?? about what size net pots and size rock wool to use for DWC grow

Going to use 5 gal buckets for my first DWC grow. Just curious what size net pots are suggested? 6", 8" ? And with those, what size rock wool cube would be suggested for those?

Flower room is a 5x5 tent, i think they are like 7 or 8 foot high..


Also, my thought for the veg room was to use 3.5 Gallon buckets since the tops would be the same for the 5 Gallons, i could just transfer the top over after cleaning the bucket of course. You guys think thats a good idea or no?

Thanks a lot for any tips!!

6" is fine, you really don't need 8". I used 3.75" for my DWC bucket system, which was a mistake, and was still able to make it through. The only problem was that if bumped or messed with, the large plants would easily tip over. As for the veg room goes, the smaller buckets shouldn't pose a problem because plants are smaller in the veg room than they are after being moved to flowering. Although the plants develop their root mass during the vegetative phase, 3.5 gallons should be more than enough to develop a large mass. And yes, transferring the lid and net pot is a fine idea.

Oh, and rockwool... You can use any size really provided you pour some other medium around it, such as expanded clay pebbles, AKA Hydroton.

Dont waste your time with those stupid net pots. Cutting holes in bucket lids that tour going to be removing everyday for a few months is a bad idea. Spend a couple bucks on the lids with the pots built into them. Theyre more durable and dont crack, break, or surprise you with finding your plant floating in the water instead of resting in the lid. As for size, i like 6 inch. Theyre easy enough to get a dip stick in there next to the pot. Sorry, thats confusing. With the larger sizes theres almost no room to stick a meter down to the water between the side of the bucket and the net. Which sucks. Also when you drill your holes for the air tubes to go through, drill them through the bucket lid and not the side. That way when you go to do the rez change you can have a new bucket of nute water ready to go, lift the plant up, dont have to worry about disconecting the air stone and getting it out from the huge root ball, and bam! Drop it onto the next bucket. One person job oh ya, dont stress about your ph too much, trust me, it dont matter much.

How does pH not matter much?... If he's using tap water, his pH could be running wild right now. If it is, his res can be prone to disease, algae, slime and pests and his plants will suffer from nutrient lockout over time. JUS' SAYIN'.

I use 2" netpots without any media from clone to harvest and they work perfect. I dont understand the statement about having to remove the lid every day and cracking, my lids come off 3-4 times total and plant never comes out of lid. Just drill a second netpot hole near side of lid and use that as access for readings.

Ok sweet, thanks dudes. And NINJABOWLER, i am planning on getting the lids with the net pots in them.

I'll be starting a journal once i get them going!

Have you ever used rockwool? Why do you want to?

superstoner1 said:

Have you ever used rockwool? Why do you want to?

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Well actually no. I just see ppl using it in vids and stuff and this is my first DWC grow. I did soil before. They just seem easy to use.

Why, what you thinking?

Its just not needed and it has been cause for many noob problems. Remember all u need is support for the plant, i use just pots and foam collars in aero and dwc and it is so much easier than using a media like rw or hydroton. No mess, no cleaning and very cheap, 13¢ per plant.

Going to move this to dwc sub forum.

Are you using clones or growing from seed? SS's foam collar idea works great with Clones. I don't think a collar will hold a full grown plant from seed. Rockwool is easier than people think. As long as you pre teat it to get deposits out of it works great.

SS is on the right track. I don't know what kind of Christmas trees you are thinkin about growing.. but 6" of net pot, or media- isn't necessary. 3.75's good "start to finish" size, even in the 3.5 gal pots- though I wouldn't suggest those either- unless you are intending to them at LEAST twice a day with top offs, I tried it, not worth it. Totes are a good alternative, 5 gal buckets, I do like SS's no media suggestion, very cost effective. Don't fuck with Rockwool- only reason I have some is for starting seeds, remember to ph them for 24 hrs

Why would they work with clones and not from seed? Same plants. I do clones and seeds and never use a media.

Theoretically hell yes it would work. Cut a section out of a pool noodle toy and you got a 6 inch collar. I was referring earlier to 2 inch collars. Wouldn't it hold you back on potential veg capabilities. Like being forced to keep it small because stability issues associated with when the plant packs on the weight? Unless its clinging to the net pot below the collar?

superstoner1 said:

Why would they work with clones and not from seed? Same plants. I do clones and seeds and never use a media.

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How do you start seeds in those neoprene collars?

I only use RW for seeds, but thats only because I don't know how to start seeds without a medium.

PattyWagon said:

Theoretically hell yes it would work. Cut a section out of a pool noodle toy and you got a 6 inch collar. I was referring earlier to 2 inch collars. Wouldn't it hold you back on potential veg capabilities. Like being forced to keep it small because stability issues associated with when the plant packs on the weight? Unless its clinging to the net pot below the collar?

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I have had well over 6oz plants in 2" collars, its only for support. I make my own collars and can do them from 1"-6".

firsttimeARE said:

How do you start seeds in those neoprene collars?

I only use RW for seeds, but thats only because I don't know how to start seeds without a medium.

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Pop them in water, dig a small section out of the middle, drop popped seed in dug out section with tap root going through hole.

I have been wondering about the effects of a small net pot vs a big one.

The bigger the net pot, the more air/hydroton and less water in your bucket. I have read that the DO in water only provides a small percent of the oxygen used by the roots, so maybe having a larger volume of hydroton would make for more fuzzy roots and faster growth/nute uptake.

I don't really know what the effects are, but I just switched from small net pots to huge net baskets so maybe I will see a difference.

superstoner1 said:

Pop them in water, dig a small section out of the middle, drop popped seed in dug out section with tap root going through hole.

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Sweet deal imma have to try this on some bag seed to see how it turns out. I would of thought the seed would just fall thru and drown in the water below.

superstoner1 said:

I have had well over 6oz plants in 2" collars, its only for support. I make my own collars and can do them from 1"-6".

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Nice, that's definetly thinking out side the box. Got any pics? I'm very curious and tired of cleaning hydroton.