Check my shopping list!

So I think with my space and limitations I have to go against having a rez. I also don't think totes would be the bet idea since I wouldn't gain much.

My closet is 2x5 with a 400w HID. Passive intake, evacuate the closet through the tube into the attic via 240cfm duct booster. Works well. I keep the room ~5 degrees above ambient usually. Flowering is done at night so temps are usually mid-upper 70s.

Here's my plan:

6 individual 5 gallon DWC buckets.

I have a 6 outlet 20w ActiveAqua pump that should be perfectly adequate.

So I know I want 6 buckets, and lids. Have 6 inch netpots and hydroton already.

I need black tubing, see it at PetCo for cheap, no problem.

I'm going to install a check valve in each bucket (probably where the tubing connects from the pump to the bucket, then on the inside the valve runs to the stone via a piece of tubing. Probably overly cautious, but they are a buck and I don't want to die or burn thanks to water in the pump.

And I need 6 airstones. What is the best size/shape/brand whatever for a 5 gallon bucket?

My intent is to go basically 12/12 from seed (after a brief germ/seedling stage under CFLs),

I have GH nutes and plan to try Lucas Formula for my first hydro grow.

I may rig level check tubing on each bucket, but I'm not sure yet. Would be neat. That's just a couple of elbows and some clear tubing for each bucket.

Drain valve on each feasible? Or do I just get a temp bucket to hold a plant while I dump and refill? Or if I use the addback method and don't dump the rez is it worth installing a fill valve? Or both?

I'm sure I can manage to do it with style but if it's overkill then ehhhh.

Anyone with experience managing up to 6 or more 5 gallon DWC buckets? Am I missing anything? Is it going to be terrible to manage? Remember I'm not going to veg out so plant size should be 2-3 feet max.

I think this is my best bet that gives me mobility that a RWDC wouldn't but it gives me room to expand, maybe add on more buckets or add a rez eventually. I also like buckets over totes for stability and individual care and treatment. Am I sound in that reasoning?

Just bouncing this shit off the pros before I commit to a plan of action!

No thoughts? I think I having level checks is kinda unnecessary. Maybe on a large rez, but 12/12 from seed is going to have pretty stable water usage I think. I should get a handle on usage as it goes. I also don't think a drain and fill is necessary. Just an extra bucket to set the plant in while I dump the old in the bathtub and refill it.

I do have concerns about temps. My buckets will be sitting right in front of the passive intake which pulls ~70-75 A/Ced air into the closet. Think that will be enough cooling? I can't do a chiller or anything but I'm sure I can keep the water in the low to mid 70s. Some say this is fine and I've seen grows with rez temps up to 80 without any fancy rigging. Some say you want that shit 50 degrees... So what is the max temp a rez can be before it's unusable? I can add a little H2O2 every few days no problem.

So looks like I need an air pump, 6 buckets, 6 lids, 6 net pots, 6 air stones, 6 check valves and enough black tubing to run them all to the pump and some hydroton. I have: pump, hydroton, net pots. The rest I can get at lowe's/petco.

So give me an idea of the MAX temps a res can be before I abandon the idea?
Suggestions for air stone size/shape for a 5 gallon bucket with a powerful air pump. (20W total, 3.5W per bucket)