Food Grade

Okay, if you insist on getting a food grade bucket online, you can go to Brushy Mountain Bee Farm and order a 5 gallon bucket here.

Step One

Okay, go out and buy a 5 gallon bucket with straight sides, that is, one where the circumference doesn't substantially decrease from the top to the bottom. You can get a 5 gallon bucket at most building superstores, such as Home Depot or Lowe's, or you can go to a restaurant supply place and get one. Keep in mind that you are looking for a bucket that is opaque to protect your nutrient solution from light so as to prevent the growth of algae. If you can't find an opaque bucket you can fashion a light cover later with duct tape and corrugated cardboard or paint or however you decide to do it.

I'll wait.

It's not magic

Hydroponic gardening can be a fascinating hobby, but taking one's first steps can be difficult because of the amazing amount of information available. One of the difficulties with the flood of information is that a lot of it is provided by purveyors of equipment and supplies. Another problem with the plethora of information is that there are gaps - sort of like steps missing in a recipe.

Before you go and spend hundreds of dollars on equipment you don't necessarily understand, I would like to show you a very simple setup that you can start out with, not too expensive. You will be amazed how much you can learn just by assembling the components. I will not overload you with technical detail, because one of the things I have discovered is that perfection is not required. For technical detail there are plenty of other websites.

I will take it step by step, because that's how you do it. I will try to be explicit and clear and will be grateful for comments where I have failed in this regard.

I use my system for culinary herbs, so most of the information I have will be applicable to the specific herbs I am growing, but much of it will be applicable to other plants as well.

As a preview, I will tell you that I will be putting together a 5 gallon bucket raft system. Don't go out and buy a 5 gallon bucket yet. There's more you will want to know before you spend a penny.