Easy D.i.y. Hydro Dwc Kit

[krondikebar]

D.I.Y. DWC
Materials needed.

1. Black 3.5 gallon bucket. There are 2 kinds of lids for these, regular lids on the left, and special pre-made lids on the right. I recommend using the ones with the pre-made net pots, the are very nice to use.
http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i282/krondikebar/DWCGuide001.jpg

2. In this step you will need three things. An air pump, there is a vast selection of these on the market. They come from 1-8 ports or more. I use a 4 port air pump. You will also need an air stone, One similar to this one will work fine. Finally, you will need some tubing to connect the previous two items together. A WISE SUGGESTION, use black hose or tubing, or any hose that will not allow light to shine through. IMO it helps keep your buckets cleaner.
http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i282/krondikebar/DWCGuide006.jpg

[krondikebar]

3. If using pre-made net pot lids, skip this step.
If using regular lids, you must select desired size net pots, and cut the holes in the lid manually. This is why I recommend the other lids….
http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i282/krondikebar/DWCGuide003.jpg
http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i282/krondikebar/DWCGuide004.jpg

4. Now you are ready to drill/make your holes, and put in your tubing.. I drill mine towards the top, just under the rim. I don’t recommend using the lid for your holes…..
http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i282/krondikebar/DWCGuide005.jpg

[krondikebar]

5. Now you should have everything done. Last thing is, fill the bucket with 3 gallons of water, plug everything in, and you should have bubbles.
http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i282/krondikebar/DWCGuide008.jpg

Here are some pictures of plants I grew using this method.
http://www.growkind.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=2194&d=1149782034
http://www.growkind.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=2734&d=1152001228

[sltackle22]

should the water be touching the roots from the start, or should they grow into the water, btw thanx for this

[krondikebar]

well about a half inch at the bottom of the net pot should be submerged, after the roots get long enough they just chill in the water

[dgreg]

nice setup bro cant wait to see the grow :punk:

[Cannagirl]

I like I like. I am absolutely in love with DWC. I just have one suggestion......starting with larger buckets means less ph fluctuation throughout the grow. Less water changes and lots of room for roots. I like having at least 7-8 gallons per plant. Right now I have 2 plants in an 18 gallon that should suit them to the end (I plan to grow them large).

I always love picture guides so thanks for this and the more people who switch the better! No offense soil gurus, I have mucho respect for you because I suck at dirt!

[HappyHappyHighGuy]

How do you empty your res if it has plants in the lid?

[Cannagirl]

I can lift the lid high enough for my siphon to get to the bottom. I empty the water by way of a fish tank siphon that hooks up to my sink. I have used it for fish tanks for years, it's awesome. You can't really get a good siphon going with buckets on the floor because it is too low to the ground. So unless you have a siphon that hooks to the sink (it can empty and fill it up both way, no lugging buckets, can find them at fish stores) or have some other way of emptying a large amount of water you should stick with smaller buckets. I just figure if i'm going to put so much time ino all this, then I should do it right. I have very little PH fluc. because it it takes longer for the unused salt ect to build up. It's less work for me because I don't have to change it as often. It also will support the plants for a full cycle and I never ever have to worry about root space being a problem. It uses a lot of nutes and if you are making a lot of errors it can get costly. I pretty much have it down by now though, so I don't use any more nutes than the plants need. It's also better for only having 1-2 plants, many more wouldn't be very manageable.

Also, you would have to think about extra aereation for the larger amount of water. I don't use bubblers. IMO they are not adequate for large amounts of water though I agree they are great for smaller buckets. I use a spinning motor that moves the water a ton, you can hear the splashing a room away.

My way is not for everyone. I don't really follow any rules but my own. I have had setbacks but they weren't really attributed to my set-up, more like bad luck, rare problems that don't usually happen (electrocution), ect

I have also had my DWC as an aquaponics system for the past several weeks while my plants rooted. Pythium kept getting them because I had to keep the temps high for cloning. Anyways the aquaponics worked, they have great roots, and I switched back to normal hydroponics a few days ago. All is good now, temps are back down, plants growing nicely.

Wow, I don't know how that turned out so long. I'm smoking something really good right now. What was the question again? Oh yeah, lids.

I did it this way right off. Never tried dirt, never tried any other hydro system so i'm completely clueless to them. I suppose I probly read a version of this on Overgrow way back and thats what worked the first time.

See this plant? It's not even "in" the lid. It's leaning over the side. I had some metal bendy wire stuff that anchored it to the side. The lid came completely off so I could scrub the sides every once in a while. This was only 27 days flowering. By the end I had a couple small ropes holding up some of the larger colas.

[krondikebar]

CANNAGIRL - I like to use the 3.5 gallon buckets for a few reasons. 1. The less water you have, the less nutrients you need for that water. 2. Its really easy to move, clean, and I just like it alot. I was able to grow 6' tall plants in these 3.5 gallon buckets and the roots still had LOTS of room to grow. Once every 2 weeks, i clean the buckets out, and fill them with new RO water and new nutrient solution. I have run previous set ups with larger reservoirs and all I have found is that it costs me more in water and nutes.

HHG - Well, I use the pre-made bucket lids, it really makes it easy as pie. You can just lift the lid off, plant, roots and all, and then set it in an empty bucket. Then you can dump out the water, clean out the inside of the bucket, then put the plant right back in as soon as you've made it right again...

Everyone - I have done about 6 grows using this method, and I LOVE IT. I have grown HUGE plants, I have grown small plants, Ive rooted clones in it, and started seeds in it. I especially got some FAT ASS NUGS from it, and I wouldnt have it any other way....

Thanks for checking it out, I threw it together yesterday in about 30 minutes. I will answer any more questions about my set up. Krondikebar

[krondikebar]

I am also going to make a guide exactly like this one for a home-made carbon scrubber.....its gonna take me a minute cause I already have one built and to do the guide proper I would need all new supplies.

[Shine Down]

where'd you get the buckets, i only find 1 and 5 gallons, and i cant find the links i had for the store that carried the pot-lids, where did you get those, and i am hella interested in the carbon scrubber..... i need something real soon to control this one..... it is strong already

[krondikebar]

well shine, I got the buckets at the hydro store....you could use 5 gallon buckets all the same, the only thing is, you would need more water and nutes to fill them up....

IMO, 3.5 gallons is the perfect size, its not too much, and definetly not too little.

Ill try to get on the scrubber guide very soon. I could teach you how to build it without pictures, it would just be harder to understand.

[Shine Down]

it's cool, no rush or anything, the one gallons are too small, and the 5 gallons are too tall....

for my application atleast....

[krondikebar]

ill try to help you find them if i can. what part of the country are you in?

[Shine Down]

ill try to help you find them if i can. what part of the country are you in?
ft worth, tx

[krondikebar]

im looking

[krondikebar]

well shine, i called that hydro store, and they said they could order them for you.

[Shine Down]

well shine, i called that hydro store, and they said they could order them for you.
hmmm, how much to they run, with the net lids....?

[krondikebar]

the buckets are like $4-5, and the lids are about $2-3.

how many are you lookin into?

I cant wait to show you what im gonna do once I get my clones goin....

[Shine Down]

the buckets are like $4-5, and the lids are about $2-3.

how many are you lookin into?

I cant wait to show you what im gonna do once I get my clones goin....

dont really know yet, i need to plan a few ideas and see for sure

and what idea you got brewing in that head of yours.....?

[krondikebar]

Some serious growing mang....9 buckets, 4oz per plant.

[Shine Down]

Some serious growing mang....9 buckets, 4oz per plant.
*bows down*....

sounds good.

[krondikebar]

im gonna try to jog some in these buckets, and if it works out, i might do that from now on....

[HappyHappyHighGuy]

i cant find the links i had for the store that carried the pot-lids, where did you get those

http://www.bghydro.com/BGH/items.asp?Cc=CO&Bc=

They have 8" and 10" net pots that fit the 3.5 or 5 Gallon buckets.

http://www.bghydro.com/mmBGH/Images/COMP08_100.jpg http://www.bghydro.com/mmBGH/Images/COMP10_100.jpg

[krondikebar]

http://www.bghydro.com/BGH/items.asp?Cc=CO&Bc=

They have 8" and 10" net pots that fit the 3.5 or 5 Gallon buckets.

http://www.bghydro.com/mmBGH/Images/COMP08_100.jpg http://www.bghydro.com/mmBGH/Images/COMP10_100.jpg


good lookin Happy. Thanks for the added info.

[Shine Down]

http://www.bghydro.com/BGH/items.asp?Cc=CO&Bc=

They have 8" and 10" net pots that fit the 3.5 or 5 Gallon buckets.

http://www.bghydro.com/mmBGH/Images/COMP08_100.jpg http://www.bghydro.com/mmBGH/Images/COMP10_100.jpg
that's the ones i remembered......!

thanks Bro's

[Shine Down]

im gonna try to jog some in these buckets, and if it works out, i might do that from now on....
i just red the jog faq and that is why i was asking about the buckets....lol

[krondikebar]

sorry i felt i needed you show you all my chameleon. his name is meleon (million)

http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i282/krondikebar/mikeyandmillion004.jpg

[krondikebar]

SHINE - if you decide to try it let me kno k?

[Shine Down]

will do, i will be outta town the week of the 22nd, so it will be after that....

and meleon looks badass, my mom had some jackson chameleons from hawaii

they were fun to play with, they love hanging from your fingers by their tail...

[krondikebar]

yes sir, he is very bad ass. Hes a tanzanian dwarf from madagascar

[xBxNodx420x]

This thread kicks butt....

THX



~B~

:punk:

[xBxNodx420x]

Also can we bump that scruber if it was ever posted? I remember seeing it awhile ago...

TY

~B~

[krondikebar]

thanks man, I hope it can help you out.

If you have additional questions hit me up.

[xBxNodx420x]

Well leme ask this? If I have three 1k Hps with a hood how many of these buckets you think you can fit per? Just for My information...

Also got a list of nutes and Stabilizer stuff for the water that you recomend? Im thinking my next opt will be a full out with this setup...

Also do you know if they sell any High presure pump to run about 25 of them buckets per pump or anything more on that?

I know this is gonna be dumb also but the rock stuff in the baskets what is that call also?

Im soil user and I seen it just never caught up on that name.....


Thx man TTYL


~B~

[krondikebar]

Well leme ask this? If I have three 1k Hps with a hood how many of these buckets you think you can fit per? Just for My information...

Also got a list of nutes and Stabilizer stuff for the water that you recomend? Im thinking my next opt will be a full out with this setup...

Also do you know if they sell any High presure pump to run about 25 of them buckets per pump or anything more on that?

I know this is gonna be dumb also but the rock stuff in the baskets what is that call also?

Im soil user and I seen it just never caught up on that name.....


Thx man TTYL


~B~

Alright, well the method is called DWC (deep water culture)

You could fit a minimum of 9 buckets under each of those lights. Its hard to say how many more you could actually fit because it depends on how much your plants bush out. You might have to move the buckets farther apart, do some research on the strain you want to use, and see how they grow. (tall, or bushy, or branchy)

I have used 2 brands of nutes using this method. I have used the General Hydroponics (GH) 3 part mix (grow,bloom,micro) I have also used Fox Farms (FF) 3 part mix (Grow big, Big bloom, Tiger Bloom) I have gotten good results from both of them. Go with GH if you like chemical nutrients, or go with FF if you like organic nutrients. (I like FF organics) I use GH PH up and PH down still tho.

Well I have a 4 port air pump, I could probably get splitters and run like 8 or more buckets off my pump. And YES they do make industrial air pumps that will support a shit load of buckets.

And the small round balls in the Net Pots are called

Hydroton aka hydro balls.

if you need more details hit me back

krondikebar

[UrBigBuddie]

where'd you get the buckets, i only find 1 and 5 gallons, and i cant find the links i had for the store that carried the pot-lids, where did you get those, and i am hella interested in the carbon scrubber..... i need something real soon to control this one..... it is strong already

There are a few links at the bottom of my signature that will most definately immpress mostly ANYONE at the rates they send their products out at , and all the GREAT prices on GROW PRODUCTS(and since its a HYDROPONIC aquaculture online store, it will sell ANYTHING, and i mean ANYTHING to do with growing and ANYTHING that need come along with sertain parts too!!!

Check it out, it is where ME and TA get all oue Equipptment iff ever upgrading or plain adding to the grow room!!!

Peace Out for now,
Hope this may HELP any of you ,
UrBigBuddie...........:) :punk:

P.S, I saw a grow one plant DWC system in this online store for around 35 QUID(UK) and thats increadible, and i'd , PERSONALLY LOVE to learn HYDROPONICS/AEROP/DWC/AQUA-P, ANYONE of them , preferably...the DWC or the one bucket system that sells so well in the www.aquaculture-hydroponics.co.uk (http://www.aquaculture-hydroponics.co.uk) store......

All products are NEXT day delivery's too...... or at MOST(VERY MOST) 2 working days!!!:) :punk:

[juniorman8]

http://www.growkind.com/forum/showthread.php?p=192293#post192293

This is the scrubber I use. Been using it for a while now and it works great.

[krondikebar]

FINALLY.

someone who uses the same scrubber as me.
works like a champion.
Oh do I love it.

http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i282/krondikebar/jdjas00455.jpg

[skunky]

FINALLY.

someone who uses the same scrubber as me.
works like a champion.
Oh do I love it.

http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i282/krondikebar/jdjas00455.jpg
Looks like a huge bullet casing!

[krondikebar]

yea its a 300 cal.

[juniorman8]

I couldn't believe the prices on the commercial scrubbers out there. I saw that one in the DIY and put it together the next day. Took less than an hour to throw it together. Got the carbon off ebay. I change it every other flower cycle. I still put a dish of ONA out for those last couple of weeks though.

[krondikebar]

I couldn't believe the prices on the commercial scrubbers out there. I saw that one in the DIY and put it together the next day. Took less than an hour to throw it together. Got the carbon off ebay. I change it every other flower cycle. I still put a dish of ONA out for those last couple of weeks though.

I built it within a couple days of seeing it as well. Its a really nice little scrubber. I made mine smaller than the one he showed on the thread. It works perfectly.

I have never tried ONA, but I might try it out if mine doesnt get all the stink out.

[hashh]

This looks like exactly the set-up I want, thank you for the easy step-by-step set-up guide man! I saw your grow journal from the other thread and I was just wondering where you ordered your seeds from if you even did?

[shore_island]

Hey Kron, that setup looks great i might try it, i see u been having great results, i was wondering you just fill the 3.5 gal buket to the lvl of the mesh pot , but do u have like a hose with a water pump to keep the rockwool wet?? or in that system is it not necesary???

just the air pump,the air stone and the bucket with the mesh pot??
have you found any bucket of those with a valve so it will be easier to change water or you think is easier and you dont need a valve?