3 Best Hydroponic Reservoirs of 2023 🌳 Hydroponic Tanks

Did you know that not all hydroponic reservoirs are the same? They are usually made of different materials and are also available in different sizes and shapes. Some are even designed to add aesthetic value. Then how do you go about choosing the best one?

The best hydroponic reservoir should store and deliver water and essential nutrients to your plants, maintain the nutrient solution temperature, and allow oxygenation and preparation of the nutrient solution. It should also maintain and adjust the nutrient concentration as desired. If you are searching for a hydroponic reservoir then look no further! We have compiled a list of the 3 best hydroponic reservoirs that you should check out.

Best Hydroponic Reservoirs

BLUMAT 5 Gallon Water Reservoir

Pros

  • Ready bulkheads/spigots for 8mm blumat tubing
  • High-quality
  • Opaque to discourage algae growth
  • Lid included
  • Multipurpose
  • No-tool assembly

Cons

  • Quite pricey

The BLUMAT 5 Gallon Water Reservoir is a 5-gallon reservoir that is ideal for use both indoors and outdoors. It is fitted with two bulkheads, thus saving you the time and energy required to set them up yourself. With these bulkheads, you can easily run the tubing to your Blumat drip system from the bucket. These two preinstalled bulkheads have 8mm nipples, which are ideal for Blumat systems. This size is almost the standard size used in most drip systems.

If you are thinking, is the construction material safe? Then yes, it is. This hydroponic reservoir is made of food-grade plastic. Therefore, it is very safe to use both indoors and outdoors, especially if you intend to grow medicines or food. The plastic is opaque, and this is intentional to prevent the growth of algae. It comes with a lid that is easy to fit and remove whenever you need it.

Assembling this hydroponic reservoir is effortless as no tools are required. You should note that the bulkheads come with the nipples installed inwards to make packing and shipping easier. Once you receive your BLUMAT 5 Gallon Water Reservoir, you should flip the bulkheads around to make the nipples face outward before using them in your garden. The manufacturer recommends using the BLUMAT ultra-high quality and durable silicone Superflex tubing with this hydroponic reservoir.

 

Hydrofarm 5 Gallon Deep Water Culture Bucket System

Pros

  • Watertight seal
  • Multipurpose air hose
  • Opaque to discourage algae growth
  • Lid included
  • Multipurpose
  • No-tool assembly

Cons

  • Set-up a bit labor intensive

The Hydrofarm 5 Gallon Deep Water Culture Bucket System is a very simple deep water culture system that has proved very effective. It grows large plants well and is an inexpensive and easy-to-use system. The 5-gallon bucket has an inner 8-inch basket that securely holds your preferred growing medium. Although you can use the soilless medium you like best, the manufacturer recommends using Hydrofarm grow clay pebbles specifically designed for this system. These pebbles are sold separately.

The bucket is thoughtfully designed and crafted to guarantee you no leaks, so you will not have to worry about cleaning messes now and then. The elbow and grommet fittings ensure the system is sealed so that no leaks will occur. There is also a translucent air tubing that allows you to check the level of nutrient solution in the reservoir bucket.

Another must-not-miss feature is the multipurpose air hose. The single bucket system contains one small air pump, while the 4-bucket unit contains 4 larger air pumps. The air hose brings in air from the pump to the bottom of the bucket. This oxygenates your water to promote root growth in your plants. As a result, you can expect to have stronger and healthier plants.

 

Eagle 30 Gallon Lab Pack Drum

Pros

  • Meets DOT regulations
  • 30-gallon storage capacity
  • Metal lever-lock ring
  • Plastic lid included
  • Made of blue HDPE
  • May be incinerated

Cons

  • Quite pricey
  • Locking metal ring prone to rust

The Eagle 30 Gallon Lab Pack Drum is made of high-density polyethylene (HDPE). It has a plastic lid, a metal lever ring for locking, and its capacity is 30 gallons. You can use this multipurpose drum to transport, store, and dispose of small containers with hazardous materials. It is designed to contain spills. It comes with a plastic lid that is lockable to secure the contents inside. You can stack up to three drums if you have limited space.

The blue HDPE construction is resistant to punctures, dents, and some chemicals. It is very durable and weighs much less than steel drums do. Moreover, it can be incinerated once its lifespan is over to avoid filling landfills with HDPE plastic. The heavy-duty construction makes this drum long-lasting. It also contains ultraviolet inhibitors that prevent discoloration and fading.

This drum is also a great choice because it has a large storage capacity of up to 30 gallons and is relatively lightweight compared to other drums in the market. It only weighs 15 pounds. You can use this drum to store or transport hazardous materials without any worry as it meets the DOT regulation 173.12 and United Nations standards on the packing and shipping of hazardous wastes and materials.

What to Look for When Buying a Hydroponic Reservoir

Before you pick a hydroponic reservoir, you need to assess your needs to determine the appropriate size. Like every other item in your house or garden, you need to pick a quality product to avoid unnecessary replacements. We have also explored some of the most important aspects to consider before you make an order. Read on to find out more.

Sturdiness

Any experienced hydroponic gardening enthusiast will tell you that nothing is as frustrating as having a hydroponic nutrient reservoir that cracks or leaks. Nutrient solutions are precious and must not be wasted unnecessarily. For this reason, you should ensure you pick a sturdy reservoir. It should have a tight-fitting lid to prevent spills, especially during transportation. The reservoir should be made of high-quality plastic that does not crack or split when filled with your preferred nutrient solution.

Easy to Assemble

Hydroponic gardening requires a bit of skill that you can acquire easily. Once you start your hydroponics garden after acquiring these skills, you will want to use easy to assemble equipment. Having a reservoir that requires minimal or no assembly is fantastic, especially for beginners. You do not want to spend your precious time figuring out how a reservoir works when you should be busy taking care of your seedlings or sowing seeds.

Size

Hydroponic reservoirs come in different sizes. It is important to consider the amount of space in your garden. If you have limited space, it is only reasonable to pick a smaller reservoir and vice versa. Picking one that is too small or too large for your space will only frustrate you and waste your money.

Value for Money

You will find both cheap and expensive hydroponic reservoirs in the market today. Before you pick one, you should assess the value it will offer and weigh its features against the attached price tag. A good reservoir should meet your requirements, be sturdy, and easy-to-use. If it does not meet these three minimum conditions, then it is not worth your money.

Summary

Hydroponic gardening has become increasingly popular because it yields better-quality plants and harvests. If you are building a hydroponic garden then a hydroponic reservoir is a must-have for your garden. The one you pick should be easy to assemble and use, sturdy, and should offer value for money. We have discussed the 3 best hydroponic reservoirs of 2021 above to help you make an informed decision and buy the one that best suits your needs.