DIY 3 Gallon Rubbermaid DWC

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LED4ME!

Member
djruiner said:
ok..got ya...maybe try sterilite...i know they make these totes also
Click to expand...
Thanks for the tip. I found exactly what I would like which is 10 gallons: 10 Gallon Tote Box
Colors Available:
Lapis lid & base
Capacity:
10 Gal / 38 L Dimensions:
20 5/8" L x 14 1/8" W x 12 3/8" H
52.4cm L x 35.9cm W x 31.4cm H

this will allow three times the volume of liquid over the 3 gallon and fit nicely in my set up. After talking to Hydro stores you really want a lot of available volume for your root systems. It's absolutely essential to have plenty of water for each plant.

Theoretically you want the same length of root systems as the length of the plant. So if you're looking for 3 or 4 foot plants expect the same length of root system for super size quality results. I spoke to a guy at a store who gets 1 LB per plant with 1000 W HID per plant. He uses a slightly different Hydro system (who cares cares) and I saw the pictures of the bud on his iPhone and they were monstrous. Probably 4 to 5 inches in diameter BUD! He used his hand as reference.

I think I'll still stick with 3 plants with the 10 gallons and veg as long as I can since I'm not in any hurry but want the monster bud. I just started a (3) 5 gallon dirt bugget grow with WW from Diversity with 8 plants and a 180 w Height LED. If anybody wants to know please ask and I'll let you know how well this LED grows through all cycles.

I know I'm a bit off topic but this thread needs a little something something. Thanks again for your input I think this will really be the ticket
 
djruiner

djruiner

Well-Known Member
LED4ME! said:
Thanks for the tip. I found exactly what I would like which is 10 gallons: 10 Gallon Tote Box
Colors Available:
Lapis lid & base
Capacity:
10 Gal / 38 L Dimensions:
20 5/8" L x 14 1/8" W x 12 3/8" H
52.4cm L x 35.9cm W x 31.4cm H

this will allow three times the volume of liquid over the 3 gallon and fit nicely in my set up. After talking to Hydro stores you really want a lot of available volume for your root systems. It's absolutely essential to have plenty of water for each plant.

Theoretically you want the same length of root systems as the length of the plant. So if you're looking for 3 or 4 foot plants expect the same length of root system for super size quality results. I spoke to a guy at a store who gets 1 LB per plant with 1000 W HID per plant. He uses a slightly different Hydro system (who cares cares) and I saw the pictures of the bud on his iPhone and they were monstrous. Probably 4 to 5 inches in diameter BUD! He used his hand as reference.

I think I'll still stick with 3 plants with the 10 gallons and veg as long as I can since I'm not in any hurry but want the monster bud. I just started a (3) 5 gallon dirt bugget grow with WW from Diversity with 8 plants and a 180 w Height LED. If anybody wants to know please ask and I'll let you know how well this LED grows through all cycles.

I know I'm a bit off topic but this thread needs a little something something. Thanks again for your input I think this will really be the ticket
Click to expand...
nifty..glad i could help
 
SquishMitten

SquishMitten

Active Member
how do you drain the rubbermaid? I assume you have to drain and refill the reservoir every few weeks or so? I don't really know the mechanics of DWC, or what it stands for.
 
djruiner

djruiner

Well-Known Member
SquishMitten said:
how do you drain the rubbermaid? I assume you have to drain and refill the reservoir every few weeks or so? I don't really know the mechanics of DWC, or what it stands for.
Click to expand...
depends on what your using..some have drainage spouts on it...or just dump the whole thing out for res changes and cleanings...dwc is deep water culture...its a way to grow without using soil as a medium...giving the roots more room to grow and getting faster growth.lets the grower control the medium environment more then you can growing in soil.the roots grow right into the water letting it uptake nutrients much easier
 
SquishMitten

SquishMitten

Active Member
Thanks a lot, I knew it was hydro. Didn't know it stood for deep water culture, thanks for that. And I was just trying to think of a way to drain it without having to take the lid off and let the roots sit in the light pressed up against something while I'm fumbling with the reservoir... I suppose I could just buy another rubbermaid to set everything in while I'm cleaning the other.
 
djruiner

djruiner

Well-Known Member
SquishMitten said:
Thanks a lot, I knew it was hydro. Didn't know it stood for deep water culture, thanks for that. And I was just trying to think of a way to drain it without having to take the lid off and let the roots sit in the light pressed up against something while I'm fumbling with the reservoir... I suppose I could just buy another rubbermaid to set everything in while I'm cleaning the other.
Click to expand...
thats how i do it...i have 2 containers...i have my solution premade in gallon jugs.is it my plants in the other container...dump and clean my grow container...refill it..then sit the plants back in
 
ozman

ozman

Well-Known Member
I was turned on too DWC a few years back.Now thats all I use.I currently have a little 3 gallon res for my plants.The container is full of roots,and it is doing very well.I always hated dealing with the soil grows,I had trouble getting rid of all the root balls and used soil.With dwc just pour it down the drain or use it in the other garden or for flowers.I was thining a long time ago about using a dwc container for my clones and was too scared to try it.Well I have a little shoe box sized dwc and I had 3 clones in it atm,I had 4 but one was questionable from the start and it died after all,but I still have 3 that look great.They are getting the bumps as we speak on them,so they should be ready for the new dwc I am thinking of soon.When I get the cloning in dwc thing worked out then I know I will not need any more soil or rockwool or media of any kind.I am using neoprene collars now instead of rockwool,so its not only dwc it will become medialess saving even more money on supplies and less cleanup,i hate cleaning hydroton and buying rockwool cubes.WooHoo,so at least give dwc a try or two it may take more then 1 try to make it work.But when you ge tit going you will luv it.
Oh and yea I know its a old thread but hey why not.
 

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Chinity

Member
I just got a black version of the OP's 3 gal tub. Was wondering how do I cut the holes perfectly for my net pots? Also do I need aluminum foil for the cover since its black?
 
dkmf1

dkmf1

Member
Chinity said:
I just got a black version of the OP's 3 gal tub. Was wondering how do I cut the holes perfectly for my net pots? Also do I need aluminum foil for the cover since its black?
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op used a drill w/holesaw and reflective material never hurts.
 
J

JesseL

Member
acea74 said:
As far as power outages. With this kind of set up, you can use a "fisherman's air pump". Go to you local tackle shop, or check the sporting section of your local big box store, or ebay. It's just a battery-operated air pimp that fisherman use to keep minnows alive in their bait buckets. They run about 10 bucks.

As far as more bubbles being better. Well, we all know that more is not always better. Oxygen...of course, is an oxidizer. That's not a good thing. Fish take in more oxygen then roots do. So if your pump is rated for 10gallons, I think you'll be more then fine in this 3gal setup. Always keep in mind that more is not always better, especially in dealing with MJ.
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I use a UPS that was designed for computers. It will easily power all the air pumps you want for days depending on the unit. Plus they automatically kick in when the power goes out. Just plug it into the wall and plug the pumps into the Uninterrupted Power Source. (UPS)
 
hotrodharley

hotrodharley

Well-Known Member
Chinity said:
I just got a black version of the OP's 3 gal tub. Was wondering how do I cut the holes perfectly for my net pots? Also do I need aluminum foil for the cover since its black?
Click to expand...
You MUST block all light from striking the solution. Forget the 3-gallon or it will outgrow it very quickly speaking from current ongoing experience! Go for the bigger res ($2.99 for a 5-gallon bucket at Wally + $3 for duct tape to cover it for light blocking. $1.99 for a cover. But go for the BIGGEST net basket or planter you can fit in diameter wise. My White Widow Auto in DWC has to be braced every which way because it is my 1st DWC and I simply did not consider the tipping. My gift to you today as I go to tie at another direction.
 
PetFlora

PetFlora

Well-Known Member
Here's a simple system using Dollar Store 3G buckets + Sunleaves Oxystones + 35 LPM air pump + Net Pot lids. The Net Pot lids are inexpensive and awesome

I bought one extra bucket which I put the individual net pots in while I change nutes. This really simplifies changing nutes

This set up has many benefits, easy to move plants, easy to change nutes, easy to spin plants...

They're fattening up now.

Lights are 4 @ 23w LED tubes + 2 led supplemental globes under canopy

View attachment 2726323IMG_1613.jpgIMG_1559.jpgView attachment 2726327View attachment 2726328
 
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