Dwc beginner. Looking for advice/pointers

[BeaverPeltJesus]

I have just started doing research on DWC and what I’ll need to run two plants at a time. What I’m wondering- is there any basic lists or lots of all the hydro nutes and chemicals I will need for a grow?

I get the basics it’s just sourcing all the Nutes to start sailing things in.

 

[Airwalker16]

Keep it simple. general hydroponics 3 part flora micro/gro/bloom and their brand caliMagic. That’s all you need. You GOTTA invest in a chiller though or you’ll be battling root rot. Use the feed schedule from growweedeasy. Just search recirculating schedule growweedeasy into google and click images. It’s right there.

 

[HydroRed]

You're gonna get 1000 different suggestions on nutrients so the best one I can suggest is - one that you can use to its fullest potential whether it be a 1 part or a 7 part with boosters etc. If you are new at growing, stick with something simple like a single part or even a 3 part nutrient til you get the basics down. You will need to learn more than just feeding like ph, drift, etc so simpler may be better til you get more experience. You can have 100 bottles of stuff on your shelf, but if you dont undrstand what plants need or when they need it those bottles of stuff are useless.

 

[Airwalker16]

HERE ya go.

 

[Airwalker16]

Hydro red is correct, but ph isn’t much of a problem if you just follow this chart above and USE REVERSE OSMOSIS (0ppm) water.

 

[zypheruk]

Far simple as it gets Ionic Hydro Grow for veg and Ionic Hydro Bloom for flower. 1 part nutrients

 

[BeaverPeltJesus]

You're gonna get 1000 different suggestions on nutrients so the best one I can suggest is - one that you can use to its fullest potential whether it be a 1 part or a 7 part with boosters etc. If you are new at growing, stick with something simple like a single part or even a 3 part nutrient til you get the basics down. You will need to learn more than just feeding like ph, drift, etc so simpler may be better til you get more experience. You can have 100 bottles of stuff on your shelf, but if you dont undrstand what plants need or when they need it those bottles of stuff are useless.

That was actually an answer I was looking for, simple stupid easy way to learn more

 

[BeaverPeltJesus]

What would be easier to grasp the concept of? DWC or a water farm drip system?

 

[HydroRed]

What would be easier to grasp the concept of? DWC or a water farm drip system?

6 in one, half a dozen in the other. Both requre the same amount of care/feed etc between the reservoirs.
A single larger res will be easier to manage though so if I had to advise on one of those two to somebody fresh into hydroponics it would be DWC in a "DIY tote" or something along those lines. Lots of great hydro setups can be made for very little money and time, and they are simple and give excellent results too.
I'll assume you are starting from scratch here meaning no gear, lights, set-up etc?
You can search around on here in the threads as there are a plethora of great diy builds with instructions and parts lists etc. If you cant find something you like, you can always start a thread asking for DIY hydroponic builds. People love to talk about that on here (myself included).

 

[rkymtnman]

What would be easier to grasp the concept of? DWC or a water farm drip system?

I've done both and a few more styles too.

right now i'm doing an autofeed GH waterfarm setup. i love it. it's also drain to waste so i just feed it once or twice a day and never touch the res on the waterfarm.

i made some modifications to it: bigger holes in top bucket, airpump and airstones in the bottom bucket when the roots hit the lower res.

on the other hand, if you are new to hydro and just want to try it, build a hempy bucket for about 10 bucks. no moving parts, hand water it, treat it as hydro, no chiller needed, etc.

 

[BeaverPeltJesus]

6 in one, half a dozen in the other. Both requre the same amount of care/feed etc between the reservoirs.
A single larger res will be easier to manage though so if I had to advise on one of those two to somebody fresh into hydroponics it would be DWC in a "DIY tote" or something along those lines. Lots of great hydro setups can be made for very little money and time, and they are simple and give excellent results too.
I'll assume you are starting from scratch here meaning no gear, lights, set-up etc?
You can search around on here in the threads as there are a plethora of great diy builds with instructions and parts lists etc. If you cant find something you like, you can always start a thread asking for DIY hydroponic builds. People love to talk about that on here (myself included).

I have all kinds of lights. HPS and LED working with a smaller tent. I like the idea of the totes and being able to switch out the resevoir and the ease that would provide! Like a smaller black storage tote? How many gallons would it need to be? For seedlings or clones do you need to keep water right at bottom of the net pot or higher until the plant is bigger?

 

[HydroRed]

How big is your tent? LxHxW

 

[BeaverPeltJesus]

4x4x6 I believe. Maybe a smaller tote with two 5 inch nets?

 

[BeaverPeltJesus]

I've done both and a few more styles too.

right now i'm doing an autofeed GH waterfarm setup. i love it. it's also drain to waste so i just feed it once or twice a day and never touch the res on the waterfarm.

i made some modifications to it: bigger holes in top bucket, airpump and airstones in the bottom bucket when the roots hit the lower res.

on the other hand, if you are new to hydro and just want to try it, build a hempy bucket for about 10 bucks. no moving parts, hand water it, treat it as hydro, no chiller needed, etc.

I was thinking about it.. Would give me a chance to somewhat get feelings and mutes figured out

 

[HydroRed]

4x4x6 I believe. Maybe a smaller tote with two 5 inch nets?

You could do (4) 18 gal totes with one 8" netpot in each
or you can do (2) 27 gallon totes with like six 4" netpots in each.
There are a number of ways to fill the tent and still keep it simple.

 

[BeaverPeltJesus]

You could do (4) 18 gal totes with one 8" netpot in each
or you can do (2) 27 gallon totes with like six 4" netpots in each.
There are a number of ways to fill the tent and still keep it simple.

I'd probably start with just one big net pot and get it all figured out. So two questions.. How often would you have to change a 18 gal tote? And if I'm using LED and already running at cooler temps do I need a chiller?

 

[HydroRed]

I'd probably start with just one big net pot and get it all figured out. So two questions.. How often would you have to change a 18 gal tote? And if I'm using LED and already running at cooler temps do I need a chiller?

I've used a lot of different hydro systems over the last decade or so and I've never owned a chiller and never had root rot. If your environment is in check and the res doesnt get above 74*F you'll be ok without a chiller. I've run even higher with no issues but I run a sterile res. Just be sure to keep the water clean and well aerated.
Change the res every 10-14 days. As you get better and figure out a few "tricks" you could get away with going longer if you wanted.

 

[BeaverPeltJesus]

I was thinking an 18 gal or smaller, with two large aquarium pumps each running a bubble stick or large air stone. My temps don’t move at all so that won’t be hard.

 

[Terry385]

what about black 5 gal bucket with 6 inch net pot

 

[HydroRed]

I was thinking an 18 gal or smaller, with two large aquarium pumps each running a bubble stick or large air stone. My temps don’t move at all so that won’t be hard.

The smaller the res the more you will find yourself topping off constantly as the plant gets larger because the res is too small. With a 4'x4' tent you should have plenty of room for a larger tote. Larger totes = topping off less often, more stable pH and EC/PPM.