Aeroponics is more expensive to set up than hydroponics, but the price can vary widely. DIY systems can cost less if you "make do" with certain equipment or purchase used. Low pressure aeroponics (LPA) setups use less powerful pumps and less specialized equipment, so they generally cost less than more hi-tech (and more effective) high pressure (HPA) alternatives.
Setting up a DIY LPA system may set you back only a couple hundred dollars and it's a great place for beginners to start. These systems are pretty uncomplicated and don't require special equipment, but in the end, they simply don't perform as well and don't exhibit the same efficiency as their more hi-tech cousins. On the other end of the spectrum, a complete HPA system in a box with full customer support and informational DVD will set you back as much as 10,000 dollars for a residential tower setup. Commercial systems cost even more, but successful growers say they can recoup their initial expenses and reach a profit in about 3 years.
