Do you use a multi-flow hydro system? Let me pick your brain then.

[Neuronaut]

I am in the market for a multi-flow hydro system. I thought about building one ...but decided to purchase my first one . They come standard with 2 gallon buckets.....this just doesn't seem nearly big enough. IF you are using this system....are the 2 gallon buckets sufficient?
I remember seeing a thread by the long lost "growerinshorts" and he had replaced a few of his 2 gallon buckets with 3.5 gallon buckets. So is it possible to do this without having to do anything to the controller? If you have any information about this i would greatly appreciate any input. Thanks

 

[Guest]

I use 5 gallon buckets with my system, but i shoot for trees.... I know you can use the "store bought" controller with 3.5 or 5 gallon buckets (elevate the controller) no problem, GIS had some awesome runs with the 2's, but if he went to 3.5's im sure his decision was warranted based on his experience... I would go with the 3.5's over the 2's... thats just me, good luck on whichever method you decide to go.

 

[Guest]

I always would recomend a bigger size container....root size=yield....

 

[Neuronaut]

Thanks for the replies Hillbillie and hellinski. So all i need to do to run 3.5's off of the store bought is to raise the controller off of the ground? About how high?
I'm definitely going to go atleast 3.5 gallon buckets then. If i ever switched to 5 gallon buckets i'd probably have to get a bigger resevoir. We'll see. 3.5's should be good enough at first. GIS was growing some really nice plants in the 2's but he was a first class hydro grower and i'm just a newbie. Speaking of GIS, i sure miss his post. I wish i would have saved them all for reference before he deleted them. He was one hell of a contributor to ICMAG.

 

[Neuronaut]

surprised there arnt more multi-flow users out there wanting to depart wisdom.

 

[pugnacious]

What is the max ammount of buckets you can use when using 3.5? How many gallons should you put in the res.

 

[Neuronaut]

Thats the kind of thing i was wondering. The store bought system comes with a 55 gallon Resevoir so surely you could run 12 - 3.5's with no problem. Any one have any experience with this?

 

[sysprog]

You really really should consider building your own. It will cost $500-600 and you'll have a much better system.
I would suggest 5g buckets with 3g inserts. Once you have all the parts, it is only 2-3 days to put together and test for leaks. If you don't build an automatic controller, knock $200 or so off the price.
Compared to a 12 bucket purchased system, the savings are significant as well as the improvements (size of container & construction).

 

[pugnacious]

So about 24-36 buckets max?

 

[Guest]

e&f buckets

e&f buckets

I have 3.5 in 5s and the most you can run with a 55 gallon res is 16, but I am switching to bio buckets (seems like less worries) I may have a homemade 5 gallon controllor to get rid of, pm me