How to set up DWC to make reservoir maintenance easy?

Hi folks.

I was wondering if someone could explain if they have a successful way to set up DWC while making reservoir maintenance not a total pain in the ass.

Specifically, what I'm referring to is SWC, meaning multiple plants in a storage tote type tub dealy. And even more specifically, I'm talking about a mediumless setup, i.e. plants dangling in holes in the lid of the tote, suspended by collars or whatever, but I don't think that makes a difference as it relates to my question.

Basically, the trouble that I am having is that the plants are sitting in holes in the lid (and I'm doing SOG so things are stuffed pretty tight, like 3-4 plants per square foot), the only way to get at the reservoir is to lift the lid, and all the plants with it.

So it's difficult enough just to get a look at the roots and nutes, check airstones, etc., but then I also worry about adding pH adjusters and the plants closest to the end where I am adding them getting burnt by the acid, and in a big tub it must take a while for the air stone(s) to thoroughly mix the tank and get an accurate pH reading after adjusting. Also adding H2O2, i'm like holding up one end of the lid with one hand and trying to pour it in with the other, what a pain, same with checking the pH which I like to do every day.

Has anyone come up with a better way to perform reservoir maintence then lifting up the lid??

Thanks!

buy an extra tote and mix your new nutes in it then just take the lid off the old tote and put it on the new one with the new nutes...do this weekly with the use of clearex as well and you will have no problems

I am using single plant bubbler systems called the oxy-pot that come from a company called ikon international (Australia i think), the pots have a 19mm hole drilled in the side right at the bottom, a 22mm top-hat style rubber grommet through the hole which holds a 22mm elbow (90 degree bend), attached to the elbow is a piece of clear 22mm hose which runs up the side of the pot to the top, this serves two purposes: You can see the water level without taking the lid off (i have marked this with the level of bottom of net pot and the minimum fill level) also the hose and elbow turn inside the rubber grommet to allow you to drain the pot or take smaller ammounts of solution to check ph/cf etc. I also have spare pots to make new solution in and then just pop the plant (net pot and lid) into the spare pot once evrything is in the correct range, i hope this helps, will post pic if you need.

I'm working with 125L tubs, they weigh about 250lbs when they're full of water, you can't move them around. They are filled on location via a hose.

So mixing up a fresh batch of nutes every other week is no problem, I take the lid off, drain via pump, clean tub, and fill via hose, no biggie. But to check the pH every day requires lifting the lid with one hand and trying to get the pH meter in there with the other, and get a decent reading. Same with correcting pH daily. Same with H2O2 dosing every 3-4 days.

The clear hose up the side of the tub is a cool idea for checking water level, and for testing pH I guess. But useless for correcting pH or adding H2O2.

A 125L tub would weigh roughly 275.02lbs!! who are you trying to fool!!? j/k just stoned in class reading da dwc threads.

i put a access hole in my dwc tote lids that i plug with a grommet or stopper when not in use.with this access hole i use a kerosene siphon to take 1 gallon samples of solution to check readings and add stuff back when needed.when i flush/drain i use this hole with the siphon and some tubing.if i'm in a rush i attach an inline pump to the siphon to speed things up.to check water levels i use a bamboo stake with predetermined level marks on it, like a dipstick.

Get urself a small submersible pump man and enuff half inch hose to reach the nearest drain or run it outside to the garden it doesnt matter. Takes a lil while about 4-5 minutes to clear an 18 gallon tub.. Once cleared.. Run ur garden hose in like so..
Hose--->Tub----> Pump -----> Drain for another 5 minutes to clear the residual nutes left over from a half aced water change..
I always end up with an extra hole big enuff to set this down into and if not i simple hook the hose up to the pump i already have inside the tubs move the water and nute mix over my roots..
A must have in a tub with multiple plants mang.Makes perfect sence when ya think about it.. Place the pump in the reaz so it creates a whirlpool effect in it.. Placement is the key.
In the corner.The roots all end up in a huge ball wither way.. Use it to ur advantage.
Be smart... Get urself some 3 inch netpots when doing this. Plants compete when placed together. Cut the cutting all the same size and evenly distribute the space over the area of the lid..And place each clone in its own spot to live.. They will love u for it. Or else u will be plucking perfectly good plants that get beat out in the grow competition to make it to harvest.
Exchanging lids work well on buckets...Pumps dont.
Hope this helps

Preparation before growing goes a long way... I drilled a hole specifically for draining water with a length of garden hose...this hole also allows me to insert a funnel for filling up the buckets....as far as checking roots...I lift the net pot up... That single hole also allows me to insert a turkey baster to draw up enough solution to check pH,PPM, add UP or Down..etc. The Red tub you can see the small hole, the grey tub you can see the turkey baster in the hole

pencap get yourself some net pots you are too bootleg!

I have a second res and use a pump to empty the first one, clean it then refill with water from the second one. earl has the best setup as he has drains in the bottom of his. If you can rig the plumbing go for drains and hot and cold running water.
Save the work do it ahead of time.

Peace

YOU WIN!!!!!!!!!! for ghettoest set-up in RIU history. congrats. does he get a prize for this?

I have a similar setup. I have 4 18 in airstones with 2 pumps and a 250 gal/min pump. This will give you the circulation you need. This works well.

What I do, since I have plants just dangling, is take off the short hose I have on the pump. I have a T joint PVC tube attached to a 6 in piece of hose, this spreads the air.
I remove the T joint and I then add the long hose that goes to my buckets. I have to fill 5 gallon buckets and empty 5 times. I just leave the pump in and tilt the bucket at the end and it works well to get most of the water out.

MY PPM is always on, PH is great and I witness NO evidence of damage near the roots where I drop the nutes.

threeandahook said:

I have a similar setup. I have 4 18 in airstones with 2 pumps and a 250 gal/min pump. This will give you the circulation you need. This works well.

What I do, since I have plants just dangling, is take off the short hose I have on the pump. I have a T joint PVC tube attached to a 6 in piece of hose, this spreads the air.
I remove the T joint and I then add the long hose that goes to my buckets. I have to fill 5 gallon buckets and empty 5 times. I just leave the pump in and tilt the bucket at the end and it works well to get most of the water out.

MY PPM is always on, PH is great and I witness NO evidence of damage near the roots where I drop the nutes.

Click to expand...

I also wipe off the walls in between changes but dont use any cleaner.

i keep a water pump with a short stub at the top with a barbed pipe fitting so i dont have to lift the lid up... i just plug in, and unplug it from a power strip i have strictly for that use... just dont fuck up and flood your shit somehow... i have various lengths of hose to run to the tub to drain, or w/e. its also how i check the ph and ppm everyday, i pump it out, take readings and pump it back in...

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