How to Make a Hydroponic Bucket System

!±8± How to Make a Hydroponic Bucket System

Have you ever wanted to start your own hydroponic garden, but never knew where to get started? If so, a hydroponic bucket system is perfect for you! Even though these systems don't cost much to build, they still do a wonderful job growing beautiful plants and vegetables! Price is not always a direct indicator of quality.

Here is what you need to get started:

First, you need a bucket with a lid. I recommend getting a black bucket so no unwanted light seeps in through the bucket. If you can't find a black bucket, buy enough reflective tape to cover the whole bucket. If you do find a black bucket, you can still buy the reflective tape if you want. It will just add to the light protection.

After you get a bucket, you will need to buy a fish tank pump and hose. Look for a pump that can be stuck to the inside of the bucket. Get enough hose to reach outside of the bucket. Next, you need to buy some drip irrigation noses. You can find these at your local garden store. Basically, these things take water and nutrients from the pump and slowly drip it into the plants.

Now, you need to buy a net pot and rock wool. The rock wool is where you will place your seedling, then you place the rock wool into the net pot. Also, make sure you have some kind of cutting device and a pencil. We will be measuring the size of the hole we will need to cut into the bucket lid and then we will cut it out.

Here is the setup:

First, get your bucket lid. Place the net pot face down on the top of the lid and trace a circle around it. You will want to cut the hole slightly inside of your line, so the lip of the net pot can sit on the outside of the hole to keep it from falling in. Once the lid is cut, place the net pot inside of the hole to verify that it's a good fit.

Next, fill your bucket with your nutrient/water mixture and set up your pump. Put the drip irrigation nose onto the end of the hose, turn on the pump, and make sure it's working. Once everything is working, plant your seedling into the rock wool, put the rock wool in the net pot, and turn on the pump!

Congratulations! You just made your own hydroponic bucket system! Of course, you will need to keep a light on your plants to make them grow! Constantly monitor the pH levels in your nutrients too! Now that you have your system, you need to learn how to grow your plants to the best of their ability!