DIY RDWC - First Timer - Any Advice Welcome

Airwalker16

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.
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.

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Ya that was some crazy jungle style shit goin on that first run. So well say he'll have a total of about 35 gallons of water in the system when full for 4.
Mines just about that, but for 8.
That's the only true factor to keep in mind when choosing totes or buckets. Lots of water volume is a good thing, but there can be overkill for sure.
 

Airwalker16

Well-Known Member
Just know in a 4x4, 4x 17gal totes are gonna be real tight up against one another. Only a few inches of pipe connecting inbetween them. But if you're going to do it, I suggest you plumb it the way I drew up. Rez centered outside, straight run of pipe through the middle, branching off to the totes. Avoid bends as much as possible. Just use 1 3/4" cross and 1 tee.
 

fragileassassin

Well-Known Member
Look. 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.
yeah i dont see that being of much benefit unless you run a long system and had problems getting equal pressure.
 

FuqStiK

Active Member
I think 4 17s would fit your space very well. Id center it if you can so you can work all around them.
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.

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Hell yeah, I think I am going against the dual room tent... Gonna buy a 4x4 or 5x5 and then a separate smaller tent. What's a good light for a space that big? Or what would you suggest? Are there any decent led lights that won't break the bank and potentially not from Amazon?

Just know in a 4x4, 4x 17gal totes are gonna be real tight up against one another. Only a few inches of pipe connecting inbetween them. But if you're going to do it, I suggest you plumb it the way I drew up. Rez centered outside, straight run of pipe through the middle, branching off to the totes. Avoid bends as much as possible. Just use 1 3/4" cross and 1 tee.
Yeah I plan on keeping the control outside of the tent to add more room inside the tent itself. I will probably get a 5x5 to add a little room on the sides.
 

fragileassassin

Well-Known Member
Just know in a 4x4, 4x 17gal totes are gonna be real tight up against one another. Only a few inches of pipe connecting inbetween them. But if you're going to do it, I suggest you plumb it the way I drew up. Rez centered outside, straight run of pipe through the middle, branching off to the totes. Avoid bends as much as possible. Just use 1 3/4" cross and 1 tee.
I missed the tent space, i was still going off the 8x8.
And yeah the water volume is wasteful if you change it every week. With that water volume itll be super stable though veg and it wont need to be changed all that often.
 

FuqStiK

Active Member
Just know in a 4x4, 4x 17gal totes are gonna be real tight up against one another. Only a few inches of pipe connecting inbetween them. But if you're going to do it, I suggest you plumb it the way I drew up. Rez centered outside, straight run of pipe through the middle, branching off to the totes. Avoid bends as much as possible. Just use 1 3/4" cross and 1 tee.
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FuqStiK

Active Member
I missed the tent space, i was still going off the 8x8.
And yeah the water volume is wasteful if you change it every week. With that water volume itll be super stable though veg and it wont need to be changed all that often.
The space itself is a 8x8, but I don't think I'm going to get a tent that big... who knows. I don't want to have to buy multiple lights if I don't have to.
 

FuqStiK

Active 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.
So what kind of lights you running? And your space
 

FuqStiK

Active Member
My 4 tote system is in a 5x5 space.
I run a pair along each side with a center aisle.
It gets a bit crowded, my roller mechanics stool helps this amputee navigate the jungle.
I love the setup, I'm curious the differences between the two styles. I'm sure everyone has their own particular style they each like.
 

GBAUTO

Well-Known Member
I'm still trying to figure out what the purpose of the control rez is supposed to be.
 

fragileassassin

Well-Known Member
I'm still trying to figure out what the purpose of the control rez is supposed to be.
I cant really open my sites after about midway through flower, sometimes sooner. Taking readings and adding stuff all from an outside res is easier. I only open my sites once every few weeks/
With the bigger sites you only need something big enough to put a pump in really.
I have a trashcan as my veg sets res because its tall and narrow.
 
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Airwalker16

Well-Known Member
Hell yeah, I think I am going against the dual room tent... Gonna buy a 4x4 or 5x5 and then a separate smaller tent. What's a good light for a space that big? Or what would you suggest? Are there any decent led lights that won't break the bank and potentially not from Amazon?


Yeah I plan on keeping the control outside of the tent to add more room inside the tent itself. I will probably get a 5x5 to add a little room on the sides.
Right on. Just be aware a 5x5 will need quite a bit more light than a 4x4 so you'll need like 700w over 500.
 

FuqStiK

Active Member
Yup, bit ditch the soft tubing for the manifold and just come straight from the res with PVC. The way you'll do it is great cause you won't even need a PVC cross piece. Just 3 tees. I think you got it!
Also, from this drawing it looks like you'll be using a submersible pump and not an inline?
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Airwalker16

Well-Known Member
I kind of want to do LED if I'm honest, any experience with KINGLED - they have this currently on sale for $319 (original $459)

Or any light recommendations you can point me in the right direction?
Here's my recommendations:
GeekLight has a bar spread and spacing that is better than anyone else for even ppfd. Just wish it was 8 bars.


If Amazon is a MUST, these are what I recommend. 2 of these:



They'll be back in stock eventually, which is crazy cause they had 8 in stock like 2 days ago... Or just use their website. But for some reason they don't list the double board fixture so you might wanna contact them. Tell em I sent ya.

www.fissioning.com
 
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