What are the basic ingredients of DIY hydroponics?

Let's first take a look at what's needed to start off to a DIY hydroponics.

Pix: Two boxes of DIY hydroponic kits which was bought from a hydroponics farm. You can also make your own.

Styrofoam Box
Use a Styrofoam box you can find easily or make your own out of plastic or wood.

Net Pots
Use any plastic bottle and cut holes at the bottom for water to flow in.

Growing Media - Leca, Vermoculite
You can use Leca or vermoculite, which you will most likely need to buy, or any non-organic material such as sand, gravel, brick shard, styrofoam packing peanuts. The recommended media is Leca or Vermoculite as they are light, porous and PH-neutral and thus make growing media for hydroponics.

Baked clay pellets, also known under the trademarks 'Hydroton' or LECA (light expanded clay aggregate), are suitable for hydroponic systems in which all nutrients are carefully controlled in water solution. The clay pellets are inert, pH neutral and do not contain any nutrient value.

Vermiculite is another mineral that has been superheated until it has expanded into light pebbles. Vermiculite holds more water than perlite and has a natural "wicking" property that can draw water and nutrients in a passive hydroponic system.

Plant seeds
You can use any seeds readily available in packets and sold in shops. Popular seeds can include tomatoes, cucumbers, lettuce, lemon grass, parsley and many others. Use only 3-6 seeds in a small planting pot.

Leafy Nutrient Solution
Numerous 'recipes' for hydroponic solutions are available. Many use different combinations of chemicals to reach similar total final compositions. Commonly-used chemicals for the macronutrients include potassium nitrate, calcium nitrate, potassium phosphate, and magnesium sulfate. Various micronutrients are typically added to hydroponic solutions to supply essential elements; among them are Fe (iron), Mn (manganese), Cu (copper), Zn (zinc), B (boron), Cl (chlorine), and Ni (nickel).

Measuring Cup
Use a measuring cup to ensure you pour in the right amount of nutrient solution at any one time.