Need advice: DWC reservoir size vs. cab height

Hey there,

I'm gearing up to do my first grow (grow cab DWC) but I'm stuck.

My grow cab's interior dimensions are 15.5 wide, 14 deep and 28.5 high. I have two separate lights; a 150w MH and then I'll switch to a 150w HPS.

I have 2 reservoir options that each have their own set of challenges.

Res 1: Rubbermaid 3 gallon tote. 7 inches high
Issue: may have to refill the res every few days

Res 2: 5 gallon Home Depot bucket. 14.5 inches high
Issue: too high? Will plants get to close to the light?

With each option I plan to scrog, but I'm curious about what you guys with experience think I should do.

If u r gonna scrog, use a shorter tub, raised up a couple inches on (any fucking thing) and pop a drain bulkhead on, (with flow valve if ur smart) and add an external res....

This way u can drain n reset your res any time u need, without disturbing the plants and their screen... can go from veg to flower nutes without any troubles, etc.

Get a nice big tote, but remember water lever @ net pot bottom is your "sea level" so dont exceed it, our youll flood your plants.

If u are dropping net pot/cups into the res still, take that into account.... I run 5gal DWC buckets, and they run 2.5-3gal of water, rest is net pot/rockwool/hydroton



ASSUMING you can keep this thing cool, id run 3.5gal black buckets (hydro store next to black ones) with a 5 gal bucket outside the tent for res..... that would give you about 5gal of actual water in the system, can fill by adding to res outside the cab. Can drop frozen water bottles in res if needed to control temp (same with aquarium heater) Keeps the actual root bucket short, without shorting the water supply, all around win....


If u go HD bucket, make sure u pick it up, point the bottom bucket at the ceiling lights.... and look inside... if u see ANY light seeping thru, thats not the bucket ya want.... light kills roots... even red, blue, green, etc.