##> The Buckit Club - DWC n00bs <##

Butcher Bob · 03-20-2012, 01:02 AM

The Buckit Club
DWC n00bs

Deep Water Culture

Quote:

Deep water culture (DWC) is a hydroponic method of plant production by means of suspending the plant roots in a solution of nutrient rich, oxygenated water. Traditional methods favor the use of plastic buckets with the plant contained in a net pot suspended from the center of the lid and the roots suspended in the nutrient solution. An air pump powered aquarium airstone oxygenates the nutrient solution; if sufficiently oxygenated, the plant roots can remain submerged indefinitely.

Wikipedia

"Hello, my name is Butcher Bob, and I've never done hydroponics."

Well, that ain't quite true...I do a lotta soil-less growin, and technically that's hydroponic. But I've always considered it soil.

I need to start learnin various hydroponic systems, so I thought I'd start simple...a basic, single, DWC buckit.

Coupla other folks sed they wanted to join in, so I thought...
...let's make this a PAR-TEY!!

...a place where anyone kin post up their buckits, their progress, or ask questions and git help. That way it will make a good reference thread fer anyone wantin to learn aboot a simple DWC buckit.

I've seen some folks do some amazin plants in buckits...hopefully some of those veterans will stop in and keep us on the right track.

Now I'm not completely new to hydroponics, I've bin around many different systems. I've jus never done any myself.

So I'll start out with wut I know, or wut I think I know, and hopefully somebody will slap me around & straighten me up if I'm wrong.

Cuz it's hydro, there's some basic necessities we need, that all hydro growers need:
- PPM tester
- pH tester
- cleaning & calibration kits
- pH Up & pH Down
From my understanding, ppm & pH levels are very important in hydro systems, to ensure proper feeding of the plants.

The buckit system has only a few parts:
- 5 Gal buckit
- Net pot lid
- Air pump
- Air stone(s)
- Tubing & connectors
- Hydroton
And most of it is pretty inexpensive. It's the testing equipment above that's the expensive part.

I've still gotta pick up all my stuff yet.

Might be another week b'fore I kin git goin. But I wanted to git the thread goin in case anyone else wuz itchin to git started.

So if yer a n00b & wanna learn...jump on in.
If ya wanna show how ya do yer buckit...jump on in.
If ya wanna try a grow to show...jump on in.
If ya got tips or pointers...jump on in.
If ya got questions...jump on in.

Let's git this party started...

...it's time to kick the buckit.

cronmaster · 03-20-2012, 02:17 AM

I'm in
been playing around here for a bit with a micro DWC cab. Just been getting my feet wet more or less, defiantly made some mistakes.

most important things i found were:
-make sure everything is light proof (it was getting through the hydroton on my 3" net pots)
-beneficial bacteria > H2o2

- PPM tester
- pH tester
- cleaning & calibration kits
- pH up
i don't have any of that yet, been just fine with this \/ and pH down

i'll take some pics when i find my cam.

ChoiceGrower · 03-20-2012, 05:29 AM

JoeCrowe · 03-20-2012, 08:27 AM

I use a ph balanced solution that eliminates the need for ph testing.
I find the plant itself is an excellent TDS meter, responding to changes within the hour.
*WARNING* The plants communicate with me directly, using my green thumb as an antenna.
DWC is a chemical system, so, better living through chemistry...anything that requires organic breakdown for availability is doomed to fail.

ChoiceGrower · 03-20-2012, 08:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JoeCrowe

I use a ph balanced solution that eliminates the need for ph testing.
I find the plant itself is an excellent TDS meter, responding to changes within the hour.
*WARNING* The plants communicate with me directly, using my green thumb as an antenna.
DWC is a chemical system, so, better living through chemistry...anything that requires organic breakdown for availability is doomed to fail.

I feel the same way...

ExistentialOne · 03-20-2012, 11:49 AM

im in. Gonna do a strawberry cough clone from greenhouse seeds. sickes to the sickness im soooo stoked. !!

K, so in a single bucket. I dont have a water line going into the top like a recirculating style right? Just the air line going into bottom of bucket from the lid?

*Kp · 03-20-2012, 12:18 PM

this..is....awesome.

dequilo · 03-20-2012, 01:21 PM

Nice ! should be a great show

all the best and grow well

Dequelo

ExistentialOne · 03-20-2012, 01:49 PM

fuck yeah. just got back from the shop. And i am readddddy to gooo!! woot.
She be a strawberry cough...(i think??) either that or pure kush forgot to labell...uhhh. all good.

Here my purchase!! Got a wicked deal on canna nutes cause he only had the three and buddy who ordered it never came to pick it up.

Butcher Bob · 03-20-2012, 02:33 PM

Well alright.....looks like we got some interest in the topic.

Glad to see everyone. I'm feelin like a n00b agin.

PPM, pH, EC, TDS, EDTA, CF...

Wut the hell IS all this shit!!

Good learnin....starts with good research.

I don't know nunna this stuff. I mean I do, generally...but not well enough to be good at it. So the first thing I did wuz go to the FAQs. I went thru the whole list lookin fer anything that seemed like it might be important information fer doin buckits. And I've brought back links to ones I think are important, relevant, and/or helpful, so that we kin have our own reference, without havin to wade thru all the other crap.

Some basic info on pH...

What is pH?
Is pH important?
What is a pH buffer?

...and some on PPM, TDS, EC, & CF...

What is the difference between ppm and EC?
TDS, PPM, and EC
What is a TDS meter and what does it measure?
How do i convert between EC, CF, & PPMs?

...and even one on EDTA, which is important if you use synthetic nutes...

What is EDTA?

How these things apply to yer nutrient solution...

How do I figure out the ppm of my fertilizer mix?
What levels should I maintain for my hydroponic nutrient, temperature, pH and TDS/EC?
How do I tell if my PPM/EC is too high or too low?
How do I adjust the pH in chemical solutions?

Information on testers...

Are the liquid type Ph test kits accurate?
What are the pros and cons of buying a combo meter?
How long does the seal last inside the probe?

...on other equipment...

Should I use Lavarocks or Expanded Clay?
What kind of pump should I use?/How much air does each bucket need?
What kind of airstone should I use?

...and other additives...

How do I use Oxy-Plus in my nutrient tank?
How do I apply hydrogen peroxide?
Why add silicon to nutrient solution?

Information on maintenance of the system...

How do I sterilize and disinfect my system?
At what level should the nutrients be in the bucket?
How can I properly maintain my hydroponic nutrient solution?
How often should I change the nutrients?

...and, if yer gonna use General Hydroponics nutrients, a coupla different feeding schedules...

1-2-3 Formula
Lucas Formula

I ain't read 'em all yet, but I've skimmed 'em. I'll hafta give 'em a more in depth read.

03-20-2012, 02:17 AM	#2
cronmaster Nughuffer Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: somewhere Posts: 192	I'm in been playing around here for a bit with a micro DWC cab. Just been getting my feet wet more or less, defiantly made some mistakes. most important things i found were: -make sure everything is light proof (it was getting through the hydroton on my 3" net pots) -beneficial bacteria > H2o2 - PPM tester - pH tester - cleaning & calibration kits - pH up i don't have any of that yet, been just fine with this \/ and pH down i'll take some pics when i find my cam.
	check out my albums

03-20-2012, 08:27 AM	#4
JoeCrowe Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Japan Posts: 376	I use a ph balanced solution that eliminates the need for ph testing. I find the plant itself is an excellent TDS meter, responding to changes within the hour. WARNING The plants communicate with me directly, using my green thumb as an antenna. DWC is a chemical system, so, better living through chemistry...anything that requires organic breakdown for availability is doomed to fail.
	How could this have happened? We started out like Romeo and Juliet, but instead it ended in tragedy. - Milhouse

03-20-2012, 01:21 PM	#8
dequilo New Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Cambodia Posts: 86	Nice ! should be a great show all the best and grow well Dequelo
	“Open the pod bay doors, Hal" xylem up phloem down "When in doubt knock em out" ------ Vincent "Big Vinny" Girolamo

03-20-2012, 01:49 PM	#9
ExistentialOne Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Earth Posts: 521	fuck yeah. just got back from the shop. And i am readddddy to gooo!! woot. She be a strawberry cough...(i think??) either that or pure kush forgot to labell...uhhh. all good. Here my purchase!! Got a wicked deal on canna nutes cause he only had the three and buddy who ordered it never came to pick it up. Attached Images
	Last edited by ExistentialOne; 03-20-2012 at 05:00 PM..

03-20-2012, 02:33 PM	#10
Butcher Bob Lone Wolf Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 7,687	Well alright.....looks like we got some interest in the topic. Glad to see everyone. I'm feelin like a n00b agin. PPM, pH, EC, TDS, EDTA, CF... Wut the hell IS all this shit!! Good learnin....starts with good research. I don't know nunna this stuff. I mean I do, generally...but not well enough to be good at it. So the first thing I did wuz go to the FAQs. I went thru the whole list lookin fer anything that seemed like it might be important information fer doin buckits. And I've brought back links to ones I think are important, relevant, and/or helpful, so that we kin have our own reference, without havin to wade thru all the other crap. Some basic info on pH... What is pH? Is pH important? What is a pH buffer? ...and some on PPM, TDS, EC, & CF... What is the difference between ppm and EC? TDS, PPM, and EC What is a TDS meter and what does it measure? How do i convert between EC, CF, & PPMs? ...and even one on EDTA, which is important if you use synthetic nutes... What is EDTA? How these things apply to yer nutrient solution... How do I figure out the ppm of my fertilizer mix? What levels should I maintain for my hydroponic nutrient, temperature, pH and TDS/EC? How do I tell if my PPM/EC is too high or too low? How do I adjust the pH in chemical solutions? Information on testers... Are the liquid type Ph test kits accurate? What are the pros and cons of buying a combo meter? How long does the seal last inside the probe? ...on other equipment... Should I use Lavarocks or Expanded Clay? What kind of pump should I use?/How much air does each bucket need? What kind of airstone should I use? ...and other additives... How do I use Oxy-Plus in my nutrient tank? How do I apply hydrogen peroxide? Why add silicon to nutrient solution? Information on maintenance of the system... How do I sterilize and disinfect my system? At what level should the nutrients be in the bucket? How can I properly maintain my hydroponic nutrient solution? How often should I change the nutrients? ...and, if yer gonna use General Hydroponics nutrients, a coupla different feeding schedules... 1-2-3 Formula Lucas Formula I ain't read 'em all yet, but I've skimmed 'em. I'll hafta give 'em a more in depth read.
Butcher Bob Lone Wolf Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 7,687	##> The Butcher Shop <## Then God said, "I give you every seed-bearing plant on the face of the whole earth and every tree that has fruit with seed in it. They will be yours for food." Genesis 1:29

03-20-2012, 11:49 AM	#6
ExistentialOne Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Earth Posts: 521	im in. Gonna do a strawberry cough clone from greenhouse seeds. sickes to the sickness im soooo stoked. !! K, so in a single bucket. I dont have a water line going into the top like a recirculating style right? Just the air line going into bottom of bucket from the lid?

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