DOC №175SEC: GUIDESREV: 2026-05-15AUTHORED
Hydroponics for Beginners — Your First 30 Days
A complete first-month hydroponic plan: build a DWC tote, plant lettuce and basil, measure pH and EC, and harvest a salad — without killing anything.
BY ROOTLESS FARM
Quick answer
For your first hydroponic system, buy a 5-gallon black tote, an air pump with stone, four net pots, rockwool starter cubes, a 3-part nutrient kit, and a pH meter. Plant butterhead lettuce seedlings, run pH 5.8–6.2 and EC 1.0, and you'll harvest 25 days from transplant.
Week 1 — set up
// RESULT — DOSING
| Grow | 23.3 g |
| Micro | 14.0 g |
| Bloom | 9.3 g |
Week 2 — first leaves
Check pH twice a day. If it drifts above 6.5, add 1 mL of pH down per liter, retest in 10 minutes.
Week 3 — vegetative growth
Raise EC to 1.2 as plants develop true leaves. Watch for tipburn (calcium deficiency from low transpiration — add a fan).
Week 4 — harvest
Cut outer leaves at the base. Replant net pots immediately for continuous harvest.
FAQ
3 entries- Q01How much does it cost to start hydroponics?
- $50–80 for a 4-plant DWC tote and basic supplies. Add $100–200 if you need a grow light indoors.
- Q02Do I need a grow light?
- Only indoors. A south-facing window with 6+ hours of direct sun works for lettuce and herbs. Fruiting crops need supplemental light.
- Q03How often do I top up the reservoir?
- Every 3–7 days for hobby DWC. Use a refractometer or top up with plain pH-adjusted water; full nutrient change weekly.