4 bucket DWC system build suggestions

[rkymtnman]

i used the 27 gal totes. 2 in the bloom room, one outside as the control.

instead of uniseals, i used shower drains found at any hardware store. (it's just a slip bulkhead fitting basically) and i mounted them on the bottom of the totes. that way the entire system can drain easily. just have to raise the totes up on cinder blocks. 2 plants per tote.

 

[Distortionist]

i used the 27 gal totes. 2 in the bloom room, one outside as the control.

instead of uniseals, i used shower drains found at any hardware store. (it's just a slip bulkhead fitting basically) and i mounted them on the bottom of the totes. that way the entire system can drain easily. just have to raise the totes up on cinder blocks. 2 plants per tote.

I love that idea, but space is an issue. I only have a 3x3 tent inside a walk in closet. It is 7ft high. So the less height wasted the better. I would have to drain out of the side.

 

[rkymtnman]

I love that idea, but space is an issue. I only have a 3x3 tent inside a walk in closet. It is 7ft high. So the less height wasted the better. I would have to drain out of the side.

those 27 gals fit perfectly in a 3x4. they do make smaller sizes: i think like a 17 gal?? any walmart or homedepot has them.

i plumbed my system to a floor drain next to the hot water heater: if you can, work in a drain to your design some how. open valve, empty.

 

[Distortionist]

i used the 27 gal totes. 2 in the bloom room, one outside as the control.

instead of uniseals, i used shower drains found at any hardware store. (it's just a slip bulkhead fitting basically) and i mounted them on the bottom of the totes. that way the entire system can drain easily. just have to raise the totes up on cinder blocks. 2 plants per tote.

How many plants do you put in your 27 gallon totes if you don't mind me asking?

 

[ttystikk]

Its just that I've never ever did anything with PVC before. I never cut it. I never glued it. Nothing. So its a scary thought to be like ill do it myself! I just don't have the confidence. I like those yellow totes, but I also seen one guys setup here that looks just like that undercurrent system. What an awesome job he did. Now between that and the yellow tote, I have no idea which is better but the yellow tote looks easier yo work with but I just need 1 with 4 plants. I am not sure in the end, in my small tent, which will work best. For some reason I'm in love with that undercurrent setup and a DIY one like that would be orgasmic!

I know I want to run 4 plants, a chiller and a res that is out of the tent for topups and maintenance. Which setup do you guys think will be more reliable? I feel like 4 individual buckets would perform better and divide the space up in my tent more evenly but I just guessing.

If you guys had an option between a perfect setup with the totes or the buckets, which would you pick?

Also why are all purchased RDWC setups using individual buckets and you never see a setup with a tote, other than clones? Do they know something we don't? Is it to be modular and can add more?

I know if money was not an issue I would buy that under current setup in a heartbeat. It looks so good!!

Bullhead fittings and flexible tubing is better, cheaper and much easier to make changes than PVC.

Undercurrents are over priced and they want you to use an air pump and stones, which is unnecessary.

 

[rkymtnman]

How many plants do you put in your 27 gallon totes if you don't mind me asking?

2 plants per tote. they were about 4 ft when done. huge root balls.

 

[J232]

Why is one of the pictures pipes in there straight and one has a 90 degree? I love your setup.

It was just a though to help stir the water, also thought it would help keep roots out of the flow, they still find there way in but didn’t cause any issues.

 

[rkymtnman]

one of the benefits of a shower drain vs normal bulkhead:


roots and hydroton have a hard time going down the drain.

 

[Distortionist]

It was just a though to help stir the water, also thought it would help keep roots out of the flow, they still find there way in but didn’t cause any issues.

I love it. I wish I could build something like that in time. I need something small for my 3x3. I want 4 plants in there. Tote is so much less work than buckets. Buckeys is sexier. I wish I knew which performed better. The tote would require a much smaller res I think where as buckets may benefit for my current res. I can order those yellow and black totes from Amazon but I don't think the largest one will fit in my room. I may need to get 2 smaller ones but thats more plumbing. I'll figure it out soon lol. I'm still trying to catch up to my sleep.

 

[Distortionist]

So would this be good for 2 plants? I can get 2 of these to fit in my tent I think, that will give me my 4 plants. The top part may push my walls out a little, I am 5 inches short but the bottom would fit in, and there would be space for plumbing. It is a tight fit!

Homz Tough Durabilt Tote Box, 27 Gallon, Stackable, 2 Pack, Black/Yellow, 2 Pack : Amazon.ca: Home

Homz Tough Durabilt Tote Box, 27 Gallon, Stackable, 2 Pack, Black/Yellow, 2 Pack : Amazon.ca: Home

www.amazon.ca

 

[J232]

So would this be good for 2 plants? I can get 2 of these to fit in my tent I think, that will give me my 4 plants. The top part may push my walls out a little, I am 5 inches short but the bottom would fit in, and there would be space for plumbing. It is a tight fit!

Homz Tough Durabilt Tote Box, 27 Gallon, Stackable, 2 Pack, Black/Yellow, 2 Pack : Amazon.ca: Home

Homz Tough Durabilt Tote Box, 27 Gallon, Stackable, 2 Pack, Black/Yellow, 2 Pack : Amazon.ca: Home

www.amazon.ca

im assuming you are in Canada, Canadian tire makes the same thing but blue lid, they come on sale often but off sale, cheaper then amazon, that $70 for 2 seems really high.

 

[J232]

I used this style, come on sale for 13-18 bucks I think. My lids are cut for 2 baskets each.

 

[Distortionist]

I used this style, come on sale for 13-18 bucks I think. My lids are cut for 2 baskets each.
View attachment 4692675

Thanks! Do you know its capacity in gallons?

 

[Distortionist]

I found it. thanks man! https://www.canadiantire.ca/en/pdp/mastercraft-heavy-duty-storage-tote-102-l-1426045p.html?_br_psugg_q=tote

 

[J232]

I found it. thanks man! https://www.canadiantire.ca/en/pdp/mastercraft-heavy-duty-storage-tote-102-l-1426045p.html?_br_psugg_q=tote

They make a few different sizes, thought mine were 109L but might be the 102 by the looks of it. 26.9 gallons 102 divide by 3.78. I use 5 of those.

 

[Distortionist]

They make a few different sizes, thought mine were 109L but might be the 102 by the looks of it. 26.9 gallons 102 divide by 3.78. I use 5 of those.

5 holy crap lol. I just need 4 plants. Thats the legal limit here. I wish I had that kind of room available. I'm trying to figure out something that will fit my little 3x3 tent. Maybe I should just stick to 2 plants and as big as a single tote I can fit in there, let them veg a bit longer like I do now. A tote will definitely have enough volume in there to not get root bound and clog everything up.

I can't help but drool at the under current system. I have a cour date coming up, my rental was vandalized and cost me 5 grand to fix. If I win in court I'm buying that undercurrent system lol.

 

[J232]

5 holy crap lol. I just need 4 plants. Thats the legal limit here. I wish I had that kind of room available. I'm trying to figure out something that will fit my little 3x3 tent. Maybe I should just stick to 2 plants and as big as a single tote I can fit in there, let them veg a bit longer like I do now. A tote will definitely have enough volume in there to not get root bound and clog everything up.

I can't help but drool at the under current system. I have a cour date coming up, my rental was vandalized and cost me 5 grand to fix. If I win in court I'm buying that undercurrent system lol.

Yeah I tried 2 plants per tote but I’m sticking with 4 plants, 4 totes, one res. Been awhile since I looked at UC systems but if they use air pumps I would steer clear of it.

 

[rkymtnman]

5 holy crap lol. I just need 4 plants. Thats the legal limit here. I wish I had that kind of room available. I'm trying to figure out something that will fit my little 3x3 tent. Maybe I should just stick to 2 plants and as big as a single tote I can fit in there, let them veg a bit longer like I do now. A tote will definitely have enough volume in there to not get root bound and clog everything up.

I can't help but drool at the under current system. I have a cour date coming up, my rental was vandalized and cost me 5 grand to fix. If I win in court I'm buying that undercurrent system lol.

weren't you growing in waterfarms?

i made some mods to mine, do 4 in my 3x4 , run them drain to waste and autofeed and i get pretty much the same results of when i did 27 gal rdwc. and i can go away for up to 2 weeks without aproblem.

don't run them organic!

 

[Distortionist]

Yeah I tried 2 plants per tote but I’m sticking with 4 plants, 4 totes, one res. Been awhile since I looked at UC systems but if they use air pumps I would steer clear of it.

Yes they do use air pumps. I know waterfalls are perfered but I'm not sure why.

weren't you growing in waterfarms?

i made some mods to mine, do 4 in my 3x4 , run them drain to waste and autofeed and i get pretty much the same results of when i did 27 gal rdwc. and i can go away for up to 2 weeks without aproblem.

don't run them organic!

I have to add a gallon a day or more now. I am getting a new dehumidifier soon and I will have it discharge back into the res. I think I won't ever need to top up but I gotta make sure it doesn't overflow too. And yes I am still using water farms but I'm not happy. Last time I used them I had less space now the waterfarm is too small for my space, the res is fully loaded with roots. No more room lol.

 

[rkymtnman]

I have to add a gallon a day or more now

yep me too. i have a 30 gal reservoir feeding them that gallon at 8am every morning. i just check pH around 730 and that's it.

not trying to change your mind but these waterfarms are hard to beat.