New Grower Second Grow, attempting DWC would like any thoughts or tips on my setup

[Cruciality88x]

Okay so here we go, first grow finished did everything as simple and little put into it as possible. Got nearly an ounce off a Royal Queen Seeds Royal Dwarf and I was happy with the result but now it's time to up the game a bit. I have everything (I believe) to start a DWC for this go around, as well as a new strain arriving in the next few days (Dutch Passion Blackberry Kush). I've upgraded my tent to a 2x2x4 as well as a Carbon Filter+Inline Fan combo, 5 gal bucket with net lid for DWC, air pump/air stone and hose, humidity/temp meter, General Hydroponics Trio of Nutes, Calimagic, PH Up&Down, PH+EC Pen as well as PH buffers, 3ft oscillating tower fan, Viparspectra 300W LED Full Spectrum. I think that covers most if not all of my build. So if anyone thinks I left out something please let me know, I prefer not to add anymore nutes in unless it's very essential. Also I plan on doing a bit more studying on DWC because as of now I'm totally lost on feed schedule and how exactly I do feed them lol? I understand that Auto's are more sensitive to nutes and you start out with 1/4 strength when you first start the feeding and bump it up over time, what I don't understand is how much do I add in? Should I measure and mark inside my bucket several places to know how much the water/feed is down. I don't currently have one of those tubes on the outside, how necessary are they? Any and all tips are appreciated!

TLDR: First attempt at DWC, have most if not all parts for the grow, curious about feeding for this Auto I'm going to grow, as well as any tips/thoughts on DWC or any helpful links

 

[woody]

Hey bud have you got either sm-90 or hydroguard?
If not buy one of these products, they will save you any problems with unhealthy roots and help keep the res clean too.

I keep the water level 1 inch below the net pot. So just do a test run with plain water to see roughly how many litres it takes to get to this level.
Its also handy to have a couple of spare buckets.
1 to make up a fresh res in and the other to lift and set your dwc lid and plant into when doing changes and cleaning your res.
Ive done a couple of dwc grows with those nutes and they turned out pretty good.
Week 1 just plain water then slowly increase

 

[Cruciality88x]

Hey bud have you got either sm-90 or hydroguard?
If not buy one of these products, they will save you any problems with unhealthy roots and help keep the res clean too.

I keep the water level 1 inch below the net pot. So just do a test run with plain water to see roughly how many litres it takes to get to this level.
Its also handy to have a couple of spare buckets.
1 to make up a fresh res in and the other to lift and set your dwc lid and plant into when doing changes and cleaning your res.
Ive done a couple of dwc grows with those nutes and they turned out pretty good.
Week 1 just plain water then slowly increase

No I have neither of those products, I'll look and see if my local store has or maybe I can get it off the net. Do you empty the bucket everytime you refill it or just add whatever it lacks? Also if you've done other grows besides DWC what do you think is the best way to grow?

 

[woody]

No I have neither of those products, I'll look and see if my local store has or maybe I can get it off the net. Do you empty the bucket everytime you refill it or just add whatever it lacks? Also if you've done other grows besides DWC what do you think is the best way to grow?

There are a few different methods for res changes- but for a first time dwc grow i would recommend doing a full change every 10 days.
Until the later stages when the rez will need topped up between those times.

Ive grown in soil, coco, dwc and drip fed systems- its really personal preference.
But hydro gets best yeilds for me.
Plus i like being able to read ec and ph of res it means if or when problems like deficiencies or toxicities arise you can dump the res and make a fresh one.
You cant do that when that same feed is im soil/coco.
But again its personal preference there are guys growing monsters in every set up imaginable!

 

[puggle6]

No I have neither of those products, I'll look and see if my local store has or maybe I can get it off the net. Do you empty the bucket everytime you refill it or just add whatever it lacks? Also if you've done other grows besides DWC what do you think is the best way to grow?

Hey chum, have a look at my hybrid hydro system, a little more forgiving than dwc and have achieved over 1.2g per watt. Below run was interrupted.
https://www.autoflower.org/threads/f6s-ultimate-hydro.61348/

4 plants, 600w hps (860w cmh failed) 1mx1m tent, 836g dry
https://www.autoflower.org/threads/f6-does-4-indoor-1m-x-1m-860w-cmh-hybrid-hydro.59553/


Not saying don't DWC, have done it myself, full aquaponics/dwc single GSC @ 311g dry!

Was increadibly intensive tho.


f6

 

[EvilScotsman]

hey buddy glad your taking the plunge. just read what the guys have said there and yeah. you need sm-90 or hydroguard like. it keeps the res clean, you cant grow hydro without it. not succesfully anyway lol.
regarding feeding schedules you dont need one in hydro. this is what the e/c meter is for. it tells you how much nutrient the plant has taken from the solution. just start with plain water for a few days then 100ppm feed for a week. up it roughly 200ppm every time you change the res. wich as sangers pointed out there you should do about every 10 days. if the number on the meter starts rising between checks your feed is too strong so add some water . if the number drops add more nutes. max strength is roughly 1200-1500ppm but most folk dont go that high. 900-1000 is generally about right for the max dose.
oh and use seperate syringes for your ph up and down! found that out the hard way and nearly lost an eye. not sure if it happens with other brands but mine boil if they mix.

 

[PoppyLon56]

hey man I just joined the forum today. I too are setting up an RDWC system. I grow in as of today 6 5gal bubble buckets.(Nirvana)White Widow.