Water Farm/DWC club

[d4twamp]

Ok if I'm using 2 10 gallon buckets in a recirculating DWC system and I was planning on growing say a SNLxNH and a MASTER KUSH would you guys and or gals recommend me running them each w/ their own res or could I run them off the same res without too many issues. I was just wondering if I should separate strains per reservoir, as some strains might be heavier feeders than others...any thoughts would be very appreciated. thanx in advance

later D:S5:

d4twamp Reviewed by d4twamp on 10-07-2008. Water Farm/DWC club OK, since I noticed so many people using the Farms I decided to put out some questions about the buckets that can be kind of like a Farm/DWC thread. Some things info to give, how many buckets do you use, what kind of lights, what kind of yields have you had and what kind of strains you have had the best exp with. Also, this would be a good thread for general questions and suggestions perhaps. With this, new hydro converts and curious folks could just stop in and ask or add their two cents. Rating: 5

[d4twamp]

WH I just saw your post after posting.. I was thinking of doing it Xtra Crispi style with a controller bucket, but still contemplating my options. I just don't wanna have build it twice so I've been researching this for alooooooooooong time.

D

[Charles U Farley]

Hey d4twamp,You and I are in a similar position.I have been researching setting up a dwc system for almost 2 yrs now (probably time I got off from the pot and did it huh?).From what I have read and seen it would probably work best for you if you took both buckets and ran them off from a single res.From my non-experienced vantage point it looks as though this simplifies nute changes and adjustments,your just working out of one controller res which can be linked to dozens of buckets.

I had a bucket and cover with a 6"net pot just laying around along with some Hydroton.I drilled a couple of holes in the cover dropped in a couple of airstones and got the set up going.I rinsed and soaked the hydroton,submerged the plant until the roots were almost completely free of soil and then with the net pot in water I placed the young roots (Stinky's idea,thanks for the hint)on top and covered the rest with the clay pellets.This plant was about four inches tall compared to others it sprouted up with that were 18"-24" after two months.I figured what would it hurt if the little one didnt make it.To my suprised after a few days Im seeing some pretty amazing growth.its making me wish I switched to the "dark side" years ago.Sorry I didnt mean to hijack your thread.Hope this helps.i would say just keep looking in this site and others,there are some great and informative tutorials out there.Good luck to ya,take care and be well,and most of all be safe.

[xcrispi]

There's drawbacks either way .

My reason for 1 controller = simplicity .
But if you grow more than 1 strain it's hard to keep everybody happy as far as nute requirements .

I used 3/4 in. fittings / plumbing and found that I can recirculate the system so fast that the root systems get pushed over to the outlet side of my buckets and then the system can't recirculate anymore So find a happy medium as far as recirculation speed .

I spin my inner buckets 90 degrees everyday too or roots still grow down the tubing and plug shit up . I think the only way around that is like 2in. pvc drains like Shaggys crazy system .

Good luck man .
Crispi :stoned:

[d4twamp]

X to the C,
glad to hear from you do you think the 1 inch outlets & tubing I bought would be good or overkill for the drainage on those 10 gal. buckets I posted a few posts back.

I agree about it being hard to make more than one strain happy in one system. So in your opinion I'd be better off having a separate res for each bucket?

I'm thinking of putting a valve on the tube coming off the pump, so I can control the amount of water flowing thru the system.. would this also increase the dissolved oxygen in the nutrient solution...

thanx for the help XC your grows have been inspirational for me.. when is your op gonna be back up..any more grow logs of your system

D

[xcrispi]

Q - Do you think the 1 inch outlets & tubing I bought would be good or overkill for the drainage on those 10 gal. buckets ?

A - In my opinion there's no such thing as overkill when it comes to drainage . I would have gone w/ larger myself but I found blk. 3/4 in. rubber hose that is way more flexible than whatever the G/H stuff is made of , and it was cheap as hell when bought in a 100 ft. spool .

????? Did you find grommets for the 1 in. stuff you bought ? I've seen ppl. tryn just silicone fittings and not use grommets = leaks , headaches , and possible saftey hazzards . PLEASE tryn keep all cords , air pumps etc... off the floor incase of flooding etc...

Q - In your opinion would I be better off having a separate res for each bucket ?

A - I've done both SNL X N.H and M.K . They were very close as far as eating habits / nute requirements . I'd run 1 res. to begin with just to make it easier on you . There's always time and room to expand as you go on . I'm still making changes and improvements to my system . I'm gonna try the 10 in. netpot lids next .

Q - I'm thinking of putting a valve on the tube coming off the pump, so I can control the amount of water flowing thru the system.. would this also increase the dissolved oxygen in the nutrient solution...

A - The $7.oo via. aqua 302 pumps I use are adjustable right out of the box , But you do have the right idea - most pump manufacturers warn to never restrict a pumps intake flow , just the outlet like you want to do . I don't think O2 levels will change though . I run airstones / bubble wands in my res. and in the bottom of each individual bucket .

Q -Thanx for the help XC , your grows have been inspirational for me.. when is your op gonna be back up..any more grow logs of your system ?

A - I'm always growin something . Lifes thrown me nothing but curveballs and change ups this past year . I haven't had the time to give a hydro grow the attention and love it needs so everythings been in soil lately . I've been sitting on 9 new strains I've never done before too . As far as grow logs etc... we'll see what happens after the election Nov. 4th and see if MMJ passes in my state = 1 less thing to worry about .


Peace bro.
Crispi :stoned:

[d4twamp]

Crispi, thanx for taking the to time respond to my ?'s...

I don't have grommets...I actually bought 1 inch ebb and flow outlets that have the rubber seals and 1 inch tube barb built in, like this:

[d4twamp]

Good to hear about the SNLxNH and MK has grown in your setup with close to the same nutrient uptake...I just didn't want to put a gluttonous and light feeder together and be either starving one strain so the other doesn't burn or burning one strain so the other can get it's fill. so this is good to hear...

Any reason why your switching to the 10" net pots, do you find the 6"ers to small, as I just bought some 6"ers myself...

I hear you about curve balls and change ups this past year. I've seen quite a few knuckle balls and have had to take a few bases this year as well...All we can do is hang on, and stay right there in that batters box and keep on swingin...

Hope all is well with you and yours, and I thank you once again CRISPI for your help, and both direct and indirect contribution to my skills and knowledge base when it comes to growing this most wonderfully amazing of plants..

D:S5:

[Weedhound]

I've mixed the SNLxNH and MK together as well and found them to be pretty equal feeders. They both pretty much went to the top of my ppms which works out to about 1800-1900 (including supplements) for each of them.

[d4twamp]

B-E-A-UTIFUL I knew I could count on you too Weedy to chime in. Great to hear someone else has run thees strains together, without issues.. I will sleep a little better at night knowing that's one less portion of food, I don't like on my plate...lol...

Do you think the SNLxNH might be a good prospect for my outdoor hydro attempt next year..

D