RDWC success - without a chiller

DarthVaper84

DarthVaper84

Active Member
Thanks Koolaid. I started germination in Rockwool yesterday and will have the system running soon.
Its been interesting considering running a sterile vs biologically active system. I’m trying to consider the pros and cons of each.
Cost and quality of product are obviously the biggest factors. I have no particular loyalty to being organic or not, provided the product is still of high quality.
 
KoolaidMan

KoolaidMan

Active Member
DarthVaper84 said:
Thanks Koolaid. I started germination in Rockwool yesterday and will have the system running soon.
Its been interesting considering running a sterile vs biologically active system. I’m trying to consider the pros and cons of each.
Cost and quality of product are obviously the biggest factors. I have no particular loyalty to being organic or not, provided the product is still of high quality.
Click to expand...
I use the bacteria route because its better for the plant.
 
mr4tune

mr4tune

Well-Known Member
Not sure how things panned out for you, but if you have issues then check out Heisenbubble on youtube. I run the same setup now after finding him. Start with a UV filter on your water inlet. IF you have an RO system, put it inline before the RO so that it sterilizes the water prior to introducing bacteria into your RO chambers. Bacteria in your supply water is 3/4 of your initial battle right there. After that its UC Roots to clean up any little stuff that gets in off your hands or through contact. The guys got some wicked info, and he's scrapped using his chillers by going this route. THe higher water temps do lower the DO levels but rock your air stones and your fine. He brings up the lower DO level issue in one of his videos as well.

best of luck
 
KoolaidMan

KoolaidMan

Active Member
I run tap water filtered with a $15 GAC/sediment filter from Lowes with a beneficial bacteria tea I make at 1 cup per 5 gallons. Water temps fluctuate between 69F - 76F. Healthy plants, no issues. If your water has more good bacteria then bad, you wont have any issues with bacteria.

421BC2C1-4877-4F00-A4ED-5ADF924BD79A.jpeg
 
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DarthVaper84

DarthVaper84

Active Member
Thank you both for checking in and the well-wishes. Now that I have the plant on the system (been in there for 17 days now), the highest temp I’ve ever had is 73.5F, with the low being about 70.5F. Since it’s summer, I’m pretty thrilled about this.

I had debated between the sterile vs beneficial routes and went with beneficial bacteria. From my experience in home brewing, if home brewers had an option to “not” go sterile, we’d all take it haha. Therefore I added Hydroguard today and am hoping it further helps.
 
DarthVaper84

DarthVaper84

Active Member
KoolaidMan said:
I run tap water filtered with a $15 GAC/sediment filter from Lowes with a beneficial bacteria tea I make at 1 cup per 5 gallons. Water temps fluctuate between 69F - 76F. Healthy plants, no issues. If your water has more good bacteria then bad, you wont have any issues with bacteria.

View attachment 4658902
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I also noticed that we both have practically the same stand for the container - matte white paint on wood?
 

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KoolaidMan

KoolaidMan

Active Member
DarthVaper84 said:
I also noticed that we both have practically the same stand for the container - matte white paint on wood?
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Ya I just built some stands with some wood I had laying around. I used to homebrew also. I actually make my beneficial tea using a stirplate and a 2L flask spinning for 24-48 hrs. If youd like the recipe/details I can DM you. Lots of hype on this forum about RO, UV, sterile, etc. not saying its BS, but you can grow fine without all that. Its more preference rather then necessity.

also my advice, dump the HydroGaurd and get Southern AG Garden Friendly Fungicide. Its the same liquid bacteria but 99% concentrate. HydroGaurd is only 1%.
 
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DarthVaper84

DarthVaper84

Active Member
KoolaidMan said:
Ya I just built some stands with some wood I had laying around. I used to homebrew also. I actually make my beneficial tea using a stirplate and a 2L flask spinning for 24-48 hrs. If youd like the recipe/details I can DM you. Lots of hype on this forum about RO, UV, sterile, etc. not saying its BS, but you can grow fine without all that. Its more preference rather then necessity.

also my advice, dump the HydroGaurd and get Southern AG Garden Friendly Fungicide. Its the same liquid bacteria but 99% concentrate. HydroGaurd is only 1%.
Click to expand...
Yeah send it on over
KoolaidMan said:
Ya I just built some stands with some wood I had laying around. I used to homebrew also. I actually make my beneficial tea using a stirplate and a 2L flask spinning for 24-48 hrs. If youd like the recipe/details I can DM you. Lots of hype on this forum about RO, UV, sterile, etc. not saying its BS, but you can grow fine without all that. Its more preference rather then necessity.

also my advice, dump the HydroGaurd and get Southern AG Garden Friendly Fungicide. Its the same liquid bacteria but 99% concentrate. HydroGaurd is only 1%.
Click to expand...
Yeah send it on over I’d appreciate that. I also rock a stir plate though nowadays I only use it for infusing tequila haha.

I have an EnviroCycle composter that collects yea at the bottom that I use for my “regular” plants, wonder if I could use that as a base for compost tea. Either way send me that recipe I’d like to see it.

I’ve read about the HydroGuard/Southern AG debate and yeah I wanted to go with AG but I read it wasn’t for DWC. If it’s the same strain of bacteria as HydroGuard though I doubt it’s an issue and sounds like it works for you.

For RO at least, I like the idea of starting with 0 ppm water without chlorine (I have an RO filter as well as carbon). Does the compost tea affect your TDS ppm?
 
KoolaidMan

KoolaidMan

Active Member
DarthVaper84 said:
Yeah send it on over

Yeah send it on over I’d appreciate that. I also rock a stir plate though nowadays I only use it for infusing tequila haha.

I have an EnviroCycle composter that collects yea at the bottom that I use for my “regular” plants, wonder if I could use that as a base for compost tea. Either way send me that recipe I’d like to see it.

I’ve read about the HydroGuard/Southern AG debate and yeah I wanted to go with AG but I read it wasn’t for DWC. If it’s the same strain of bacteria as HydroGuard though I doubt it’s an issue and sounds like it works for you.

For RO at least, I like the idea of starting with 0 ppm water without chlorine (I have an RO filter as well as carbon). Does the compost tea affect your TDS ppm?
Click to expand...
Tea doesnt affect the ppm. Also the GAC filter filters out enough of my city water chorine to levels that wont matter. Once ran through the GAC filter, the PPM is like 115
 
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