Home Hydroponic Container

Making a hydroponic system work depends on having a container. Fortunately, making a home hydroponic container is quite simple. A container to hold plants can be constructed simply using a rubber storage container. It is advisable to use a dark color as there will be nutrient solution in the bottom and light can breakdown the nutrients before they are delivered to your plants.

After finding a suitable container, something to the scale you wish, find plastic pots for your plants. For smaller systems I would recommend staying within the three or four inch range. For each of the pots you believe will fit comfortably, cut a hole wide enough for it to sit in but not large enough for the top to slip through. Remember, plants grow up and out so make sure to leave ample space for expected growth between each hole.

The above image is one method of cutting holes in the top of the container. Use some sort of sharp, but strong cutting tool for this. It can be done with a knife but this is not the safest or most efficient way to do so. Be careful not to crack the plastic as you're cutting. After the holes are cut in the top of the container cut an access hole in the side of the container near the top for adding and removing water, running the pump wire through, etc.

If it is a taller container then a pump will be necessary to move water from the resevior (the bottom of the container) to the pots at the top of your home hydroponic container. If the container is shallow then an air pump and stone may be advisable rather than running tubing.

From here, make the decision between an air or water pump. My initial selection was a water pump for my home hydroponic container.