wordwiz

One of the must have items in hydroponics is a way to measure pH levels. They can vary tremendously but need to kept within a reasonable range. It also helps to have a meter to measure the ppm or EC (amount of nutrients in the water).

I'm growing/have grown tomatoes, lettuce and peppers in DWC systems. Once the solution gets stabilized, there is not much work to it - check the nutrient solution, ppm and pH once a week or so and add whatever is necessary. The investment is small - a five gallon bucket, air pump, pot to hold the plant and rocks/hydroton to keep it standing upright, a bit of air tubing and something to diffuse the air. You can buy air stones rather cheap but IME, they tend to break down or clog up and can ruin a plant. I use 1/4" water soaker hose you can buy from a hardware store. Total cost of system - maybe $10.

Mike