NEW to DWC. How to drain the reservoir

ohnothimagin

ohnothimagin

Well-Known Member
I used the Aerogarden for about six years. I live in a very small apartment and kept the Aerogarden in my walk in closet. Because it's reservoir was very small, I had no problem changing the water.

I recently purchased a Stealth Hydro DWC Basic system. It has a 4 gallon reservoir. I set it up last weekend and now have 4 sprouts. I'm pretty excited about this. However, the 4 gallon reservoir is very hard to carry from my closet to the kitchen or bathroom to drain. Does anyone have a recommendation on how to drain this reservoir without spilling water all over the place?

Many thanks in advance!
 
dbkick

dbkick

Well-Known Member
a buckethead and a bucket from home depot, under 30 bux, take the filter off and use for water only.
 
C

churchhaze

Well-Known Member
I use a submersible pump. Make sure the feed water comes from the bottom of the pump so you can suck the water level lower.

I really don't like unnecessary holes in DWC totes, it's one of the reasons I don't do RDWC. If I was going to have drain holes, I would just convert to RDWC.

Also consider using an inline drill pump. I will probably be getting one of those to try out since submersing a pump feels somewhat wrong to me. I'd rather submerse a sucking hose.
 
hydroMD

hydroMD

Well-Known Member
Jimmyjonestoo said:
A 4 gallon bucket shouldn't be too hard to carry.
Click to expand...
Nah but disconnecting and reconnecting buckets Is tedious ans leads to leaks.

Wonder I about this 'buckethead' as well.

Not sure what can beat a submersible pump when dealing with 50 gallon res changes
 
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churchhaze

Well-Known Member
Do you mean that? I've never heard of bucket head.

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Bucket-Head-5-gal-Wet-Dry-Vacuum-BH0100/202017218

The thing i don't like about the submersible pump is having to find a way to get the pump in the totes, then pull them out. also, even bottom feeding submersible pumps are hard to get the water level all the way down because all the intake holes. The hose could be guided onto the water better, and not have air leaks, making it possible to get water level down lower (i'd assume)

dbkick said:
I USED to use a submersible pump until I tried the buckethead, much easier.
Click to expand...
 
dbkick

dbkick

Well-Known Member
Bucket head is a shop vac (wet/dry) that will suck that water right the fuck out.
Easily run it down in the bucket.
 
hydroMD

hydroMD

Well-Known Member
churchhaze said:
Do you mean that? I've never heard of bucket head.

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Bucket-Head-5-gal-Wet-Dry-Vacuum-BH0100/202017218

The thing i don't like about the submersible pump is having to find a way to get the pump in the totes, then pull them out. also, even bottom feeding submersible pumps are hard to get the water level all the way down because all the intake holes. The hose could be guided onto the water better, and not have air leaks, making it possible to get water level down lower (i'd assume)
Click to expand...
Eco plus is the best brand. Has suction cups on the base and you can take off the filter leaving a spout. You can drain water down to 1/8"
 
dbkick

dbkick

Well-Known Member
hydroMD said:
Eco plus is the best brand. Has suction cups on the base and you can take off the filter leaving a spout. You can drain water down to 1/8"
Click to expand...
1/8 of an inch eh? buckethead will remove ALL water and debris, not too mention roots if you aren't careful.
 
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churchhaze

Well-Known Member
hydroMD said:
Eco plus is the best brand. Has suction cups on the base and you can take off the filter leaving a spout. You can drain water down to 1/8"
Click to expand...
I think that's the brand I have, and it's the best I've used so far.

dbkick said:
http://www.homedepot.com/p/Bucket-Head-5-gal-Wet-Dry-Vacuum-BH0100/202017218?keyword=buckethead

It's the shit for draining.
Click to expand...
Thank you!! I will totally look into that! I really want to be able to just put a tube down one of the "service ports" i drill into the tote lids, and that looks perfect!!
 
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