NYC_Diesel x Jack_Herer
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Hi all, I am in no way an expert at building DWC systems but I have done my fair share. I recently had someone send me a message asking me how I design mine after commenting in a post that they are cheap and easy to build. So I thought I would post my method here for everyone and just send him the link...yes I am going to this much trouble for one random person I have never met. I like the community here. I have learned a lot from this site so when someone asked me for help I thought I would return the knowledge. Everyone please feel free to comment, ask questions, or point out ways to improve the designs...
OK first thing first, you have to select your totes (reservoirs). There are a few important things to remember when selecting a container to be used as a DWC reservoir. Generally you can find something to use at Walmart, Lowe's etc....
1) The larger the reservoir you want to use, the sturdier it has to be. The larger the container, the more water it will have to hold. Don't go out and buy ten 30 gallon totes at Walmart, get them home, glue air stones in them, cut holes in the lids, fill them with water, and realize the sides distort too much from the water to fit the lid on. The same principle applies to the lid. The lid must be sturdy (and flat) enough to withstand having holes cut in it. You do not want your lid distorting halfway through flowering because of the weight causing your plants to all lean together.
2) The container you choose for a reservoir needs to be a minimum of 10 inches (12 preferably) deep. Picture a container that is ten inches deep. One inch off the bottom sits the top of your air stones. 3 inches below the top rests the bottom of your net cups, and the water level needs to be roughly 1 inch below that, this mean you are left with 5 inches of water in a 10 inch tall container. Plants can deplete water quickly and you do NOT want to ever let your res run dry. The plants will suffer quickly and also engulf the air stones which can cause them to not function properly. You also don't want to have to be adding water every day or mixing batches of nutes all the time.
3) You do not ever want to use a clear container. The roots must be kept in darkness at all times, light seeping into the reservoir will cause algae and other nasty stuff to start growing in your reservoir.
4) While most people know about #3, you also want to use a light colored container. It is important that your reservoir is able to stay in the mid 60 degree range, and having a black container that absorbs heat from your lights will cause the temps in your reservoir to rise. I always end up painting reservoir lids white for this reason (plus any extra light reflection I get when the plants are young and some light is getting all the way down to res level).
Here is a pic of a container before I have started altering it (roughly $8 at a big box store) The dimensions are 18x24x15 inches tall.
OK first thing first, you have to select your totes (reservoirs). There are a few important things to remember when selecting a container to be used as a DWC reservoir. Generally you can find something to use at Walmart, Lowe's etc....
1) The larger the reservoir you want to use, the sturdier it has to be. The larger the container, the more water it will have to hold. Don't go out and buy ten 30 gallon totes at Walmart, get them home, glue air stones in them, cut holes in the lids, fill them with water, and realize the sides distort too much from the water to fit the lid on. The same principle applies to the lid. The lid must be sturdy (and flat) enough to withstand having holes cut in it. You do not want your lid distorting halfway through flowering because of the weight causing your plants to all lean together.
2) The container you choose for a reservoir needs to be a minimum of 10 inches (12 preferably) deep. Picture a container that is ten inches deep. One inch off the bottom sits the top of your air stones. 3 inches below the top rests the bottom of your net cups, and the water level needs to be roughly 1 inch below that, this mean you are left with 5 inches of water in a 10 inch tall container. Plants can deplete water quickly and you do NOT want to ever let your res run dry. The plants will suffer quickly and also engulf the air stones which can cause them to not function properly. You also don't want to have to be adding water every day or mixing batches of nutes all the time.
3) You do not ever want to use a clear container. The roots must be kept in darkness at all times, light seeping into the reservoir will cause algae and other nasty stuff to start growing in your reservoir.
4) While most people know about #3, you also want to use a light colored container. It is important that your reservoir is able to stay in the mid 60 degree range, and having a black container that absorbs heat from your lights will cause the temps in your reservoir to rise. I always end up painting reservoir lids white for this reason (plus any extra light reflection I get when the plants are young and some light is getting all the way down to res level).
Here is a pic of a container before I have started altering it (roughly $8 at a big box store) The dimensions are 18x24x15 inches tall.