RDWC Bigger Buckets Bigger Yield???

[Gjohnstone]

hello,
i am currently growing in 5 gallon bubbler buckets. Thinking of building a RDWC system. Will I getting bigger yields in going with bigger buckets in the system? IE using a 8-10 gallon buckets and a 15-20 gallon res vs 5 gallon buckets. Thanks

 

[Toker1]

In theory yes...bigger roots = bigger fruits. Hard to answer specifically with out more information on your current set up/yield situation though.

 

[Formernuke]

I'm new to this but I'm going to say most of us indoor growers are limited by height. We have to keep the lights x distance from the plant at a certain point we have to stop growth. Sonthe question is do you have the height so that root growth becomes the limiting factor.

 

[gbauto]

I started with 5 gal buckets in my RDWC setup. It grew some nice plants but they would invariably fill the bucket with roots. In a RDWC system that's not a huge issue as long as you can maintain circulation but in DWC it severely reduces the volume of solution in the bucket and can create some serious ph/ppm swings. I switched last year from an 8 site bucket system to a 4 tote UC style using 17 gal totes. Even with my RemoChemo being a real bastard and only netting 4 oz, the 3 other girls pulled almost 3lbs. 6" netlids supports some really nice sized plants.

 

[Gjohnstone]

Thanks so much! I was think about a 13 gallon bucket or 15 gallon tote. The totes are shorter in height but much wider of course. Does the shortness harm the results at all? Seems like your tote experience is pretty amazing

 

[HappyDaze]

This plant is drinking a gallon a day under a 600W HPS and is pretty happy in a 15 Gal rez. I start in 5 gal buckets and move up as the plants get bigger, (cuz I'm cheap with the nutes and am lousy and managing an ad-back program.)

 

[Gjohnstone]

Thanks, the setup looks good!

 

[Gjohnstone]

One more question did you use bulkheads or Uniseals to put the pipe through the tote.

 

[HappyDaze]

My 15 gallon has 1/2" barbed fittings in grommets, 90 liter totes with 1" barbed bulkhead fitting in them, I haven't used uniseals. The grommets leak a bit if they're flexed. If you can't tolerate a few drips here and there, go with the bulkhead fittings. I also used a really cool overflow fitting designed for live bait tanks on fishing boats in a RDWC setup I ran a few times... https://www.wholesalemarine.com/th-marine-bait-tank-plumbing-kit.html