DIY RDWC - First Timer - Any Advice Welcome
- Thread starter FuqStiK
- Start date
fragileassassin
Well-Known Member
air, wtf is your hardon for buckets... this is just doubling the amount of hardware needed over 2 totes.
I'm just confused at this point with the number of different builds that have been suggested lol.
I'm truly just looking for something simple and that will get the job done. I'm not an expert by any means, but I also don't just want to start out with one plant. Realistically, I'll probably get a 4x4' tent with a cloning, germination tent to follow.
Can you give me some pointers on either of the pictures that I've presented on a RDWC build.
fragileassassin
Well-Known Member
Lol. its one of those things that theres so many ways to do it and we all have things we like and dont like.
I personally think 5 gal buckets are a bit too small unless youre keeping fairly small plants. He loves them.
What you have in the pic appears to be correct for that setup though.
one thing you could do for a bit of flexibility.. Keep your 3/4 pvc in the middle and put a hose barb on the end of that little manifold area so you can run tubing from your pump to there.
Thats how I did mine. you can kinda see it in this pic, but the hose barb is right behind the pole lol.. tubing comes in hte right side of the tent and wraps around to the back.
I personally think 5 gal buckets are a bit too small unless youre keeping fairly small plants. He loves them.
What you have in the pic appears to be correct for that setup though.
one thing you could do for a bit of flexibility.. Keep your 3/4 pvc in the middle and put a hose barb on the end of that little manifold area so you can run tubing from your pump to there.
Thats how I did mine. you can kinda see it in this pic, but the hose barb is right behind the pole lol.. tubing comes in hte right side of the tent and wraps around to the back.
That's my thing, I don't want smaller plants if I'm only doing a few, I want them to be nice sized.
Are you talking about this side of the manifold (triangle)
@fragileassassin also will a 17 Gal control be big enough for the (4) 12 Gal totes?
Airwalker16
Well-Known Member
12 gal totes will work too but the water volume is not going to be much more using them that's why I recommend bucketing they're higher and slimmer. Totes are wider and with the netpot in the kid hold about as much. 4gal sq holds 3.25ish gals per and a 12 gal will hold about 6.
So why is it better to have taller buckets/totes? Do the roots not just fill out the totes themselves?
fragileassassin
Well-Known Member
lol i did u a pic the other day and forgot to upload it. you could put it on either end. just an option to use soft tubing makes it a bit easier to keep it out of the way and move things around if you need to.
fragileassassin
Well-Known Member
17s are kinda the sweet spot. As the totes get smaller they get shorter quick. The deeper the netpots you have the less water you can put in them so height matters to an extent. In a small totes you may only be able to fill it half way to stay below the pot.
Ahhhhhh perfect!!!
HDX 17 Gal. Tough Storage Tote in Black with Yellow Lid 999-17G-HDX - The Home Depot
This heavy-duty HDX 17-Gallon Tough Tote is designed to handle all your storage needs. The recessed lid enables you to stack multiple units effortlessly, while the tapered design facilitates easy nesting
www.homedepot.com
This is what I'll use then - do (4) 17 totes with a 17 control. I'm making my shopping list now - if you have any suggestions on something I may miss from being a hydro noob, I'll take any other advice you may have
Airwalker16
Well-Known Member
Interesting fragile.... Teeing the pumps output and going through both ends of the manifold Huh?
That's what I like to hear. What's the size of your grow space and what kind of lights are you using for your setup?
I would love to hear your input as well
What's the difference between going through one end comparative to both ends of the manifold?
GBAUTO
Well-Known Member
I run 4 totes plumbed in series with 2" tubing. I don't use a control rez, just a 750gph mag drive at one end of the string pumping back to the first.
Very simple and effective. I don't use air stones, just agitation from the waterfall returns.
fragileassassin
Well-Known Member
no its an a or b option. was just illustrating it could be run either way
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fragileassassin
Well-Known Member
I think 4 17s would fit your space very well. Id center it if you can so you can work all around them.Ahhhhhh perfect!!!
HDX 17 Gal. Tough Storage Tote in Black with Yellow Lid 999-17G-HDX - The Home Depot
This heavy-duty HDX 17-Gallon Tough Tote is designed to handle all your storage needs. The recessed lid enables you to stack multiple units effortlessly, while the tapered design facilitates easy nestingwww.homedepot.com
This is what I'll use then - do (4) 17 totes with a 17 control. I'm making my shopping list now - if you have any suggestions on something I may miss from being a hydro noob, I'll take any other advice you may have
i started with 12 17s in a 10x10 and it was just way too crowded. I cut it in half and run 6 in the center.
Gives me plenty of room to grow the plants pretty much as big as I want and to still be able to work the edges.
Airwalker16
Well-Known Member
Lololol. Oh I see. Well I suppose you COULD do both ends. Don't see much of a point but it's possible.
The 17Gal HDX totes will be a decent container to use. Just as long as the res is the same, heights will all be equal. In a tent, it's probably a better option when I think about it. Overall lower for more hanging height of lights and top room for nuggggggzzz.