DIY RDWC

[loucephur]

Why don't you?

Messaged you sorry I didn’t reply here

 

[NastyNug]

LOL here we go again.
Actually grow something hydro and then come back and talk.

LoL, I have... whatever bro. Just a public forum, no big deal. Cheers.

 

[Mickyjoker]

Has anyone ever thought of doing a rdwc setup with the water pump pulling from the reservoir and sending it to the last bucket. I was thinking of doing this and having the pipes joining the buckets at the desired water level . That way the water level in the buckets stays the same and the water in the reservoir Will fall as the plants use it. Anyone have any thoughts on this? Thanks

 

[Airwalker16]

Has anyone ever thought of doing a rdwc setup with the water pump pulling from the reservoir and sending it to the last bucket. I was thinking of doing this and having the pipes joining the buckets at the desired water level . That way the water level in the buckets stays the same and the water in the reservoir Will fall as the plants use it. Anyone have any thoughts on this? Thanks

I've got it sending it from the res to ALL 8 BUCKETS.

 

[5BY5LEC]

Decent system. I'd rather just build mine though. That elbow for the porthole is a little wack.

Yeah. His system is not going to drain any lower than that bend unless he is pumping it out.

 

[Tannerwilliams919]

It's simple. This is what you need.

12-2" uniseals.
2- ABS 2" bulkheads.
8- 1/2" grommets.
8- 1/2" elbows.
10-15' 3/4" pvc.
2- 3/4" crosses.
2- 3/4" Tee.
1- 3/4" threaded tee.
4- 3/4" male adapters.
1- 3/4" threaded elbow.(both sides)
8- threaded 3/4-1/2 bushings.
8- 1/2" male thread to barb fittings.
A small (1")piece of 3/4" threaded pipe for connecting threaded elbow to threaded barbed 90 through the lid.
1- 3/4" Female thread 90* to Barb to connect 3/4" black vinyl tube(1'-2') to pump.
Some PVC Glue.
Roll of Teflon thread prep.

A 1600GPH water pump that has a 3/4" outlet.
8- 5 gallon buckets/ lids you cut holes in to the size net pot you wanna use.
2- 2" ABS 90*.
2- 2" ABS Tee.
10'+ of 2" ABS pipe.
3-5' of 1/2" black vinyl tubing.
1- 8gal EZ store container from Walmart.com.
3" hole saw for bulk heads and uniseals.
And a 2 piece step bit set from harbor freight.

That's literally all you need.

If I wanted to do a 2 plant, 5 gallon bucket setup. How would that part list change? Again, I'm in a 3x3x6 tent setup and prefer the reservoir be inside the tent if possible.

 

[fragileassassin]

If I wanted to do a 2 plant, 5 gallon bucket setup. How would that part list change? Again, I'm in a 3x3x6 tent setup and prefer the reservoir be inside the tent if possible.

Imo if youre going to do that just find the biggest tote you can fit in your tent and put 2 plants in it.

 

[J232]

Imo if youre going to do that just find the biggest tote you can fit in your tent and put 2 plants in it.

I agree, unless he’s willing to run a second tote outside the tent for a res, that would be ideal, just a 2 tote one site RDWC with the ability to expand it.

 

[Tannerwilliams919]

Imo if youre going to do that just find the biggest tote you can fit in your tent and put 2 plants in it.

How about a large tote with a 7 gallon bucket res inside the tent?

 

[fragileassassin]

That would work well, but Id find a square bucket if you can or maybe put that bucket on a small stand and run into the bottom of it. Tote + square bucket would be super easy to hook up. Either way just run a single 2" pipe to it. you dont need much for that bucket size wise. Just big enough for any pumps you run to fit in. The tote will give you the water volume you need so you can run a small res. The only thing that really matters with it is you gotta make sure its tall enough to reach the same water level as the system.

I do understand the desire for a control res. if you go big enough it gets unreasonable to open the tote anymore and youll want to be able to change water and add stuff from another place.
Maybe push the tote along the back of the tent and put your control bucket right off the front for easy access.

 

[Airwalker16]

How about a large tote with a 7 gallon bucket res inside the tent?

Tall is counter productive. You can't out any more in it than a 5 because it's just taller , not wider. Make sense?

 

[Tannerwilliams919]

That would work well, but Id find a square bucket if you can or maybe put that bucket on a small stand and run into the bottom of it. Tote + square bucket would be super easy to hook up. Either way just run a single 2" pipe to it. you dont need much for that bucket size wise. Just big enough for any pumps you run to fit in. The tote will give you the water volume you need so you can run a small res. The only thing that really matters with it is you gotta make sure its tall enough to reach the same water level as the system.

I do understand the desire for a control res. if you go big enough it gets unreasonable to open the tote anymore and youll want to be able to change water and add stuff from another place.
Maybe push the tote along the back of the tent and put your control bucket right off the front for easy access.

So a 5 gallon bucket even would be a big enough res you think? What is the reason for a square bucket over a round bucket? Just easier to install the fittings on?

Also, the only reason I was going with a res is because that's what makes its a rdwc and not a dwc right? If it was just 2 plants in a large tote with an air stone that would just be dwc right? I'm wanting to do whichever is less time involved/most auto pilot like. I know neither is "set it and forget it" and requires res changes, ppm/pH checks, etc... But wanting to know which (dwc or rdwc) would be the closest to it.

 

[J232]

So a 5 gallon bucket even would be a big enough res you think? What is the reason for a square bucket over a round bucket? Just easier to install the fittings on?

Also, the only reason I was going with a res is because that's what makes its a rdwc and not a dwc right? If it was just 2 plants in a large tote with an air stone that would just be dwc right? I'm wanting to do whichever is less time involved/most auto pilot like. I know neither is "set it and forget it" and requires res changes, ppm/pH checks, etc... But wanting to know which (dwc or rdwc) would be the closest to it.

Larger volume RDWC would be more maintenance free imo. I have fuck all to do over here for the most part.

 

[Tannerwilliams919]

Larger volume RDWC would be more maintenance free imo. I have fuck all to do over here for the most part.

I hear ya. I have a small setup and not in a friendly state. Just wanting to do 2 plants... I have everything setup and ready to go for DWC....but have read over the last couple of days that it's not "as good" as rdwc according to some folks.

 

[J232]

I hear ya. I have a small setup and not in a friendly state. Just wanting to do 2 plants... I have everything setup and ready to go for DWC....but have read over the last couple of days that it's not "as good" as rdwc according to some folks.

The waters just more stable when circulated, If your always stirring the pot right? I’m sure there’s a split down the middle with people. We both have prob scoured all the grow forums for info. Everything I do that’s new, is based on guys who have actually successfully performed the tasks I’m trying to complete multiple times.. Anyone telling me what they read is no use to me personally.

 

[fragileassassin]

The main benefits of rdwc are the added water volume, access, and the ability to drop the airstones and use waterfalls.
All of which you can accomplish using a 5gallon bucket res.
my 27 gal totes have 9-10" of water in them when filled right up to1" from my 5" deep pots.

 

[fragileassassin]

This is a 27 gallon self contained recirculating box that i made for a 3x2 tent closet grow. The only issues with this one is access after a certain point, but it was meant for small plants.
This is just a whatever experiment at this point. I tried to pollenate itself but I haven't seen any seeds so I'm just letting it grow in the closet. Haven't done anything with it in weeks.

 

[Airwalker16]

So a 5 gallon bucket even would be a big enough res you think? What is the reason for a square bucket over a round bucket? Just easier to install the fittings on?

Also, the only reason I was going with a res is because that's what makes its a rdwc and not a dwc right? If it was just 2 plants in a large tote with an air stone that would just be dwc right? I'm wanting to do whichever is less time involved/most auto pilot like. I know neither is "set it and forget it" and requires res changes, ppm/pH checks, etc... But wanting to know which (dwc or rdwc) would be the closest to it.

If you're going to do it, I really recommend doing 4 4gal black sq buckets with a 15gal res. That will be the best for your 3x3.

 

[Lurker500]

I found I had small leaks with round buckets using flat bulkheads. So I sealed the outer part with HOT Glue (craft glue). I found this stick to Polypropylene (Black Plastic) extremely well. Nice fat solid seal.

 

[Spierre]

Does it matter if rez is outside of tent or not? Finishing off a CC clone and rez inside tent is cluddered looking to run pipe 4 ft from set up to out of tent dont want any issues. Anyone's thoughts?