Need help with a micro dwc (I think) setup

[Frank Reynolds]

Well I would love some input on this project I want to tackle. I want to setup a micro DWC system with a res. Here is a pic of what I have at the moment.

 

 

As you can see I will have plants in the side circular tupperware containers, and the middle one will be the res.

 

First of all I want to make a list of the parts I think I will need need for this setup.

 

- 1 x Airpump(for res)

- 1 x Rectangular air stone (for res)

- Some tubing

- 2x Netpots

- Hydroton

- Rockwool

- Roll of reflective tape

 

Now this is what I'm thinking of doing according to the research I have done. Please correct me if anything seems wrong. I will start by covering all 3 tubs with reflective tape as to keep light out and temps happy. I will most likely have the air pump sitting on top of the res, there will be a tube going from the air pump to the bottom of the res where it will be connected to the airstone on the bottom of the tub. I will then have two seperate pieces of tubing connecting the left and the right buckets to the res. This will be done at the bottom.

 

As for the top I will drill a hole into each side bucket, a bit smaller than the net pot so ti can stick out a bit leaving more room for root growth. Net pots will be filled with rockwool, and see will be placed in rockwool.

 

Now my understanding is that with this set up I will be able to keep the water enriched with oxygen with the airstone in the res. And with the two side buckets being connected at the bottom gravity will help keep the water moving.

 

So that's it what do you guys think? I really wanna do this as I am really interested in trying out a hydro setup!! Also if I get this going, might add a scrog screen if I decide to not run some auto seeds. unless auto's can be scrogged?

 

Peace

[jimbojones5678]

You will have a hard time of it scrogging any auto, they don't vege long enough.

 

Jimbo

[Frank Reynolds]

So the scrog will then be dependent on what strain I pick. But what about the general idea, will it work?

[ConvexConepiece]

Hey buege,

 

I reckon you will need an airstone in all 3 containers - or setup a way that water is actually circulated through the pots regularly.

 

Otherwise goodluck with such a small setup... small doesn't mean easy or less labor so expect to be spending a lot of time tweaking it

[Frank Reynolds]

In the case I would need 3 air stones, would I be able to still use one air pump? I'm not worried about the amount of work, I am doing this to experience growing hydroponically. I would love to be able to do it under my 400w but that isn't possible so PC it is.

[Philfy8]

Hey Dude, I would just use 1 container with 2 air stones. Make sure that no light gets to the roots, paint your container black then white so they don't suck up to much heat. Make sure you change the water weekly and clean container,use chemical nutes so you can add h202 (I use Hydroshield) every 2nd day, don't mix nutes to strong and don't use organic PH ajusters IMHO. (ps use your nose, if the roots start to smell like a swamp action is required.)

Cheer's P8.

[Frank Reynolds]

So you mean just one bigger box to hold all the water and roots? Shouldn't I be worried if I have two plants in there? Won't the roots get tangled?

[Philfy8]

So you mean just one bigger box to hold all the water and roots? Shouldn't I be worried if I have two plants in there? Won't the roots get tangled?

Not at all, the roots seperate fine if you have to pull a plant out. I grow my babies like this just fine, I don't use a drip feed when young, the air stones throw plenty of moisture around the net pots.

[STONEDAJ69]

and you'll want a water pump to recirculate your water, otherwise ph/ec can go screwey ie - different in each bucket even though they're linked.

 

apart from that, go hard, homes.

 

[Frank Reynolds]

I don't want to be using a water pump in this set up so I think I will go with 2 netpots in one bigger tupperware container. Should suffice, I'll post pics when I get around to building it which shouldn't be too long!