My thoughts/opinion/experience with various water levels

When I started with DWC I went with what everyone told me and I filled my reservoir all the way up to just under the net pots. But later I found out that my roots were much healthier and my plants grew more vigorously if I lowered that by a few inches. It gives the roots constant oxygen and an aeroponic effect from the bubble action ensures that they get enough moisture all the way to the top and at all times. So why fill it up so high? What's the logical reason for doing so? It seems to make more sense to lower it and allow the bubble action to supply the top part of the roots with water/nutes. And this also provides them with more oxygen.

Anyone else share my opinion on this? That it is best to lower the water level a bit. Even though my experiences have shown me that this seems to be better, I would still like to hear your thoughts and maybe even a reason or two why you believe it is best to "fill er up".

ty

I do share your opinion. I keep the water level about an inch from the bottom of the net pot. Once the roots are in the water, i drop the level a couple inches.One reason is i fill with 4 gallons instead of 5 and that means less nutes. A cushion of oxyen between water and bottom of net pot is the way to go. I also lift um up from time to time to expose all the roots to oxygen once in a while.

I agree cissy.
The only reason I fill the res up near the net pots would be in the beginning when the plants are new and I'm keeping the medium moist waiting for roots.
After the roots drop down I've kept the water level pretty low and let the bubble mist the upper root mass and get good bubble action with the roots under water too.

OK great! So I am not alone in this. Thats comforting to know

ty

Great thread guys!

Question for ya: I've grown hydroponically before (flood trays), and have grown in soil as well. Have any of you grown in soil before, and if so, how do you compare the results of a soil-medium grow with your DWC grows? Better yield? Better end product?

Thanks!

hey there, since y´all are on the subject of water...whats the ideal temp for the water in a DWC setup (5 gal bucket)???

stowandgrow said:

Great thread guys!

Question for ya: I've grown hydroponically before (flood trays), and have grown in soil as well. Have any of you grown in soil before, and if so, how do you compare the results of a soil-medium grow with your DWC grows? Better yield? Better end product?

Thanks!

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DWC is the only way I have grown, but my results have been as good or better as anything I have read or heard about from any other method.

carlitros79 said:

hey there, since y´all are on the subject of water...whats the ideal temp for the water in a DWC setup (5 gal bucket)???

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I keep my temps between 65-70 (occasionally they will climb a little over 70, but only by a degree or so)

The best range that your reservoir can be between is 60F-75F. Ideally the reservoir temperature should be at 65F because this level contains the most oxygen. Also this temperature will help control transpiration (the act of drawing up nutrients by evaporating water through out the leaves), and humidity levels.

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RikoSuave55 said:

I do share your opinion. I keep the water level about an inch from the bottom of the net pot. Once the roots are in the water, i drop the level a couple inches.One reason is i fill with 4 gallons instead of 5 and that means less nutes. A cushion of oxyen between water and bottom of net pot is the way to go. I also lift um up from time to time to expose all the roots to oxygen once in a while.

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agreed, however if you have a air pump always supplying fresh air, why even lift the lid aside from root examinations? They are already getting plenty of 02 in that little air pocket.

diff temp, diff amount of oxygen no matter the pump. I think anything over 72 is asking for problems.

medbudgrower said:

agreed, however if you have a air pump always supplying fresh air, why even lift the lid aside from root examinations? They are already getting plenty of 02 in that little air pocket.

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I expose the whole root system from time to time in veg because the Stealth Hydro System Maker recommends it.

think im gunna try lowering my water next res change......good thread

I was thinking the samething. I was using a 1 gallon bowl using 1/2 gallon nutes. after a few weeks he was using it up in 2 to 3 days.
The best growth seemed to occur when thier was only a couple cups in it.

for the record. I have a huge reservoir (100 gallon+). so not only have i found this to be cheaper, but the roots are much healthier and whiter with the water level being a bit lower.

i started off by going just a couple inches under the net pots, but i have since realized there is no point going any higher with the water than it needs to be. and exactly how high does it need to be? JUST high enough so the bubble action reaches up to the net pots and supplies enough of a mist to the roots. why drown them? the entire underside stays more than wet enough even when i have the reservoir filled up only half way.

just sharing my experiences