Important “Must-Haves” When Buying your Hydroponic Supplies Gardeners that are new to hydroponics often go overboard buying items that they may need in the future but will not need in the beginning stages of hydroponic gardening. To begin your hydroponic gardening project you will only need a few things to get you off to a great start. Hydroponics has always been an ecologically sound gardening choice. It uses much less water than conventional gardening and does not erode the soil or add toxins to the environment. Soluble nutrient formulas are re-circulated and used by the plants’ roots, which helps eliminate environmental waste. Commercial crop growers are turning to soil less cultivation more and more. The speed of growth combined with the control over the growing environment means higher quality crops. The worry over soil born diseases and pests are greatly reduced, plus weeding is a thing of the past. For commercial growers, rapid harvest and higher yields are great reasons to grow hydroponically. In the aeroponics method plants are anchored using screens, rigid pipes, or films. The required nutrients are mixed into the plants’ water supply artificially. The plant roots are suspended within the water by various designs and the crop obtains the food nutrients directly from the water, or from an air mist sprayed directly unto the plant roots. While research is happening to try and bring the costs down, and there are some promising leads, like the field of aquaponics, hydroponics is currently financially prohibitive for some. There is a common misconception that hydroponics produces organic food. While it is possible to grow organic food through hydroponics, this is the exception and not the rule. The equipment is relatively inexpensive (under $500) and the operating expense is low. In addition this system does not generate heat so it is easier to regulate than other forms of generating carbon dioxide. A flow meter and timer regulates the amount of time that the gas is released into the growing environment.