Question about using white, square buckets.

[NeWcS]

For my next grow I am going to use square buckets for my DWC. By using square buckets I can almost double the amount I can grow in my tent.

My question is; I can only find them in white and am afraid of the light seeping through the buckets seeing how their white. Would I be able to put some heavy plastic bags in each one to keep the light from getting to the roots but keeping the outside white for more light reflection?

Anyone have any input on this? Thanks!

 

[Mr Eckted]

I would say use panda plastic. White on one side black on the other. Just wrap and glue to your pot. Maybe 2 layers.

 

[highonmt]

For my next grow I am going to use square buckets for my DWC. By using square buckets I can almost double the amount I can grow in my tent.

My question is; I can only find them in white and am afraid of the light seeping through the buckets seeing how their white. Would I be able to put some heavy plastic bags in each one to keep the light from getting to the roots but keeping the outside white for more light reflection?

Anyone have any input on this? Thanks!

I've used them and they work great just cover them in anything that blocks light. A layer of panda works well as does bubble foil insulation, aluminum tape etc. I have an in with a local restaurant and they give me the used buckets for free. The bag would work as well inside or out. good luck.

 

[thefalsediviner]

I sand and spray paint the outside of mine black with the Rustolium for plastic furniture. After a couple of years I touch it up. I'm considering switching to red lids.

 

[Haps]

Silver spray paint works well, lasts for years. I tape reflectix insulation on my buckets. No bags inside, just asking for problems.

 

[budshoteyes]

ReflectIx gets my vote...it reflects and insulates!

 

[Maj.Cottonmouth]

I would also recommend Reflectix for wrapping those rascals.

 

[Phaeton]

This is one of those items I have heard about but never addressed.

I use whatever color bucket is handy. Right now I'm using 17" x 34" trays of clear plastic, I can track root development right through the sides.

Does this affect more than the outside 1/4" of root that is against the plastic? I can't see in further than that.

Has anyone done side by side to see if it makes any difference at all?

I built a grow silo out of reflectix and have 50' left, I can wrap my trays if any indication shows any help at all for doing so.

 

[go4broke]

Your doing DWC so you need to insulate and light proof the containers to avoid the hydro herpies. I have 14"x16"---8 gal. Ropac pails, they look just like TidyCat kitty litter containers only larger. The sides are covered with Reflextic secured with silver duct tape. The lids are covered with heavy duty aluminum foil pressed/molded to shape and Reflextic inserts cut to size. With Reflextic you get temp and light insulation in one wrap. Painting works to, but you still may have to insulate your containers.

 

[smokestack23]

Yeah that reflectix or whatever it's called is great. It blocks light, insulates, and is cheap and clean. I just use that velcro tape stuff to close my reflectix "wraps". I also cut a piece for the tops of my tubs with a slit and a hole in the middle for the stalk.

 

[CannaBunkerMan]

On one of the incarnations of my hydro setup, I used square buckets, since they were easier to attach a bulkhead fitting to them. The major problem that I had was with the bucket lids. They broke much more easily than the circular HD bucket lids. Moral? Order extra tops.

 

[NeWcS]

So I got my tent setup for my next grow. Wrapped the square buckets in ReflectIx.

Thoughts?

The Floros you see are only used for vegging. During flowering they will get 420w of LEDs.

 

[Señor Chang]

Glad you got the reflextix, its a permanent solution for your DWC'ers.

Aim a fan at the two airpumps below your buckets.
The cool air will transfer to the DWC and help to keep water temps low.
I see you are running led.
I don't know if high temps will be a concern for you.
Good luck on your grow!

 

[NeWcS]

Funny you said that cause I do have a fan under there. Thats the reason I put that little shelf in there so I can run air under the buckets.

 

[Coco_nuts]

If they are real close together in a tent then it shouldnt matter, Also the white plastic would have to be pretty thin to allow too much light through. Why would they even sell white pots then.

 

[budshoteyes]

I've often thought about a false floor or using sheets of refectix to separate the buckets from the lights. Small holes would allow the plants to grow through and above!

Cool air for the buckets and warmer air for the plants would be the desired effect,would it sweat?

 

[paladin420]

My first system was white pots that were made for hydro. Never had a prob. Never did anything to them. Nor had herpes. Possiblly they were thicker,and more opacue(sp)
Good Luck

 

[trichrider]

i use em
light has a tough time penetrating, or effecting root mass, imo.
looks like you have it figured out pretty darn well.
good growin' bro!

 

[budshoteyes]

Don't waste any money on black buckets. Cost me $11.95 + %15 taxes at the hydroshop=12buckets....aprox....$160.00. Round white buckets...$5.99 at any hardware store...half the price!

Square white buckets are better if you can find them!

 

[sso]

i grow in square buckets now, white plastic. (pretty normal thickness for that size (15l or so) can see light through it if you hold it up to the light)

sometimes ive grown in clear containers, usually allright, but sometimes grow a bit of algae on the insides if too much light hits them.

but even with the clear ones, thats rare because usually the canopy blocks the light enough.

hadnt even thought of whether the white one´s would be a trouble.

but ive transplanted a few times and ive never seen anything wrong with the roots.

not even at the beginning when far more light was hitting the white plastic.