If I have a UC will I need a water chiller?

[irieeyes808]

I am very new to hydro and basically feel like I am getting in way over my head. I have a brand new UC6XL and everything for a proper grow room but no water chiller. If I keep my air temps at around the lower 70's do ya think this may be sufficient??? I know it is best to keep around 65F but I donot have $400 for a nice chiller any ideas?

 

[gregor_mendel]

Some people pull off deep water culture without a chiller, but no one can tell you with authority that it is going to work.

If you don't have $400 bucks, you don't have it. Give it a shot, but learn about using bleach, hydrogen peroxide, or Dutch Master Zone first.

As far as getting in over your head, I really doubt it.

A UC is a series of buckets connected with pipes that have solution running through them.
Airstones and lines also. Not complicated

 

[bagada]

as long as u build up beneficial bacteria in your system you should be fine. as long as you dont pass above 80F it should work. beneficials allow you to run at higher temps. My system has beneficials and my water is cloudy, dirty, root pieces floating everywhere my water is around 75F and i have no chiller. I think if you just build up bennies in the system you will be fine. Alls you have to do is run it for a week or 2 before putting plants in. and also run lava rocks in your netpots(they are cheaper than hydro-clay-balls)

 

[Snook]

That is all good advice but what type lighting youre gonna run has much to say about DWC and water temps. You might be good with LEDs or T5s and not so good with HIDs. Just sayin, lights will make a difference to wether you need a chiller or not.

 

[BigGreen]

Dude if you can swing it you should try to get the chiller a 1/10 hp will chill a 6xl no problem and you can get them for $300
If its not an option at all make sure to add aquashield every 5 days at 5ml per gallon should get you thru the crop then get a chiller

 

[ogkush420]

YES you need a chiller, but don't bother with any off brands...I personally like JBJ if you are going small, but get at least a 1/4HP, that can cool around 80 gallons of water or so to 60 no problem.. Also DO NOT USE bennies...use h202 35% at around 3ml a gallon. Bleach for cleaning shit. Hydro is not easy...these peeps that say it's simple are noobs.

 

[dwarfganja]

Dutch master zone. If u see them turning color dump some in. Stuff is a life saver. Also you can freeze 2lt bottles of water and put them in main res.

My

 

[nuggetsgalore]

Dude if you can swing it you should try to get the chiller a 1/10 hp will chill a 6xl no problem and you can get them for $300
If its not an option at all make sure to add aquashield every 5 days at 5ml per gallon should get you thru the crop then get a chiller

1/10th more than likely won't be enough. that'll work for about 8-12 gallons. If you're running ~20 or more you'll want at least 1/5 or 1/4. Always get the size up as they're rated to move pure water and hydro solutions seems to be just a little thicker. Err on the high side. Don't buy the cheapys either, they'll break. I speak from experience. I run ucrdwc in AZ through the summer months.


If a chiller isn't in the budget I'd suggest looking on craiglist (not sure how well that works on the islands) for a portable air conditioner, they're a little cheaper and will help keep the area cool. Also consider using white plastic to reflect light off your lids and pipes. You can also use piping insulation on the pipes between the buckets. I use Great White, it keeps the root zone healthy, white and constantly shooting off new roots. I had an issue with temp and pythium. Tried a lot of things and for our water (tap at the time) Great White made the difference. Lastly, check out a silica additive like Silica Blast, it helps with stress, heat, etc.

My 2 cents...

 

[TREE KING]

irieeyes808 i hope you dont mind but what about the same question for aeroponics? i was gonna run the apollo 3 system below 1 min on and 4 min off is the pump setting
http://www.greenandclean.ca/hydropo...ic-systems/apollo-add-on-33-sites-add-on.html

 

[SpayceRayce]

A low tech option is a small 12v computer cpu fan blowing into each rez, use a 45 degree pvc or abs elbow to align the breeze. The water will evap slightly, but fall back into rez, so minimal fluid loss. Works really well, brings down more than a few degrees, and a lot cheaper than a chiller. I've used them, ghetto growing is my thang.

 

[ajc0k]

I bought a 1/4 hp chiller for my RDWC and only until after i had my plants going i then realized i didn't need the chiller, but an aquarium heater instead. So if your growing in a garage with concrete then i'd think twice before buying one. Mine is collecting dust..

 

[Ultra Current]

You dont need a chiller as long as you keep a level of chlorine of .50 ppm and add more air. The pumps that they supply is too small without a chiller. I explain how much air that you want in the tutorial in my sig.

 

[shuswap]

how do u measure chlorine levels?

 

[Ultra Current]

how do u measure chlorine levels?

With a chlorine meter