Should I transition to full DWC from ebb/grow?

Looking for some knowledgeable advice. I'm currently running a bucket based (4gallon) DIY ebb and grow system with 18 plants. I installed airstones in the bottom of the buckets this last round (about 2" of water in the bottom) and really like the results so far. I'm thinking of using square net pots next round, ditching most of the hydroton and just run full on DWC. Because I am using a bucket based ebb/grow with a Rez and control bucket, I can maintain water levels and use the flood/drain pumps to "drain and refresh" the buckets and manage ph and nutrient levels simply and effectively.

I'm a little worried about water temps as I hover around 72 right now (I'm working on a ground coil chilling system right now but it's not completed yet).

So I guess my question is; is there any significant benefit to dwc as opposed to ebb/flow? I have heard of faster growth but is there greater yields to be had? I would like not having to wash so much hydration at the end of each cycle (about 70 gallons worth of hydroton). I would like to hear from people that have done both and their observed results.

If it matters; I'm running botanicare nutes with ginormous pk boost, full beneficials, and kelp foliar treatments. 18 plants with around 6 week veg flowering under 6 600's. AC hoods, mini split air con, water cooled co2 burner, and CAP xgc-1 environmental controller. ( yes, I have about 6k invested in that room)

Hmmm. Really? Dwc is that rock star?

Not a single comment? Man, all the time and effort that I have spent helping hapless growers with all their problems and when I ask for some advice I hear nothing but crickets. Geez, at least someone tell
Me to fuck off or something.

legallyflying said:

Not a single comment? Man, all the time and effort that I have spent helping hapless growers with all their problems and when I ask for some advice I hear nothing but crickets. Geez, at least someone tell
Me to fuck off or something.

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I would comment but I'm doing the opposite of what you are doing. I'm switching from DWC to EBB using pots and coco. No hard feeling LegallyFlying but people probably hate you because of your approach, it doesnt offend me one bit but you know how cry babies are.

In DWC the major benefit is getting explosive growth in veg. You have a really good set up similar to mine. You can get bigger yields if you veg for a long time but I get problems in 5 gallon buckets if I veg for too long the root ball gets so big its hard to maintain a good PH ( thats only if you let her veg too long ). I'm only going to run a couple buckets and then use the 4'x'4 botanicare tray I just bought for my coco grows. I'm doing this because of maintenance with DWC buckets, fuck man its a p ain the ass you literally have to check on them everyday and sped some time with them if you arent using a RDWC. I figured with EBB and Flow I wouldnt have to do as much maintenance.

I was wondering about ph swings and what not. My ebb and grow can go 5-7 days without me touching a thing depending on where I am an and the nutes I'm using. The first week and last couple see a constant rising ph that I have to contend with.

I was thinking my system would be semi-recirculating because I could drain and refill the buckets every two hours or so using the existing ebb/grow hardware. Basically using the system in reverse. Do you still think mad PH swings? I'm running 18 plants now but will cut back to 12 and get about 6 sq ft of canopy on each. That's two big plants per 600 watter.

I'm looking at an additional $200 to purchase two
Commercial pumps, net pots and stones. I kind of have to make a decision soon as clones are ready to veg.

I put airstones in my existing buckets and even though there is only about 2" of water and maybe 5" of space it's ALL roots. Just seems like better root growth to me and you and I both know what that means.

So just to clarify, the individual buckets were a PIA or just DWC in general?
Thanks for the input.

legallyflying said:

I was wondering about ph swings and what not. My ebb and grow can go 5-7 days without me touching a thing depending on where I am an and the nutes I'm using. The first week and last couple see a constant rising ph that I have to contend with.

I was thinking my system would be semi-recirculating because I could drain and refill the buckets every two hours or so using the existing ebb/grow hardware. Basically using the system in reverse. Do you still think mad PH swings? I'm running 18 plants now but will cut back to 12 and get about 6 sq ft of canopy on each. That's two big plants per 600 watter.

I'm looking at an additional $200 to purchase two
Commercial pumps, net pots and stones. I kind of have to make a decision soon as clones are ready to veg.

I put airstones in my existing buckets and even though there is only about 2" of water and maybe 5" of space it's ALL roots. Just seems like better root growth to me and you and I both know what that means.

So just to clarify, the individual buckets were a PIA or just DWC in general?
Thanks for the input.

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I only get mass PH swings when I let them veg for too long and they become trees, I mean once the rootball gets to a basketball size the PH is impossible to control in a 5 gal bucket.

Roger that. Think I'm going to give it a try as I'm
Only going to veg 6 weeks max.

legallyflying said:

Roger that. Think I'm going to give it a try as I'm
Only going to veg 6 weeks max.

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Good luck dude.

Thanks man. Ordered pumps, airstones and pots yesterday. If everything goes south hopefully I can sell the stuff

My dwc gives me awesome veg and bloom results, however it is a lot of maintenance. It's only 15 min to do 6 buckets but it must be done everyday (48hr max) or ph shifts too much. First I add water to the 4gal mark then I add a few ml of cal/mag then adjust ph to 5.7-5.8. I'll take a pic of my girls when they wake up. They were vegged 26 days from rooted clone and are 11 days into 12/12, so 37 days old. I think they look awesome . They were vegged under a 400w MH and I'm trying something new in 12/12 to stop stretch. pics to follow.

If your trying to avoid the 12/12 stretch I can highly recommend bushmaster. I used for 5 days last round but 3 would have done it. I had zero stretch, none! They switched immediately to flower. Based on past crops I would say that there about a week ahead in terms of flower development compared to baseline.

The stuff is pretty damn awesome. Next time I am going to veg about 1 foot from maximum final height and flip with bushmaster.

Room is 8x8x8 2 x 1000 each at 20 degree angles toward each other (reflector is at 45 degrees in pic). 4 plants/ 4 buckets.

Looks good. Your stretch could be a function of a slight lack of light or overcrowding. Looks fairly crowded in there. I run mine the same way but once plants start growing into each other they start stretching.

legallyflying said:

Looks good. Your stretch could be a function of a slight lack of light or overcrowding. Looks fairly crowded in there. I run mine the same way but once plants start growing into each other they start stretching.

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I get heavy stretch on Sativas of course but i think thats due to my vegging with a T5 and flowering with a 1000W HPS

Give that bushmaster a try. I only heard one guy that said he didn't like it..but like a newb he used too much and toasted his plant.