Check out my thread. I started off my design with 5 gallon buckets, but then switched to large totes, which are WAY better. Regardless, with 2" pipes, which is what I use on mine, you need the flat surface of a square container. You'll end up fighting leaks with round buckets, Everytime you bump one of them.
I figure two, 5-gallon buckets with netpots taking up some space, probably holds around six gallons total. A single 27-gallon tote with netpots in the lid, which basically takes up the same amount of space as two buckets, probably holds around 18-gallons.
the 27 gal is great height-wise too, barely taller than a 5 gal bucket. ive been thinking lately about looking for something even bigger, or possibly having some made. long ago i had one of those 40 gal low profile botanicare reservoirs. it was shorter than the hdx, and obviously wider. im thinking something with those dimensions. 30-35 gal per site plus a good sized reserve res would be awesome, and probably a lot less maintenance than im doing now
I have three totes (2xgrow & a reservoir) and I can hold up to 70 gallons, not including the few gallons in the 2" pipes. I mentioned this in other posts, I don't flush, unless there's an issue. I generally go the entire grow on a single fill. The amount of water definitely helps accomplish that, as well as helping to maintain water temps.
mine are 8 site+control, hold about 90 gallons give or take not counting the top off barrel. i definitely can not get through a whole cycle on a single fill. but my totes are a bit smaller than the hdx because i need every millimeter of head room i can get. thats why the whole really short and wide container thing appeals to me. im also thinking about reducing plant count+increasing veg time. since a recent expansion, my workload is has gotten a little out of hand.
Totally understand about working around height restrictions
Yea, I'm looking at their 8 gallon at around $14 each. With the lids, I'm looking at $200ish not including the netpots.
I was originally going with 4 of the 13-galllon buckets, but just couldn't let myself spend that much money on plastic containers. The hdx totes are only around $7 each.
The 12 gal totes are $5 each, but might be to big lenth wise to fit 4 in a 4x4 tent
How thick is the platic on the HDX totes? Read in another thread that the polymer was thin compared to 5gal buckets. I'm not talking any chances with root rot. I already ordered an 1/4 chiller on Amazon. Should be here Thursday.
Only buy one of those 8/13gals. They're so wonderful for a res, but NOT for plant sites. The lid folds open. The 5.3gals I posted an Amazon link to earlier, have completely removable snap on lids. I really suggest them.
Only advantage to toes in my opinion is the use of less uniseals/bulkheads where you can out 2-3 plants per. But if I were you, I'd HIGHLY reccomend BLACK 4 gal sq buckets or THESE BAD ASS ones.
Hey COB,
I use the 5 gallon buckets for my RDWC as well and haven’t had any issue yet with root space or clogs. My air stones are also cranking out the bubbles & are positioned to redirect roots away from any pipe suction I use two smaller tents in a storeroom for a perpetual grow set-up & just don’t have the space for a bunch of giant totes.
It’s a smaller setup, but still makes more buds than me & my friends can smoke & we’re all a bunch of bogarts!
