DWC vs Waterfarm?

Ok so i have done both DWC and Waterfarms. And from what i see, after the roots hit the water in the farms, it is a dwc (as long as you add the air stone in there) and thats about it. Ive just had problems with the tubes and rings on them, and i feel like its not worth it, and i should just do a regular dwc. But then i see tons of great waterfarm grows on here, and it makes me question my self. Do you guys feel like waterfarms are worth the extra work, over a straight DWC?
Opinions please

Before I answer - I'm far from experienced compared to many on this site, but I am running a DWC DIY grow with supplemental GH Waterfarm halos on a timer for top down watering and waterfall irrigation on top of stones. You can click my journal in sig for pictures and continued observation. I myself have also been following Sqydro's no air stone DWC thread, and it is intriguing.

ive done both also. ive been doing them over a year and the results are simmilar. i stopped doing waterfarm altogether, love my dwc.

Coolers/buckets for cost. You can setup multiple buckets in a grow and still maintain a cheap footprint. Try adding 5 water farms in a room.. cost would be insanely high. They seem to also preform amazing so why pay more for the same thing?

I've done both. I prefer a hybrid of sorts. I didn't like the actual water farm containers or that dam float valve but I did like the concept. So I built my own system and scrapped the water farm for parts. I agree that once the roots hit the water, it's rdwc. I usually turn off the rings at that point. The main benefit over DWC is ease of maintenance. --Res changes, monitoring PH and Nutes

i run waterfarms and got rid of the bubble stone and regular bucket, my growth is way more explosive in a waterfarm cuz as soon as my roots hit the water in the bottom bucket the go apesh*t. i dont think there is any added maintenance other than covering the drip ring with tinfoil and maybe having to check the lower end of the air tube once a month or so. o and i run my drip ring constantly all the way through

stondded said:

i run waterfarms and got rid of the bubble stone and regular bucket, my growth is way more explosive in a waterfarm cuz as soon as my roots hit the water in the bottom bucket the go apesh*t. i dont think there is any added maintenance other than covering the drip ring with tinfoil and maybe having to check the lower end of the air tube once a month or so. o and i run my drip ring constantly all the way through

Click to expand...

Even at night? I'm going to be starting up my 8 pack this week, was under the impression that running the drip ring at night can cause problems as the water isn't able to dry fast enough. Thoughts/experiences?

My irrigation rings are on 24/7 - it's not that you need time for your medium to dry, it's that if you keep your medium moist, you need to ensure high oxygenation, as roots can indeed drown. The continuous top down watering ensures that while the medium stays wet, it is continuously re-wetted with highly oxygenated nutrient soup. Peace.

Not worried so much about plants drowning as algae/bacteria. I assume you've had no problems?

no algae or bacteria problems for meminor salt build up thts it and cleabibg the rings is easy anytime of the grow

Someone told me that if I go for the waterfarm. I mite have to drill some holes in the medium , so the roots can pass through. Is this a good idea?

And has anyone had any experience transplanting a sprout in a rockwool cube onto the waterfarm system?

I've seen some great results online in the waterfarm. And I'm willing to give waterfarm or rockwool a shot ( if not both) cause soil is too messy?

Also has anyone planted in rockwool alone? And if so, any tips? ( regarding nuetrition, co2, hydration ) I'm just looking to grow a single plant, for now. At least until I learn how to clone


I'm a virgin.. so please be gentle