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Diy dwc

BlueBudz

BlueBudz

New member
So yesterday I built a cloning system and today I’m building a top feed dwc (one as a trial run) for after clones take. I plan on going 100% hydro and want to make everything to save money and be able to evolve or change them in the future. I plan on running 40L for a custom 3 site system. It’s nothing ground breaking just my own version of what so many others have already accomplished. Please help with tips or suggestions as I am new to hydro
 
First step is to cut the 5gal lid net pots to an appropriate size to fit three in the reservoir lid. Then cut the holes to fit them
 

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Mount pump, air stone and cut ports for tubing and wiring
 

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I put two valves and a T in the delivery system so I can pump waste nutrient out to drain with the simple turn of 2 valves. Install barb fittings in hose and run feed lines to pots! Really easy and only took about an hour. NOW..... does it work? Time will tell. Please suggestions, comments or questions welcome!
 

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Made a cap from the pot cutouts. Might cut a fill port for easy top ups
 

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Howdy BlueBudz, It looks like You have a good plan going. I think that You will like hydro, It is faster (the longest grow time that I have had was 22 weeks), the only down side is that the aroma and taste is not as good as soil grows, but I do like the ease of the hydro growing, less problems (bugs, gnats, and other unwanted things found in soil), and it is easier to correct things if they get out of hand (drain and refresh the nutrients).
Good luck with Your endeavors!
 
I forgot to add, keep the clay pebbles covered, to prevent light infiltration. It does not take very much light leaking in to start algae growing!
 
Thanks DW2. Was thinking about how I could make some covers for the pots, any ideas? Maybe plastic pot saucers drill hole in middle then cut in half
 
I just cover the net pots (I use 3 3/4 inch ones) with a layer of heavy duty aluminum foil, taped down to the reservoir lid. I cut a small hole for the seedling to grow from. I used to use some plastic covers, but them still let in some light. I did not get the algae under control until I started using the foil covers. My set up has the feeder (or drip) lines at the bottom of the rockwool cubes. Also, keep the water temperature between 64° and 70° F, I use ice bottles changed out as needed.
 
Ok maybe I’ll try that, maybe a foil pan would work nice and allow me to remove and reuse. Also temp shouldn’t be much issue for me I struggle to keep temps above 64 at night and almost never exceed 72 during the day in the tent. I might actually have to use a heat mat at night
 
I use Styrofoam plates to cover the pots. Just make a half slit down the plate to the center and a cut out for stem.
 
A lot of flow control with the valve
 

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Nope that res has 30L. Water in it and an overall capacity larger then or close to 3 buckets so I plan on training them away from each other and filling a 4x4 with three plants. Still just a test it might not work lol
 
BlueBudz said:
Grinder DW2 you guys think this will work?
Click to expand...

It'll work but I think that it will get really crowded. When I switch over to a 4 tote UC system next grow I'll only have a single netlid like you're using in each tote. It is MUCH easier to manage a single tree rather than a cluster of shrubs .
 
Two thoughts: Big reservoirs are more stable (pH, temp, nutes) and leave more room for roots (I like >5 gal/plant), and AN's pH Perfect line seems to have an avid following because it really seems to make reservoir pH more stable. (I haven't used it though.)
 
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I could run 40L in there no problem. I look at it like this: one res to monitor, trained properly in the middle of a 4x4 should fill it. Just got a blue lab ph/cf/temp monitor so if I keep it perfect.....🤞
 
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