very large scale DWC

[Haps]

Thanks for the edit, I had that thought and looked into it five years ago when I designed my first hydro systems. In an ebb n flow or rdwc the O3 probably has a place in the holding res for grows where they have problems in the environment. If you test it we can all learn from it.

Air stones do suck, so I stopped using them and run open tube, and tested that a year before I told other folks to try it. Simple air pumps are cheap and effective, do what you like, test it, and let us know.

H

 

[BudMasterzero]

I got a buddy who wanted to do a large scale dwc around 150+ plants. He wised up and chose something easier- aeroponics. Easy to build a container, easy to build the spray system (forget those over priced pre-made ones). Plus less water to worry about and no air stones since you get that with the spray heads.

Then again if you are set on dwc I say go multi-bucket in a recirculating system. I have seen quite a few nice grows / yeilds with 6-10 bucket systems. Those are pretty easy to manage. I mean if you think about it if you can pull over 1+ pound out easily without the hassle of a large system. But to each their own.

 

[williebetmore]

Thanks, After i re-read that, it didn't come out right.

Grammer/spelling.... is not one of my best skills, I grew up in the 80's
nuf' said!

As for the system i'm putting together, after spending 3 hours drawing it up, figuring flows, ect ect ect....i have one thing to say.

HELL NO! On the RDWC.....just way to much of a pita to do RIGHT....30 spots-isolated root zones-venturi-top drip if the power go's out-300 gallons closed loop-ect ect...would be a total dream system by looks for sure.


My kinda right is Prob. over the top.......I admit......

I'm settled on the DIY AERO now.
I'm going to be using some nice acrylic tubes (black)
and good plumbing (bling as they sing) and let'r rip
Night all

 

[Balazar]

I have been doing 12+ site RDWC's for a while. I'm starting to get it down. Check out some of my albums. BigToke has an amazing page on RDWC construction.

If you use an external pump (non submersible) you will most likely not need a res chiller (that's not a promise). Submersible pumps that are constantly running are the source of many growers res temp problems. Submersible sump pumps can add 15 degrees! Insulating each bucket with reflective bubble wrap insulation and making a bib of reflective plastic (poly or mylar) to go on the lid will help reduce temps. I can't stress how important res temps are. If you have a super warm res (85+ degrees) the biggest yield improvement you can make is cooling the nute solution.

Why use a UV sterilizer? The whole point of a RDWC is to promote beneficial bacteria/fungi colonization in your system. I would save the money you were going to use on this and put it towards the res-chiller instead. I think that would have the biggest impact on yield. I like the bio-filter idea much better. I have seen many RDWC enthusiasts devote one bucket of their system solely to being a bio-filter/tea brewer. I would like to hear more about these "cutting edge reef filters" that peaked my interest.

also if your doing a mass scale RDWC do yourself a huge favor and use a float valve to top off your res. It makes things much much easier. I just let it top off on its own and then do slight nute/ph adjustments. I change the res once in veg and twice in flower. In order to stagger my crops more I opted for two 14 bucket systems in flower instead of one big 28 bucket system. Your res doesn't need to be that big BigToke has a good formula for calculating res size based on canopy area. His thread is a sticky in the hydro section.

 

[FreezerBoy]

Air stones do suck, so I stopped using them and run open tube,

I believe the true purpose of air stones is stealth. Aeration occurs through surface agitation and big bubbles from an open line will agitate just fine. However, they make more noise than is safe for some situations. If the sound of blorping water presents no problem, I wouldn't bother with stones.

 

[Neo 420]

When using DWC, can you place the rooted clones in the bucket without transplanting?

 

[FreezerBoy]

Yes, but you'll need some sort of above lid support such as a ScrOG screen or trellis. Lacking such support, plants may fall into the tub as they get larger, heavier or simply over handled.

 

[williebetmore]

I believe the true purpose of air stones is stealth. Aeration occurs through surface agitation and big bubbles from an open line will agitate just fine. However, they make more noise than is safe for some situations. If the sound of blorping water presents no problem, I wouldn't bother with stones.

All true, using air-stones to agitate the water is 70's type stuff. (if not longer) If you want to add 02 into the water...
Take all these air stone/pump combos and throw them away.
Just add a venturi valve before the grow box/bucket input and you
will create much better results, lose the air stones that clog, and remove the loud air pumps from the unit.
NOTE: only on a perma' flow setup. I wouldn't want any dead water sitting around my root zones.

NOTE: Im new to growing, but i will bet the bank i'm right on this.

That should keep Hap from hunting me down! HAHA

 

[chong'sbong]

thank all of you for all of the valuable feed back. So here is what I have decided.

I like to build and experiment so I want to give this thing a shot.

I have decided I will seek out some mesh style bags to control my root zones. I really like this idea. I don't think the bags will slow anything down.

I would like to have a power head in my res. constantly circulating the res. So between that and the hot summers in my location , I will have to chill the res. I think I will use the return from my chiller and feed it into a homemade manafold that will top drip all of my plants as well as DWC. I like this idea a lot. Good circulation !!!!!!!!!!!


I'm going to build the box from 3/4 " thick plywood. I will line the box with foam insulation to keep the chilled water chilly. I will then line the box with a 45 mill. fish pond liner. I have a sheet of 3/4" thick white PVC that I will use as the top. This way it will be waterproof.

I'm going to build one for veg and mother plNTS FIRST. iF IT WORKS OUT GREAT IM GONNA MAKE ONE FOR MY FLOWES CABINET AS WELL.

I will keep you guys posted. I will take some pics and post them as I go so that you guys can track the progress. For better or worse.

should I bother to bubble the res. ? no air stones ? SO JUST A STRAIGHT AIR LINE WORKS AS WELL AS AN AIRSTONE ?

I also like this aeroponics idea. If I wanrted to try this instead of DWC is it as simple as useing less water than a DWC and building a spray manifold that goes on the inside of the box that will spray the roots ?

 

[Neo 420]

Freezer Boy:

Do you mind if I PM you on some advice? I don't want to hijack this thread.

 

[BudMasterzero]

Hey chong my buddy has a DIY aeroponic setup and it seems like it has a lot less water in it than any dwc. Plus remember the reasons why you are agitating the water in dwc. The roots need o2 and they get it from the bubbles from the air tubes, and the benefit of not having buckets of stagnant water.

really most of the stuff my friend has in his aeroponics was brought from the big box hardware stores like lowes, home depot, etc. The grow stores setups are always too much!