Clean simple dwc res changes

supchaka

supchaka

Well-Known Member
Can someone with a nifty method of changing their res out nice and easy chime in with a journal link for me to check out? I've done a dwc once and the res changing was basically picking up the whole top and plant and putting it on another empty bucket. Once the plants got taller and tied up and whatnot it was an absolute pain in the ass, enough so that I won't do it again without finding a different method. I did like the growth, so I want to find another way to do it.
 
OGEvilgenius

OGEvilgenius

Well-Known Member
Looking for a similar answer. All ideas much appreciated.

At this point I think a disconnectable system with a lot of valves may be my only real option without actually plumbing the system to my homes plumbing.
 
cannabineer

cannabineer

Ursus marijanus
Installing a siphon ( some 1/2 tubing that reaches the bottom, comes out the upper sidewall by way of a grommet, and can be hooked to a pump) might be a great way to drain, then fill a stationary DWC bucket. cn
 
Flo Grow

Flo Grow

Well-Known Member
I use a wet/dry shop vac on my two 12gal Igloo coolers.
I simply stick the hose in a corner, usually the corner where my frozen water bottles sit bcuz the roots stay away from the cold bottles.
All nute solution is suck out in literally 2 minutes !!
Never an issue since I started doing it this way.
Check one of my threads, or my newest thread and see my shortcut I use.
I cut a corner off each lid, which is what I remove to add, check, and drain then replace.

 
supchaka

supchaka

Well-Known Member
That's kind of what I was thinking. Can't really clean the res as much as you'd like but it will get through a grow. Thanks for that idea
 
dbkick

dbkick

Well-Known Member
Ebb monster controlller set up as dwc with a 55 gallon res. I too got tired of changing out buckets in dwc and did just what I mentioned. also I built these totes that were real handy (see https://www.rollitup.org/grow-journals/346967-my-first-grow.html ) , had a hinged lid in the front, made changing out water a breeze(sorta), just open the lid , toss in a pump with a length of hose on it, drain into bucket and refill. errr, maybe I didn't understand the question, either way happy growing!
 
OGEvilgenius

OGEvilgenius

Well-Known Member
Flo Grow said:
I use a wet/dry shop vac on my two 12gal Igloo coolers.
I simply stick the hose in a corner, usually the corner where my frozen water bottles sit bcuz the roots stay away from the cold bottles.
All nute solution is suck out in literally 2 minutes !!
Never an issue since I started doing it this way.
Check one of my threads, or my newest thread and see my shortcut I use.
I cut a corner off each lid, which is what I remove to add, check, and drain then replace.
Click to expand...
Very clever (in an oh duh kind of way)!
 
K

khakiman

Active Member
Its not that hard in a rdwc since you can drain it down to an inch of water. Then shop vac out, wipe down and refill. Once every two Weeks seems to work for me
 
HydroDawg421

HydroDawg421

Well-Known Member
I use a shop vac as well. I put the hose in the reservoir and suck it out. It takes about 15-20mins to drain, refill & add nutes. but I'm still looking for an easier method!
 
BeaverHuntr

BeaverHuntr

Well-Known Member
Flo Grow said:
I use a wet/dry shop vac on my two 12gal Igloo coolers.
I simply stick the hose in a corner, usually the corner where my frozen water bottles sit bcuz the roots stay away from the cold bottles.
All nute solution is suck out in literally 2 minutes !!
Never an issue since I started doing it this way.
Check one of my threads, or my newest thread and see my shortcut I use.
I cut a corner off each lid, which is what I remove to add, check, and drain then replace.
Click to expand...
I was gonna say , I know Flo uses a shop vac.
 
BeaverHuntr

BeaverHuntr

Well-Known Member
dbkick said:
Ebb monster controlller set up as dwc with a 55 gallon res. I too got tired of changing out buckets in dwc and did just what I mentioned. also I built these totes that were real handy (see https://www.rollitup.org/grow-journals/346967-my-first-grow.html ) , had a hinged lid in the front, made changing out water a breeze(sorta), just open the lid , toss in a pump with a length of hose on it, drain into bucket and refill. errr, maybe I didn't understand the question, either way happy growing!
Click to expand...
I do this with my ebb and flow res. Just drop a cheap pump and suck out all the stuff.
 
defcomexperiment

defcomexperiment

Well-Known Member
I use 30 gallon coolers and install a small submersible pump in the reservoir, drill a hole in the lid and put a small section of hose through it, with enough slack so i can lift the lid 4" or so, and a 1/2" hose coupler. Just be mindful that you do not leave that pump plugged in when you go to pump in your other solution. Typically I pump out the water, then unplug the one in the res, attach a larger (faster) pump to the other end of the hose, and run it still attached. it hasnt harmed the inner pump yet after about a year of doing this...

 
supchaka

supchaka

Well-Known Member
Are there issues with roots going into these pumps? I'd think you'd need a filter or something no?
 
H

howsweetitis

Member
i installed a garden hose adapter onto mines. i can drain the cooler into a plastic container which sits below the cooler at all times in case it leaks (type used to store shoes/clothes under a bed)... attach a "fill" bucket that's higher than my res and i connect a short hose to each container... once the connection is made i fill the bucket and open the valve for my res and it back fills... i can also check the water height as i am filling and adjust as needed. once im done i close the valve and the waste water is used in my garden to grow my veggies.
 
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