Basic hydroponic supplies include a nutrient solution, a pump, grow medium, and channels for the water to flow through. The plants are put into a non-porous grow medium, such as vermiculite or expanded clay pellets that allows for extremely good drainage and does not allow the plants to grow into them. They should be blocked off from light to allow proper root growth.
The grow medium is placed into channels or a low pool which contains the most important of all hydroponic supplies, the nutrient solution. This consists of water mixed with all the beneficial nutrients a plant needs, mostly potassium, calcium and magnesium but other essential compounds are also added. This is the plants food and water. It should flow around the roots but not fully submerse them, this gives them adequate access to oxygen as well as plenty of food and water.
Other important hydroponic supplies that are required are a pump and way of determining the ph of the solution. The pump keeps the nutrient solution constantly flowing which is essential for the whole hydroponic process. A stagnant solution will quickly become stale and not good for plants. The solution has to be constantly checked to maintain adequate nutrient levels.
