DWC - Aero combination question

Buddhakhan

Active Member

• Oct 3, 2012

• #1

I have been running a DWC/Aero setup with 18g totes, 6 plants in each, for about 6 months. Haven't really had any issues with algae in the water, but was wondering.. If i switch to strictly DWC, 5gallon bucket, 1 Scrog'd plant in each bucket, would heat now become a problem? I have read time and again, that heat will build up in the water causing algae problems, and that I need to use a cooler instead of a bucket. If I have never had issues prior, with my old setup, would I now experience them with the smaller volume? My room temp stays 81 degrees all the time. Thanks for the help.

 

superstoner1

Well-Known Member

• Oct 3, 2012

• #2

ice bottles can help. as long as dissolved oxygen stays high and no light leaks in its ok. a beneficial bacteria like pondzyme or greatwhite will also help, plus it promotes huge root growth

 

Buddhakhan

Active Member

• Oct 3, 2012

• #3

right, but in a 5gallon with a scrog, getting an ice bottle out would be impossible. So, my big question is, does smaller volume equal more heat? I mean honestly I only used about 6 gallons of water in the 18g tote, so the volume of water will probably be half that. I just dont want to have to spend 25$ on a cooler if my buckets will be just fine.

 

Saldaw

Well-Known Member

• Oct 3, 2012

• #4

you can always have your 5g bucket in a tray with some water and frozen bottles

 

Buddhakhan

Active Member

• Oct 3, 2012

• #5

That was another option i thought about, taking my big totes that will now just be useless, and fill them with water and throw in a new ice bottle every few days.. Thanks. Now my wife can't complain about being wasteful with the petrol products.

 

student121

Well-Known Member

• Oct 3, 2012

• #6

hi there bk, u could connect all buckets together and have a rez an pump an then u could jus cool the rez....but ur sure to find a way my fren... (rdwc)

 

Buddhakhan

Active Member

• Oct 3, 2012

• #7

Yeah, its just two buckets though. Going to do veg for 2 months, and 2 months in flower, rotating one plant out each month. So the nutrient solution is different on both buckets. Just trying to harvest a bit more than I smoke, and right now, I am having to chop early by a week or so because I keep smoking it all.

 

superstoner1

Well-Known Member

• Oct 3, 2012

• #8

in a 5gal bucket start with 5gal, i do everytime.

 

Buddhakhan

Active Member

• Oct 3, 2012

• #9

even on the initial setup? I just didnt want the roots of a 2 month old plant submerged in water for that long.. but i guess it cant hurt too much.

 

superstoner1

Well-Known Member

• Oct 3, 2012

• #10

its called deep water culture, thats what it is about. right up to the net pot.

 

Buddhakhan

Active Member

• Oct 3, 2012

• #11

right, but 5 gallons would consume the netpot and all of the medium too, wouldnt it, seems the plant would be drowning that way.

 

Buddhakhan

Active Member

• Oct 3, 2012

• #12

now 4 would put it right at the bottom of the net pot, actually on these buckets.. 3.5 gallons would.