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. 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. This concept has been around for thousands of years and many countries, including China, Holland, Germany, and Australia have used hydroponics for crop production with results that are quite amazing. Hydroponics is proven to have several advantages over regular soil gardening. The growth rate on a hydroponic plant is 30 to 50% faster than a soil plant that was grown under the same conditions. Hydroponic gardening helps to eliminate the need for weeding and helps to cut down on diseases and pests. This form of gardening is also easily adapted to indoor environments, which means it can be used throughout the year to grow a gardener’s favorite plants. The greatest advantage to hydroponics is the overall outcome of the plants, which will be of better quality and are much healthier. Signs of air pollution include spotting or twisting of the plant’s leaves, flower and bud fall off, and unusual discolorations as well as poor growth can signal a problem. Remember, plants are affected by the following elements: air, temperature, light, water and pollution. If you take all of these things into consideration when planning your hydroponic garden your plants are sure to thrive under your care. Throughout the last century, scientists and horticulturists have experimented with different methods of hydroponics. One of the potential applications of hydroponics that helped continue research was for growing produce in non-arable areas of the world. Hydroponics was also integrated into the space program as hydroponics easily fit into their sustainability plans.