Adding a seperate control res to a single 5 gallon DWC bucket

I want to have a seperate 5 gallon res for switching out nutes and ph'ing the water so I dont have to hassle with the bucket the plant is growing in and it's roots. I've read a few tutorials but they're all for bigger setups, the principles probably the same im sure but I'm a bit confused with it. Hopefully someone can help me out a bit.

RDWC basics- buckets, valves, connecting tube. Of course you'll have to seal it somehow.. and all of that can be very difficult for us non-hardware types. I know I don't have the tools/equipment/knowledge to put something like that together.

Someone correct me if this isn't considered "RDWC" yet, and fill in my gaps please.

Sharkey: it all depends on the size of your bankroll if you're hardware handicapped like Void Object. Between a good hydro store and places like Ace Hardware or Harbor Freight Tools you should be able to find what you need to do the job. Even better, if you have friends who like to imbibe from time to time you may have a supportive army you didn't know about. HSA

I'm not ashamed to admit im hardware handycapped. Im more of a computer guy

Yeah stick to the basics then.. or get some help from someone who can do whatever it is they do..

It just seems like having to change the nutes onces the plant establishes roots into the bucket would be a massive hassle. Im not to concerned if its a true RDWC or not I just wanna be able to have a seperate rez. Im working with a small area to so it'd be difficult messing with the grow bucket

Although I haven't even started my first grow so maybe im imagining it being more difficult than it is.

yanno i was thinking on doing the same thing,but with 2x5 gal buckets. i also wanted to add a water pump (somehow)..to ensure proper water/nute circulation.

ive seen tons of video's showing 6 and 12 buckets DWC/RDWC..all of them showing a water pump outside the res..those pumps are extremely hard to find..unless i'm looking in all the wrong places.

dtischerd said:

ive seen tons of video's showing 6 and 12 buckets DWC/RDWC..all of them showing a water pump outside the res..those pumps are extremely hard to find..unless i'm looking in all the wrong places.

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I built my own UCDWC system and I use "Danner" mag-drive supreme pumps. The size of your system determines the size pump you'll need.
http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_nkw=danner+mag+drive+supreme+water+pump&_sacat=0&_odkw=danner+mag+drive+water+pump&_osacat=0&_trksid=p3286.c0.m270.l1313

Sharkey said:

It just seems like having to change the nutes onces the plant establishes roots into the bucket would be a massive hassle. Im not to concerned if its a true RDWC or not I just wanna be able to have a seperate rez. Im working with a small area to so it'd be difficult messing with the grow bucket

Although I haven't even started my first grow so maybe im imagining it being more difficult than it is.

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Check out this guys grow journal https://www.rollitup.org/grow-journals/453198-homemade-under-current.html It might give you some Ideas in a small space. The OP has a separate insulated Rez, where outflow can be stopped and individual bucket water pulled into it, He then ph's and adds nuts then opens the outflow valves to get the water back to the plants.

Happy growing
UCDWC~

holy crap!..thanx UnderCurrentDWC that is exactly what i was looking for!

Sharkey said:

Although I haven't even started my first grow so maybe im imagining it being more difficult than it is.

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Yeah that's probably what it is.. just make sure to have an extra bucket/rez to put your plant in, and then just change the water. It's that easy. Slightly more time consuming but IMO better than RDWC because it's more "personal," easier to clean/maintain/what-not. lol maybe not better.. but w/e

Rofl. The sad thing is I didn't even think of putting it into another bucket. Boy do I feel stupid

get the smallest ecoplus pump and connect a 1/2 tube running into your grow space....plug the end of it and make sure it cant leak...poke a hole in the tube and insert a 1/4" straight barbed fitting...connect 1/4" hose to this fitting...drill a tiny hole for this hose on the top of your bucket, on the side right below the lip and feed this line in the there...this is your supply line

on the bottom of both buckets, use a 1-1/4" hole saw and drill a hole about an inch off the bottom of the buckets, on the side...insert a 3/4" barbed bulkhead ebb and flow fitting with a screen into each hole...use plumbers tape around the threads..lots of it...tighten the washer of the bulkhead down as tight as you can...make sure these fittings are snug against the inner wall of the buckets...make sure the gasket that comes with the fittings is kept on the inside of the bucket

now connect these two fittings with enough 3/4" hose to where ever they are sitting...make sure the two buckets are on the same elevation

fill the system with water until you both buckets find the same water table and you have enough water in the sytem...then turn the pump on....the water just recirculates under the water table

use clamps to tighten the hoses onto the fittings to prevent leaks...once system is running for a while, re-tighten the hose clamps

you could get crafty and install a barbed tee on the supply line and a valve...this will redirect some water back into the res and help you balance the flow to recirculate at the speed you want it to...this helps control water temps too if the res is sitting outside the grow space in A/C

BD

I can guarantee you the OP can't follow those instructions without some help from a friend or maybe a video tutorial. But good stuff none-the-less.

just cut a hole in the top bucket you can plug for pouring water in , you can always use pvc elbows to make it more accessible......drill a hole in the bottom and put a faucet in it. seal it with aquarium sealant so it doesn't leak. i would set your res. up about 6 inches then use gravity for draining your res without ever having to move it.

nah this is exactly what i wanted. thanks boodadood i have a couple ecoplus pumps laying around ill go to the hardware store tommorow and give that a try

lemme know if you run into any issues

good luck

BD