To carry out your hydroponic cultivation, you will need equipment. In this guide, we will show you the different types of equipment and how to choose them. There are three main types of equipment:
- What is the infrastructure
- Containers, pots and tanks
- Pipes, nozzles and water pumps
- What is “classic” environmental management
- Instruments for measuring the environment of the plants
- Tools for rectifying this environment
- Finally, elements that go a step further in the artificialization
- The rooms of culture
- Horticultural lighting
You will also need consumables:
- Hydroponic substrate
- Nutritive solution and additives
- Phytosanitary
The equipment: hydroponic tools and infrastructure
Let’s start by looking at the durable equipment for your setup.
Containers, pots and tanks
Depending on your hydroponic system, you will need to choose a whole infrastructure to host your crops. It will be in general:
- a tank, which will contain the nutrient solution and protect it from light and heat,
- a tub or other PVC tubes, which will house the pots
- pots that will contain the substrate and the plant.
For more information, you can read our page on the containers, pots and tanks used in hydroponics.
Hoses, nozzles and water pumps
Most hydroponic systems need to transfer the nutrient solution from the tank to the plants. For this, you will need a water pump, which should be adapted to the need, not too strong or too weak, as well as a system of pipes and nozzles, which should bring the right amount of nutrients to each plant.
For more information, you can read our page on hoses, nozzles and water pumps.
Measuring instruments
The great advantage of hydroponics is that you control all the growth factors of the plant. However, this means that you need to be able to check that these factors are being met. You will therefore need measuring tools to inform you about the pH, temperature and electroconductivity of the nutrient solution.
For more information, you can read our page on measuring instruments used in hydroponics.
Tools for correcting environmental conditions
If you identify problems in your crop environment, you will need tools to rectify them. For example, if the water is often too hot, you can use a water cooler. There are also substances to raise or lower the pH.
For more information, you can read our page on tools to rectify environmental conditions.
Hydroponic horticultural lighting
Growing indoors often means that plants do not receive enough light to thrive. To address this problem, you can install horticultural lighting.
For more information, you can read our page on hydroponic lighting.
Growing rooms
For some crops, it can be interesting to install a grow room: a space closed by a reflective surface, allowing to optimize the lighting of the plantations and to better control their growing conditions. They may require ventilation.
For more information, you can read our page on hydroponic growing rooms.
Consumables in hydroponics
In addition to these tools and infrastructures, you will need consumables for your culture: a substrate, which will hold the plant, nutrients, to feed it and finally, eventually, products to protect it.
The hydroponic substrate
There are many types of hydroponic substrates with different advantages. It can be a better capacity of retention of moisture, a greater neutrality or to be more adapted to the culture.
For more information, you can read our page on the different hydroponic substrates.
Nutrient solution and additives
This is the main consumable: the nutrient. You will have to give your plants everything they need. There are of course the macronutrients (nitrogen, potassium, phosphorus), but also a whole myriad of micronutrients that can determine the success of your crops.
For more information, you can read our page on nutrient solutions and other additives.
Phytosanitary: protecting your plants against diseases and (rare) insects
Finally, it can happen (rarely, especially if you grow indoors), that your plants are exposed to disease or insects (small red spiders for example). To solve this problem, there are products at your disposal.
For more information, you can read our page on phytosanitary products in hydroponics.