1. Observation

   a)   What do you want to learn?

   We want to learn what the difference is in plant growth between hydroponically grown plants and plants grown using soil.

2. Hypothesis

   a)   What do you think your test will result in?

   We believe the experiment will show hydroponically grown plants grow faster and produce more than plants grown in soil.

   b)   Why do you think this?

   We think this because hydroponics will allow for more oxygen to get to the roots of the plants which will allow the roots to absorb the nutrients more efficiently, which in turn will produce larger, healthier plants.

3. Test

   a)  Set up experiment

   
     You can build your own system.  You will need:

   One 5-gallon bucket and one 3-gallon bucket to fit inside. A small air pump and a container to hold suspended pots in water. A Drip Ring Assembly made of 1/4" tube connected in circular fashion to a "T" fitting. A Pumping Column made of two plastic tubes connected with an air inlet at the bottom. A Pumping Column Support Tube made of white PVC tube with bevel facing down. Please note that all of the parts needed to make your own system can be purchased at Atlantis Hydroponics including tubes, fittings and connectors.

   b)  Germination
        There are several different ways to germinate your seeds.

   1. Soil - Place the seeds about 1/2" deep below the soil of the container that you will be using.

   2. Rockwool - These are small one inch by one inch cubes which are specifically made for hydroponics.  They have an air-friendly texture and work well keeping the seed covered and moist with water.

   3. Paper towel - Place the seed inside the moistened paper towel.   It is important to keep the paper towel moist while the seed is germinating.

   It is important for the seeds to (1) remain moist and (2) have light.   Flourescent lights will do the trick once your seedlings have two or more leaves.   Humidity and an 85ºF temperature will also help your seeds to germinate.

   Once your seedlings are four inches long, you may transport them into your hydroponic system.  You may put the rockwool cubes directly into the net cup of The House That Jack Built system, and surround it with pebbles of hydroton.  The seedlings started in soil may stay there for the control part of the experiment.
   

   c)   Take Notes
   
   Make daily notes about each plant from the beginning.  Look for: height; color; produce; nutrients; pH; smell; and taste.

4. Results

   a)  What is your conclusion?
   
   We found that the basil grown hydroponically grew faster, had greener color, thicker stems, and tasted better than the basil grown in soil.

   b)  Was your result the same as your prediction?  Why or why not?
   
   These findings are the same as our hypothesis which proves that the increased oxygen to the roots of the basil allowed for the nutrients to be used more efficiently which, in turn, produced stronger and healthier plants.

We hope that this sample experiment has helped you decide how to do your own hydroponic experiment.  The experiment outlined above is only one of the many possibilities that you can do.  Let us know if there is more that we at Atlantis Hydroponics can do for you, and good luck!