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Complete hydroponics grow box kits are available that range in price everywhere from a few dozen dollars to a few thousand.

At the lowest end of the scale some kits offer little more than someone could make for themselves by gathering common household items.They do, however, implicitly package a little knowledge needed to get started. By including seeds, a tray, some nutrient and maybe even some pH testing strips, they suggest what hydroponic setup is needed to get started. If they’re nice, they’ll even include written instructions for you as well.

The next level up usually costs a hundred dollars or so, but the materials are generally much higher quality. A tray that is specifically designed for hydroponics makes it easy to hold seeds in pre-drilled rockwool blocks that come with the kit. A small watering system might be included.

Along with hardware, this level tends to provide a better supply of nutrients and chemicals. That helps the novice hydroponics gardener get started in the right direction. Things like nutrient control are a bit more difficult when it comes to hydroponic gardening, so having specific instructions and pre-mixed solutions makes getting started easy.

The top of the line kits start to include lighting. The type and number of lighting will depend on how much you’re willing to spend. Simple incandescent bulbs are at the bottom of the price range while fluorescent fixtures tend to be a bit more, but are still reasonably priced. Metal halide and sodium lamps kits may run to a few hundred dollars.

Those same higher-end kits will include a more elaborate watering system. Moisture control in a hydroponic garden is more difficult since ever-present water will tend to increase mildew and other fungi. Having a professional watering system will keep water always at the right level and clean of organisms and keep algae levels low.

As the plants in a hydroponic garden are not placed in soil, they quickly absorb any oxygen in the water. Fortunately, most of these kits will include a pump and tubing that will allow you to pump air into the water. Standard aquarium pump setups may work, but the amount and rate of air pumped is different for fish than for hydroponic gardens. Some kits even include a CO2 injector to give plants that extra boost of a compound that is so vital to their growth.

Purchasing a hydroponic grow box at this level will mean that pH levels will be monitored by a digital meter instead of with strips. They also tend to include pH solutions as part of their package. Some will even include a nutrient meter which can measure levels of needed calcium, iron and other compounds.

Since temperature control is also more difficult in hydroponic gardens, good kits will include a water heater. Heat lamps can work, however they heat the plant instead of the water sometimes causing damage that can be avoided. Installing and properly calibrating a water heater can keep the water warm all while avoiding damaging your plants.

Along with all the needed solutions, tubing, trays and more kits will include any connectors needed for assembly. They also include hanging chains, strings for supporting plants and other useful items. For the most part, the kits are a complete hydroponics solution.

Related articles

• How to Start with Hydroponics (sustainableprojectmanagement.com)
• All About Hydroponics Vegetable Gardening (realestatenoevalley.com)
• Your Own Vegetables (juliogarden.com)
• Using a Grow Box in Your Home (juliogarden.com)
• Plant Physiology and Hydroponics (juliogarden.com)

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1. Growing with a Hydroponics Box
2. Using a Grow Box in Your Home
3. General Hydroponic Gardening Advantages
4. Maintenance for a Hydroponic Farm
5. Hydroponic Herbs: A Healthy Alternative