DWC Drip Question

I recently saw a DWC Drip hydro system advertised somewhere on the internet. I think I'd like to try DWC on my next grow (DIY, of course).

What is the purpose of the Drip component? Is it just to feed the plants before the roots touch the nutrient solution in the DWC?

Can the Drip component be safely eliminated altogether?

I've always wondered the same thing. I see people get 10 oz a plant without it so I don't even bother. That's my bias

The drip is a gimmick. Seedlings are fed just fine in real bubbleponics by the splashing action of the bubbles. Forget the drip, get the bubbles right.

hey wileycoyote from what i can gather the drip ring is to get water to the roots of clones that have been potted in large net pots, and the bubble spray cant penetrate through the pebbles. I have been using bubblers (dwc) for ages now and have never used one. I always put clones in 1" net pots until the roots are busting out all ways then transplant to 6" net pots. works like a charm.

WileyCoyote: take a look at Stealth Hydro's web site and their $188 bubble tub you can build yourself for about $54. It drip feeds the roots until they reach the reservoir nutes. Once the roots make it to the reservoir level I remover the top feeder tubes and the pump and leave only some very active air stones. It works great. Between Walmart and The Home Depot and your local hydro store you can duplicate their bubble tub for a fraction of the cost and have a user friendly DIY DWC bubble tub that's easy to make and fun to use. I did a write up on it about a year ago. I hope that helps. HSA

HSA said:

WileyCoyote: take a look at Stealth Hydro's web site and their $188 bubble tub you can build yourself for about $54. It drip feeds the roots until they reach the reservoir nutes. Once the roots make it to the reservoir level I remover the top feeder tubes and the pump and leave only some very active air stones. It works great. Between Walmart and The Home Depot and your local hydro store you can duplicate their bubble tub for a fraction of the cost and have a user friendly DIY DWC bubble tub that's easy to make and fun to use. I did a write up on it about a year ago. I hope that helps. HSA

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Thanks to everyone for your replies.

Question: Once the roots reach the reservoir nutes and the drip system is removed, how does the rockwool in the net pots get moistened? Is the reservoir nute level above the bottom of the net pots so that the moisture wicks upward?

Here's my plan: Veg the plants in one then three-inch rockwool cubes. Hand-water under T5s until roots protrude outside the rockwool cubes. Then immediately flower the plants 12/12 HPS in a DWC setup. I'm growing short indica-dominant plants that do well under early flowering - Northern Lights, AK-48.

Does this sound like I can do without the Drip component?

hey coyote, once the roots hit the nutes(even as soon as the roots start poking out the net pot) its all systems go coz the plant is getting all it needs from the roots that are in the nutes and the spray that is covering the roots that are'nt in the nutes, so the rockwool no longer needs watered

WileyCoyote said:

Thanks to everyone for your replies.

Question: Once the roots reach the reservoir nutes and the drip system is removed, how does the rockwool in the net pots get moistened? Is the reservoir nute level above the bottom of the net pots so that the moisture wicks upward?

Here's my plan: Veg the plants in one then three-inch rockwool cubes. Hand-water under T5s until roots protrude outside the rockwool cubes. Then immediately flower the plants 12/12 HPS in a DWC setup. I'm growing short indica-dominant plants that do well under early flowering - Northern Lights, AK-48.

Does this sound like I can do without the Drip component?

Click to expand...

WileyCoyote: I use both rock cubes and Root Shooters. Rock cubes are definitely cleaner but I bury them both in Hydroton and cover them with a white plastic net pot cover to prevent mold from forming. After I remove the top feeder line, once the roots have reached the nutrient level in the reservoir, I don't worry because I don't think it's necessary for the starter cubes to be damp. I think some dampness percolates up from the bottom through the Hydroton so I wouldn't worry. I have two fist sized air stones and they keep the nutes mix well airiated and bubbling enough to keep the Hydroton damp.The nutes level is only about an inch or two below the bottom of the net pots and so far so good.

I use a drip system powered by an air pump. I take it away though whenever the roots hit the water. It has worked excellent for me and kept my plants properly fed.

Drip is for postnasal and coffeemakers, nothing more.