RDWC Buckets in Canada?

Lockem

Active Member
Hey,

I'm in the planning stages of upgrading to a 4 plant RDWC system, but I'm having problems finding suitable buckets here in Canada. I'd like the buckets to between 4-5 gallons, square/rectangular, and have a large enough space near the top to attach a 3/4" top feed line.

Based on some research, these buckets seem to be fucking perfect, but I'm unable to find them anywhere in Canada. Does anyone know where I might be able to get these or something similar? I'd rather not use a third-party cross border shipping service and pay $120 shipping.

Thanks
 

redi jedi

Well-Known Member
Hey,

I'm in the planning stages of upgrading to a 4 plant RDWC system, but I'm having problems finding suitable buckets here in Canada. I'd like the buckets to between 4-5 gallons, square/rectangular, and have a large enough space near the top to attach a 3/4" top feed line.

Based on some research, these buckets seem to be fucking perfect, but I'm unable to find them anywhere in Canada. Does anyone know where I might be able to get these or something similar? I'd rather not use a third-party cross border shipping service and pay $120 shipping.

Thanks
Thats really your only option unless you want to buy a skid, or two directly from a manufacturer. I had the same problem when I was looking for the same bucket Under Current use.
 

Lockem

Active Member
Thats really your only option unless you want to buy a skid, or two directly from a manufacturer. I had the same problem when I was looking for the same bucket Under Current use.
I thought about using the 8 gallon EZ Stor containers, but I have to use RO water, so I'd like to keep things in the 4-5 gallon range.
 

AquaTerra

Well-Known Member
They use to be available years ago but all my wholesalers stopped carrying them. I can get 16L white ones but obviously they'll let in light the 19L ones are custom order.
 

Lockem

Active Member
I found TheCaryCompany, they carry those buckets/lids and take special request international orders. I'm waiting to find out how much shipping will cost... I assume it'll be much cheaper than using a forwarding service.
 

AquaTerra

Well-Known Member
I found TheCaryCompany, they carry those buckets/lids and take special request international orders. I'm waiting to find out how much shipping will cost... I assume it'll be much cheaper than using a forwarding service.

Well if you can wait a few months order from AliExpress. I've ordered dutch buckets from there but took about two months to get them.
 

etownpaul

Active Member
I used regular round 5 gallon buckets and brought my drain off the bottom with shower drain fittings. I had to frame up a base out of wood to hold them off the ground but it works well. I also ran 1/2" bulkheads right at the bottom of my net pot height for waterfalls. I use top hats, which are net pots pre formed into a round 5 gallon bucket lid that I got from my hydro store.
 

Airwalker16

Well-Known Member
I thought about using the 8 gallon EZ Stor containers, but I have to use RO water, so I'd like to keep things in the 4-5 gallon range.
Those 8 gals will only hold about 4-5 gals with a reg 6" netpot used. If you can get those for a decent price, run them and don't look back. Get a bigger 15-20gal tote that's the same height for your res though.
 

Airwalker16

Well-Known Member
I found TheCaryCompany, they carry those buckets/lids and take special request international orders. I'm waiting to find out how much shipping will cost... I assume it'll be much cheaper than using a forwarding service.
They usually only like big orders.
If you can shop to Canada using U-Line they're a great resource for 4gal black sq. Buckets.
Can't stress the importance of black plastic and getting the thickest walls you can.80-90mill+.
 

Airwalker16

Well-Known Member
My tap water is ~600 ppm from the tap lol



Sadly, ULINE only has 4-gallon black buckets and they do not have enough space near the top to add a top feed line.
They have more than enough room. don't let a little rib ofvplastic deter you. Just use a razor and cut out a small 1.5-2" piece out of the middle Top rib on the side you want. Or be clean about it and cut outbexactky the amount you need for your 1/2" grommet to fit right inbetween the cutouts. Just cut straight down until your flush, then run the blade slowly across the length on both sides and snap it off. clean it up with a bit more shaving, drill your hole. Insert grommets boom. Perfection
 

Lockem

Active Member
@Airwalker16 Are the 8 gallon EZ Stor buckets really ok for waterfalls? I figured the height of the water dropping wouldn't be enough for proper aeration.

Also, since you're the waterfall guy, is there any benefit to putting a 'showerhead' made from PVC in each bucket, rather than just using an elbow and directing the full stream straight down? I figure more surface area being disrupted = more aeration?
 
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Airwalker16

Well-Known Member
@Airwalker16 Are the 8 gallon EZ Stor buckets really ok for waterfalls? I figured the height of the water dropping wouldn't be enough for proper aeration. Also, since you're the waterfall guy, is there any benefit to putting a 'showerhead' made from PVC in each bucket, rather than just using an elbow and directing the full stream straight down? I figure more surface area being disrupted = more aeration?
They are the same height as 5 gal buckets.
Also, some have, like @Axion42 who have used 1/2" end caps with holes drilled in them to create a shower head effect. He only drilled 3-4 holes. I'd think using a lot of holes and altering the angle you drill would make a difference. They're just press fit on, not glued.
I personally see no need and the 1/2" elbow pushes the water deep into the buckets contents. To each their own though I'd say on that one.
 

Axion42

Well-Known Member
They are the same height as 5 gal buckets.
Also, some have, like @Axion42 who have used 1/2" end caps with holes drilled in them to create a shower head effect. He only drilled 3-4 holes. I'd think using a lot of holes and altering the angle you drill would make a difference. They're just press fit on, not glued.
I personally see no need and the 1/2" elbow pushes the water deep into the buckets contents. To each their own though I'd say on that one.
Correct I only drilled 3 holes, varying directions to hit multiple areas of water surface.
 

Saboo the Shaman

Well-Known Member
My tap water is ~600 ppm from the tap lol



Sadly, ULINE only has 4-gallon black buckets and they do not have enough space near the top to add a top feed line.

They show as white, and in 2,4 and 5 gal sizes on this page.
https://www.uline.ca/BL_8172/Square-Pails

Thanks to @myke, I'd never heard of uline before.
 

Airwalker16

Well-Known Member
I was gonna mention u line I get their catalog every year. Luckily all 3 of those bucket sizes come in BLACK TOO.
 
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