600w DWC system idea

[Vetteman7]

Well... I've been growing in soil for almost a year now and I'm ready for the switch to DWC. I use a SOG method where i pluck the lower growth tips that branch outward. I would like to put two 55 gal rubbermaid tubs under my 600w. Could I grow 18 clones in 5 inch net pots per tub (36 in all)? The usable area for each of the tubs is 42" x 20". The air pump I get would be used for both containers with 3 48" bubble wands (under the plants) in each container. The smaller one puts out 1.34 cu. ft. of air at 2.9 psi and the larger moves 2.3 cu. ft at 3.9 psi. Is this enough pressure for the entire length of all 6 wands? Is this enough air to aerate about 25-30 gallons of nutrient per tub? I hope I have described the system adequately. Sorry that I have no previous hydro experience. If I need to supply anymore information let me know and I'll provide all that I can. Thanks for the help ya'll.

Vetteman7 Reviewed by Vetteman7 on 06-22-2007. 600w DWC system idea Well... I've been growing in soil for almost a year now and I'm ready for the switch to DWC. I use a SOG method where i pluck the lower growth tips that branch outward. I would like to put two 55 gal rubbermaid tubs under my 600w. Could I grow 18 clones in 5 inch net pots per tub (36 in all)? The usable area for each of the tubs is 42" x 20". The air pump I get would be used for both containers with 3 48" bubble wands (under the plants) in each container. The smaller one puts out 1.34 cu. Rating: 5

[truthseeker]

I also just switch to DWC but i was formaly ebb an flow the system you descibed sounds good lets do some research on that space issue i'm also interested i'll switch to one of these 55 gal rubbermaids or 2 lol well do some research on your hydo faq and have a back up plan for power outage if so your roots could drown dun dun dun i got a generater well good luck

[Vetteman7]

I could get 2 battery powered back ups. I could probably only run 2 lines off of each. Hopefully my power doesn't go out for longer than an hour tops. There aren't many disastrous storms that come through here. Probably just pull the lid up if goes out. My main concern is that the bubblewands won't properly aerate that much nutrient solution. I have yet to see a large scale DWC that isn't the buckets. Maybe there is a drawback to using so much solution (aside from the back breaking effort of moving the containers). I think I'll pick up 4 containers and switch the "reservoir" out. I'll should ahead and get the bigger 2.3 cu ft. pump. It's on sale at Dr. Foster and Smith for $56. 6 48" bubble wands should be enough the bottom of the container is only 16" wide. BTW, I also think I'll use the Higromite for medium. With the lip flipped over and using fairly deep net pots, I think the container will hold about 25 and 30 gallons of solution per container. 1.15 cfm of air would aerate all the water every 4 and a half to five minutes, so one would do it every two and a half (based on my shoddy math). That has to be in an acceptable range. Maybe I'll start with one container and put all the bubblewands in it to see if the idea is possible. Then try to add the second. Oh well, that's enough for now. Anybody with similar ideas or even better, experience, please stop in and enlighten the noobs.

[Vetteman7]

Alright.... I was hoping for a little more excitement from the forum. I thought it was a good idea. Anyways, maybe with a little hybridization, I can make it a more efficient system. So, the next step in my creation is a little ebb and flow action. So, what I'll do is get 2 25gal storage tubs and two 60gal submersible pumps. Then I will set the pumps on a timer to fill the tub (one inch above the bottom of the net pot) 3 times during the day and once at night. It would then drain back into the the smaller tub. In between actual full times, it will have about 7 inches (18 gallons) of nutrient solution DWC style with my bubblewands. Does this seem like a good setup? Can I get more oxygen to the roots any other way? Any ideas or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

[stjimmy]

Last time I tried to give opinions on this forum I got clowned on by a mod for being ghetto and said I'd never be back, but a year later here I am, bored....

That's more than enough air man, you don't even need the stones, or get all fancy with the setup unless you want to. Just plain ol' non-recirc dwc will do a fine job of it.... as long as the water's rolling nicely surface diffusion will give you all the DO you need. A bare line fixed at the bottom of the rez will serve fine, with no chance of clogging up or breaking, and you save a trip to the store and a few pennies on buying them in the first place.

I've had power outages of well over 24 hours in a dwc, they will start to droop but as soon as the water is adequately agitated they'll perk up quick.

just remember as with most things, complicated isn't necessarily better.

[deftdrummer]

sorry about the bad run of luck you guys. I am not really able to visualize what you are talking about vetteman. You guys should both check out the grow in my signature I think it would help you a lot if you are planning an ebb and flow or a DWC system. I have 3 plants very simply made cheapest as possible. I recommend doing a ton of research before formulating a final plan and TALK to your local hydro store employees if you are lucky enough to have a store around you. http://boards.cannabis.com/grow-log/...wc-grow-4.html