Quote Originally Posted by bbc
Can you give us some info on the setup of your buckets ?
Res size pump size
line in and out size and Just some info on how you constructed (parts) you setup and why ? ? ?
Is the buckets on your floor ?
(same level as the res) ? ? ?
Do you have a drip on the top of your buckets ?
Thank`s
Sure thing. The buckets are 5 gallons. The reservoir is 40 gallons, but its only about 2/3 full. We use a gravity reservoir to constantly fill up the control reservoir. That is a 32 gallon trash can that sits above the reservoir. Depending on the number of plants you are doing, you can go through over 150 gallons of water a week of you have lots of trees. Can u believe that?!?!

The line in is 1/2" hose from a 350gph submerged pump in the reservoir, and each bucket has a 1/4" line going into the bucket an inch or 2 from the top. The water squirts in pretty hard, hitting the 6" net pot filled with hydroton. This splashes, makes mist, keeps the rootball wet, and recirculates the water. In each bucket there is an air stone. For 6 buckets, I use a 35 watt HD air pump, it pumps them like nuts! More bubbles the better! Airstone is optional, I find it much quieter then an open air line. The water returns from the bucket via 3/4" line, and there is a root filter on the inside of each bucket.

For this system, because it only uses 1 pump, gravity is the return pump and therefore the water level in the reservoir determines the water level in each bucket. I like this system a lot because it requires little input and work, and due to the amount of water and constant recirculating, pH stays very steady.

I never replace my water. I ALSO DO NOT USE RO WATER!!!! Its a complete waste and harmful to the environment. Obviously some people must use it if they have 400ppm and 8ph out the tap, but I am blessed with good water that comes out at 7ph and 220ppm. Id rather not spend money on Calmag either, as my tap water has plenty. I only replace my water to flush, which I do for the last week with straight water, low 6's pH.

Normally I use CO2, this grow I did not. I have found that depending on the location and temperatures you have, CO2 can create more problems then it is worth. This is yet another grow that proves to me that you dont need CO2 for big fat super heavy buds...but it can help sometimes for sure. The only problem I have run into with this system is that if you veg the plants too long, the roots get so massive that they eventually make their way into the return lines. Once I had a nice flood with 2" of water on the floor. I since had flood alarms, and they caught a flooded bucket a couple weeks ago and turned off the pump. The airpump stays on so there really is no negative effects long as it is addressed relatively quickly.

I have considered a larger return line, however roots grow whether it is small or large, it just takes awhile longer if its bigger. What needs to happen is constant checking to make sure the roots are not growing into the lines.

Here are the latest pictures. 7 weeks is up, were on the 8th final week. Flushing started today.