What Are The Costs of Setting Up Your Own Hydroponics System?

Setting up your own hydroponics system requires time and money. Setting up a hydroponics system requires the purchasing of a hydroponics kit. Purchasing a hydroponics kit can be expensive, but it may be better to purchase parts of the kit over time, which allows you to build your own personalized kit. The price of a kit depends on what type of system you want to set up, whether it’s an NFT (Nutrient Film Technique) growing system or an aeroponic garden. The costs of setting up a hydroponic system may be a factor for many consumers, so it may be best to find a simpler solution.

The first possible kit to purchase is an NFT system. The NFT system is like a slow moving graduated waterfall. This hydroponics system pumps nutrient enriched solution from a centrally located reservoir to the top of the garden. The system then allows the slopes of the grow basins to trickle the solution over the roots of your plants and back down to the reservoir, where it is recycled indefinitely. The cost of an NFT system is approximately $100 to $150 for a 12-plant system. The NFT system is generally the cheapest hydroponics system.

The Ebb and Flow system costs a little bit more than the NFT system, but it works on the same principle as the NFT delivery system. The plants in an Ebb and Flow system are arranged on one large table as opposed to being divided among tiers as they are in an NFT system. The Ebb and Flow system also gives growers the option of setting a 'flood period' for the nutrient to be dispersed, instead of having the nutrient constantly filtered through the system. An electric timer determines when the nutrient will be pumped.

Pumping the nutrient through the grow medium for a desired amount of time simulates the rising and lowering of tides, which gives the system it’s name. This system costs approximately $160 to $200 for a three foot by four-foot model. It’s one of the least expensive systems, but it’s also less desired than other systems.

The Aeroponic system is one of the most expensive. The origins of the Aeroponic system are in hydroponics, but its roots are suspended in the air. Aeroponic cultivation provides the best environment for the exchange of CO2, Oxygen, water, and nutrients. This is the most expensive system at $350 to $450 for a 20-plant system, but it is also one of the best. However, this may not be the best choice for a beginner.

The Pod System is the final choice. It is a component-based garden. In this system each plant has its own pot with an intake and outlet for nutrient, and all the pots are connected to a central reservoir. The nutrient can be delivered in various ways, depending on the configuration you choose. The system allows you to mist or drip irrigation or flood with a timer. This system is also one of the least expensive systems. This hydroponics system costs approximately $160 to $180 for a four-pod system.

The other start-up costs employed with making your own hydroponics system, may include costs for lighting, costs for seeds, costs for pots, and any other materials needed for setting up your own system. However, the materials are not extremely expensive. Once your system is set up, it will not cost much money to keep the system going. The costs of setting up your own system may seem expensive, but creating your own hydroponics system will have many benefits. It can be a learning experience for children, or it can be a means of financial gain for any dedicated grower.