Maintaining a DWC system.

Im interested in building my own DWC system out of a sterilite tub. I've been reading lots of members post about the DWC system and know pretty much all the basics of it. I do have a few questions though that keep coming to my mind that i can't seem to find answers for. If these questions were asked before i apologize.

1: On the dwc system, how do you "top off" or even flush and refill the tub? Im sure just taking the lid off or pulling one of the netpots out to refill is not the best way. Has anyone ever made one of these tubs with an inlet for filling and a plug on the bottom for draining?

2: Keeping water level at optimum level, how to tell where the water level is? Do i just lift one of the netpots out to check water levels, or is there a way to make a water level indicator without having to open the tub? Sorta like on the waterfarm.

3: How many netpots and what size are ideal for a 10 gal tub or 18 gal tub?

I think those are all the Q's i had, if there are more i think of, i will post. Once again i apologize if these questions were asked before. I made a quick digram in photoshop of the system im thinking about, would this work?

[attachment=o70546]

yes I have...but you can use a seperate spare bucket...fill it with fresh nutes and just change over top/netpot/plant all at once...have your airline go into side, just under rim, then you can change the whole thing easily by having a seperate airline in each bucket.

2. just peak in under the lid...

3. 1 plant per 10g...2 plants in 18g, but remember if you are growing seedlings then 2 plants in a rez will interweave their respective root systems

get an 18 gallon rez...2 10g tubs will sit on a shelf above...pump water from rez to tubs, add a bulkhead style drain...so it won't leak...rubbermaid makes some for horse troths and truvalue, has some in the boating section...when you change out...open drain and allow to empty into tub...
fill using 100gph submersible pump...look at my hydro sticky, to get some ideas. goodluck lw

Thanks for your answers, im just trying to get all my "ducks in a row" so when i finally start this i will have as little problems as possible. Wow, only 1 plant per 10 gallon tub? I figured at least 2 per 10 gals and i was thinking an 18 gal tub would house 4 plants. But if you say 1 per 10 and 2 per 18 gal, i'll believe that judging by all the photos of the grows ive seen you do. I coulda swore i saw pics of like 4 plants in one 10gal tub. Thanks again. :thumbsup:

that is exactly what I did...read, learn, get my ducks in a row...ordered 3-part, rockwool 1"x1", and hydroton.
built some bubblers and now....what a mess...

Here is the thing...If you are growing clones,vegging them 2weeks, then flower...You can put 4 in a tub.

but, if you veg them too big for yield, then they will just grow all into each other and waste all this energy, getting poor light penetration.

You are better growing 1/2 the amount of plants with more space. You can achieve the same yield with less plants if you grow them right.
tidbit of info: Did you know? clones take on the age of the mother. i.e. If you're mother is 4 months old when you take cuttings...by the time you root them they are 4.5 months old...Get it? So you can treat them as mature plants much faster than seedlings.

With seedlings however, you have to veg them longer to allow them to mature in order to take advantage of the most potent plant you can grow.
so, they get too big to be in a tub together...Plus, if the roots tangle and then one is a male; Now what? you have to chop it off and leave the whole root ball in your rez. and the stem poking up.

I am currently stuck with 2 clones that got vegged too long, but the roots were intertwined so they are all over each other. It's cool, but not efficient...know what I mean?

you seem to have the right ideas, so I will be around if you need some help.

lw

p.s. the 4 top you saw was early flowering clones that got transferred when before they got too big, and intertwined... I believe

I didn't see you were from santa barbara before...
go to green coast hydro in SB...they are great people and
are willing to help. just be discreet, as they will freak if you say the m word.

Thanks again for the info, the part about clones taking on the age of the mother is cool. Does that mean they could flower earlier? Btw, im not from Cali, i am from Louisiana. There are a few hydro shops in New Orleans, thats about an hour drive for me.. but i think i'll make the trip to buy the things i need other than order online.

Are 5" netpots large enough, or should i use somthing smaller? Not for clones but for the entire growth and flower cycle.

once rooted you can transfer clones to medium and give them 50% nutes, or 1 week full dose of Liquid Karma...

On netpots...I switched to 3.75" netpots from 5", because the smaller pot allowed me to buy a 3.5" holesaw...perfect holes for a perfect fit...It doesn't matter what size netpots you use...you use the same netpot all the way through, whatever size. peace lw:)

Lw, i really appreciate your information. I know you are well respected around here and i value your tips. I've been sneaking around these forums for over a month and finally registered not long ago. I have been reading and soaking in all the information i can. I try really hard to search for the answers to every question i may have and i usually find them here. But there are always tiny little questions that may seem elementary to others here but they are questions that keep me up at night :p Once again, Thank you.

I have used a similar method and here is what i found to be the best.

Use the 18 gallon tub, do 2 plants "SCROG" style, attaching the screen to the lid of the sterilite tub so the plant can be moved off of the res if it needs cleaning/changing/testing.

Use 2 of the biggest "cheapy" air pumps you can afford with a total of 4 or more air stones.

I would use a very small amount of nutes when you first put the plants in the system. (ppm 400 or less)

After the plants start growing quick, this will be obvious, just up the nutes to whatever you like. I like about 800ppm for my current strain. I have seen plants like 700ppm, upto 1300ppm. Lower is usually safer. You will burn them a little if it gets to high, then you know to back off.

Just add water to the system as it needs it. Once you have added the total volume of the res about 2-3 times, do a res change and start it fresh.

I just did something similar with a large light and pulled 12 per plant. Granted, the light was a 1000W MH on just 2 plants, but hey, 12 is cool.


I hope everything goes perfect.

B'pads...Like your idea, but scrog might be a little tedious for a new grower.

On another note...i must disagree with this statement;
Once you have added the total volume of the res about 2-3 times, do a res change and start it fresh.

You wouldn't have any nutes/ppm left...you shouldn't ever top-off more than 100% of volume before nute changeout.

anyway welcome to cdot...see ya around.

lw