Simple Systems

Among the simplest kind of systems you can build is the float system. Here's a picture of an easy one. You probably recognize a couple of those plastic organizing tubs you can get for a few bucks at the store. The particular system uses styrofoam to literally "float" the system. Holes cut in the styrofoam are filled with little cups with the plants in them and nutrient is mixed into the water.

The system is aerated by a small aquarium pump to make sure there is oxygen in the nutrient. The system in front has some garden lettuce in it and the system in back has Romaine. It grows like gangbusters and you never have to water or weed. You do have to check the water level and nutrient concentration every couple of days. That takes about two minutes.