Quote Originally Posted by meandmine
How would I set up an 18 plant hydro system? Is it something I would have to buy or make? What do you think the approximate cost of the setup would be?
Sorry just reading through again.

I just got my bro a 1000 watt HPS switchable ballast and 1000 watt hps hortilux bulb with it for 341 bucks.Then went to slowes and got a 400 watt MH for veg for 25 bucks. You can put a smaller bulb in a bigger ballast but not the other way around.

3 ten gallon sterilite tubs at Wally mart 15 bucks went to hydro shop got 18, 3 inch netpots for 18 bucks and nutrients about 40 bucks. A 4 port eco air pump and some air tubes and stones about 50 bucks. Hydrotron rocks about 20 bucks.

He also needs an A/C unit from home depot for 150 bucks but if your inside an a/c you may not need it just venting. Fresh air infrom a/c , hot air out can be done many ways and cost alot or very little.

I use a hole saw 2 and 7/8's inches. Cut 6 holes in the top of tubs space them out 3 on each side. Drop in an air stone. fill with 6 gallons of water, I prefer R/O but went with tap water for bro cause it was under 200 ppm's.

A PH pen is a must and the prices canbe about 100 but I just searched and found the ph600 from milwalki for less than 25 each at a petshop for fish.
TDS pen will help but not required at first.

6 DRIP HYDROPONICS SYSTEM HYDROPONIC KIT like waterfarm - eBay (item 190300970924 end time May-14-09 17:25:51 PDT)

Check out this. It's what I started with . They were alittle cheaper a few years ago and I can still make the for 30 bucks a piece.