Mini-Recirculating DWC...is it possible?

[dank.frank]

Hmmm, was just wondering..what if you took the same idea and concept and made it all smaller. I feel there are many advantages to this system, so lets see if this is possible, in theory.

Say four 2.5gal buckets with the basic net pot lids. (growing smaller plants, say flower 8-12" clones - train Single Cola, LST, or possibly a small ScROG, whatever) All buckets could drain to one central drain line for return. And I could use a 4-tip hydra that screws onto the proper 1/2" female pipe fitting. Hook up four drip lines and then I would have the fill lines.

Do I have the right basic concept so far? I have been reading the Recirc-DWC tutorial on pontiac's list several times now.

What I haven't really been able to figure out is this: If I have 4 - 2.5gal buckets, that is 10gal total. How big do the reserviors have to be...and how is that determined/factored? Also, does one of the reserviors have to be bigger than the other?...or is there something that I am missing in the concept altogether?

Thanks in advance for all input. If I haven't been very clear, sorry, ask and I will see if I can clarify.

dank.Frank

 

[FreezerBoy]

I have to ask what's the advantage of the "recirculating" DWC in such a small setup? a single tub in the 20-30 gallon range would take up the same space. No hoses, no floats, no attachments, no leaks, no water pumps ...

 

[Haps]

I asked that question myself FB, but recirc does make a difference, and is worth the doing, at least to me.
H

 

[FreezerBoy]

And that difference/advantage is ...what?

Not being snide, it's meant as a legit "no such thing as a stupid question" question. The disadvantages are clear: more cost, more equipment, more maintenance, greater possibilities of leaks and failure. What makes it worth it?

 

[Murphy]

you can simplify the whole thing if you have height. I would sit the buckets over the res, one pump to a manifold to feed the buckets and an over flow in each along with an air stone.

 

[FreezerBoy]

Again, without being snide, why? Why go to the extra hassle, expense, maintenance, and possibility of failure? Why not cut 4 holes in a single tub lid and forget the water pumps, hoses, bulkhead fittings, float valves ...

H'ep me understand. H'ep me, I say.

 

[Guest]

freezah, check it man... Plant roots love water movement as it *should* bring in DO. Desolved Oxygen. Also the res is the nucleus so you only have to test, fill, feed, etc out of the one tub. The res can be located elswhere from the buckets, this is a temp and easy to get to advantage (depending on your setup.) Think, a 2.5 gallon version of Hurtback's Bio Bucket set up... there's pure volume stability... those 2gallons add up quick. There is a kinda "set it and forget it" to this type of system too. Oh, and a 250gph pump is quieter than the air pump it wold take to run a large tub or the 2g buckets. Unless you did what NIMBY did at OG, running a powerhead instead of an air stone, but this has other disadvantages, like added heat to smaller water volume.

. Mad love out to my man freez!!!

 

[FreezerBoy]

Ever get the feeling that everyone knows something except you?

I'm still missing ... something. I understand buckets for 25-50-100 plant sites. 4 mini-sites? It just seems so much easier and cleaner to grow right in the rez.

 

[Guest]

aaaaaaaaaaaaaand sometimes it's just about the toys and going small. Ever see nano reef tanks, or planted aquara? they're like 3gallons of water and are for pros to show their skills... you know. Damn show offs...

sir franklin, do it. Do it small and make it awsome. Look at drgreen in the micro... there are no rules, except. Light, Water, Food, Vents... Oh and the 3Ls (smell tell sell)

 

[Haps]

I would agree that if you are growing small, it is likely a waste, small doesn't need it. The advantage my friend is in the metabolic shift in growth that recirc brings, at least for me here. I can also see someone trying it, and not doing better if they are not tuned in. Results- a big gal who might go 3-4z's in dwc, goes 6-8z's in the tidal system, not always, only when I do my work correctly. A one z gal does 2+, again if I do my part right.

It is possible to design fully contained recirc, for grows that require a "no leak" spec. Just food for thought.
H

 

[dank.frank]

I have to ask what's the advantage of the "recirculating" DWC in such a small setup? a single tub in the 20-30 gallon range would take up the same space. No hoses, no floats, no attachments, no leaks, no water pumps ...

Like I said, the thought is this....a 30gal tub with 4 holes in the lid....you have to move you plants around all the time to fill the res..., plus the roots of all the plants could get tangled up inside of the tub...what if one plant/clone just displays more vigor than another and chokes it out or prevents it from maximizing itself?

Also as was stated, in limited height situations....3ft vertical room...then the tub is going to be taking up all vertical space (a 25gal tub is 17" tall). Okay...a small bucket (10" on average) is not any talller than your average soil planter...but is MUCH shorter than a larger tub....leaving more room for vertical growth.

 

[Guest]

somtimes you ahve to think out of the box for containers that costom fit your situation. Always be on the hunt at dollar stores and gas stations and what not. Anything that holds water and drill can make a good pot. Anything that holds water and an airstone makes a good dwc. (no soap or chem buckets though)

 

[FreezerBoy]

aaaaaaaaaaaaaand sometimes it's just about the toys and going small. Ever see nano reef tanks...

Aha! The old "Because I Can" trick. Got it. What would the bear have seen had he never climbed over the mountain?

The advantage my friend is in the metabolic shift in growth that recirc brings, at least for me here.

It is possible to design fully contained recirc, for grows that require a "no leak" spec. Just food for thought.
H

Double growth rate? Now that's a reason! In my small space it would be a problem. I was coiling colas into pigtails and candy canes to keep them under the lights.

I'm looking into single bio buckets. Supposedly they can tolerate higher res temps. I'm contemplating a chiller or summer shutdowns over temp issues.

you have to move you plants around all the time to fill the res..., plus the roots of all the plants could get tangled up inside of the tub...what if one plant/clone just displays more vigor than another and chokes it out or prevents it from maximizing itself?

...limited height situations....3ft vertical room...then the tub is going to be taking up all vertical space

Now I'm gettin it. I read your post with my own cab in mind. When you said buckets and res I "saw" them stacked. Chewing up more vert space than neccessary.

As a ScROGger, my plant and lid never moves. I keep a small pump in the res should I need to empty the tub. I don't see the problem with the roots. But I REALLY understand the "Vertical Space is Gold" theory. I ran out of it quick and ended up twisting colas like pretzels. I've been contemplating a custom res for just this reason.

Again, thanks for going easy on me. I was feeling like one of those "Slow Kids at Play" you see street signs about. Gotta watch out for the slow kids.

 

[dank.frank]

well, like I said, it is just a passing thought, and wasn't really sure as to wether or not it is/was practical...but I have been tossing it around for quite some time and am really considering attempting this and seeing if it is worth the hassle/cost vs. other measures.

STILL one question that I have....what are the "rules" for the control and the res when running DWC. I know that most people have one that is larger than the other, but is this necessary and what about how big they have to be...assuming a 4-2gal buckets, for a total of 8gal. What is the deal with the resevoirs???? (seems easier to find than a 2.5gal...so we will stick with a 2gal)


HEY ALL....thanks for discussing this...it is getting kinda interesting...hehehe!!!

dank.Frank

 

[FreezerBoy]

well, like I said, it is just a passing thought

Not your fault I was as sharp as a rusty butterknife. I was just having trouble understanding. Two threads (NGB and CMH) caused me to rip my cab apart and start over from scratch. Learning is good. Thank you for your patience with the slow kid.

 

[Guest]

Two threads (NGB and CMH) caused me to rip my cab apart and start over from scratch.

Dont you love/hate when that happens!?! Just when you have a good thing going, you fuckaround, read a thread that makes you change EVERYTHING. THere's always work to do, mostly cause of insparation, almost never out of necesity

The res can be what ever you want. Do four 2gallon buckets and 55gallon drum as a res. As long as it plumbs right, it's gold. Just get one that fits your space. The cool thing with bios is that they operate on level, not gravity.

 

[dank.frank]

STILL one question that I have....what are the "rules" for the control and the res when running DWC. I know that most people have one that is larger than the other, but is this necessary and what about how big they have to be...assuming a 4-2gal buckets, for a total of 8gal. What is the deal with the resevoirs???? (seems easier to find than a 2.5gal...so we will stick with a 2gal)

dank.Frank

still wondering about this...

 

[Guest]

no rules, just rules of thumb. You could for ease run all 2gal buckets, control and res. This will help with wraping them in tape too as theyll need less of it. Foil tape rules. It may be hard to get a float valve to fit in there though. For that pay extra for an aquarium style for reef tanks. No link sorry.

4 buckets + 1 contol is 10 gallons. Good start. Recirculate some of these. http://www.icmag.com/ic/showthread.php?t=88361

 

[dank.frank]

hmmm, do I not need more than one res inorder to run a recirc-DWC system???

I could be wrong, but like I was saying, just trying to get a feel for exactly what would be needed...I think I like the idea for myself and will at some point build and attempt what I am discussing here...