DWC with Screen of green

[Jackster]

I am a newbie to hydro, finishing my first grow. I grew one lady for experimental purposes, and she did well!! When she was young I tilted he 90 degrees and tied her off to get her to be bushy (something I never did when growing in soil). I was a pain to keep tilting her.

I use a DWC, and want to try ScroG, but I wonder how do I empty/refill the res every 2-weeks) if the plant is rooted IN the res while a screen is on top? Even if I attach a res to the grow tank, the water in the grow tank must be emptied when the res is emptied, and that is where the problems come in.

All I can think of is to drill a hole in the bottom of the grow tank and either cork it or install a valve, then I can elevate the tank and let gravity drain the water into another contained when needed. I am starting small (one plant for now) but intend to expand when I get a system perfected.

Has anyone overcome this obstacle with a DWC/ScroG??

Thanks for any input! :smokin:

Jackster Reviewed by Jackster on 06-04-2011. DWC with Screen of green I am a newbie to hydro, finishing my first grow. I grew one lady for experimental purposes, and she did well!! When she was young I tilted he 90 degrees and tied her off to get her to be bushy (something I never did when growing in soil). I was a pain to keep tilting her. I use a DWC, and want to try ScroG, but I wonder how do I empty/refill the res every 2-weeks) if the plant is rooted IN the res while a screen is on top? Even if I attach a res to the grow tank, the water in the grow Rating: 5

[tinytoon]

Flotec Drill 225-Gallon Per Hour Motor Pump - FPDMP21SA at The Home Depot
That is what I used for my E&F res and then all my DWC buckets that were in either tent or cabinet. Don't run it dry for fun cause it will burn the impeller out real quick and with the price being cheap buying 2 so you have a spare is a good choice. Won't throw the water real far but you can do res to a 5 gal bucket np.

[Jackster]

Thank you for the tip! I presume I would connect the res to each bucket, and the buckets to each other? How do I position the pump(s), pointed down either or both hoses (if using 2-buckets). I like DWC in case of power outages, but what was your preference tween DWC and E&F?

[tinytoon]

the way I did it was 1 full bucket and 1 empty. suck water from full to empty. Rinse and repeat as needed. for a common res yes all buckets would connect and form a network. DWC is IMO faster growth and less maint. In the case of losing power though DWC is probably the worst to do outside of Aero. No power=no air pump. No air pump= no bubbles. No bubbles= no aeration in water. No aeration=plant that drowns and dies. E&F, Drip and what not you can always hand water but DWC and Aero are less forgiving.