drain out. A scheduled draining session will make sure that you can prevent the spread and cultivation of mold in your system.  

Using a Home Hydroponic System

When it comes to using a home hydroponic system the key rests in nutrient levels. With soil, the soil itself helps retain these nutrients while supplying the plant with some of its own. With water, this doesn’t happen. The basic levels of nutrients that you find in water aren’t enough for your plants. You will have to add your nutrient mix to compensate for this.

It is very important that when you are doing this you pay close attention to the plants themselves. The way a plant is growing can tell you what it is lacking. You may find that you have to adjust nutrient levels a few times.

A lot of factors can go into what you need. You will want to avoid chlorinated water and check the hardness of the water. The easiest way to apply the nutrient mix is to pour it at the high point of your system. This will allow it to flow down to the other plants. 

This home hydroponic system allows for to play around and experiment with different ways of setting it up. A popular method with people who are building these systems is to add a couple of fish tanks to them. The fish tanks act as a reservoir to supply water to the plants.

Fish Tanks in a Home Hydroponic System

With fish tanks, the fish waste acts as a fertilizer for the plants. This makes it easier to maintain a good level of nutrients for your plants. Depending on the fish you decide to use you can even set up a self-contained system. This won’t require a lot of work.

This style system can help you save money on your first go at hydroponics. The size and dimensions are all based on the space you have and how many plants you want to grow. Just remember the tips mentioned in this article and you’ll have your system in no time.