How to Make a Hydro System From a Fish Tank

Trace all four sides of the fish tank on cardboard. Cut the cardboard tracings out using a box knife. Tape the cardboard sides to the outside of the fish tank using strips of grey tape.

Trace the opening of the fish tank on the sheet of Styrofoam. Use a box knife and cut the traced opening out of the Styrofoam. Trim the newly cut Styrofoam lid so none of the edges of the Styrofoam lid touch the inner walls of the fish tank. Cut 2-inch holes in the Styrofoam lid to sit the plastic cups down in.

Using a 16-penny nail, punch 5 or 6 small holes in the bottom of each cup. Trace the bottom of the cups on the fiberglass window screen. Cut the traced circles out and place a screen circle in the bottom of each cup. Add growing medium, such as coconut fiber or lava rock, to each cup. Insert seeds or seedlings into each prepared cup.

Attach one end of the air line to the air stone and set the airstone in the fish tank. Connect the other end of the tube to the air pump. Fill the tank with the hydroponic nutrient solution. Plug in the air pump, and check to insure bubbles are coming from the air stone.

Place the Styrofoam sheet in the fish tank so it floats on the top of the nutrient solution. Position each cup in the 2-inch opening cut in the Styrofoam sheet.