3.2 vs 5.0 gallon bucket

[frankif]

I have done three grows using 5.0 gallon hydro bucket and nor I want to gain a few more inches in height in my cabinet and was thinking gof going to 3.2 gallon buckets. What does anyone think, any problems? Has anyone done 3.2 gallon systems. When I did the 5 gallon system the roots seemed to only take up a portion of the 5 gallon bucket.

 

[Illegal Smile]

If you have a height problem I guess your plant will be small enough that a 3 gal is enough. How much water is what matters, how much water in your 3 gal bucket? 2? I'd say 2 is a minimum and if the plant was going to be over 3 ft I would want more.

 

[frankif]

Yup, the maximum height would be 3 feet.

 

[frankif]

Oh, I could probably fill the container with about 2.5 to 3 gallons of water.

 

[Illegal Smile]

You might have to experiment but it might be penny wise and pound foolish to limit rootspace and plant size and yield, just to save a little on nutes. How much would you really save? and how many grams of yield would it take to cover that?

 

[frankif]

Actually, I wanted to increase the available height for more bud length, than to save the price of nutrients.

 

[Illegal Smile]

Why not rebuild the top of the cabinet for more height?

 

[Roseman]

I've done two 5 gallon bucket grows, 2 females, each time, what about when you get home adn the bucket is half empty cause they drank a gallon and a half??? In a smaller bucket, it would be about empty.

 

[jnuggs]

I agree with the last post. This is only my first hydro grow, and I am amazed to see how much they drink, even at a mere 5 inches tall! I would be nervous to think how much they would drink during flowering. Is there any way you could fill the floor space with a wider, shallower container? That would be where I'd look.

 

[frankif]

Both are good ideas to consider, but as for the height change, can not do, it's a refrigerator. But as for the nutrient issue, that's very important and I had not considered it. But that is why I asked the question, to get good ideas, so I guess I'll tie them a little lower - SCROG'em more and stay with the five gallon buckets. I have two buckets next to each other so a lower and wider reservoir won't work.

Thanks to everyone!

 

[juggalogrower]

Both are good ideas to consider, but as for the height change, can not do, it's a refrigerator. But as for the nutrient issue, that's very important and I had not considered it. But that is why I asked the question, to get good ideas, so I guess I'll tie them a little lower - SCROG'em more and stay with the five gallon buckets. I have two buckets next to each other so a lower and wider reservoir won't work.

Thanks to everyone![/QUi like tha sound of this thread so im gonna join ur post if thts kewl

 

[jnuggs]

is it not possible to run both plants in one container? I too use separate 5 gal containers, I'm just curious why you personally don't combine the two into one 15 gal(or similar) rubbermaid roughneck container?

 

[Illegal Smile]

Generally I think it's a bad idea to compromise rootspace for a few inches of clearance on top. Even if you are seldom away and can keep water level up.