Deep Water Culture

I'm starting with a Deep Water Culture (DWC) system since it's fairly simple to get started with, I think. DWC is a hydroponic method of plant production by means of suspending the plant roots in a solution of nutrient-rich, oxygenated water.

My DWC system will consist of:

• Bucket (food grade)
• Air curtain
• Air pump
• Silicone air hose
• Net pots
• Clay pellets
• Nutrients
• Check valve

Unfortunately the only food grade bucket I could find was transparent. This is not good for a hydroponic system since it will not block off sunlight from the water and nutrients solution. This will cause algae to start growing inside the bucket. To avoid this I will also use spray paint to paint the outside of the bucket and the lid.

Parts for my DWC system