New to RDWC and need advice and some Q&A:)

[Flawless]

I am looking to build a RDWC with a two 27 gallon tough tote box. I am planning on using a 600 watt system in around 3'x4.5'x7' space roughly. I am planning on also going with the technaflora BC recipe for success kit but with a few other additives at my disposal, including AN Bud candy,AN bid bud, AN overdrive, AN bud factor X, AN B-52, Botanicare Cal-mag plus, Botanicare Liquid karma, Humbolt Country's Own snow storm ultra, AN Voodoo Juice, AN bud ignitor, Orca, and AN Sensyzym. Has anyone ever used these nutes with RDWC?? I used to use GH pH UP & Down but it always spiked on me and I've spoken with others and they've had the same issue has anyone else experienced this? Any other suggestions on pH buffer? Also Ive done some reading and looks a lot of people use chlorine or DM zone to keep root zone as healthy as possible? Any advice or pointers will be greatly appreciated specially on what kind of pump Thank you !!

 

[flat9]

First things first: KISS (keep it simple, stupid). There's little/no point to those addies, other than a direct donation to AN. Simple two part feeds has been known to grow monsters in RDWC:

https://www.icmag.com/ic/showthread.php?t=181239

Secondly, pick a nutrient line that is pH stable and you won't have to worry about pH at all. A lot of guys love Jack's Calcinit + Hydro from JR Peters because it's cheap, simple, pH stable, and works. And it works ridiculously well.

Chlorine, zone, etc. is unnecessary if you keep the res temps in check. That means around 68 F. Take all the money you were about to waste on AN nutes and spend it on a chiller. Or just go with a different system entirely (like coco drain to waste, ppk, ebb & flow, etc.) which doesn't require a chiller, though does lose a tad in terms of growth.rates.

If you're sticking with RDWC, get a float valve and an external res to make topping off easy and also to ensure you keep the water level maybe about an inch above the bottom of the netpot/waterfarm insert/etc.... want water roots, not air roots. Also forget the airstones and air pumps. All you need to do is run water over grow stones or hydroton or whatever your media is. This coupled with proper res temps will oxygenate the water plenty.

 

[Flawless]

Fortunately for me all those nutes are already bought and paid for my buddy said I can use them so nothing out of pocket for me. I will look into the Jack's Calcinit+hydro and some some research on that or other pH stable bases.

Water chiller is a little more than what I have to spend this first grow so I am probably going to re evaluate my set up. I was going to go the hand water coco route since I've had more experience with that. So it is possible to use coco as a ebb and flow system?? I have never heard of coco being used in that kind of a set up.

 

[LSWM]

Water chiller is a little more than what I have to spend this first grow so I am probably going to re evaluate my set up. I was going to go the hand water coco route since I've had more experience with that. So it is possible to use coco as a ebb and flow system?? I have never heard of coco being used in that kind of a set up.

Forget ebb and flow. Coco drip to waste with multiple feedings a day is the easiest, most care free system of all time. Get a pump, some tubing, and a good timer and you are set. Nutes in one end waste out the other. Don't let the pots sit in the runoff. It has to drain away.

Go read HGOs sticky in the Coco forums called "a few thing I've learned growing in coco." Smaller pots work best. I'd say 4-6 plants in 2gal pots for a 600. Could increase numbers to 10-12 and run 1 gal. Up to you.

If a chiller isnt in the budgest stay away from water culture. Drip to waste coco will get you ebb and flow results or better, with smaller pots, and less hassle.

 

[flat9]

Check out the ppk thread in vert

 

[flat9]

Also, if you do run RDWC, read this thread for some interesting discussion: https://www.icmag.com/ic/showthread.php?t=242002

All other variables being held equal, I don't think a single system will rival DWC (but a PPK will come closest most likely, and Coco not far behind). Running DWC is fun at the very least in terms of the design in it...

 

[flat9]

Also, DIY chiller w/ temp control: https://www.icmag.com/ic/showthread.php?t=243342

 

[Flawless]

Also, if you do run RDWC, read this thread for some interesting discussion: https://www.icmag.com/ic/showthread.php?t=242002

All other variables being held equal, I don't think a single system will rival DWC (but a PPK will come closest most likely, and Coco not far behind). Running DWC is fun at the very least in terms of the design in it...

That is great thread i got really high tap water around 700 ppm. we tested today we have a r.o machine hooked up to a res that we have to change the membrane and filters tomorrow and we will have awesome water . I love the homemade chiller idea we are definitely going to look into that. Thank you so much guys!!

 

[flat9]

Wow that's really crap water. Where I'm at it's EC 0.08 (40 ppm).

If you're still gonna do RDWC, make sure whatever two part mix you have has a decent amount of cal-mag in it. Again, Jacks 2-part feed has plenty:

http://www.jrpeters.com/Products/Hydroponics/Buy-Hydroponics.html

You want Jack's 5-12-26 Hydroponic and 15-0-0 Calcium Nitrate.

I've also heard great things about Current Culture's "Cultured Solutions" nutrients:

http://cch2o.com/cultured_solutions.html

You won't need the UC Roots. It's the same, when dissolved, as Chlorox Bleach; use about 0.2 ml/gallon.

Another thing to keep in mind for aesthetics: both these products are relatively scentless and mix in pretty clear (the Jacks smelling a bit like lime juice and the Cultured Solutions scentless, or so I'm told). This may seem like a minor factor, but if you're growing in an extra bedroom, it's something to consider.

If you really wanna stick with DWC, though, I still think you'll need a chiller.

 

[LSWM]

I would really stay away from all those additives, especially in RDWC. Anything organic is asking forr trouble IMO. People getting the best most consistent results generally run maxibloom, GH flora, Jack's, or another 2 part base, at least from my reading and my experience.

Give them a balanced nutrient profile at 1.0-1.6 maybe 2.0 ec in any system and watch them explode.

 

[Flawless]

I have been doing a lot of reading and I think I have my mind made up on my base. I am going with H&G Aqua flakes, H&G Drip clean, Botanicare Cal mag, and Bud candy (maybe). I checked out the DIY water chiller and I am definitely going that route. I have a top load water dispenser that is not being used and plan on taking the cooling element and use it in my water chiller. I am going to PM the guy who made that guide and see if he has any suggestions that can make this a breeze. Thanks for your input guys loving it!
Happy growing!

 

[Flawless]

So I have done a little changing with my plans I am just going to go with a 5 Gal bucket with 5 gal rez. I've been doing a little digging when I can on the forums and people have had problems with the ceramic air stones getting clogged and other issues(Not sure if it is only a particular brand), I have found a few other alternatives online and I was wondering if anyone has used these products themselves or have heard of them that they work efficiently.

*flexible air 4' tubing http://www.ehydroponics.com/?action=product&id=8173&sel_size=1246

* oxygen shield made for a 5 gal bucket http://www.ehydroponics.com/oxygen-shield-4-air-diffuser-5-gal-bucket.html

Also I am still debating on which nutes to go with I cant decide to go Canna as some of the legends of these forums used or go with H&G decisions decisions lol

 

[LSWM]

If youre running rdwc, ditch the airstones completely and run high flow waterfalls instead. Check out heaths tree grow, or ttysstik has a thread in the vert forums called super silos using a similar system.

You don't need an air stone in an ebb and flow or dtw setup. its only ever caused me problens with shit growing or foaming.

If you insist on spending $$$$ on nutes be my guest. I doubt youll do anything but create issues using calmag, and bud candy will foam up your rez.