It has been noted in PMs that there is little if any information on using the WaterFarm combination aerated drip/DWC growing system produced by General Hydro. The advantage of this combination system over either a DWC or a drip hydro is that it gives the growth speeds of drip hydro and the safety of a DWC because once the roots are into the standing solution, the plant can survive for several days without the pump running in the event of a power outage or pump failure. I will try to do a step by step thread documenting how I set up a one bucket system with a minimal investment. The only reason I'm doing it myself rather than buying a complete individual bucket system is to keep the cost down and use buckets that I have lying around. Everything that I do can be done easier and quicker by just buying the complete system and following the assembly instructions that come with the system. I have NO problems with the factory systems and in fact recommend buying them that way if you can afford it.
Please be patient because this will be definitely a work in progress in as close to real time as possible.
First I purchased the GH WaterFarm KIT which consists a combination drain tube and solution level indicator with a grommet; a support column tube that goes through either the bucket lid or a net pot lid; a siphon/pump tube with an attached 1/4" clear air hose; an 8" drip ring with a tee fitting for $15.00US. Then I bought a 10" net pot lid for under $5.00US, for a total of less than $20.00US. You also need an air pump but I don't know how big of an air pump you need. I'm using one that is rated for a 212 gallon tank but that is over kill. Irish uses one in his DWC from WalMart that is rated for 30 to 60 gallon tanks that he said is less than $10.00.
There are NO instructions with the kit. However you can download the instructions for assembling a complete factory WaterFarm unit at hxxp://www.generalhydroponics.com/genhydro_US/instructions/WaterFarm_instructions.pdf and use those instructions. I strongly urge you to download and study those instructions before deciding to attempt to build this system. It is very simple but you must have some DIY skills and a drill, a 13/16"drill bit, a 1/4' drill bit and the usual hand tools. The main difference from what the instructions tell you to do is that the factory bucket already has the holes drilled but you will have to drill the holes. This is not very difficult but it is critical that you get clean round smooth holes of the correct size or the unit will leak. If you aren't sure of your ability to drill these holes properly, then I suggest you either have someone else drill them for, just do not use the drain/level tube or you can buy one of the complete units which will be significantly more expensive than buying the kit and using your own bucket.
Suitable buckets can be purchased an Home Depot and Lowes for under $3.00 but they may not be as light proof as some say they should be. Black buckets in both 3 and 5 gallon sizes can usually be purchased at garden centers and/or hydro shops, but the prices will vary. Another source is cat litter buckets, plastic paint buckets and sometimes square bucket that various food ingredients came in. WHAT EVER SOURCE YOU USE FOR THE BUCKETS MAKE SURE THEY ARE ABSOLUTELY SPOTLESSLY CLEANED BEFORE USE.
The drain/solution level indicator tube goes through the grommet which is placed through a 13/16 hole through the side of the bucket placed as near to the bottom of the bucket as possible while still letting the grommet not quite touch the bottom. Near the top of the bucket a U shaped clip goes through a 1/4" hole near the top of the bucket and the drain/level tube clips into it to hold it up and out of the way. CAUTION --GH's instructions says this is designed for use with flat sided (square) buckets only. Use of the drain/level tube is NOT necessary to the functioning of the system but is an added convenience only. I will attempt to use the grommet on one of my round paint buckets to see if it will leak or not. If it does leak I'm not out any money because I'm using discarded paint buckets.
Then you must drill a hole through the lid for the support column to slide down through. The support column is cut at an angel on the bottom so that you can push it all the way to the bottom of the bucket and still have solution flow freely into it. Then the venturi/pump tube with its attached air hose slides down inside of the support column, with the brown venturi fitting with the air hose attached pointing down. (The purpose of the support column is so that should the venturi/pump assembly need cleaning it can be removed and reinserted without disturbing the roots.) Then the drip ring tee slips over the bare end of the venturi/pump tube. You will have to make a hole for your net pot in the lid unless you use a net pot lid. Because the drip ring is approximately 8" in diameter, I used a 10" net
pot lid.
Now that you know what we will be doing, I will start posting individual steps with pictures for each step. That will start later tonight or maybe even tomorrow.
Be brave and PATIENT please. It is a lot simpler than it sounds.
Good Smoking everyone!
Please be patient because this will be definitely a work in progress in as close to real time as possible.
First I purchased the GH WaterFarm KIT which consists a combination drain tube and solution level indicator with a grommet; a support column tube that goes through either the bucket lid or a net pot lid; a siphon/pump tube with an attached 1/4" clear air hose; an 8" drip ring with a tee fitting for $15.00US. Then I bought a 10" net pot lid for under $5.00US, for a total of less than $20.00US. You also need an air pump but I don't know how big of an air pump you need. I'm using one that is rated for a 212 gallon tank but that is over kill. Irish uses one in his DWC from WalMart that is rated for 30 to 60 gallon tanks that he said is less than $10.00.
There are NO instructions with the kit. However you can download the instructions for assembling a complete factory WaterFarm unit at hxxp://www.generalhydroponics.com/genhydro_US/instructions/WaterFarm_instructions.pdf and use those instructions. I strongly urge you to download and study those instructions before deciding to attempt to build this system. It is very simple but you must have some DIY skills and a drill, a 13/16"drill bit, a 1/4' drill bit and the usual hand tools. The main difference from what the instructions tell you to do is that the factory bucket already has the holes drilled but you will have to drill the holes. This is not very difficult but it is critical that you get clean round smooth holes of the correct size or the unit will leak. If you aren't sure of your ability to drill these holes properly, then I suggest you either have someone else drill them for, just do not use the drain/level tube or you can buy one of the complete units which will be significantly more expensive than buying the kit and using your own bucket.
Suitable buckets can be purchased an Home Depot and Lowes for under $3.00 but they may not be as light proof as some say they should be. Black buckets in both 3 and 5 gallon sizes can usually be purchased at garden centers and/or hydro shops, but the prices will vary. Another source is cat litter buckets, plastic paint buckets and sometimes square bucket that various food ingredients came in. WHAT EVER SOURCE YOU USE FOR THE BUCKETS MAKE SURE THEY ARE ABSOLUTELY SPOTLESSLY CLEANED BEFORE USE.
The drain/solution level indicator tube goes through the grommet which is placed through a 13/16 hole through the side of the bucket placed as near to the bottom of the bucket as possible while still letting the grommet not quite touch the bottom. Near the top of the bucket a U shaped clip goes through a 1/4" hole near the top of the bucket and the drain/level tube clips into it to hold it up and out of the way. CAUTION --GH's instructions says this is designed for use with flat sided (square) buckets only. Use of the drain/level tube is NOT necessary to the functioning of the system but is an added convenience only. I will attempt to use the grommet on one of my round paint buckets to see if it will leak or not. If it does leak I'm not out any money because I'm using discarded paint buckets.
Then you must drill a hole through the lid for the support column to slide down through. The support column is cut at an angel on the bottom so that you can push it all the way to the bottom of the bucket and still have solution flow freely into it. Then the venturi/pump tube with its attached air hose slides down inside of the support column, with the brown venturi fitting with the air hose attached pointing down. (The purpose of the support column is so that should the venturi/pump assembly need cleaning it can be removed and reinserted without disturbing the roots.) Then the drip ring tee slips over the bare end of the venturi/pump tube. You will have to make a hole for your net pot in the lid unless you use a net pot lid. Because the drip ring is approximately 8" in diameter, I used a 10" net
pot lid.
Now that you know what we will be doing, I will start posting individual steps with pictures for each step. That will start later tonight or maybe even tomorrow.
Be brave and PATIENT please. It is a lot simpler than it sounds.
Good Smoking everyone!