How to Make a DWC Hydroponic System

Hydroponics is a fun and rewarding way to grow plants quickly and easily, without using any soil. Deep water culture systems, usually shortened to DWC, refer to a method of growing plants on a pool of liquid nutrients and they don't require the use of any fancy equipment. You can make your own DWC hydroponic system as large or as small as you wish -- within practical limits -- from recycled or readily available, inexpensive materials. A basic system is easily made from a plastic storage bin and a few inexpensive parts.

Plastic bin, 8-gallon size, with lid
6 net pots, 3 1/2-inch size
Marking pen
Drill with 3-inch hole saw attachment and 1/4-inch drill bit
Nutrient solution mix to make 8 gallons
Small air pump, appropriate for 10-gallon aquarium
Air hose, 8 feet
Air stone, 8 inches long
Silica stone growth medium
6 lettuce or other leafy green plant starts, in rock wool cubes
Silica or clay stones
Box knife

Instructions

- 1
  Mark six spots on the bin lid where the net pots -- small pots that allow water to flow freely through them -- will be set. Space them as evenly as possible, leaving as much room between them as you can, to give your plants room to grow.
- 2
  Cut a three-inch hole at each of the six locations. Make sure your net pots will fit down into these holes. Trim the holes slightly with a box knife, if necessary.
- 3
  Drill a 1/4-inch hole in one end of the bin. Feed the air hose through the hole. Trim the hole if needed to allow the air hose to fit.
- 4
  Connect the air stone to the air hose on the inside of the bin. The air stone breaks the air pumped into it into many tiny bubbles in order to oxygenate the water. Place the air stone on the bottom of the bin. This will aerate the liquid and bring oxygen to your plants. Connect the other end of the air hose to your air pump.
- 5
  Mix 8 gallons of nutrient solution. Fill the bin to within one inch from the top with the nutrient solution.
- 6
  Set a rock wool cube with a plant start in each of the six net pots. Surround the rock wool with silica stones, piling them high enough to completely cover the rock wool cube.
- 7
  Place the lid on the bin. Set one net pot, with a plant and silica stones in it, in each of the holes in the lid. Make sure the net pots reach into the liquid in the bin.
- 8
  Plug in the air pump, and check to make sure the air stone is producing plenty of bubbles. This completes your DWC hydroponic system.

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