Here is what you need to build a DIY deep water culture system:

- Reservoir (you can use fish tank, bucket or any water proof bin)
- Tubing
- Aquarium air stones
- Growing net pots
- Styrofoam (as floater to hold the plants)
- Air pump
- Growing mediums (recommended to use grow rocks or rockwool)
- Hydroponic nutrients
- Cutter or scissors

Step-by-step guide for building deep water culture system

1. Styrofoam is used as floater to support the plants above the nutrient solution. You have 2 options:
(a) Cut the Styrofoam with exact measurement of your reservoir and float the whole piece on top of the nutrient solution, or
(b) Cut the Styrofoam as individual floaters for the plants; so the individual floater will each supports a growing net pot.

2. If option (a) is used, transfer the measurement of reservoir’s length and width onto the Styrofoam. It should be cut about 1/4 inch smaller than the actual measurement. However, if the reservoir used is narrow at the bottom, it should be cut about 2 to 3 inch smaller.

3. Outline the growing net pots onto the Styrofoam. Cut out the marked area so that it securely holds the net pot halfway down the Styrofoam.

4. Fix the air pump at the bottom of the reservoir. Connect the tubing and air stones to the pump.

5. Transfer the germinated seeds into the growing net pots filled with growing mediums such as grow rocks or rockwools.

6. Fill the reservoir with hydroponic nutrients specifically for your plants. Prepare the nutrient solution following the instructions given by the type of fertilizer used.

7. Now, you can place the growing net pots into the holes on Styrofoam. Rest the Styrofoam on top of the nutrient solution.

8. Switch on the air pump to provide aeration to the nutrient solution.

Monitor the nutrient solution; make sure your plants are getting sufficient oxygenated nutrients to ensure rapid and healthy growth. The nutrient solution needs to be replaced every once a week with pH reading maintained between 5.5 and 6.5.

When replacing the hydroponic nutrients, make sure you wash the reservoir to get rid of any algae, mold, and / or other salt debris. The highly oxygenated environment in a deep water culture system will promote the growth of algae and mold inside the reservoir. Thus, you may consider blocking the light from penetrating the reservoir by painting it black. This will help preventing algae issue.

To achieve a healthy supply of oxygen in deep water culture system, you can either use aeration devices (like air stones in the example above), or the water from several buckets can be connected and re-circulated continuously through them using spray nozzles.

Related Posts

• Hydroponic System: Nutrient Film Technique (N.F.T)
• The Drip Hydroponic Growing System
• The Wick Hydroponic System

Some of the most common types of hydroponic systems are ebb and flow kits, aeroponics kits, and deep culture kits.

The ebb and flow hydroponic systems are based on the theory of flooding and draining. There is a reservoir that holds the water and nutrient solution until a pump is turned on. Once the pump is turned on the nutrient solution floods the roots of the plants. There is usually a set level; once the level is reached, the pump will shut off and the nutrient solution will slowly drain back into the reservoir. As the nutrient solution drains, oxygen helps the roots to maximize their nutrient intakes.

Another good kit for hydroponic gardening is an aeroponics kit. Many commercial farmers use aeroponic kits for hydroponic growing. This particular kit adds oxygen into the nutrient solution to help the roots to absorb the nutrients more quickly and efficiently. This increases the plant growth and makes the yields much more profitable. This is a popular choice of hydroponic systems. Aeroponics systems are also the ones used for research. It is excellent for enhanced growth of leafy plants.

The third most popular kit is the deep culture kit for hydroponic gardening. In this kit, the plants live in the reservoir of water and nutrients. There is a steady supply of added oxygen. This means that not only do the plants get constant supply of water and nutrients, but also a steady supply of air to the root systems as well. These are very simple hydroponic systems to put together. It is also probably the most proficient way of hydroponic growing available.

Growing your vegetables and fruits using hydroponic systems is the way of the future. It is important for you to be well educated about the different systems that are used in hydroponic gardening. If this is truly the way that you want to go, do plenty of research and do not be shy to ask questions. I personally love the idea of hydroponic gardening because it saves time and your homegrown produce is much healthier than buying it from the store. Hydroponic growing is by far the best way to grow vegetables that are brighter, juicier, and more nutritious.

Related Posts

• How to build aeroponic hydroponic system
• Building Ebb and Flow Hydroponic Systems
• Hydroponic gardening for beginners