Hydroponics

The word Hydroponics is derived from the Greek word Hudor for water, and Ponos meaning labor, thus meaning working with water. Hydroponics has been in use for nearly 300 years by a man named John Woodward. It wasn't until the 1930's that Dr. William R. Gericke, an American professor, set up outdoor growing units, producing tomato plants with a height of 25 feet tall. In 1944 the United States government actually began using hydroponics as a way to feed the U.S. troops in the pacific. 0.6 acres provided vegetables enough to feed 400 men a day.

Hydroponics gardening is an easier and less expensive way of growing vegetables in smaller area of space. Hydroponics is portable; easy to use, and is virtually maintenance free if set up properly. Most plants grown with hydroponics use less water and produce at a faster rate, with larger results, in a pest free environment. There is no cut worms, grubs, or soil borne diseases to deal with. Nor is there the tilling, digging, raking, hoeing, weeding, or messy manure to work with. Everything is done using portable easy to assemble hydroponics units like the one displayed below.

To get started in building your own hydroponics garden, I have provided a list of materials needed to build a unit like the one shown below. I call this my 3-tier unit and find that it has been the most successful. However, you may reduce the tiers down to fit into a smaller area if needed. The supplies need is listed below:

• (2) 2" x 4" x 48" long
• (2) 2" x 4" x 30" long
• (2) 1" x 6" x 41 ½" long
• (2) 1" x 3" x 33 1/3" long
• (4) 1" x 3" x 28" long
• (3) 4' x 4" thin-wall PVC pipes
• (6) 4" PVC end caps
• (1) ½" PVC elbow with outside threads on one end
• (3) ¾" PVC elbows
• (2) ¾" x 8" PVC thin-wall pipe
• (2) ¾" x 4 ½" PVC thin-wall pipe
• (1) ¾" x 3 ½" PVC thin-wall pipe
• (1) ¾" x 10" PVC thin-wall pipe
• (1) 20 or 32 gallon container
• (1) Submersible 120 or 170 gallons/hour pump
• (18) 6-oz Styrofoam cups
• (1) 8' or larger, standard water hose
• (64) Inch or better, dry wall screws







You want to start first by building the frame sides, then attaching the front boards.

Cut three 4" diameter half circles along the top board of each support side to accommodate the PVC piping as shown in the picture above. Make certain each half circle is cut at the same interval on both support boards.

With a 2 ¼" wood hole cutter, drill six holes 6" apart on centers from the middle of each 4' x 4" PVC pipes.

At the right hand side of the upper most 4' x 4" thin-wall PVC pipe, drill a ¾" hole for the water hose attachment, as shown in the picture above.

On the same PVC pipe at the opposite end but at a quarter turn from the last hole, drill a 1" hole for the drain piping to fit into, as shown in the picture above.

The next 4' x 4" thin wall PVC pipe should have a 1" hole drilled on the top of it where the drainpipe from the top PVC pipe will connect to the middle pipe.

On the same middle 4' x 4" thin wall pipe, at the opposite side from where the upper drain pipe connects to it, and at a quarter turn from the top, drill another 1" hole to attach the drain piping from this 4" PVC pipe to connect to the lower, one as shown in the picture above.

The lower 4' x 4" thin-wall PVC pipe should have a 1" hole cut at the top for the drainpipe from the middle PVC pipe to connect to it.

Another 1" hole will need to be drilled in the end cap that will go on the lower 4' x 4" thin-wall PVC pipe, at the opposite end of where the drain pipe connection at the top is made. This hole will drain the nutrients back down into the 32-Gallon container, as shown in the picture above.

Glue end caps upon the 4' x 4" thin-wall PVC tubes using liquid nails.

Assemble the ¾" drain piping and elbows together as well as the ½ elbow to attach the 8' long hose.

Connect the water hose to the pump and place the pump inside of the 32-gallon container.

Fill 32-gallon container with water and a premix hydroponics nutrient solution. There are many premix hydroponics nutrient solutions on the market. The only preparation required is to measure and stir the nutrients into the water according to instructions.

Poke several holes at the bottom of each Styrofoam cup, and then fill each with Perlite to prepare for seeds to be planted.

Plant the seeds, start the pump and you are well on your way to having a hydroponics garden.





If you have questions about hydroponics you would like to ask, please me. I will respond with an answer either same day, or within a day of receiving the question.





This page was created and developed by Debra Davidson. Should you have any questions or comments regarding the development of the page itself, please contact me at tril1@hotmail.com.