dwc questions

W N L

Active Member
Hey guys. Going to change from an ebb and flow tomorrow to a dwc system. I have a few questions.

The roots are supposed to sit in the water right?
Keep the air stones on while lights are off ?
Any thing to watch out for during the first few days?

Also, any pictures of your dwc would help.

We are going to use 4 5 gallon pals.
 

BluBerry

Well-Known Member
If using 4 5 gallons I would make it a RDWC. There are setup designs on this site and on youtube. I am using an Igloo cooler and have no problems with hot rez temps. Res temp need to stay between 65-70 and should not get over 75 or below 60 to avoid issues. Put the water level about a half inch up on the bottom of the net pots until roots touch the water then you can lower to about an inch below the net pot. Top feeding is encouraged IMO once a day to help feed the plant. I have read where someone grew two grows. One grow had an air gap and the other was submerged the entire grow and the one that was submerged had more feeder roots and the one that had the air gap had more ropey looking roots which made for a stronger plant. Yes keep the airstones on all the time.
 

W N L

Active Member
Ok. I assumed that u needed to keep the bubbles on at all times.
Also, you say top feed, as in, pour water through or foliage feed? Thanks for your input. +rep.
 

BluBerry

Well-Known Member
Top Feed meaning I pour a cup of the rez water thru the top of the pots and try not to spill any on the plants. I seem to notice new root growth when I do this. I usually do it at night and in the morning they are perky. But once I go under the screen I won't be able to top feed. Also you will want to use something as a cover for the tops of the net pots so that light doesn't seep thru your hydroton and leak light into the rez. The roots love an air bath so between rez changes don't be afraid to give them 10-15 minutes of air time. I have been having probs with my roots being all nice and healthy but they are looking better so I am only speaking from what I have experienced. Others may have other opinions. Check out my journal if you like
 

theFLAKE

Well-Known Member
Hey, iv grown DWC since i started growing and had amazing results im always gonna have DWC running in my room, be warned tho when done correctly the plants get BIG and bushy. Yes you will always have the bubbles running 24/7. You will water from the top down the clay pebbles for the first week, while the water level is just on the bottom of the net pot. Continue to water from the top down until you will see roots sticking out of the bottom of the net pot into the water. When your roots are long enough you can lower the water level to a few inches below the net pot, the gap between the net pot and the water level will have oxygen which the roots will love and give you better growth. When your in the top down watering phase just have a clear plastic dome sat over the top of the plant to stop the clay pebbles drying out coz they dry out very quickly without them. Then the rest is easy just change bucket every 2 weeks maximum, if it drinks more and needs topping up just top up with ph'd water until you are ready to change the bucket again. I have best results with a ph of 5.8. If like mine when nearing your last few weeks they can become to big to pick up and change the bucket so you will have to just top them up or get help but even with help it can still be damaging eg branches snapping etc aint happened yet but hell i panic when i gotta pickup a 5ft plant by a bucket lid and have to move her about not good. Get it right and you won't go back when you see what DWC can do. Nice1
 

theFLAKE

Well-Known Member
Yeah boy, they love an air bath in between rez changes, I always notice a growth spurt the next few days after an air bath rez change. Nice1
 
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