DWC Setup Questions

[Budography]

Being out of the game for far too long, I would love some advice and opinions on a DWC setup in the coming warmer months in Australia.

 

From my basic research, the DWC setup looks wonderful. Minimal interaction, all in one type of setup. However, getting stuck into the details I have noticed that the nutrient temp is a big factor in how well the roots survive.

 

My main question now knowing this is... In reality, how sustainable is a DWC system going to be as a long term option considering 1/3 of the year (without some kind of help) the water would sit well above the optimum temp needed for the plants to flourish? I don't want to spend a couple of hundred $ on some kind of water cooler and I also do not want to spend months using the ice brick type method. I was looking for something simple, cheap and effective (plus in my better halves budget!)

 

 

Would opting for a flood and drain type system where the water would cool down as it cycles / sprays the plants be more effective in the wamer Australian climate?

 

 

I am considering giving the DWC setup a go with a few strawberry plants first to give me an idea of how it works and how much the tank will heat up during the day - 1 external pump - 2 air stones with no light. I realise that it would be different a) in a grow room/box adding a light c) cooling ... etc - but I guess it would be a start as I mentioned to try it out.

 

 

I apologise if I may have some ill gained knowledge, I am only going off what I have been reading the last few days - please feel free to correct me if I am way off

[havik_racing]

Hey mate i have DWC cherry tomato out in the back yard,(wanna knuckle it down before i move onto pot again) struggled really bad for the first week (temps and the transplant from soil i think) it's just a single bucket method, only changed it to recirculating a couple of days ago, now the temps are abit more stable and i can drop bigger ice bottles into the res ( could only put those 250ml pop tops in to start anything bigger would hit and damage the roots)

 

Here in QLD last week was pretty hot. temps of the water got to 28-29 way to hot, this was without icebottles and it wasn't recirculating at the time, Someone has suggested to me to dig a hole and place bucket in that...makes sense but don't think the real estate would agree think the optimum dwc temps are 18-24 ) i'm not sure about flood and drain probably same theory really....i also read somewhere of people using bar fridges and running there piping through the bar fridge ??

 

Have been doing abit of research lately into Cheap/DIY ways to cool the water without the ice bottles or chiller....came across 1 forum where a bloke go's to like op shops/trash and treasure markets ...picks up water coolers for dirt cheap (like the ones they have at doctors where you pull a disposable cup and get icy cold water).... he pulls out the cooling unit inside, ties it up in a few plastic bags (think so the water does'nt stick to the copper pipes) and sticks in it his res...some have adjustable thermostats to get the preffered temp, Looking for a cooler now myself just need to find one cheap enough! good luck!.....

[nici]

With a big enough res, temp fluctuations shouldnt be too bad

[Budography]

Would it be easier to run a flood and drain system where the roots don't really get the chance to sit in the water at those high temps and rot? Would the water pumped from the nutrient tank mist out cool enough if it is oxygenated and circulated enough?