New DWC

In a DWC system does the net pot acutally sit down in the water check out this pic. And does the pump have to be on a timer or can you run it 24/7 I was just thinkin HEY I COULD EASILY MAKE ONE OF THESE IF I KNEW HOW THEY WORKED.
Hydroponic Systems - Deep Water Culture aka DWC
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I think you do it either way, but it depends on the medium. I dont think you could let an absorbant medium (e.g. Coco coir) just sit in the water.

I just keep the water level under the pots, allowing the roots to hang down into the water. I try to keep it very close in the seedling stage, but after the roots grow down to the water it doesnt matter as much.

Always run the pump 24/7. In water, the roots need to be provided with oxygen, which they usually get in soil all the time. You'll need an air pump, tubing, and an air stone. The more air to a container, the better growth rate/yield. My best plants get a shitton of oxygen.

You can easily make one. I've made alot of them Just take a rubbermaid container, and cut holes out of the top for your net pots, which can be found online cheap. I have been using 6 inch net pots, but i think thats overkill, I want to switch to 4 inch for max efficiency.

I read some of that link you supplied...

"Once the plant has established a good root system, then it is advisable to lower the level of water in the bucket so that some of the roots can be allowed to hang in the air between the net pot and the water level. The majority of the roots live in the aerated deep water, 24 hours a day. With 24 hours a day in mind, as the roots are constantly submerged, it is crucial that the air pump is on 24 hours a day. If the pump is allowed to be off for any length of time, the roots will suffer from being waterlogged and starved of oxygen."

The best way to learn is to READ constantly. Search rollitup until you get the theory behind it, then put it into practice.

You might have better luck in the Hydro Section.

However I can answer your question as I have grow DWC many times.

First, in my opinion you are choosing a great way of growing, the results that I have achieved with DWC out perform every other system I have tried by miles. Plants in this system grow so fast that you can see a difference in plant size in just a few hours.

The only real issue growing this way is keeping your Rez cool. (This can be hard in the summer.)

In anser to your questions.

Once the roots emerge from the net pots, you want to lower the water level to around 1" bellow, you want to keep this level pretty steady throughout the grow.

The air pump must be on all the time. If the air pump fails you have around 4 hours before plants start to suffocate (This depends a lot on water temps).

I would highly recommend using large 30 or 40 Liter Storage containers each with 4 plants in. It is much easier to manage PH, PPMs, and Temps.
I use these containers, with 2 air pumps and a submergible pump in each tub.

Read and read, Before you start to grow this way there is much to learn. But in a lot of ways it’s simpler than any other type of hydro.

IF you need any more help let me know.

Thank you all very much it is very very helpful!!