Deep Water Culture Systems

[HarryHaze 1]

Just wanted to open a specific thread for people to post info and pics of DWC.

[HarryHaze 1]

Stupendous my friend! No specific questions as of yet, just wanted to see what kind of results people have had and what exactly there set up was. Thanks a million.

[Jay Ryan 6]

All my grows are dwc. Check them out if you like.

[anguscr 290]

Here are my DWC Systems, pics show parts & the system buided, can be done in 10, 20, 25 galons Rubbermaids, good pumps are very important.

The 20 galon Rubbermaids are the same, just adjusted the inner system to place it in the center.

The 25 galon.

It's very easy to buid.

[Jay Ryan 6]

Here are some pics I've posted of my dwc:

This is it for my dwc. All I use is one large air pump per 8 plants. I just drop the air stone in, as you see I use rather large stones as I hope to have them last through the whole grow without changing or cleaning. The bigger the better

All of my buckets are manifolded together, and connected to a level bucket, or that's what I call it. At any rate, the level bucket is connected on the right to a large 35 gallon reservoir, and the white float keeps it at a steady level.

This is what the roots look like at the end.

I went with this method because power failures happen. I also travel from time to time and I can't be around for a broken pump, or power outage. I have left this system to it's own for over a week, and it has always been great. No work, all pleasure

[HarryHaze 1]

thanks guys. those systems look super. jay ryan i was wondering how much root development you have had in one of those 5 gallons? i have heard stories of people growing TREES in those things, trees being fucking giant ganja plants.

[Jay Ryan 6]

Harry,

If you look at the picture of the roots that I posted you can see that rather than the usual long root tail, there are a ball of finer root hairs with a few green rope like roots.

That is the standard for DWC. They will fill the bucket, and as long as you are pumping air into the bucket, the roots should support any size ganga tree.

Right now I have a pair of Thai plants, each about 6 feet tall in the same set up. One does have to support the plant as it doesn't have soil or other medium to hold it up. I use the yoyos http://www.discount-hydro.com/productdisp.php?pid=475&navid=14 but anything will work.

[kackpfote 1]

awesome

when u use clones for a dwc, do u use rockwool or can the jiffys be used 2?

i dont understand how u "plant" the plants in there. can u describe it a litle pls?

thx and happy growing

[Jay Ryan 6]

kackpfote,

If your question was to me, I use the rockwool plugs, but have also used jiffy plugs too. I just put them in the small net pots, drill a hole in the top of the bucket, put the net pot in, and let her drop into the bucket's water with air pump.

As there is little traction she can get to hold herself upright, I use plant yoyos from above to hold them up. When they are very young you have to watch out, as the yoyo can pull the plant out of the bucket

[HarryHaze 1]

So Jay Ryan i am a little lost on how this all works exactly. So you have a seperate level bucket that has no plants in it? Each bucket has its own airstone with a hose that goes through the hole i see in the lid? How does the float level work? Is there any active water circulation? Thats all i can think of now. Thanks.

[Jay Ryan 6]

HarryHaze,

If you look at the lower part of the bucket, you will see a gasketed line coming out about 1/2 inch up from the bottom.

All the buckets are at the same height. All are conected at their bottoms. Gravity keeps them at the same water height. Well, actually the further away the lower the level, but not by much.

So, the only moving parts are in the air pump.

[kackpfote 1]

so u dont pump in the water with ferts, it just runs inside by gravity, right?

well thats really simple, nice

[Jay Ryan 6]

kackpfote,

Exactly, no pump. Every two weeks I turn a valve to shut down the system from the level bucket and reservoir, and drain and clean the level bucket and reservoir.

Then I make a fresh batch of nutes in the reservoir.

Next I change valve and drain the plant buckets.

Then, I close the drain, and reopen the level and reservoir to the system and the plants get new food.

Last step, I refill the reservoir with water and PH it. So, as the plants eat, their bucket is refilled with water.