well I did see a plan one time were they had a small kids swimming pool, about 3 feet around on a table, a water pump , barrel with plant food, the water just went from barrel with fertilized water to fill in the pool and drain out on a timer. the plants sat in the pool with some grow lights.

Yeah..I've seen some really good ones (like the barrel-ponics) but it's kinda costly to set up. Looking for something cheap and "idiot proof" that I can try out! (without the fish first, if I can get it right I'll add fish later - I don't want to buy the fish to get started and poison the little buggers)

I'm confused, so you want fish in your hydroponics, i was just thinking of plants.

Sorry Beth, I want to start with just plants and grow them hydroponically and see how I go, then (much later when I have the cash) I'd like to have a go at aquaponics (by making minor adjustments to the principle of the hyrdoponic system that is hopefully working well). You know how kids do science projects and they can try something out...that's kinda what I'm trying to do...make something as simple as possible to see if it will work for me. I'm not a "high tech" kinda person, so I like simple idea's and simple plans that are "idiot proof" so that it works for everyone.

K.I.S.S KEEP IT SIMPLE STUPID, ITS MY MOTTO 🙂

Yep, me too.....The simpler it is the less you (read me) can stuff up!