How to Use more CO2 to Boost Hydroponic Plant Growth Carbon dioxide is needed in a hydroponic garden to guarantee continued plant growth because it is required for photosynthesis. Many gardeners do not realize that the larger their hydroponic garden is, the more their plants need carbon dioxide for respiration. Commercial growers are changing to hydroponics like never before as the ideals surrounding the growing techniques touch on subjects that interest most people, including world hunger and making the world cleaner. Everyday people have begun to purchase their own hydroponic systems to grow great tasting and fresh food for their family and friends. ” What it means to horticulture is the growing of plants without soil. Hydroponic gardening is an exciting field that offers solutions to several problems faced in the world of food production. For impoverished people who live in a terrain or climate inhospitable to agriculture, hydroponics offers a means of growing food. Active systems use pumps and usually timers and other electronic gadgets to monitor the operation. Passive systems may also incorporate any number of gadgets. These systems try not to use pumps and may rely on the use of a wicking agent to draw nutrients to the roots. Media based systems use some form of growing medium. Important “Must-Haves” When Buying your Hydroponic Supplies Gardeners that are new to hydroponics often go overboard buying items that they may need in the future but will not need in the beginning stages of hydroponic gardening. To begin your hydroponic gardening project you will only need a few things to get you off to a great start. The electrical charges in soil particles are different from those in mixtures with no soil. Because of this reason, different pH levels for nutrient uptake are needed for each type of growing medium. Maintaining the proper pH level in the nutrient reservoir is most likely the single most critical factor to successful hydroponic gardening.