DIY 3 Gallon Rubbermaid DWC

rollwithit

Active Member
awesome. i was concerned for you when I started reading as i thought those 3 gallons wouldn't be enuff, but your rocking it. Seems like the perfect size. i'll be following along. I have a ten gallon with six holes. 2 plants there now and 3 more are germing.. we'll c what happens. GL!
 

SomeGuy

Well-Known Member
Hey Diggity! Just wanted to say thanks. These 3 gl bubblers are awesome! I have had an easy time with PH so far, I think if I just pay attention I can for sure flower 5 small sog plants in one. I have 10 clones in a cloner, and an 8 site propagation bubbler as well as a few five site flowering. Im stoked! Ive never seen growth so fast (first hydro run). Hopefully everything stays on track:)
 

deftek

Active Member
I dont understand. Why would you make 2 holes for the air hose? if u need to hook up an external air pump, wouldnt you just make 1 hole at the top and feed the hose from the pump into the res into the air stone? Why take the risk of making a hole below water level and it leaking? Am i missing something?
 

diggitydank420

Well-Known Member
I dont understand. Why would you make 2 holes for the air hose? if u need to hook up an external air pump, wouldnt you just make 1 hole at the top and feed the hose from the pump into the res into the air stone? Why take the risk of making a hole below water level and it leaking? Am i missing something?
Yes, you're missing me doing things my way.

You can do it ANY way you please. But this is how I did it.

I have zero leaks with it the way it is. Remember, these are only 3 gallon tubs, so the water pressure is very low, hence leaks are not an issue.
 

diggitydank420

Well-Known Member
I wonder if I could do this with my seedlings?

https://www.rollitup.org/grow-journals/130641-first-grow-bagseed-w-cfls.html


I wish I would have planned for my grow better. It is sounding like hydro is the way to go....sounds much easier and faster than soil. Thanks for the setup tutorial!!
Looking at your grow journal, yes, you could easily do this. I start all my seeds in soil anyhow.

With the 3 gallon tubs, I wouldn't flower more than two at a time in one tub, four if you plan on lollipopping them.
 

Swale84

Well-Known Member
how about my grow box? if i use the 3 gallon tub, would I have enough room to grow 2 plants? The dimensions are 33" H by 23" W by 14.5" deep. I would have to measure the tub to be sure, but i bet i could find one that would fit. Also, I have questions about the process of changing the water...what would be the easiest way if I am trying to do this the least expensive route as possible. Thanks for the help, again!

The reason i ask this is b/c all the pictures of plants grown in this system or similar systems have looked huge....bushy and tall! Thanks for bearing with me, as I am a complete newbie on growing, but this stuff gets more and more interesting!
 

diggitydank420

Well-Known Member
My tubs are somewhere right around 15" deep.

Maybe you can find some of the right size.

Height will be an issue though, so be prepared for a little LST.
 

Swale84

Well-Known Member
Diggity- I found a 5 gallon rubbermaid knockoff today. It fits perfectly in my grow box, and it is only 9" tall! It even had holes already near the top, so I didn't make a hole for my air stone like you did....I just put the tubing through the top and ran it down to the airstone. I'm only going to grow 2 plants in it, in 3.75" net pots. Thanks for the guidance on this project. Do you mind if I shoot you a PM with a question or two if I have to? Thanks!
 

diggitydank420

Well-Known Member
Diggity- I found a 5 gallon rubbermaid knockoff today. It fits perfectly in my grow box, and it is only 9" tall! It even had holes already near the top, so I didn't make a hole for my air stone like you did....I just put the tubing through the top and ran it down to the airstone. I'm only going to grow 2 plants in it, in 3.75" net pots. Thanks for the guidance on this project. Do you mind if I shoot you a PM with a question or two if I have to? Thanks!
No need for the PM... just ask here
 

homegrwn

Well-Known Member
plus rep diggity great info great diY... i dont even have any question... well one how much total was the setup from start to just before poping in your transplant?
 

diggitydank420

Well-Known Member
  • Tubs ~$5 each
  • Air pumps (1 dbl can run two tubs) ~$10 each
  • Air stones: ~$3 each
  • plastic air tubing ~$5
  • net pots $0.35 each
  • 5kg bag Hydroton pellets $12
For three tubs I spent around $70.00 not including lighting and nutrient/ph kits.
 

Swale84

Well-Known Member
Diggity- Quick question about my seedlings. They have now been in dirt for 2 weeks, although I am sure they have experienced some stunted growth. I was wondering when you transfer them from soil to the net pots. I am going to use your method of transfer. I'm just not sure if my seedlings are still too small. I am hoping they take off in my DWC setup. They haven't changed much since the last pictures i posted on my grow journal, if you want to check them out. I would just hate to ruin them, then have to start over from seeds. Thanks a lot +rep!
 
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