RDWC / Height of container

Is there like a minimum height that should be used with RDWC?

There's some totes that are 12 gallons and only 9 in tall.

808allday said:

Is there like a minimum height that should be used with RDWC?

There's some totes that are 12 gallons and only 9 in tall.

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All depends on how many you'll use and how much volume you want you system to have. You can use low wide totes to get 2 pots per tote and have a fairly shallow water level, but plenty of water for the roots. Like a 21gallon tote would only hold about 10 when it's full. X 4 totes and a res, that's 50gals right there already

My res is 6" tall...44" x 22"...something like 66 L (~15.5 Gallons), but I only use about 16 L to 20 L (~4 to 5 gallons).
So as long as the total volume is enough for roots I'd say your pretty much open to many sizes and controlling the plants size helps too.

They do call it deep water culture for a reason.

Airwalker16 said:

All depends on how many you'll use and how much volume you want you system to have. You can use low wide totes to get 2 pots per tote and have a fairly shallow water level, but plenty of water for the roots. Like a 21gallon tote would only hold about 10 when it's full. X 4 totes and a res, that's 50gals right there already

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Mak'er Grow said:

My res is 6" tall...44" x 22"...something like 66 L (~15.5 Gallons), but I only use about 16 L to 20 L (~4 to 5 gallons).
So as long as the total volume is enough for roots I'd say your pretty much open to many sizes and controlling the plants size helps too.

Click to expand...

Renfro said:

They do call it deep water culture for a reason.

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I have been thinking about changing from my previous plans. The concept of RDWC interests me more than soil. I plan to put a 20 gal fish tank (~160lbs) on top to hide some sound etc.

Could either one of these work? I'm losing quite some vertical distance though.

Husky 5 Gal. Latch and Stack Tote in Black https://www.homedepot.com/p/Husky-5-Gal-Latch-and-Stack-Tote-in-Black-206129/303099678
Or 7 gal home Depot tote

5 gal bucket rez


Sterilite 12 Gal. Latch and Carry Storage Bin https://www.homedepot.com/p/Sterilite-12-Gal-Latch-and-Carry-Storage-Bin-14443W06/304983955

5 gal rez

HDX 12 Gal. Tough Storage Bin in Black https://www.homedepot.com/p/HDX-12-Gal-Tough-Storage-Bin-in-Black-206100/207207157

12 gal rez

Am I crazy to think this would work? Is my vertical to low?

Whats the plan for draining the system and refilling with new nutes?

Renfro said:

Whats the plan for draining the system and refilling with new nutes?

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I got one of those siphon things.

The middle wall will be removeable

The vertical space issue is a concern for me but I never did micro grows, someone with more experience may have some valid input. The space between the light and the plant has to be factored in. Lets say you have the LED panel 6 inches away and pulled up as high as possible, and you have the DWC totes on the bottom, how many inches is left for the plant? You plan to scrog it?

It seems like stealth is a priority. If this is due to legal reasons and not just a landlord one needs to weigh the risk vs. reward. That said, here is my question to you. (If the legal issues don't apply then just ignore this...)

How much do you think you will pull of out that space with the plant having to be so small? Is it worth the legal risk for such a small amount of weed? Add in the DWC and you may fight root rot and not get anything. I dunno, just seems like one would have the weight on their shoulders of growing where it's not legal, but what for? How much would be invested in the setup?

Please don't take this the wrong way, I am definitely not trying to be a dick. I just want to be real about the expectations. I am here to help however I can even though I am not in my comfort zone lol.

@Renfro
You do make some valid points.

Not legal in Hawaii unless you got medical. I really don't think law enforcement is a factor. Private Lane and away from most. Mainly just the other people (family) living in the house . They aren't really nosy. I was planning to use some RFID locks on the cabinet.

I don't smoke much. I wouldn't be expecting much. Couple oz? Is that being too optimistic in that size. Probably around $450 on every thing.

Man I miss Hawaii...used to live there and surfed almost every day.

One of my grows is in a 6 foot tall tent with an RDWC Set-up. It has about a 30” total height limit for the plants after, so I Top, lollipop, defoliate & SCROG it hard. Depending on the strain, I pull between 1 & 2lbs off 4 plants in that 4’ x 3’ x 6’ tent under 4 x 1000w LEDs

Sdh777 said:

Man I miss Hawaii...used to live there and surfed almost every day.

One of my grows is in a 6 foot tall tent with an RDWC Set-up. It has about a 30” total height limit for the plants after, so I Top, lollipop, defoliate & SCROG it hard. Depending on the strain, I pull between 1 & 2lbs off 4 plants in that 4’ x 3’ x 6’ tent under 4 x 1000w LEDs

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You mean 4x 150watt LEDs.