Kronikal_kiwi
Member
Hey there everyone.
So, I have been running hand watered coco, and even though I feel I have it down to a fine art, my yields are still nothing like what I have seen on here, though this may be genetics.
I run a Homebox GL240. I have 2X600 HPS and 2X400 HPS. I use Canna nutes. Temps are always roughly 28-30 celcius in there (82-86F) and humidity is within 45-55%. During lights off temps get low, down to around 16-18 celcius (60-64 F) and humidity can get high 70%. With all of this in mind, my yields are still not great, though my plants are always very healthy. I have grown, recently, Pineapple Express, Black Widow, Power Kush. I usually average around 10-12 oz's per 600. This isn't great, but I've been okay with that. I grow in 2.5 gallon grow bags, with saucers full of hydroton beneath to catch run off (always get run off every time). I hand water once a day when the lights come on. I run 4 plants per light. They go under the 400's initially, and once stretch is over, and the buds are forming they are moved under the 600's.
So, in an effort to up yields, I have decided to go down the DTW root.
I have ordered 10 liter buckets (2.5 gallon). I know that these buckets are bigger than has been recommended in other guides, however, I picked them up for a steal, which is kinda what nudged me in the direction of DTW.
My intention is to "double up" the buckets so to speak, so the bottom one catches run off. I will run 19mm (I think 3/4") tank fittings off the bottom buckets, that will then run down tubing, into a waste res.
The feed lines will be a 50 liter res (13.2 gal) that feeds via a 220 LPH (58 GPH) pump (wanted to keep it small, as a bigger pump will surely die very soon, or pop lines due to slow drippers?). The pump will pump down 19mm line (3/4") which will break off, via a manifold, into 4X19mm lines. Each 19mm line will then feed 4mm drip lines (1/6") that will feed 4 liter per hour drippers (roughly 1GPH). With 2 drippers per plant. The drippers are pressure compensating, to avoid inconsistent feeding, and also, at the end of the 19mm lines, there will be a second manifold that will join them all back up again.
There will be little rise for the pump to combat, and the length from the pump to the first manifold will be approximately 60cm (2') from there the 19mm lengths that run the lengths of the pots will be 2 meters long (6.6') before rejoining into the second manifold.
I will run 50/50 perlite coco, and will continue with Canna nutes, and H&G drip clean.
Does anyone see any problems with this?
I have clones rooting at the moment. I intend to veg them in a hand watering setup, in approximately 2.5 gal bags, and transplant into these DTW buckets when they start flowering. I know initially let the buckets dry out to a degree before rewatering, to develop that root mass, but hopefully, by the end of week one, they will be up to one watering per day, and by the end of week 2 they will be up to two or three waterings, thus making use of the DTW concept.
The more I read, the more I see that DTW yields better than hand watering. So hopefully this all goes to plan!
Will take photo's and keep you all updated as we go.
So, I have been running hand watered coco, and even though I feel I have it down to a fine art, my yields are still nothing like what I have seen on here, though this may be genetics.
I run a Homebox GL240. I have 2X600 HPS and 2X400 HPS. I use Canna nutes. Temps are always roughly 28-30 celcius in there (82-86F) and humidity is within 45-55%. During lights off temps get low, down to around 16-18 celcius (60-64 F) and humidity can get high 70%. With all of this in mind, my yields are still not great, though my plants are always very healthy. I have grown, recently, Pineapple Express, Black Widow, Power Kush. I usually average around 10-12 oz's per 600. This isn't great, but I've been okay with that. I grow in 2.5 gallon grow bags, with saucers full of hydroton beneath to catch run off (always get run off every time). I hand water once a day when the lights come on. I run 4 plants per light. They go under the 400's initially, and once stretch is over, and the buds are forming they are moved under the 600's.
So, in an effort to up yields, I have decided to go down the DTW root.
I have ordered 10 liter buckets (2.5 gallon). I know that these buckets are bigger than has been recommended in other guides, however, I picked them up for a steal, which is kinda what nudged me in the direction of DTW.
My intention is to "double up" the buckets so to speak, so the bottom one catches run off. I will run 19mm (I think 3/4") tank fittings off the bottom buckets, that will then run down tubing, into a waste res.
The feed lines will be a 50 liter res (13.2 gal) that feeds via a 220 LPH (58 GPH) pump (wanted to keep it small, as a bigger pump will surely die very soon, or pop lines due to slow drippers?). The pump will pump down 19mm line (3/4") which will break off, via a manifold, into 4X19mm lines. Each 19mm line will then feed 4mm drip lines (1/6") that will feed 4 liter per hour drippers (roughly 1GPH). With 2 drippers per plant. The drippers are pressure compensating, to avoid inconsistent feeding, and also, at the end of the 19mm lines, there will be a second manifold that will join them all back up again.
There will be little rise for the pump to combat, and the length from the pump to the first manifold will be approximately 60cm (2') from there the 19mm lengths that run the lengths of the pots will be 2 meters long (6.6') before rejoining into the second manifold.
I will run 50/50 perlite coco, and will continue with Canna nutes, and H&G drip clean.
Does anyone see any problems with this?
I have clones rooting at the moment. I intend to veg them in a hand watering setup, in approximately 2.5 gal bags, and transplant into these DTW buckets when they start flowering. I know initially let the buckets dry out to a degree before rewatering, to develop that root mass, but hopefully, by the end of week one, they will be up to one watering per day, and by the end of week 2 they will be up to two or three waterings, thus making use of the DTW concept.
The more I read, the more I see that DTW yields better than hand watering. So hopefully this all goes to plan!
Will take photo's and keep you all updated as we go.
