Hydroponic

Welcome to the Hydroponics Hub
Explore our massive library of hydroponic guides, tips, and calculators to grow plants perfectly without soil. From mastering nutrient management and pH balance to designing advanced recirculating systems, everything you need is right here.
💧 Hydroponic Systems

Deep Water Culture (DWC)
Recirculating DWC (RDWC)
Nutrient Film Technique (NFT)
Ebb & Flow Systems

🥬 Crop Growing Guides

Hydroponic Lettuce Guide
Growing Hydroponic Mint
Swiss Chard Setup
Arugula Cultivation

Interactive SaaS Calculators
Stop guessing your measurements. Use our free interactive tools!

Reservoir Size Calc
pH Tuning Tool
DLI / PPFD Calc

  • How to Grow Green Onions Hydroponically (Fast Indoors)

    Home > Hydroponic Systems > How to Grow Green Onions Hydroponically (Fast Indoors) Last Updated: July 2026  |  Reviewed for Allium bulb physiology, sulfur pungent compound synthesis, and Kratky nutrient stability Quick Answer: Green onions (scallions) are among the fastest hydroponic crops, maturing in just 14 to 21 days from kitchen scrap bulbs or 45 to 50 days from seed. Grow them in passive Kratky glass jars or active Deep Water Culture (DWC) maintaining a water pH of 6.0 to 6.8 and an EC of 1.4 to 1.8 mS/cm (700–900 PPM). Ensure white bulbs stay suspended above the water line to prevent bacterial bulb rot. Calculate exact mineral ratios using…

  • How to Grow Zucchini Hydroponically (Full Grow Guide)

    Home > Hydroponic Systems > How to Grow Zucchini Hydroponically (Full Grow Guide) Last Updated: July 2026  |  Reviewed for Cucurbitaceae heavy mineral uptake, Dutch Bucket drainage, and blossom end rot prevention Quick Answer: To grow zucchini (*Cucurbita pepo*) hydroponically indoors, use a Dutch Bucket system filled with coarse perlite or clay pebbles rather than Deep Water Culture (DWC), as mature zucchini plants demand massive root aeration and support. Maintain reservoir pH between 5.8 and 6.4 and high electrical conductivity (EC) between 2.0 and 2.5 mS/cm (1000–1250 PPM). Hand-pollinate female blossoms early in the morning using a soft paintbrush and prune aging lower leaves weekly to prevent powdery mildew. Calculate…

  • General Hydroponics Flora Series Feed Chart: Expert Feeding Schedule

    Home > Hydroponic Systems > General Hydroponics Flora Series Feed Chart: Expert Feeding Schedule Last Updated: July 2026  |  Reviewed for calcium-sulfate precipitation chemistry, Lucas Formula EC ratios, and RO buffering Quick Answer: When using the 3-part General Hydroponics Flora Series (FloraMicro, FloraGrow, FloraBloom), you must strictly follow the Golden Mixing Order: always add Silica first (if using), stir thoroughly, then add FloraMicro and stir until clear, followed by FloraGrow and FloraBloom. Mixing concentrated Micro and Bloom together directly causes calcium sulfate and calcium phosphate to precipitate into insoluble rock flakes. Calculate exact reservoir refill concentrations using our EC to PPM Calculator. Difficulty: Beginner to Professional System Application: DWC /…

  • Fox Farm Nutrients for Hydroponics: Cultivation Nation Feed Chart

    Home > Hydroponics > Fox Farm Nutrients for Hydroponics Quick Answer: Yes, you can absolutely use fox farm nutrients for hydroponics, but you cannot use their famous soil-based organic trio (Big Bloom). You must use their strictly synthetic, highly soluble Cultivation Nation 3-part line (Micro, Grow, and Bloom) designed specifically for reservoirs to prevent clogging and root rot. Fox Farm is arguably the most recognizable brand in the indoor gardening space, famous for their vibrant art and legendary Ocean Forest soil. However, when transitioning from soil to a DWC hydroponic system or a recirculating Dutch bucket hydroponic system, many growers make a critical, crop-destroying mistake: they pour organic soil fertilizers…

  • DWC Air Pump Size Guide: Complete LPM Sizing for Aeration

    Home > Hydroponics > DWC Air Pump Size Guide: Complete LPM Sizing for Aeration Quick Answer: Don’t starve your roots of oxygen. According to our dwc air pump size guide, you must provide at least 1 Liter Per Minute (LPM) of air flow per gallon of water (or 1 CFM per 28 gallons). Supplying this volume keeps dissolved oxygen at 8+ PPM, preventing root rot and driving explosive growth. To see how this applies to larger systems, read our comprehensive DWC Hydroponic System Guide. What Most Guides Miss (And What You Will Learn Here) The 1 LPM Rule: Why matching pump wattage to bucket counts is a recipe for root…

  • DIY DWC Bucket: Complete 5 Gallon Hydroponics Setup Guide

    Home > Hydroponics > 5 gallon hydroponic bucket: Complete 5 Gallon Hydroponics Setup Guide Quick Answer: Building a building a dwc setup is the cheapest way to start hydroponic growing. For a single plant, drill a hole in the bucket lid to fit a 6-inch net pot, install a heavy-duty air stone connected to an air pump, and fill it with 3.5 to 4 gallons of nutrient water. Use our Water Volume Calculator to measure your initial reservoir capacity and calculate dilution rates accurately. What Most Guides Miss (And What You Will Learn Here) The Light Leak Algae Risk: Why orange and blue buckets are not lightproof and how to…

  • The Ideal DWC Water Temperature: How to Keep Hydroponic Roots Healthy

    Home > Hydroponics > The Ideal DWC Water Temperature: How to Keep Hydroponic Roots Healthy Quick Answer: The ideal DWC water temperature for roots is between 65-70°F (18-21°C). This range maximizes dissolved oxygen levels, supporting vigorous root respiration and efficient nutrient uptake. Maintaining this temperature prevents root rot pathogens from thriving, which commonly occurs when reservoir temperatures exceed 72°F (22.2°C). Use a hydroponic thermometer to monitor and adjust your reservoir temperature. What Most Guides Miss (And What You Will Learn Here) A 4°F (2.2°C) increase from 68°F to 72°F can reduce dissolved oxygen by 10-15%, significantly impacting root health. Root rot incidence dramatically increases above 72°F (22.2°C) in DWC systems,…

  • How RDWC Works: Complete Recirculating Hydroponics Guide

    Home > Hydroponics > How connected dwc system Works: Complete Recirculating Hydroponics Guide Quick Answer: To understand how undercurrent hydroponics works, think of a closed-loop system that operates by continuously pumping nutrient solution from a central control reservoir to multiple growth buckets, using gravity-fed return lines to cycle the water back. This continuous loop ensures uniform pH, EC, and water temperatures across the entire system. Designing your system requires sizing your control tank correctly; use our Reservoir Size Calculator to calculate the total water volume buffer you need to keep your system stable. What Most Guides Miss (And What You Will Learn Here) The Return Pipe Bottleneck: Why return pipes…

  • Hydroponic pH Adjustment Guide: How Much pH Up and pH Down to Add

    Home » Gardening Guides » Hydroponic pH Adjustment Guide Quick Answer: To adjust hydroponic pH, you must measure the baseline pH, then add exactly 1 milliliter of pH Up or pH Down per gallon of water to swing the pH by roughly 0.5 points. Never add adjustment fluids directly to the roots. Always dilute the acid or base in a cup of water first, pour it into the main reservoir, stir vigorously for 15 minutes, and re-measure. You can calculate the exact milliliter dosage required for your tank using our free Hydroponic pH Calculator. What Most pH Guides Miss (And What You Will Learn Here) The Rebound Effect: Why adjusting…

  • DWC Hydroponic System: Complete Beginner Guide to Deep Water Culture (2026)

    Home > Hydroponic Systems > DWC Hydroponic System: Complete Beginner Guide to Deep Water Culture (2026) Last Updated: July 2026  |  Reviewed for fluid dynamic and hydroponic accuracy Quick Answer: A Deep Water Culture (DWC) hydroponic system suspends plant roots directly inside an aerated, nutrient-rich water bath inside an opaque bucket or reservoir. An external diaphragm air pump continuously pumps air through a submerged microporous air stone, saturating the liquid with dissolved oxygen (target 8+ mg/L) to drive rapid vegetative growth without soil or timers. Maintain water temperatures between 64°F and 68°F (18°C–20°C) to prevent Pythium root rot. Dial in your DWC fertilizer strength using our EC to PPM Calculator….