New to DWC.... General N00by questions.

[coopersheldon]

i have some general questions before my kit arrives i start a new grow.

first of all i have done a couple of grows in soil, some in coco and my most recent in clay pebbles (hydro wilma system)

i think the wilma system is great but its too basic so i have decided to move on up to a 16 pot alien DWC system with 20l buckets.

i have as follows
2m x 2m x 2m grow tent
10" acoustic exhaust fan
6" inlet fan (spare 8" if necessary)
3 x 600w lights.... have a 4th if i necessary
using canna nutrients as well as PH pen,EC pen etc.

now my question is....

say for example ive just potted my clones into the buckets...

how high do i set the water level?
when a good root system has developed... again how high should i have the water level?

does the system set this height for me or is it something i adjust my self.

any mods i should make to the system i.e faults? will the roots clog the supply pipes?
will the roots lay ontop of the air stone preventing a decent amount of bubbles etc.

thanks

 

[farmasensist]

I cut my clones long to make sure that at least the tip is in the water so they dont dry out. i dont know how your system works but if its designed to grow plants it shouldn't let roots jam it up. Just put as much water in it as you can. you will be ok as longas the roots dont dry out. If it gets too low the PH and PPM will get messed up. DWCis fairly easy to do, you just have to give it a try to figure it out.

 

[hydrogreen65]

If no roots are out of net pot set water level to whee the popping bubbles keep the pots damp. Then as the roots grow drop water level to where the bubbles are just getting the roots coming out of pot wet, then maintain that level.
Not saying that's technically the way you are supposed to do it, but what has worked great for me everytime.

 

[HOMEGROWN4DE]

yea just have the level so its just making contact with the net pot and to be honest i keep it at that level all grow, i use a 20L pots and fill them to about 15L which works out well. if needs be just feed them from the top a few times a day or as i do buy a cheap water pump and have a dripper but not so cheap when ur doing 10 haha

 

[coopersheldon]

so i have just been speaking to one of my friends who has the same system.... he said he has his pump on a 15 min on 15 min off time... so it basically drains and floods every 15 mins... that doesnt sound right to me?

 

[coopersheldon]

yea just have the level so its just making contact with the net pot and to be honest i keep it at that level all grow, i use a 20L pots and fill them to about 15L which works out well. if needs be just feed them from the top a few times a day or as i do buy a cheap water pump and have a dripper but not so cheap when ur doing 10 haha

The system i have bought has a top feed dripper with it (well more like a flooder)

 

[coopersheldon]

 

[HOMEGROWN4DE]

make a small hoop with air tubing and a T piece then just put some small holes in it and use that as a dripper, that way it soaks the rock wool rather than the stem.it shoud slow down the flow aswel I just kept mine running 24/7 and they grow fast

 

[pheverone]

How often you guys do a complete drain and water change per grow?

 

[HOMEGROWN4DE]

i do a complete change once a week during veg and twice a week in flower they drink ALOT when they get big so depnding on size and how much they drink pal, some ppl pro do it diff but this works well for me in my bubblers

 

[Hydroburn]

I change my res like once a month... I have a lot more water than plant, so don't need to change it every week.

 

[HOMEGROWN4DE]

yea im only using 2x 20ltr buckets so that works well for me#

 

[churchhaze]

In peak flowering, the plants will usually drink the majority of the 3-4 gallons i put in each tote. That's normally when I change the water, as there's very little left anyway. (easier and less waste).

Although if I'm lazy, or if this happened in like 1-2 days, I will top off and add more nutrients.

How often you guys do a complete drain and water change per grow?

 

[All_In]

Wondered this earlier also.
I hope I'm good. Don't want them to drown tho.

 

[HOMEGROWN4DE]

think your gona have to get a black light tight bucket pal, your gona have algae growing in there.

 

[BenFranklin]

In 5 gallon buckets using 6 inch net pots, fill up the water until it reaches the bottom of the net pot, this will help prevent root rot.

Make sure to use a VERY strong air pump and air stone, cause this will also help prevent root rot as it delivers a higher dissolved oxygen content to your roots.

 

[All_In]

think your gona have to get a black light tight bucket pal, your gona have algae growing in there.

Just temporary for some rooted cuts...before the 5 gals...thanks homegrown.

 

[HOMEGROWN4DE]

no probs what nutes are going with? i use the canna vega and flores they seem to do the shit my girls grew big very quickly

 

[DarthBlazeAnthony]

View attachment 3213932 Wondered this earlier also.
I hope I'm good. Don't want them to drown tho.

I'm the biggest noob! Hi everyone from So Cal

 

[DarthBlazeAnthony]

View attachment 3213932 Wondered this earlier also.
I hope I'm good. Don't want them to drown tho.

Wrap the clear bucket with black tape....you want no light to enter your bucket to prevent algae growth. cheers and happy growing!! Gonna follow...send tips if you learn something new. 1st time growers unite!!