Why should I use DWC buckets?

I have asked this in other forum sections, but didn't get many opinions. Here's the deal- I have a 5x4 space with a 1000 watt hps. I was going to go with another flood and drain tray (I use one now with 800 watts), but don't have the cash.

So I was thinking of trying individual 5 gallon buckets with those mesh lids and airstones. We grow several varieties, and don't really veg for very long. I just think that maybe it would work well since all varieties need different nutrient levels, etc.

Would this be be better than a table with pots of grow rocks? We are looking for fast growth and large yields from the awesome genetics we posess.

Thanks!

I had the buckets for a few weeks but the temps in the bucket kept rising and made me concerned, so I swapped them out for the team water jugs found at Walmart, Lowes & Home Depot. Others have used 5-day Marine coolers with a styrofoam lid & aluminum tape to help reflect back the light. Slightly higher initial investment at around $18 / 5 ga jug but its insulated and holds temps nice & constant

you can sometimes find the team water jugs cheaper on craigslist, or if you call all the dept stores around you they may have some that are slightly damaged at a cheaper rate.

Ok... Advantages? Disadvantages? Hello?

If you have done F&D, then you know hydroponics already.
You made a decision to do F&D.
Why was that, compared to other hydro ways ?
Must of read/seen/heard of some advantages or disadvantages in order to make that decision.
No one should have to teach, tell or convince you of the advantages or disadvantages of the different ways to do it.
You should know that too.
Or read and search the threads.
Too much info exist now, for anyone to ask this question.
All it does is spark a this or that thread.
Lots of those already exist too.

Oh. I just wanted to know how dwc buckets compare to flood and drain. It will be cheaper to set up, and since I have several varieties I thought it might be better. But I do not know. So I asked. Sorry I wasted your time, or posted something you thing shouldn't have been posted. How helpful and nice. Just wish I knew everything already. I'll try to do better next time.

Heya Tsat,

how's it going dude? I don't think FG was slammin you dude. I know he is totally helpful in almost every thread I've seen him in. The point i think he was trying to drive home is that posting this question wont get your question answered. Instead you may come out totally confused. It's probably better to simply read through the proper forums. You'll be able to formulate your own answer to that question in less that an hour or maybe two. Go check out the DWC subcategory.

Anyway my point was to suggest you don't misjudge FG, he's cool!


Ciao,
Pure...

Thanks Pure.
My point TStat, is that most ppl search and see what interest them in how they might want to grow.
They then seek out more info on the particular technique of interest.
Based upon that they make an conscious decision to grow a certain way.
I started out outdoors.
Got interested in soilless indoor, and did that for a while.
While doing that, I kept my nose in books and forums, looking at all the different ways to do hydro.
DWC is/was the cheapest, simplest and very effective so I chose that as my next method.
Jumped right into it with all the things I wanted to do with it, then discovered a better rez within my 1st week.
Other than using a cooler now, I haven't changed anything else.
You have to still make up your own mind.
Ppl are gonna offer wack advice, good advice, be trolls and tell you that you're doing it wrong or it can't be done.
Start off simple, with minimal needed to grow your chosen new way.
Including nutes.
Make subtle changes to see what makes or doesn't make a difference.
TRUE and BASIC DWC is a 5gal bucket, air pump and stones, net pot with a plant, hydroton and a light.
Anything additional is individual preference.
Some ppl pull 10 - 20 ounce grows from a DWC.
Some ppl pull 15 - 20 grams.
Too many environmental and genetic variables to say you will or won't get better results than your F&D tables.
I've personally never seen a single F&D plant out-yield a single DWC plant. 1 plant vs 1 plant. Same strain, same veg and bloom.
IMHO it won't happen.
F&D is fed periodically and has to wait to eat, but DWC can eat whenever it wants, 24/7.
That constant feeding also makes DWC faster in growth than F&D, IMHO.
To be honest, even WaterFarm buckets are getting my attention right now.
But unless you're using clones or feminized seeds, I can't see using them on the regular, same with 5gal buckets.
But that's just me and somene that uses them will offer a debate just off what I just said.
I hate the thought of all that time going into 1 big bucket and the plant end up male.
I like my multi-net pot set up which allows me more beans to sprout and better chances/higher ratios of getting more females.
Remove the pots w/ males, leave the pots w/ females.
Simple FOR ME.

Good vibes and growing no matter what you decide !!

Thank you. I maybe worded my question wrong, or it just seems I'm a newbie. I have been at this for years, actually. I have done a ton of research, etc. I have never been completely happy with f&d trays, so I just wanted some opinions from people who may have compared f&d with dwc buckets. You second response was exactly what I was looking for- an opinion from someone who knows about dwc. Thanks again.