5 Gallon DWC Tutorial ($20, 4 minutes to build)

5 Gallon DWC Tutorial ($20, 4 minutes to build)

If you liked this video, check out part 2 on how to transplant a clone into the system!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0omn3BBbIeo, or this video where I have full grown basil plants in this system: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cKW-WB76AX8&feature=relmfu

Full Tutorial can be found at: https://outdoorhydro.squarespace.com/blog/2013/7/10/build-your-own-5gal-bucket-dwc

How To Build: A basic Deep Water Culture (DWC) Hydroponics system for 1 plant that can be built in roughly 3 minutes, and costs only $20 for all of it’s components.

Check out my other videos on my channel to see the second half of this tutorial where I demonstrate how to transplant a basil clone into this 5Gal DWC setup shown in this video.

Or, see the whole tutorial @ www.outdoorhydro.com

5 Gallon Bucket (Lowes) = $2.78
Air Stone = $6.00
Net Cup = $3.50
Air Pump = $6.95

Total= $19.23

You can set up 5 of these, with one plant each, for $100 even. Things that grow great in DWC systems are herbs like basil, lettuce, and even Tomatoes.

Throw in a rockwool cube with your favorite seed in it, add some sort of inert medium (Hydroton is preferred), and you are ready to grow your own food.

Other things you might need:

*Hydroton
*Plant Nutrients

50 Comments

  1. falkura on August 23, 2023 at 7:33 pm

    $20, can be built for less than $100…. wat?



  2. The weed Whisper on August 23, 2023 at 7:34 pm

    Can I grow cannabis in this?



  3. sane saint on August 23, 2023 at 7:35 pm

    yeah you better watch out if it’s not too close it will dry out on you I always plant my seed or clone right on the bubbles almost halfway up and fill the rest with your stones I’ve had one dry out on me because I didn’t let it go up high enough



  4. Ghost In The Darkness on August 23, 2023 at 7:35 pm

    Why does it say $20 in the description man ? Clickbait?



  5. Jerry Coronado on August 23, 2023 at 7:35 pm

    How often do you change the water is it by the week when you change nutrients?



  6. Chance Pollard on August 23, 2023 at 7:40 pm

    Really helpful – thanks so much for taking the time to help people!



  7. MyPageMike on August 23, 2023 at 7:41 pm

    This is NO damn DWC you built a Netpot 1 bucket system from what I see here.



  8. Mr. Yuk on August 23, 2023 at 7:42 pm

    this setup is for plebs trying to pump out stress..them buckets are the wrong color..those airstones are garbage, that air pump is ridiculous overkill for a 5 gal res, and its about to be loud as hell. go with this setup if you hate yourself!!!, if you dont hate yourself go RDWC and forget all this nonsense!



  9. Slyyy Yyy on August 23, 2023 at 7:43 pm

    good video thanks man



  10. Blake Clark on August 23, 2023 at 7:44 pm

    Steward looks sketchy, he won’t even make eye contact with the camera….



  11. Pathological Liar on August 23, 2023 at 7:46 pm

    What took you 4 mins to explain took others 20+ minutes and they missed some of the most important info that you did not. I’ve been growing my cannabis in coco but have had nothing but infestations on my plants, Im looking to switch to a hydro set up for 2 plants and see how it goes. My grow room is so clean and I’m not sure where the fuck the bugs keep coming from. I live in a new house and the rooms kept clean, I’m the only one who goes in there and I only go in there when I’m clean. That means I haven’t gone out into the garden or in the yard or hiking and then went inside my grow room. So hopefully this will help keep the pesky fuckers from ruining another crop.



  12. isailwind on August 23, 2023 at 7:49 pm

    3/4 inch hose, lol.



  13. Veranec Francis on August 23, 2023 at 7:49 pm

    Simple, clear and cheap = like and subscribe



  14. randomdude212 on August 23, 2023 at 7:50 pm

    The garden hose is 3/4 inch but the aerator hose is probably 1/4 inch 😆



  15. 223 E on August 23, 2023 at 7:50 pm

    lmao 20$ my ass



  16. Dr. Spock on August 23, 2023 at 7:51 pm

    How do you do a water change when your plant is 4ft tall and it’s also in a SOG, guy!



  17. D Hustle on August 23, 2023 at 7:51 pm

    Quick question , will One pump Power 4 five gallon buckets??? Or do I need 4 , pumps ?Or I can put it like some kind a splitter on there and Power all 4 Buckets?



  18. WereSoClueLess on August 23, 2023 at 7:52 pm

    So cheesy this was a waste of my time "stay moist"
    (; you lookin like a real star ur gonna hit million subs no problem! PUTA



  19. sane saint on August 23, 2023 at 7:53 pm

    he’s not even talking about weed



  20. Cake on August 23, 2023 at 7:53 pm

    And here I was goina buy a 80 dollar bucket kit. Wtf. Thanks man. I owe you a big one. Straight to the point



  21. Rob Harrison on August 23, 2023 at 7:55 pm

    Man links for supply list would be freaking SWEET



  22. Rachel Oliva on August 23, 2023 at 7:57 pm

    how many days until you have to change the water?



  23. jennifer binns on August 23, 2023 at 7:59 pm

    Snugley!



  24. Jmack 4275 on August 23, 2023 at 7:59 pm

    This is the simplest version I’ve seen and it’s amazing! Love it! Every other video makes it too complicated for a beginner



  25. Marc Cruz on August 23, 2023 at 7:59 pm

    Bubbles provide oxygen not airation ???



  26. Turan Redman on August 23, 2023 at 8:01 pm

    you don’t have to spend a massive amount on a air pump you can pick up one online for less then $10 aqua one is a reliable brand. usually come with a year warranty which is great when it’s only a few dollars in the first place. the idea is to plan you’re system perfectly before begging it as forward planning saves new growers thousands. I know a lot of people who still regret not planning properly or even shopping around.



  27. KapoDaWizard on August 23, 2023 at 8:02 pm

    Ah yes.. growing basil… that is exactly what I do too.



  28. Jacob Weatherholt on August 23, 2023 at 8:07 pm

    This is aeroponics not dwc hydroponics smfh, I’m a noob and u are leading ppl in the right direction, but you should also explain that dwc have a undercurrent for a reason, you should have a reservoir and as many buckets as u want, but you have to run your lines from the reservoir to each pot and back, best way is using 1 inch vinyl hosing, and square buckets and use hose fittings, run each line back to a submersible pump and you’ll have much better results, if you submerge your pump I was told that you might start fighting with water temps



  29. Travis Mosier on August 23, 2023 at 8:08 pm

    How do you do water changes?



  30. evobe on August 23, 2023 at 8:09 pm

    thanks for this ancient but great vid



  31. Spin City on August 23, 2023 at 8:09 pm

    Nice work thanks. Do you reckon you could substitute coco coir for hydroton?



  32. David on August 23, 2023 at 8:10 pm

    I grow bananas and harvest their bones for soup



  33. Lannie Patterson on August 23, 2023 at 8:11 pm

    Through that wire bro lol stoner 😜



  34. Your Highness on August 23, 2023 at 8:11 pm

    No Links of supplies used.



  35. michael Kording on August 23, 2023 at 8:14 pm

    Thanx flip flops



  36. Josh Maudlin on August 23, 2023 at 8:15 pm

    Water level should be 1” below net pot. This will allow wicking



  37. Mario Mendez on August 23, 2023 at 8:16 pm

    Where did you buy the air stone and air pump what’s the strength ?



  38. Lannie Patterson on August 23, 2023 at 8:16 pm

    How much a pump like that I want a three bucket system



  39. mattzx77 on August 23, 2023 at 8:19 pm

    One thing He forgot is to add a Drain hole/tube at the bottom. Makes it much easier to change out your nutrient solution



  40. sane saint on August 23, 2023 at 8:20 pm

    yeah those stones are the best



  41. sane saint on August 23, 2023 at 8:22 pm

    you can make a hole with a knife you don’t need a drill use pH perfect micro grow and Bloom keeps it perfect all week Google advanced nutrients you will find it or look at your local Hydro Store if not it’s going to bring your pH Down all the food you put in it so you have to keep bringing it up the perfect is the way to go at last all week



  42. Canadian Poor mans gro on August 23, 2023 at 8:22 pm

    👍🇨🇦👍🇨🇦



  43. Coy Loks on August 23, 2023 at 8:23 pm

    Will it grow there from start to flower?



  44. Arthur Kuntz on August 23, 2023 at 8:24 pm

    also a bigger hole for adding water to the bucket as needed instead of lifting the lid all the time to check water level



  45. DJ Deckard Cain on August 23, 2023 at 8:25 pm

    The…..

    HYDRO-TTTTTOOOOOOONNNNN!!!!

    Nice video though. Lol. Should make a little water level indicator on the side. Makes life easier.



  46. Beatnik / The Leviathan on August 23, 2023 at 8:26 pm

    Are those buckets food-grade? I have the same ones but I would prefer to use food-grade if possible, and I can’t find that info anywhere.



  47. Franz-jozef de Jong on August 23, 2023 at 8:27 pm

    Ware can i find this netcups ??



  48. Matthew P on August 23, 2023 at 8:29 pm

    Have a project, need your advice, how can I get in touch with you?



  49. Louis vernaiski on August 23, 2023 at 8:29 pm

    should i have the pump on an smart timer to run for certain intervals



  50. C Kobesko on August 23, 2023 at 8:30 pm

    You mean 1/4 hose