First grow planning (DWC) questions

So I've searched around here for information on DWC as well as other grow methods. Tons of great info be found, I do have a couple questions though, and appreciate the answers in advance.

I want to start by growing just 2 plants, to get my feet wet so to speak. Is it best to go w/ a rubbermaid tote w/ 2 holes (net pots 5 inches-good?) Or 2 5 gallon buckets?

Along side that tote with the two plants, I will also need a reservoir, but what size, gallon wise is needed/suggested? Even after my first grow, I would probably not grow more than 4 plants at a time. Space is not a huge issue, but I'm not trying to become a factory either lol.

Will a 400 watt Mh or HPS light suffice even for 4 plants? Should I also wire up some CFL's in the lower area, under the plants?

Nutrient wise, is there a good kit, that provides all the nutes thru each stage? (Veg. flowering). Is mix and matching diff specific nutes the way to go?

I'm gonna build the res with a water pump in it as well to keep the water circulating, should this be timed, or constant?

I've read the more air the better, for 1-2 totes, is one good pump w/ a 4-6 port manifold good enough?

Alright, I'll stop w/ the questions, appreciate the help, so much to learn. So excited to get underway.

2 plants are fine whatever reservoir you want to use is totally up to you .
5 inch net pots are perfect.
400W HPS/MH will be fine for what you are using.
For a newb start off using General Hydroponics line of nutrients very simple and effective.
You dont need a water pump in your res this will only raise res temps ( totally up to you though)
The more air the better.

I use 5 gallon sport coolers and some growers use ice chests as well to maintain good res temps. Try and keep your res temps 62 - 68 degress.
Also these 4 things are very important in DWC: PPM, PH , Res Temp, light proof reservoir.
Get yourself a good PPM and PH meter or a combo. Lots of links here to affordable stuff. Oh yeah post pics when you get started people will offer you lots of advice that way. Oh yeah be patient and dont harsh your mellow.

I used a 4 gallon food container (not used) and wrapped it in aluminum tape to protect it from heating up. I used 5 inch net cups and if i had to do it again i would make it just a dual as i only use two pots at a time. I used a dual air pump and two air stones.

I use general hydroponics flora series because it buffers the water and solves the ph problem. Ive grown three crops in mine and it works well.

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Keep reading and post pics when you can.

JP

Without a water pump what makes the nutes circulate from res to tote w/ plants? How much does a small water pump increase temp in water? Sounds as if a medium sized ice chest would be appropriate for res? Was thinking (and have.. ) a 10-12 gallon tote right now thought I'd use for Res. Money isn't a big issue, so if theres something far better, will get it for sure.

I understand Ph level testings, etc.. but what's the PPM meter about?

Nutrients - I'm looking at the General Hydroponics Flora kit - 3 Quart bottles .. is this a good kit? How long will this last for 2-4 plants? Also looking at the Fox Farm Nutrient Trio, anything different about that two, that is worth the small price difference?

Any need or use for having air stone in Reservoir?

Thanks for the info guys, lovin the RIU community so far.

a PPM meter allows you to see how strong your nutrients solution is. its the only way to know for sure what levels you have.

A air stone in the res moves the water and there for brings oxygen into the water. its the action of the bubbles which disrupt the surface allowing for gas exchange.

The 3 stage kit from GH is nice, it lasts at least two grows depending on your res size, the bigger the res, the more chemicals you will need.

JP

9monthsomg said:

Without a water pump what makes the nutes circulate from res to tote w/ plants? How much does a small water pump increase temp in water? Sounds as if a medium sized ice chest would be appropriate for res? Was thinking (and have.. ) a 10-12 gallon tote right now thought I'd use for Res. Money isn't a big issue, so if theres something far better, will get it for sure.

I understand Ph level testings, etc.. but what's the PPM meter about?

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If you are using a separate res for nutes and will be recirculating the water then thats called RDWC I was confused sorry..
PPM = Parts Per Million a PPM meter will let you know the exact PPM of the nutes you have fed your plants too many nutes = nutrient burn During veg state I like to stay at 500 PPM and Flower 900-1000 PPM.

Will you be using Reverse Osmosis water or Tap?

I HAVE 4 plants in an 18gal. Res. I think 4gal. per plant will be best for 400w. (Bigger Plants) Bigger AIR PUMP = FASTER BIGGER GROW. My airpump is 1000 GPH and is amazing. DWC? You dont have a separate res. your plants are GROWING DIRECTLY INTO YOUR RES.

RawBudzski said:

I HAVE 4 plants in an 18gal. Res. I think 4gal. per plant will be best for 400w. (Bigger Plants) Bigger AIR PUMP = FASTER BIGGER GROW. My airpump is 1000 GPH and is amazing. DWC? You dont have a separate res. your plants are GROWING DIRECTLY INTO YOUR RES.

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True date I use a lot of air and 3 air stones in each of my 5 gal sport coolers... The more bubbles the better ..

18gal. Res. DWC, from StealthHydro.com the Oxyponic SET. HANDS DOWN THE BEST DWC KIT KNOWN TO MAN (not for bulk grows i guess =/ )

So does having a seperate Res (RDWC) make it easier to montior the water/ add nutes? Is there anytime in the process (or how many times) that you have to drain the system completely?

Will be using tap water, I've read up about leaving it sit for a few days to allow the chlorine evaporate, anything else that needs to be done to Tap water? It's descent water, not high in sulfur.

18 Gallon tote is a good enough size for 2-4 plants then? If theres only 2 plants in a 18 gallon Res, is that too big, or is that even possible?

Is covering the top of the Res around the plants/net pots w/ mylar a good idea?

Thanks everyone for the quick answers, lots of good info.

Yes RDWC is easy and you really dont have to do a res change until you flowers just add nutes. I just do straight DWC/bubbleponics and filling up 5 gal water jugs is mass annoying. Check the PPM of your tap water see what that is. I would cover the whole res with aluminum tape they sale at home depot just for extra light-proofing.
18 gallon should be fine for 2-4 plants.

2 plants in an 18gal res. would be overkill, BUT WOULD WORK BEST. cause you know your plants are fine with space, You wont need to Re-Fill as often. My 18gal. Res. has a Drain with lever at the bottom built in, so when I wanna Flush.. I used Distilled Water, never used tap. Just let it sit for a while, Get a PH meter and adjust if needed with PH Down. Uhm, I never Drained my system during its process cause some times it would be nearly empty and I would ADD more water, so unless its FLUSHING time I dont clear res.

So using a seperate Res is really only adding more work/equipment?

My idea was to start w/ 2 plants but leave enough set up to grow 4 plants the next time around.

Rawbudski.. you just buy gallons of distilled water to start and keep your water level correct? I'm def. gonna build a drain on the res as well. So you have to completely flush the res and start over when you begin Flowering? You wait a couple weeks into flowering to add new nutes as well? Or do you add new nutes with the flush, just at 1/4 strength?

Lots of questions, just trying to go about this the right way.

Nah i diddnt flush at flower. some may disagree but its mostly same nutes so.. .yea get a drain. Yea i bought all 2.5gal bottles of Distilled water. You should see my recycle bin. Id say it costs 40-60$ of water for 1 of my grows.

Are there strains or types (indica / sativa) that do better in a DWC system? Thinking about a purp of some kind or maybe a pineapple, just want something that's a good producer but def. quality over quantity

well.. just dont mix them like me.. i have 3 sativas and 1 indica in the same res.. thus..i gotta harvest the indica a lil late but its doing good since.. its not done by 8wks anyway

any recommendation on a good strain for this DWC.. either a purp or berry type.. good producer hopefully

nice to meet you 9months. now this is only my first dwc grow but from what i learned anything you grow in dwc will grow FAST. but if i had to pick a fav indica i have to say grand daddy purple. qwerkle x big bud she is. peace

a heavy indica strain.. so many out their