The document provides step-by-step instructions to build two types of hydroponic systems: a simple wick system using a 2L soda bottle and a more complex ebb and flow system. The wick system is cost-effective and ideal for classrooms, allowing students to experiment with growth conditions using accessible materials. The ebb and flow system requires more tools and a better understanding of water-proofing, designed to support multiple plants by cycling nutrient solution between a bucket and a grow tray.

1. Lesson 6: BUILD IT!
First you will need to figure out what kind of hydroponics system you want. You should choose a system that
is well suited to the type of plant you want to grow, as well as one that will fit your budget. We will provide
instructions on how to build several hydroponics systems.
If the system(s) are to be setup in a classroom environment, we have 2 systems that are especially cost effec-tive.
The first is a Wick Hydroponics system, that will be setup in a 2L water or pop bottle. These are great because
kids can make them by themselves and the only thing that will need to be purchased is the nutrient solution
and possibly some seeds. the cost of each system is around 25¢
Each system will support 1 plant, and contain a nutrient reservoir.
For each system you will need a 2L bottle, some growing medium, a straw or other tubing, some seeds, and
nutrient solution.
We have found that creeping charlie is great for these systems because it grows so readily. That being said
plants should be a cutting or seedling ready to transplant into the newly created systems.
Step 1
Get an empty 2L soda bottle. Or more if you plan on growing more than 1 plant.
But you knew that allready didn’t you?

2. Step 2
Cut as shown in the picture, and flip the top piece
upside down and place back inside the bottle. You may
want to tape a ridge of cardboard or something rela-tively
thick to the edge of the lower half of the bottle.
This will help support the upper part.
Step 3
Now get your wick material. Actual wick can be pur-chase
and used, but usually a few cut strips of a COT-TON
T-shirt will suffice. Pull the wick material through
the opening of the bottle. If the growing medium is too
loose/small and it will fall through, replace the cap on
the bottle, and cut appropriately sized holes or slits for
your system.
- or -

3. Step 4
Fill the top part with growing medium. In place of a
store bought medium, shredded paper, shredded fabric,
or hay can be used. Be sure that the -
wick material is
or near the top of the growing medium - to ensure that A) it
doesn’t fall through, and B) so that the nutrient solu-tion
will be drawn up enough to reach the plant.
Step 5
Fill the lower half of the bottle with nutrient solution,
so it almost touches the bottles original opening. The
wick(s) should be almost touching the bottom of the
bottle when the top half is placed in the bottom.

4. OPTIONAL Step 6
An optional, but beneficial, step is to insert a straw, or
tube down into the solution, so you can blow into it to
aerate the system and give the roots more oxygen. In a
classroom you could have some aerated and some not,
to see what the effect on growth is.
The solution in these systems should be changed every
2 weeks.
With these systems, a wide range of conditions can be observed, since they are all self contained, and built
with basically garbage, try altering grow mediums, lighting, even try messing with the nutrient solution. What
happens when you dilute the nutrients to half strength? What happens when you replace half the nutrients
in a system, with the grape pop that was originally in the bottle? Which will provide better growing results;
chunks of asphalt or lego pieces?
These systems are so simple but do alot to illustrate how hydroponics work, and how plants grow in general.
On the next page we will see a more complex system that can support several plants, but is still quite simple
and inexpensive to build.

5. SYSTEM 2: EBB & FLOW
The next system we will build is an Ebb and Flow system. This one requires more effort, some tools, and a
good understanding of “water proofing”, and some store bought materials.
On the shopping list for our system is:
• A bucket that will hold 8-20 Liters (2-5 gallons)
• A tray or container approx 26cm X 50 cm x 300 cm ( 1’x 2’x 6’ )
• A meter of tubing 1.1 cm in diameter (3.2’ , 1/2 inch )
• Enough growing medium to fill the grow tray
• Silicone, Epoxy, or other watertight glue
• Drill with 1/2 inch bit
• 5cm x 5cm piece of plastic screen or mesh
• Rubber band
• Nutrient solution
• Seedlings
Step 1
First you will want to drill a 1/2 inch (1.1 cm) hole about
1 inch (2.2 cm) from the bottom of your bucket. You’ll
want a bucket with a sturdy handle as you’ll soon see.
Step 2
Push the tubing through the hole in the bucket.
Now take your glue and seal the outside edge of
the tubing, so it doesn’t leak.
Mesh
Rubber inches (4.4 cm)
2

6. Step 3
Next drill a 1/2 inch (1.1 cm) hole 1 inch (2.2 cm) from
the bottom, in the side of your grow tray.
Step 4
Push the other end of tube through so than
about 2 inches (4.4 cm ) is poking through
into the tray.
2 inches (4.4 cm)

7. Mesh
2 inches (4.4 cm)
Step 5
Now seal the edges of the hole you just made, and make sure that there is some extra coming through into
the grow tray. Now take the piece of mesh and use it to cover the Rubber end of the Band
tube in the grow tray, and attach
it using the rubber band. This keeps the growing medium from entering and clogging the tube. Mouse over the
grow tray for a better visual.
Tube
Grow Tub
STEP 6
Fill the tray with your chosen grow medium about 1 inch (2.2 cm) from the top, and your system is almost
ready to go.

8. Step 7
It is best to set this up on a small table with a shelf higher than it nearby. Fill your bucket with nutrient solu-tion,
and raise it above your growing tray. The bucket will empty into the tray, saturating the medium. Once
the bucket has drained into the tray, lower it below the tray, and the nutrients will drain back into the bucket!
You will need to do this several times per day to ensure the plants get enough nutrients, and moisture.
CONGRATULATIONS
you have completed the hydroponics dictionary Hydro-School. We would love to hear from you with any sug-gestions,
comments, and of course we want to see those homemade hydroponics systems and the plants in
them!
Send Us your stories, comments and photos at
Info@hydroponicsdictionary.com