BASIC HYDROPONIC SUPPLIES:  WHAT YOU NEED

There are a number of supplies needed to set up for hydroponic growing (growing plants without soil).  If you are a beginner, a good way to start is to get a hydroponic kit, which will contain all the basics you need to get started.  If you want to set up a larger space, a kit might not be enough for you.  Thankfully, hydroponics is gaining in popularity, and there is a large selection of hydroponics supplies to choose from.  Here are some of the basic things you need to consider as far as hydroponics supplies.

GROW LIGHTS
Proper lighting is key to getting good growth, and different lights achieve different results.  The basic types of lights for hydroponics are metal halide bulbs, which are good for vegetation growth; high-pressure sodium bulbs, which are good for the flowering stage; and high-output fluorescent bulbs, which are a less expensive but viable alternative to the other two bulbs.

HYDROPONIC SYSTEMS
There are different methods used to keep hydroponic plants nourished, but they typically follow a similar process of providing nutrient solution to the plant roots, draining and recycling the solution, and keeping the plants properly anchored in a medium.  Plant growing trays, water pumps, reservoirs and drainage are all supplies that are common to these systems.

MEDIUMS
The main function of soil is to anchor the plant roots; when growing hydroponically (without soil), plants need an alternate medium to anchor their roots.  Some of the common growing mediums used in place of soil are Rockwool, vermiculite, perlite, coconut and expanded clay; there are a host of other options available out there as well. Hydroponics supplies retailers should be able to give you some help on this.

AIRFLOW SUPPLIES
Plants need good ventilation and airflow to produce well, so fans and blowers are an important component to consider.  There are a large number of these on the market to choose from, as well as air purification systems and carbon dioxide injectors to keep your plants healthy and the air quality good for them.

NUTRIENTS
This is probably the most confusing element, because there are so many nutrient combinations and additives available that it can get very confusing.  The important thing to know is what sorts of nutrient blends are best for the types of plants you are growing, and what products best serve those particular plants.  Your retailer should be able to help you sort through this information and give you some recommendations.

As you can see, there are many hydroponics supplies available, and this list just scratches the surface.  But these basic elements can get you started, and as you fine tune your growing process, you will be able to add and adjust as you need to.