How to Use more CO2 to Boost Hydroponic Plant Growth Carbon dioxide is needed in a hydroponic garden to guarantee continued plant growth because it is required for photosynthesis. Many gardeners do not realize that the larger their hydroponic garden is, the more their plants need carbon dioxide for respiration. Many think using pesticides to eliminate spider mites in their hydroponic gardens is a good idea, but the use of pesticides in hydroponic gardening is discouraged and usually not necessary. Hydroponically grown plants are not immune to spider mites, but they are more pest resistant than plant grown in soil. Using hydroponics to grow plants can be beneficial for many growers. Hydroponics allows plants to be grown faster and with less of a hassle. In hydroponics plants are grown in a solution consisting of water and nutrients required for a particular plant, or within a system that uses a substrate or growing mix medium. The basic items you need after you decide on either a grow room or greenhouse include a temperature control unit, exhaust fan, heating mats, light fixtures for your blue and red spectrum lights, an aeration system (an aquarium system works well for small gardens), pearlite, marble and Styrofoam work well as a beginning medium and rockwool, oasis or Rapid Rooters. Hydroponic plants are entirely water based which makes it possible to fully automate the hydroponics system. Specially formulated hydroponic fertilizer mixtures are required and should be tested after dilution to ensure a pH level of between five and six. This nutrient solution should be changed every two weeks and in between changes should be checked so the volume is kept level by adding more water only and not additional formula. Many gardeners have made their dreams come true by making their living in their backyard greenhouse and selling their produce to local restaurants and markets. The potential of hydroponic culture is incredible, but commercial hydroponics in the United States was held back until hydroponic systems that were economical to build and relatively easy to operate became available in the marketplace.