DWC NEWBIE HERE, NEED HELP!!

[cmurda55]

First off, I am on a budget, so I need something cost effective. I have 10 seeds, and want to start DWC. I am not sure which route to go. Here are the choices I am stuck between. 10 DWC buckets with a 5" bubble disk in each, or a couple of totes with several plants in each.

I am unsure of how many plants i should put in each tote if i go that route.
I have a dual diaphram 8 outlet pump, grow tents ready to roll. Just need some help in a setup.

Any suggestions?

cmurda55 Reviewed by cmurda55 on 05-10-2010. DWC NEWBIE HERE, NEED HELP!! First off, I am on a budget, so I need something cost effective. I have 10 seeds, and want to start DWC. I am not sure which route to go. Here are the choices I am stuck between. 10 DWC buckets with a 5" bubble disk in each, or a couple of totes with several plants in each. I am unsure of how many plants i should put in each tote if i go that route. I have a dual diaphram 8 outlet pump, grow tents ready to roll. Just need some help in a setup. Any suggestions? Rating: 5

[LOC NAR on probation]

From what I have seen on here lately I would go with the buckets. Spacing depends on the plants size. IDK sooner or later the totes get to be a pain. The buckets i can see being easier to deal with even hooked to a control rez.
if you have to move a plant for any reason say a leaking system or to quickly move to fresh nutes.
Buckets from slowes are 3 bucks now and netpot lids either 6 or 8 inch are only 5 bucksat hydro shop.

OK you talked me into it. been trying to decide. Off to plan a refitting of buckets to our space.

Check out Marty and Tiny's grows.

[cmurda55]

Anyone else have any suggestions?
I'm figuring if I do 10 buckets, I'm going to be spending at least $150 in parts. I think i could cut the price down a LOT in totes. But If shelling out the extra capital means I will have a more superior system, Then I will do it.

[tinytoon]

I'm not going to say that 1 way is more superior than the other but there are some big time pluses on the bucket side.
1) unlimited on where you can move buckets to as long as air hose is long enough or extension cord is
2) If you get a male or hermie (same thing but then again different :wtf you pull 1 bucket and your done. no sorting through roots or any crap like that.
3) If some dumbass pours something into a bucket that dont belong you only lose 1 plant not the whole crop.

I'm gonna cut this list short as my back is killing me atm and sitting in front of puter dont help.

4) Can try different nute mixtures at same time during same grow.

I also have been doing an E&F setup and just started Ebb and Grow in basement, the E&F setup is being retired and going to run DWC upstairs to include Momma and Ebb&Grow downstairs with more buckets added :jointsmile:

[RockyMtnDezL]

Who says buckets cost anything? Go to a paint store and ask them for poured off buckets. Let em dry peel em, free. Not home depot,not ace...a real paint store that sells just paint! You will be surprised how much crap they sell in a paint store that can be used fro a grow room, besides paint.

[cmurda55]

Never even thought about that. Thanks for the tip! great idea....

[LOC NAR on probation]

Who says buckets cost anything? Go to a paint store and ask them for poured off buckets. Let em dry peel em, free. Not home depot,not ace...a real paint store that sells just paint! You will be surprised how much crap they sell in a paint store that can be used fro a grow room, besides paint.

You got a nice paint store. 5 gallon paint or sheetrock buckets are sold back to a company near me for 250 a piece.

Yea all you got to do is look around and anything can be a usefull.

[cmurda55]

checked out craigslist.... found a guy who's work is getting rid of pallets full of 5Gal. buckets for .50 cents a piece. Not sure if they have lids, but at that price who cares. I guess they're all clean, food grade buckets.

[tinytoon]

lids are not needed so no sleep loss there :thumbsup: also dont know what ur paying for that 5" disk but 4" airstone at petco is 1.99 and bubbles galore.

[CovertCarpenter]

...rum, ting, t'dooooo... [I dare anyone to correctly finish the lyric...]

My fave source of Food-Grade Buckets of a Useful Size right now is the commercial bakery at the grocery store I work at. There's this cute lil' thang who works there who usually sets aside 2-5 buckets, and lids, and will even rinse 'em out if she has the time If she doesn't, I /do/, and my shift usually ends a little after bakery's shift. They're only 4ga buckets, but that's just a little bit more perfect, afaic.

If I didn't work there, I'd prolly have to wash the remainders of Muffin Mix and such out at home...

Anyone have a DQ near 'em? They get their strawberries in 5ga pails (iirc), and on any given week should have a few that they're happy to get rid of, lids usually included.

Happy scavenging!