Beginner Shopping List Builder
Not sure what you actually need to start growing hydroponically? This free hydroponic shopping list builder, in fact, gives you a personalized list based on what you want to grow, where it will grow, how you want to run it, what you already own and your budget. No guesswork, no expensive mistakes, and no buying things you do not need yet.
Answer 5 quick questions and get a complete prioritized shopping list with every item explained, what to buy first, and links to every product on Amazon. New to any of this? The complete apartment hydroponics beginners guide, however, covers the setup basics this tool assumes you already have.
Step 1 of 5: What do you want to grow?
What do you want to grow?
This decides the system, the light and the nutrients you need.
Your personalized kit
Buy in this order
Complete shopping list
How to use this hydroponic shopping list builder
- Choose what you want to grow: herbs and leafy greens, fruiting vegetables, microgreens or a mix. Each needs different equipment.
- Say where it will grow: a bright window, a shelf or counter, or a closet. That decides whether a grow light is a must or a later buy.
- Pick how you want to run it: silent Kratky jars, a DWC bucket with a quiet pump, or a plug-and-play smart garden. Microgreens and fruiting crops skip this step, since trays and DWC are the only sensible choices for them.
- Tick what you already own so it comes off the list, then set your budget, which picks between cheaper and better versions of the same essentials.
- Get your list in buying order: what to buy first, what can wait and when it becomes worth it, with live Amazon prices and a running total.
Common questions about starting hydroponics
What do I absolutely need to start hydroponics?
At an absolute minimum, then, for a simple Kratky lettuce setup: a wide-mouth mason jar, a Kratky lid, some clay pebbles, a one-part nutrient powder, pH strips, and seeds. The total cost for a budget starter kit is, therefore, under $100 on Amazon. Many of these supplies (like the 6-lid kit and the 2 lb bag of pebbles) last for multiple grows, bringing your cost per plant down to just a few dollars.
How much does it really cost to start hydroponics?
A budget Kratky starter kit for herbs and leafy greens costs around $75 for the essentials, or, instead, about $100 with the optional extras. Microgreens are, by contrast, even cheaper at around $50 to start. If you want a proper setup with a grow light and digital meters, expect about $170 for the essentials and, once you add optional upgrades, up to about $240. Fruiting crops like tomatoes, however, need stronger equipment and start around $250 for a minimum viable setup. The calculator above, though, gives you a cost estimate for your specific goal.
Do I need a pH meter to start?
Not a digital meter. pH test strips cost $3.99 and are accurate enough for a beginner Kratky jar. A digital pH and EC meter is, however, the first upgrade most beginners make after their first successful harvest. Once you are running a DWC system or growing in quantity, though, a reliable digital meter becomes essential.
Do I need a grow light?
For herbs and leafy greens on a bright south-facing windowsill in summer, however, a window may be enough for your first jar. However, for consistent results year-round, especially in autumn and winter, an LED grow light makes a dramatic difference. Fruiting crops like tomatoes and peppers always need a proper grow light regardless of window exposure. The Mars Hydro TS600 at $59.99 is a great starting point, or, instead, the VIPARSPECTRA P700 at $39.99 for a fanless, quieter option.
How do I stop algae growing in my mason jars?
Algae grows, in fact, anywhere light reaches nutrient solution. The cleanest fix, therefore, is blackout jar sleeves that slip over your mason jar in seconds. They are, too, washable and reusable. DIY alternatives include black tape or aluminum foil, but sleeves are easier to remove when checking root health. The blackout sleeves at $13.99, meanwhile, fit standard wide-mouth mason jars and take 2 seconds to slide on.
What is the quietest air pump for an apartment DWC?
A small air pump is enough: something in the 2 to 5 watt range, like the Uniclife dual-outlet pump at $14.99, aerates a 3 to 5-gallon DWC bucket, and a smaller pump hums less. Most of the noise you hear is vibration passing into the shelf rather than the motor itself, so sit the pump on an anti-vibration pad, keep it above the water line with a check valve in the tubing, and let the tubing hang free so it cannot buzz against the bucket. An aquarium power filter is not a substitute: it moves water, but DWC roots need the fine bubbles from an air stone.
Do I need a heat mat for microgreens?
Not always. If your apartment stays above 68 degrees F (20 degrees C), however, most microgreen seeds germinate fine without extra heat. If your space is cool or you want faster, more even germination, the VIVOSUN seedling heat mat at $14.99 sits perfectly under a standard 1020 tray and cuts germination time by 1 to 2 days.
Why do I need EC calibration solution?
An EC meter that reads inaccurately is worse than no meter because it gives you false confidence. Calibration solution lets you verify your meter reads correctly before every grow cycle. The Bluelab 2.77 EC calibration solution is, overall, the standard reference for hobbyist growers. One 250 ml bottle, however, lasts a long time.
How often should I change my reservoir?
Top off daily with plain pH-adjusted water to replace whatever the plants drank, then do a full reservoir change every 2 weeks to clear the salts that build up as plants take nutrients out unevenly. Kratky is the exception. In a Kratky jar you never refill early, because the widening air gap is exactly what lets the upper roots breathe. A little 3% hydrogen peroxide, meanwhile, at reservoir-change time keeps the container clean between grows.